Nov. 22, 2008

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Postgame Quotes

Maryland Quotes

Head Coach Ralph Friedgen
On today's game:
"We didn't play very well, obviously. I'm very disappointed in the game we played, especially when we had a lot at stake. It just boggles my mind how we played so poorly in such a big game. We're pretty much out of it, the way I see it. If anybody knows of anything different, let me know. To me, if we lose at Boston College, Boston College wins. If we win, Florida State wins it. That's why we really had to win this football game and we didn't do it. We didn't compete and we didn't play with any effort. It's disappointing to say the least."

On the team's preparation:
"I wasn't pleased with some of our practices this week. I pulled guys in and spoke to them. They assured me that they were ready to go and that wasn't the case."

On the problems the team faced tonight:
"We had trouble stopping them. I thought our defense was put in some tough situations and they responded, but they were on the field too long. We had too many three-and-outs on offense. We didn't play very well on offense at all. "

On the Boston College/Wake Forest game today:
"I didn't have it on in the locker room. I didn't think that was important. Regardless, if Wake Forest won and we won, then we would be going to Tampa, but if Boston College won, we still had to win two games. The bottom line is we had to win tonight. It would've been nice being surprised, but to me, we needed to focus on Florida State, not the Wake Forest game."

On the state of the team:
"They're like me, they're not good. My mental state is not really good right now, but I told them that I'll be back to work Monday and for them to come ready to work on Monday because 8-4 is better than 7-5. There are bowl opportunities there for us and a chance to win nine games."

Junior Quarterback Chris Turner
On the play of the Maryland offense:
"Give a lot of credit to Florida State they came out ready to play on defense and we came out and couldn't move the ball on offense. We got in to the red zone and couldn't get any points. That is frustrating, because we haven't had that problem all year."

On the Florida State pass rush:
"They had a good pass rush and some really good defensive linemen. I took a few hits and I am hurting a little bit, but I will be fine tomorrow. You have to give a lot of credit to Florida State's defensive line; they played hard the whole game."

Junior Defensive Back Anthony Wiseman
On the highs and lows of the season:
"It seems like when we lose we kind of lose big, and when we win it is always a big game. After this loss, we have to keep our heads up and get ready for the next game against Boston College.

On the play of the Florida State offense:
"The came out ready to play tonight and we didn't match their intensity. They ran the ball effectively and kept our offense off the field. We came out with no energy tonight and they wanted it more then we did."

Senior Offensive Lineman Edwin Williams
On being a senior and playing the last game at Chevy Chase Bank Field at Byrd Stadium:
"It is very sad to have the game that we did on my last home game of my career, but I think some time in the future I will understand why all this happened. I can't look back at this game and think I should have done this or we could have done that; all that matters are the friends that you make and the lessons you learn."

On the Florida State defensive line:
"We knew coming in to the game what kind of pressure they were going to bring. They did a good job tonight and we came out slow and weren't ready to match their intensity."

Florida State Quotes

Head Coach Bobby Bowden
On the play of the quarterbacks:
"Christian Ponder was very successful tonight, running for a touchdown and throwing for another one. Ponder played very well. As we can attest for the last eight or nine years, you simply cannot win without an excellent playing quarterback. Our quarterback was hot tonight, theirs [Chris Turner] was not hot. You have to have an excellent quarterback down there to win."

On Myron Rolle:
"Myron Rolle was so great. It was like getting two wins to be honest with you. When we found out that he won the Rhode Scholars, it was like we got one win already. That was very big for me and our staff, and of course for him and his family. Our team was very excited about that."

On going up against the Maryland offensive line:
"We were very concerned about their offensive line. We were just committed to getting past their offensive line. We had a good week of practice and that is the result."

On a letdown by Maryland:
"To be honest with you, I had a feeling that their win last week might hurt them in regard to this week. I think that teams play tougher when they come off of a loss and they won last week, beating a heck of a football team. I thought we might catch them a little flat."

On having a 5-3 conference record:
"That is just not satisfying at all. A 5-3 record, I just cannot accept that. When we get back to 6-0 or 7-0 then that will be better."

On playing Florida next week:
"Next week we have got a team that is as good as any team in the United States in Florida. Florida is as good as anyone, and that excites you."

Junior Wide Receiver Preston Parker
On his team's quick start:
"It was big because teams come out and go up 10-0 on us all the time and we have to catch up. But once we're ahead and we get the edge, it gives us more energy to go out there and just play and just keep putting points on the board."

Quarterback Christian Ponder
On his team's win:
"It's awesome. We knew how it was going to be. Maryland hadn't lost at home yet, and they're a great team. We knew what we were up against coming into the game, and we prepared well and we played well."

On the importance of this game to his team:
"We needed it. We definitely needed it. We've been looked down upon the past couple of weeks, and it's good to finally have everyone back. This game shows that when we focus and prepare how we're supposed to -- and have everyone back -- it shows how good we can be."