Nov. 18, 2008
On Maryland's injury situation:
"I'm happy to report there are no new injuries. Everybody who was out last week is out this week. There are no new ones in that regard."
On the importance of Saturday's game:
"We have a very big game this week - probably one of the biggest games we've played in years around here. I think we all know the scenarios that are involved. We have an opportunity to win the Atlantic Coast Conference's Atlantic Division, and we have a chance to play in the championship game."
On the Florida State Seminoles:
"Florida State is one of the top teams in the country. They're leading the ACC in total offense and total defense. I think they're leading the nation in tackles for loss. They're averaging 8.5 loss yardage plays per game. They're pretty good on both sides of the ball, and they have a lot of speed."
On Florida State's defensive line:
"Their defensive line is very typical of Florida State. They're very fast and very agile. They're maybe not quite as big as they've been at times, but they're speed is very, very good. Everette Brown, a junior defensive end, has 16 tackles for loss and nine sacks. He's a guy we need to be aware of who's causing a lot of havoc, but their other ends are good, too, and so are their inside people."
On the Seminoles' linebackers and defensive backs:
"Their linebackers - Dekoda Watson, Derek Nicholson and Toddrick Verdell are all veterans. They've all played, and they're all very athletic, and the same with their secondary. Tony Carter is one their corners. Myron Rolle is their free safety, and he's very active."
On Florida State's quarterbacks:
"On offense they've gone with Christian Ponder at quarterback. He's played extremely well for them. What concerns us is not only is he an excellent passer, but he's an excellent runner. They will run him on options and on bootlegs and on draw plays. They'll also bring in (D'Vontrey) Richardson, who they use a little bit like we use Josh Portis. He's also very mobile and very athletic."
On the Seminoles' running backs and wide receivers:
"Their running backs are very fast. Antone Smith is extremely quick, and they have a freshman, Jermaine Thomas, who I think might be even faster than him. Their wide receivers are a concern. Preston Parker played tailback against us last year and plays at `Z' along with Taiwan Easterling. Both of them are excellent wide receivers. They're very fast. At the `X' receiver they have Greg Carr, who's their leading receiver. He's 6-foot-6 and his backup, Corey Surrency, is 6-foot-5, so they're going to be a lot bigger than our corners, and I'm sure they're going to try to make a few plays up top with them."
On Florida State's fullbacks and tight ends:
"Their fullback, Marcus Sims, has played tailback and fullback. Their other fullback, Seddrick Holloway, is also a good blocker and runner. Their tight end, Caz Piurowski, is 6-foot-7 and 265 pounds."
On the Seminoles offensive line:
"Their offensive line is very young. They're very athletic, and what I have seen after watching almost all of their films is that they've improved each and every game. Right now they're playing very well, and I think that's really helped their running game, as well as their passing game."
On Florida State's special teams:
"Special teams-wise, (Graham) Gano is probably one of the best place-kickers in the country. He's 18 for 20 in field goals, and he's hit five of seven from over 50 yards. He's also doing the punting right now. Last week he ran on a fake punt and had a big gain on the play, and he'll also rugby punt. Michael Ray Garvin is their kickoff returner, and he's the No. 1 kickoff returner in the country, averaging 32.2 yards per return. Tony Carter and Preston Parker are their punt returners. They're always notorious for their special teams. Whether it's their fakes or their blocks, they do some things that cause you problems, and special teams will be a very big part of this game."
On the team's performance vs. North Carolina:
"I was especially proud of our team, especially in the way we came back again this week and how we won the game. It was really a gutsy effort. We played as good as we have all season against a very good North Carolina team. Our kids deserve a lot of credit and I hope they can find a way to continue to play well in the remaining games we have."
On motivation for the "Blackout" game:
"When two teams are vying for the division championship, they are both going to be ready to play. It is a big game and I think playing at home is an advantage for us. I appreciated the people who came and saw us last week and gave us a home-field advantage. I am hoping all of the Terp fans come out for this game because I think it is going to be one of the bigger games we've played at Byrd Stadium."
