Nov. 1, 2011
Opening Statement:
"Virginia is a team that is coming off a good victory at Miami. They are big upfront on the offensive line. They are a good football team. They are playing well right now. Perry Jones is doing some good things for them as a running back. Defensively Cam Johnson at defensive end is playing well for them. Steve Greer and LaRoy Reynolds are guys from the linebackers to watch for and of course Chase Minnifield is a great defensive back. We are going to have to prepare well and know that they are a good team coming to play here on Saturday."
On Darin Drakeford's move to Star linebacker:
"As we evaluate and get guys back healthy we are just trying to get our best guys on the field. We want to get everyone in the correct spots. We felt that putting (Drakeford) in there and letting Alex Twine go play at the Will linebacker because we have seen good things out of him. Based on what we saw we are going to have the best guys out there to help us against UVA. Drakeford has played there before. We will put him out there and hopefully that will help us stop the run as it will add some physicality."
On the Maryland-Virginia rivalry:
"I know that it is a rivalry and a border war. The kids have talked about it and we are anxious to play them. We know we have to play very well. We are looking forward to the challenge. They are coming up here having lost to us last year so we know we have to be ready to go."
On whether not knowing who will start has affected Danny O'Brien and C.J. Brown negatively:
"I don't think that it has been a problem in any regard. Both of them have to be ready to play regardless. This is a situation where we will take a look at it during practice and both guys have to be ready. Whoever will give us the best chance to beat Virginia we will go with them. We will develop a plan if we want to go with both of them or just one of them. We will see how it works out as we go out and practice and make decisions during the week."
On Virginia running back Perry Jones:
"He isn't only running the ball he is catching it too. They are getting him the ball quite a bit. He has 28 catches on the season. They are going to run the zone, power and the outside stretch. They get him the ball every way as well as in the passing game. He was matched up with a linebacker against Miami and he beat him for a long touchdown. He is a guy who they feel is a playmaker for them so they are trying to get him the ball in a variety of ways. He is a very good football player."
On wide receivers Quintin McCree and Kevin Dorsey:
"Those two young men have proven themselves on the field. Quintin (McCree) has made some big plays. We need him to continue doing that in the Virginia game because he has the ability to make big plays. We need him to be consistent. We are hoping that Kevin (Dorsey) will be back. He practiced with us on Sunday. If he is back that helps us. They give us the ability to do the things we want to do in the passing game.
"This is the last home game for our 16 seniors. What we want to be able to do is send them out on a winning note. Everyone is ready to do their part to help send those guys out with a win."
On freshman defensive end Keith Bowers:
"Keith has come in with a tremendous motor. He plays hard and gets after it every play. We are starting to see some leadership out of him vocally. He is tremendously respected by his teammates because of how hard he practices. He is undersized right now, he is 233 pounds. We see him out there battling. He is going against 300 pounders and he isn't giving an inch. He is going to continue to get better. He has the work ethic and he wants to get better. That is what impressed me on film, his attitude on the field.
"Right now he is playing with a splint on his finger so that doesn't help him with his technique. He is out there playing. That tells you about his heart and work ethic that he has."
On how to turn things around:
"Each and every day we are going to continue to work. We are going to take the young men that we have and continue to work like we have been. Sometimes things don't go as planned. I am not panicking and am not going to change what we are doing. I believe in what we are doing and know what we are doing is right. We have to keep working at it and get better at it. The worst thing we can do is panic and change things. That sends messages that we are doing things wrong."
On helping Danny O'Brien get back to playing at a high level:
"I have talked to Danny and brought him aside like the other players. The other day on the field I told him to just go and have fun. I think that is all you have to do. Prepare the right way, work hard and go out and have fun. That is what football is all about. This isn't life and death. It's about enjoying the experience and playing the game. I think that sometimes the expectations on young men can be too high. Maybe I didn't do a good enough job of minimizing expectations for him. I think those are things we all can learn from. The only thing we can do is go out and do our best. Some days you are going to be good and other days you aren't. That is what I try to emphasize to all of the kids, to go out and do the best that they can. Do the best you can in school, practice, and off the field. When it comes to the game go out and play and have fun."
Sophomore Quarterback C.J. Brown
On Virginia's defense:
"They're playing extremely well. They just came off a big win Thursday night against Miami, so they're going to be a challenge. They're a strong defense, they're physical, and they're going to be good. We're going to have to play our game."
On the Virginia rivalry:
"I just know a lot of people dislike Virginia. It's a big territory battle in the DMV and everything like that. Being from out of state, I'm still learning about the whole process. Being the first actual game I'm involved in it'll be good."
On playing well for the seniors on senior day:
"It's really important especially at home against Virginia. We have those 16 seniors and they're all special guys. They've all been here since I've been here and taken me under their wing so I definitely want to send them out on the right note."
On if the quarterback situation has disrupted the game flow this season:
"I haven't really been focused on that, just the fact that every game regardless of the situation we've been in the games. We lost three or so games this year against top-25 opponents. We were in the game and it came down to it in the fourth quarter. We just didn't finish."
On which quarterback will play this week:
"It doesn't matter. I have confidence in both quarterbacks; either can get the job done."
On if he feels more confident this year in his abilities:
"Every year that I've been here I've felt confident in myself, it's just the fact that I didn't get as many opportunities. The opportunities I had I just tried to make the most out of them. That's how I always try to play. Every time the ball comes to me I just try to make a positive play out of it."
On if the changes defensively will help get more size up front to stop the run:
"I think so, but at the same time it doesn't really matter who's in there. Everybody knows their job, they just have to do it."
On how big of an advantage it is to have a big crowd at home games:
"In a game like Miami, when that many people are out there, the more amped up you get. It's not to say you're going to show off, but when the crowd is just roaring it just gets inside your body. It's like with everything they can't do, you can do it for them. Your talent just rises to its potential, it helps."
On Virginia's offense:
"They're a pretty good team. I respect them. Because of the rivalry I don't like them, but I respect them. They play a good scheme and they have really good players, but I think we can all match up with the talent as long as we come out and play from the get go."
On what Virginia likes to do offensively:
"Well offensively they like to run the ball and they'll get it out with the pass as well. The three running backs that they have are all hard runners and we'll definitely have to get our run-defense prepared."
On if they're ready with the changes made this week:
"We're ready, we're going to bring the enthusiasm and get after them. We're bringing a lot of defensive packages and we have a lot in store."
