Dec. 19, 2006

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - Maryland Football Head Coach Ralph Friedgen

On Purdue's Curtis Painter: "He is a big strong quarterback with a strong arm. Even though they are throwing the ball extremely well, I think sixth in the country in passing, they run the ball about 130 yards a game too. They have a pretty balanced attack and I think that's what really makes them so tough. We've been trying to do a lot of work against each other, first team against first team, to simulate the team in which our defense is going to face. They pose a lot of problems to our defense and hopefully we will go down there and play one of our better games."

On playing a team out of conference "What I think is pretty unique about the game is that this is the first time we are meeting and the fact that we are playing a Big Ten school. I think it is a good match-up for the ACC. The more different conferences you can play, the more intriguing the game becomes. This game is that way and it is as new for us as it is for them. They are excited about playing someone new and so are we."

On turnovers: "Something we haven't been able to do very well is getting interceptions and we would certainly like to get some in this game. Turnovers are a major deciding factor in the game."

On the mental focus for the Bowl game: "I think they are pretty excited for this Bowl game. I think this is the game they wanted to go to. I've been concerned about where they are mentally, but for the most part they have come out and practiced very well, very hard and very enthusiastically. It looks like they are enjoying themselves out there. I feel like they want to make up for the last two games. I don't think they feel like that is who they are. I think we have worked pretty hard all season, had a lot of tough games and came through. We would like to finish it out on a positive note. Going to the game in the right frame of mind is very important."

On going down to Florida early: "I'm hoping that gives us the continuity we need because I thought our defense practiced very well on Sunday but our offense was very ragged. We had been very sharp just before we went into exams so I think offensively the timing, catching the ball and the accuracy in which you throw it. I think you have to have some continuity and going down early with help us in that light."

On the seniors ending with a Bowl game: "It's always an emotional thing for your seniors. We have a ceremony at our last practice where we have our seniors pick someone to carry them off the field for their last practice. It is an emotional time. It will be the last time for a lot of our players to play college football and the fact that you can go down, play in a warm climate and hopefully have a great crowd there, it's something I know our kids are very excited to get down there and play."

On the offense: "I think it is a little tougher offensively to maintain the sharpness. Defense or offense you can play on emotions. The practice we had before exams our offense was very sharp and did a pretty good job. Kind of like spring practice, we came back on Sunday and the defense got all over the offense so we will have to see how we do tomorrow. A lot of teams scrimmage and try to maintain their sharpness that way. I haven't done that, I am afraid of injury, but we do a lot of contact work without going into the ground to try and keep us sharp and go best against best."

On comparing Purdue to Maryland: "I think there are a lot of parallels between our program and Purdue's. I've met Coach Tiller a few times and I think he and I are a lot alike philosophically. I think our schools from an academic standpoint are very similar. Also, where he recruits kids and how they fit in not only athletically, but academically. I think there are a lot of parallels and I see that as a compliment because I have a lot of respect for him as a person and as a football coach too."

On Stephon Heyer: "After the Georgia Tech game I saw a new resolve in him for the rest of the year. I think he has practiced very well. I think he has really come up big in games like Clemson and Miami. There were many times he went one on one with those guys and did the job."

On Sam Hollenbach: "I think Sam is just coming into his own. The one thing about Sam is that he is going to have that mechanical engineering degree. When you have a degree, especially a degree of that nature, you can tryout for pro football and give it your best shot. If you can't you have something to fall back on. I think if he gets the opportunity he will try to do that. I think his best football is still ahead of him."

On the players' lack of experience with Bowl games: "The pros are that they are pretty excited about going, I think everyone wants to have the experience of going to a Bowl game and hopefully they will have the true experience and win. The other part is that you don't have a lot of guys who know how to make sure this is a business trip."

Maryland Player Quotes

Erin Henderson (LB, #1)

On finishing the semester: "It's exciting. This is a very stressful time for all college students, especially people in our situation with practice and all the other things we need to take care of. I finished my exams, though, and I'm finishing my final paper now, so I'm excited to focus on the bowl game and get down to Orlando."

On Purdue: "It's always exciting to play against a team that we don't really know much about. Purdue is a very tough opponent and they bring a lot to the table. They have one of the top offenses in the country, so it will be a challenge for our defense, but it gives us a chance to go out and set the tempo for next year. I've been studying tapes a lot to try to pick up their tendencies and the different things that they do. They're a team that we haven't seen before, so we're going to have to bring our A-game out there."

On the excitement surrounding the trip: "We have a few people on the team from Florida, so they're excited about having us come down. They're going to show us around and take us back to their homes. It's a good opportunity, and we really appreciate the Champs Sports Bowl inviting us down there."

On finishing the season strong: "We have a bad taste in our mouths right now. It feels like we haven't won a game in forever. The eight games that we won seem so long ago. Like people say, you're only as good as your last game. This long layoff has been tough because of that, but it gives us an opportunity to rest up and get ready to play."

On the bowl: "We're going to Orlando to represent the University of Maryland to the fullest of our potential. We don't want to let down the Champs Sports Bowl that invited us down there. We want to give the fans who come down their money's worth."

Stephon Heyer (#70, OT)

On the practice schedule leading up to the bowl: "It's tough having days on and days off, and we're not as focused as we would be during regular game situations, because of finals and graduation in some cases. But we have a big game ahead of us, and we have to take advantage of this opportunity."

On getting back on the field after graduation on Thursday: "It's a little weird. I pretty much have to go out there with my cap and gown on and play football, but I don't think it will be a problem for me. We have responsibilities both on and off the field, and it's our job to come back and do what we're supposed to do to win this game."

On preparing for the bowl: "For the most part, I've just been taking things day-by-day, doing the same things I always do. I've been watching a lot of film and continuing my conditioning. As the game gets closer, we know that we have to step up. We've been given a great opportunity, so we just need to take advantage of that and go out and have fun."

On Purdue: "I'm really excited. We haven't played a Big Ten team since I've been here. It's a new opponent, and this is a good opportunity for us to see how we are on a national scale. They're very quick. They run the ball well, and they play hard. The teams that they lost to were very good teams like Notre Dame and Wisconsin. It will be interesting to see how we face up against them. It should be a good game."