Maryland Interim Head Coach Matt Canada
Opening Statement:
"Great win. Tremendous win by our football team. I'm so proud of how they came back – obviously we didn't have the outcome we wanted last week. It wasn't because we didn't play hard or because we didn't care, and it wasn't because we didn't play for each other. We came back this week and played exceptionally well and unbelievably well on defense. Five turnovers, tremendous job by our defense. I don't know what our stats are – and I don't really care – but we punted the football very well today. We pinned them in there and made it a long field for them. It's hard to call plays if you're pinned in like that, so a great job by Wade Lees and our punt team. On offense, we scored enough points to win the game and that's what we wanted to do. We're sitting here, we're 4-2 and I'm really, really, really proud of our players and how hard they played and how much they stick together. I cannot emphasize it enough."
 
On the defense's five interceptions:
"I didn't know how many there were until I came inside. I was really excited for our defense. I mentioned last week that I'm like a cheerleader for our defense. They did a great job. They're around the football and when you're around the football, good things happen. They went and got a couple deflections – we had the one protection issue where we put it on the ground and Kasim got hit – but the next play the defense got the ball right back. That's great team football. It's great defense, but it's great team football. I'm really proud of how hard our guys are playing. Our defense is doing a great job and they played very well today."
 
On Ty Johnson's performance today:
"What a tremendous honor it is for him to have that record. Obviously, he's a humble young man, but for him to be in the category with the four players you mentioned in the history of Maryland football – only four players have had 4,000 total yards and he's one of those guys – it's a great honor for him, our football team and our offense for doing a great job. I think our backs are playing so well – they're explosive. Our system is what it is. Obviously, one game we wanted Anthony McFarland to go. I thought Tayon Fleet-Davis was really close today. He had that one great run and he almost came out in front of that one. Then Ty has had some explosive plays. He had the long one against Minnesota, the kickoff return against Michigan and then he had the long one today. He's shown he's very explosive. I think our backs are playing well and we're blocking pretty well up front. It's a good situation."
 
On Kasim Hill bouncing back today:
"That's when we have to knock it off, right? The little man gets on your shoulder and says 'I missed a throw' and can't listen to that guy. Play the next play. The only play that matters is the next play. He answered the questions well. Win, lose or draw, it's over. We have to move on and that's the same way on the field. He had a couple plays where he could have been better and as always, I should have called better plays. Ultimately, everything that doesn't work is my fault, not Kasim's. Kasim's working really hard and we're going to keep coaching him, the wideouts, the backs and everybody. I was proud of the way we played. We got in the red zone and he made us a couple big time plays and that was really good."

On the kickoff recovery:
"They just put it on the ground there. The ball bounced and it was loose. It goes back to how we're playing as a football team. Our players are excited to play and as you sit there and look at everything and the resiliency of these football players – we scored and it's a kickoff and he's flying down the field. When you're flying down the field, good things happen. It was a great play and obviously we should have capitalized a little bit more, but we got some points. Joseph Petrino is kicking the ball really well. He's doing a really good job and I'm proud of him. He's making some field goals and doing a good job. But I think our kids are playing really hard. I think that's the bottom line."
 
On rotations with the offensive line:
"We didn't have any injuries today. As we were coming through camp and before the injury bug flew through town, we were looking to play multiple packages with our linemen because we have a lot of good linemen. Brendan Moore is a center but he's very talented at guard, Johnny Jordan can come in and play so we're getting closer to being healthy. Marcus Minor should be back next week and should be healthy. We're going to try and keep our guys fresh. I think when you have confidence and the ability to play seven or eight linemen, it gives you some real flexibility. Obviously, defensive linemen rotate every three or four plays, so that's what makes offensive linemen so special. The fact that we have the rotation is a unique situation, it shows the depth we have at offensive line and it's a good deal for us."
 
