Quotes From Ralph Friedgen's Tuesday Press Conference
9/18/2001 8:00:00 AM | Football
Sept. 18, 2001
College Park, Md. -
(On Wake Forest)
"They are undefeated, and they are playing very well. They are doing a great job of running the football. They are also throwing the football, but they are using the Clemson, Northwestern, West Virginia type of offense. They are doing a great job of running the football, but at least one of their quarterbacks is not really a mainstay in the running attack, which is a little bit different. They have a very fine runner, number 12 (tailback, Tarence Williams). They are controlling the ball. They are averaging about 80 plays a game. That's helping their defense. They have a young defense that is playing very aggressively. Number 93 (defensive end, Calvince Pace) and number 99 (defensive end, Nate Bolling) have really impressed me as defensive linemen. We are going to have some tough match ups there. They are playing with the same type of enthusiasm that our players are. This is going to be a very big game on our schedule. It is our first away game. Our challenge this week is that we are playing an undefeated team on their turf. We have to win on the road. It's a business trip, not a pleasure trip. We are going there with one thing in mind, and that's to come back 3-0."
"What Wake Forest does an excellent job of is staying on schedule. Their first down is a crucial down for them and for us. If they're on second and five, second and three, it's not good for us. If they are on second and 10, second and 11, then that's a positive. In the two games we've broken down, they've had five or six third and seven plus situations. They're not getting into long yardage very much. And that's why they are controlling the football."
(On last night's practice)
"Defensively, we had a very good practice last night. We were very enthusiastic, had a lot of energy. Offensively, up until the last drill we had, which was a two-minute drill, we had a very good practice. I saw some lack of focus in that drill which I wasn't very happy with. Today, we're going to get it corrected.
Previous to that drill though, the offense had a good practice. So I didn't see any signs of losing momentum. I'm expecting us to continue right where we left off."
(On adjusting the offense)
"If it ain't broke, don't fix it."
(On preparing for a no huddle offense)
"In preparing for West Virginia, we had a whole week in preparing for the no huddle. It's pretty much the same game plan, just two different teams running it. Even with our huddle, we probably have a faster tempo than they do. They are going to align, and then check to see what defense we are in, and then some guy on the coaching staff is going to make a call, and the quarterback is going to listen to what he has to say, and then make the call. If you watch us, if we're not up to the line in 18 seconds, you're going to see that fat, bald-headed guy on the sideline a little upset."
(On Injuries)
"We're very healthy right now. The only one who has been ruled out from playing is Chris Kelley. And he will be ready in another week. He has been at practice. He just can't take any contact."
(On Wake Forest tailback Tarence Williams)
"He is not a big guy. He has great feet, good vision, good acceleration, pretty good toughness. Anytime a guy is carrying that much at that size, it says he is a pretty good back. They have a big kid backing him up who is not bad either."
(On tailback Bruce Perry)
"Bruce is getting better and better every game and every practice. He hasn't really surpassed my expectations though. I've always expected good things from him. I like the way he's practicing now. He comes in and punches the clock. He gives you a good days work. That is reflected in what he is doing on the football field. I see some consistency developing with Bruce on a daily basis. In the past, he's had one good day or one good period, and then he's nicked up. I see him fighting through those things now. I see him maturing as an individual and growing up. In a very quiet way, he gets the job done now. I'm very pleased with his performance."