On senior Edwin Williams and his importance to the team:
"He has been one of our consistent players. Edwin has played well all year and has provided tremendous leadership for us on and off the field. I am very proud he chose Maryland, he's been a great asset and representative of our program. Whether it is academics, community service, you just don't find better people then Edwin Williams."
"I am going to miss when we break the huddle after warm-ups every day, and number 60 sprints down to the other end of the field ready to go. He does it every single day and is just a great kid to have around, he has done a very good job, was raised very well, and I am going to miss him quite a bit."
On senior Jeremy Navarre and his importance to the team:
"He is another guy that is a consistent player. He lines up and plays every play, completes every play in practice and games. He has started every game that he has played since he has been at Maryland. He is also going to graduate, and I am hoping he will be able to further his career in the NFL."
On Florida State's pass rush:
"They've got great speed off the edge. We are going to find some time today where our tackles have to block DBs off the end because that is about how fast they come. We need to see that and get used to the speed in which they come. When they press you, it's not half way. They are going to play zero coverage and you have to be ready for that too. Right now we are leading the conference in protection (six sacks allowed in six ACC games). So we have done a better job this year of pass protecting and I think Chris (Turner) has done a better job of getting rid of the ball. I think that is going to be one of the keys to winning the game."
On what it means to have a chance at being undefeated at home:
"That would be great. I am hoping that could be an advantage to us. I know the last two times we've played them here, it has been. I'm hoping to get the same atmosphere this time."
On Florida State's program:
"They've always had a lot of talent there. They are playing very well right now, they do have a lot of talent, and they are playing with a lot of confidence."
On importance of being nationally ranked:
"I don't really get that involved with rankings right now. The final ranking is important to me. I think it's nice to be recognized but to be honest, I don't mention it to our players. I focus on the next game because if you continue to win, those things are going to happen. I think it's important that we get into the Top 25 now because if you don't get in at this time, then it is hard to move way up if you are successful at the end of the year. I don't make a big deal out of it, just focus on winning and everything will take care of itself."
On motivating players and when to be hard on them:
"Sometimes I battle myself and my immediate actions. I have learned to take a step back and evaluate the whole situation. I rely on the experience and type of kids that we have on our team. Sometimes I see kids after the game and they get over things faster than coaches do. I've learned to keep things within me and not let other people get offended by it, and I think that has turned over to our players too."
On the play of the offensive line during the UNC game:
"I thought we played our best game on Saturday. There were some pretty holes that opened up but we played with tremendous leverage. We still made some mental mistakes which is disturbing to me because we shouldn't be doing that. If we play like we did on Saturday, we have a chance to be really good. I still don't think this team has played as ell as it is capable of playing, but I thought Saturday was probably our best performance to date."
On 30 seniors playing their last game:
"I am sure it is going to be a very emotional situation for these kids who are going to play their last game in Byrd Stadium. They will want to win this game very badly. It is where we want to be, and it's because we've worked hard for the whole year to be here. Now we just have to get it done."
On Torrey Smith's impact:
"I think he has had a tremendous affect. Not only in the passing game where Torrey makes plays but also blocking in the running game. He is another kid who is very mature (despite being a redshirt freshman). He's a wonderful kid and good student. I think he is going to be a very good player here."
On the memories of playing in previous games with ACC title implications:
"A couple of years ago we had the same opportunity against Wake Forest. The week before, we lost to Boston College and as much as I talked to the team and told them we still had a chance, I think they felt they were out of it. At that time, Boston College had to play at Miami and they got beat which made our game important. I remember four kids calling me at home and they were all excited, but we had poor practices up until then until it hit them. We played okay offensively but didn't play to our potential defensively, and we lost the game. With this one, I think we all know what is at stake. I am just talking to our kids about playing good and I'm not making a big deal out of it because I think they already know the deal. I told them last night, I want to be a cheerleader this week. I want to encourage them, but they need to motivate themselves."