On being aggressive on the ball:
"That's our No. 1 goal. We talk about turnover margin all the time and in our game, if you win the turnover margin, you normally win the football game. Right? It's a pretty high percentage. We talk about it all the time. Every practice, we start with ball security on offense and a take away drill on defense. So, were emphasizing it and our defensive kids are bought into it and on offense right now, the quarterbacks—we've had what, three interceptions and two fumbles, correct? I think we had five turnovers on offense—we had a fumble today, so we had one against BG [Bowling Green] and today, we've had 3 picks. We've had five turnovers on offense, but we still had a lot of takeaways. Our defense played very well and again, they're around the football. If you're standing and watching, those things don't happen. When you're chasing the ball and you're around the ball, good things happen."
 
On third down conversions:
"I think again, as we've mentioned, it's first and second downs here so you're not third and nine, I think last week we had third and thirty-six—or third and 450, whatever that one was. Third down is based upon having manageable down and distances. We had one today, I know, when Pig [Tyrrell Pigrome] was in there we converted one and we had a motion penalty, which those things are on me. We got to get those off the film, but it still was a good play. I think we converted one in the fourth quarter going the other way there and we caught it, but we came up short because we got behind the chains. So, if we can be manageable on third down we do feel pretty good about where we're at. So it was a good day and again once it's over, it's over, and it's on to the next one. But I think our guys played well. "
 
On the progression of the season:
"Well. I think we sat there—and as coaches all we want to do is win and be here for our kids. We are really proud of them and again, we just want to win. That locker room was awesome, that's why we do what we do, that's why we come in and work all these hours. We wanted to be 4-2 when it was zero on the clock. We wanted to be 4-2. Three to nothing—99 to 98 whatever it was, we wanted---and as a coordinator you want your side of the ball to play better. Right? You always want that to be better. I wish we would've scored every drive and I'm down there doing what I do and all that. Defense, they played great but that's not it. Our kids have bought into, our whole building, has bought into winning. We just want to win and we're 4-2. And the guys said it. We're going to come in tomorrow and we're going to enjoy tonight—I promise. And we're going to enjoy tomorrow with our players because they deserve to enjoy our win and have nothing else bother them. They need to be happy. They deserve it. Then, we're going to come back and we're going to get to work all night as coaches and we're going to work all day Monday and they're going to go to class and on Tuesday this one is over. And we are 0-0 again and we got to win and be 1-0 next week. We don't look back, we don't look down the road past the next one, but really proud of our players. The resiliency they have and I don't know—you're watching it, they look like they're playing hard. I think.  Anybody that says they're not, I'd be happy to talk to you. They're playing hard, they're playing together that's what we're most proud of. I mean, obviously, you want to win them all but that's what we're most proud of as a staff."
 
On penalties:
"Well, I know we had a motion penalty on offense and we had the shift on third down. We had another motion when we put the couple of backup lineman in, so that's three right there. We had two roughing the passer calls. We had a horse collar penalty, so that's at six. I don't remember the other ones right now off the top of my head. None of them are okay. I've got to do a better job and we talk about it and we emphasize it. The thing we're not going to do is play scared. We're not going to play scared to make a mistake. We're not going to coach scared to make a mistake and that's a fine line, right? We can't lose the game doing silly things. None of them were okay, but some were in the heat of the game—like the horse collar one, I don't know. I shouldn't say it—it was a heat of the moment play when he grabbed him. They called it, it was a good call but we just have to be smarter about the ones that are no talent in the roughing the passer. You know, we have to look at those and be smarter about that. But we're playing hard and we're not going to go out there and set up a board that says 'If you get a penalty we're going to put your name on here.' We're not going to do that. We're going to play with great passion, great energy and we're going to try and play smarter and I have to coach better."
 
On if this was DL Bryon Cowart's best game:
"I can't speak to that yet, until we watch the film, if that was his best game. I know you can feel him out there and I'll speak to him. He is a tremendous young man. He has been a leader for us. He was a captain for us today, those guys are awesome. When they come off the field, it's 'Let's go coach, let's get it. If we don't score, we got you coach' and it's not just talk for me. It's for their teammates and all that. I think he's come in and been a tremendous teammate. Obviously, you can transfer in and we're all realistic and coming from where he is and the history he's had, recruiting. And you guys all make them out to be like all these wonderful stats and stars but he doesn't act like that. He comes in and says, 'I'm a teammate. I'm going to work.' He's playing really hard. So, I really like him a lot and I love the way he's working for us. I am proud of him."
 
