Sept. 11, 2007
Maryland coach Ralph Friedgen and the Terp players addressed the media during Tuesday's weekly news conference at the Gossett Team House.
On playing West Virginia this week:
"We're very excited about having the opportunity to play such a good football team in West Virginia. They're very explosive; they have a tremendous offense and a very solid defense. It seems like we've been playing against the same guys for forever. It's a real challenge to go up against them, especially on a short week. It's something we're looking forward to."
On preparing on a short week:
"There's a lot to get prepared for in a short amount of time. It's always very difficult, but they have the same problem. The only advantage they have is that they played at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday and have about 12 hours rest on us, but they have to travel."
On the impact the game may have on the rest of the season:
"I definitely think that we have a chance to change people's perspective of us. I think the West Virginia game hurt us quite a bit at the end of last year because we really thought at the end that we deserved to be in the Top 25. That didn't happen. We beat a lot of good teams last year and then didn't have that ranking."
On playing a team with two Heisman Trophy candidates (West Virginia's Steve Slaton and Pat White):
"I don't like to play against those types of teams; they're usually pretty good. Both of them are deserving of the award. They're two really great football players. I can't remember playing one team that had two candidates. I coached a kid (Joe Hamilton) who was runner-up to the Heisman Trophy (winner) and sometimes that has an affect on you. You've got to be careful because you want to play the game and do what got you there, but a lot of times as it goes on, you start worrying about your own individual stats. It becomes more about being an individual then the team."
On the sold-out game:
"Our fan support has been really great. I'm hoping that it's at an all-time high Thursday night because we're going to need every bit of their help. You play up at their place and their fans do a great job, so I hope our fans will reciprocate."
On the development of West Virginia's football program:
"I think a lot of things happen with recruiting. I think they picked up two guys that probably weren't highly recruited and made really great football players. I think that's really changed the program. I think Rich Rodriguez has done a great job with recruiting and with coaching. He is to be commended."
On the players' preparation for Thursday's game:
"I think they're excited. They know last year was embarrassing and I think they've got pride like anybody else. I'm just hoping they'll be ready to play on Thursday."
On the rivalry between the two schools:
"I think this year it's definitely going to be a test of where we stack up. I know from when I played that it's always been a rivalry. We're very comparable over a long period of time. There have been some ups and downs, but when you look over a 45-year span, we're pretty even. It's a game I would like to continue playing. I think it's good for programs. It's a border state rivalry. They have tremendous fans and so do we and they like watching us play. I think it's a great game and I think that Rich [Rodriguez] would probably agree with that."
On the game against West Virginia:
"We've played West Virginia for as long as I've been here. We've played them every year. It's traditionally been a great game. It's exciting mostly because we want to play guys that we've played against before. They're ranked high. We're ready to play them. We've had two games to get our feet wet and get ready to go. This is a big game. It doesn't get more high-profile than this, so we're excited."
On the chance to beat a Top 10 team:
"You only have the opportunity to play a Top-10 team, especially a Top-5 team, maybe once a year. This is an opportunity of a lifetime and the opportunity of a season. It's an opportunity we can't pass up."
On getting revenge after last year's loss:
"West Virginia is a pretty good rivalry for us. Anytime you lose, especially the way we did to them last year, you just want to get back on the field and get another chance at it. I don't think we really played to our potential last year. I'm hoping that this year we come out and play Maryland football and just show the people how good Maryland football is."
On playing a Top 10 team:
"We've got a great opponent ahead of us, so we're just looking forward to getting out there and playing."
On playing the underdog role:
"We've always been the underdog, for as long as I can remember, even when my brother [E.J. Henderson} was here. It's always been the big guys versus Maryland. We're kind of used to playing the underdog role and I think it makes it a little easier that way going in because no one really expects anything from you. We're just going to go in a give it our best shot."
On preparing for the game on a short week:
"The coaches are just preparing us and making sure that we're ready both mentally and physically. I think it's just a good week that Coach Friedgen has put together for us. It's tough because we didn't get back from Florida until 5 a.m. (Sunday) and we had to get back here on Sunday and practice. It's been kind of tough but I think we're going to adapt to it well and handle it well."
On learning from the team's loss at West Virginia last year:
"The West Virginia game really helped me out last year. It really got me in-tune with what I need to take care of and what I need to do. That was really my first big game and my first big opponent, so it really prepared me for what was to come. I think now I just have to take what I learned last year and take what I learned throughout the rest of the season and the first couple game this year and just put it into play for Thursday."
On the Blackout planned for Thursday night:
"We always can expect the best from our fans. The guys out here really get behind us and support us. They haven't let us down yet and I don't expect them to Thursday night."
On the nationally-televised game:
"For me, it really doesn't make a difference whether the game is on Thursday night or Saturday morning and no one's watching. We just have to make sure that we do what we have to do to win."
On West Virginia's biggest threat:
"They're offense. They can just score basically at will, so we have to make sure, as the offense, that we can put a lot of points on the board to keep up with them."