On coaching against Bobby Bowden:
"I have been going against him for awhile, not only as a head coach but as an assistant coach. You have to be at your best. The margin of error is very slim when you play him. You have to play very aggressively. I know what a great coach he is and how hard he gets his kids to play. When you get to these games where you have to fight for every inch, you are battling for every inch you can as hard as you can for as long as you can. That is what it is like to play against Florida State."
On belief that the team can keep on winning despite challenges:
"I've felt that you just play one game at a time. When you lose a game everyone thinks the world is ending, but I know you are just a win away from being back on top. I think if you can be able to put the wins and losses behind you, and just focus on the next game then you can count them up at the end and see how you did. That's the way of life, you can't give up at anything you do. You just keep going and believe that things are going to happen to people who want to make it happen. I think that's one of the things you learn in athletics, that's why it's valuable towards society."
On taking one game at a time:
"Where we want to go, we have to win three more games. If we do that then it is all over but we can't win three without winning one. That is the mindset. If we are fortunate enough to win this game, then we will go onto preparing for the next. If not, we will still go on. You have to play the whole season. We have four hard games that we have to get up for each and every week. That is a test to our character in what type of coaches and players we have. The team that does that in the end of the season, will be the team that wins the championship."
On quarterback Chris Turner:
"He has done very well in our big games. I actually thought Chris had one of his poorer games on Saturday until the last drive when he made some key plays. That is a credit to him. Some days when things aren't going right and you can still win, that a greater sign to what type of player and person you are. It is easy when everything is going right for you, but when you are not in that groove and you're struggling to hang in there, that's what helps us win. It helped us win on Saturday. "
On playing in his last home game:
"Yeah, it's a big game. It's going to be a great way to go out, should be a packed house, a night game on ESPN, so everybody is looking forward to it."
On how to handle Florida State after them coming off a tough loss at home:
"They are going to be fired up, especially with them coming off a loss, then this being a big game in the conference. This game is huge for them too. We are going to give them our best shot and they are going to give us their best shot and hopefully we come out on top."
On being able to control your own destiny:
"We feel really good. We were in this position two years ago when we played Wake Forest, and we blew it then. So it's kind of motivation to avenge blowing it before and also knowing that if we win out we will be in the big game. So we are excited we are in the situation, and we definitely don't want to screw up this big opportunity."
On needing motivation for the game:
"We don't need motivation at all. This team is full of seniors, and all of us know that this is our last shot to get to play for a championship. So coach really doesn't need to say much, and he is making it a point to not say much this week because he knows we shouldn't need motivation for this week."
On how tough it is to not make the mistake of looking ahead:
"Obviously it is not that tough because anyway you look at it we have to win this game to potentially play for the championship. Right now we are focusing on this game because if we don't win this game then we are probably not going to go anywhere we want to go. So right now we are focusing on this game, and really just enjoying the preparation for the game, and taking the rest of the season right now one day at a time."
On his thoughts heading into the Florida State game:
"We're very excited right now. We have put ourselves in the position to control our own fate. We want to go to and win the ACC Championship, but we really need to just take it one game at a time and right now we are focusing on Florida State and it is going to be a tough game to win."
On what the Seminoles pass rush does so well:
"They just have a great front four. Everette Brown is an amazing defensive end. He's a great hard-nosed tough player, and we have to be worried about the other three guys as well. The line gets a great push off the ball and gets great leverage so it is going to be a challenge to stop them."
On his thoughts on Senior day:
"Honestly, I try not to think about it because if you do your going to get kind of emotional about it. We have been here so long, really once the game starts the whole senior thing is going to be an afterthought and we are all going to get intense and focused in on the game, but it is definitely going to be emotional before and after the game."
On playing well at home this season:
"It's been great, the fans get behind us. It's good to have them have our back, and throughout the whole season they have been great, then with this last game at home being the biggest game of our season. So far every game has been big, but this one is real big for the conference, and hopefully come Saturday we are all going to be ready to go."