On Kasim Hill's progression:
"I think both quarterbacks' futures are unbelievable for this place and with the young talent we have. I think anybody that looks at all the skill we have, the great players we have on both sides of the ball—a lot of them are young. Kasim [Hill], as you mentioned, he was 18 for 21 last year and he played one game. He played the end of the opener and then he played the start of the third game. And then all of a sudden, he's supposed to go out there and be Joe Montana and that's not how it works. We sit in that room—all the blame comes on the quarterback and the quarterbacks understand that—they get too much blame and they get too much credit. He has to play better at times but he made some plays today, too. Some of those plays he made today, I'm not sure everybody else could have made those throws. So, we believe in him, we believe in Pig [Tyrrell Pigrome]. That was a really good third down throw today that we made. So, both of them are playing well. Obviously, we want them to improve. We think about all the ones that don't work. We will continue to get better, we will continue to make plays. If we're sitting here next week and we win a game, we'll be happy and that's all that matters."  

 

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Maryland Senior DB Darnell Savage
On what the defensive approach was to shut down Rutgers QB Artur Sitkowski:
"All week we just focused on in practice and in the game just trying to do our job. Not trying to do too much, not trying to do somebody else's job, just do your job and let all the plays come to you."

On how he would evaluate the team through the halfway mark of the season:
"We just want to take every week one week at a time. We want to get better each and every week. It's a long season. Really, you don't want to dwell on the past, whether it's good or bad. After the game, you watch the film, you make the corrections, and you move on. You see the good stuff that you did and you try to continue doing it. I don't think we really are too caught up in that right now, we just want to play our best game and play together."
 
On if this is the most opportunistic and fastest defense they've played since he's been on the team:
"I just think as a defense collectively, we're all bought in. I think we all go out on the field trusting each other. It's not like I go out on the field and I'm worried if this guy is going to get his job done, so I have to slack on my job to help him out a little bit. I just think we're all in it together. We've got a lot of trust and love for each other and we don't want to let our brother down. I think that's the main reason that we're having the amount of success that we're having on defense this year."
 
Maryland Redshirt Freshman QB Kasim Hill
On what was working so well for him specifically in the red zone:
"I think – going into every single game – the red zone is a big key for us on offense and on defense. Trying to score touchdowns, trying to stop touchdowns. I think we had a good game plan going into today, as we do every week, for the red zone. We just went out and executed it."
 
On if he thinks about the plays he made or the ones he missed when he reflects on his play:
"I think – after every single game – you always go back and watch the film and learn from the things that you could've done better. There are always things that you can do better. I would say that, but after every game, I want to have the feeling of winning and we have that feeling today. It's the best feeling that you can have."
 
On how he stays calm making adjustments, specifically referencing his touchdown pass to RB Tayon Fleet-Davis:
"Just trying to go through my progression. It was a roll-out and Fleet got open, and I just threw him the ball and he made a great catch, got his feet down with somebody right there on him. It was a great play by him."
 
On if he feels like he's still getting his legs under him playing with a knee brace and if that affects his accuracy throwing the football:
"No, I would not say that's having any effect on me. Like I was saying before, there's things that you go back and watch the film that you could do better week by week. As a team, and myself, we're just trying to get better week by week, for every opponent that we face."
 
On how this win will help prepare the team for next week's game in Iowa:
"Like Ty said, it's always great coming off a win. Winning is the best feeling in the world. We take it week by week, we're trying to go 1-0 every week. Like Savage said earlier, we're not dwelling on the past, no matter how recent the past is."
 
Maryland Senior RB Ty Johnson
On his explosiveness and how much the defense helped the offense in terms of field position:
"The defense does a great job. They get three-and-outs. That gives the offense a chance to get on the field and gives the defense a break. Going back to the runs and everything, I don't really think about it that much. We have a great game plan going into every weekend. We have a stable of running backs that can bust a run anytime, and without the linemen, none of those runs could've happened. So, it's all to the linemen, the game plan, and executing."
 
On what it means for him to hit the 4,000-yard all-purpose yard milestone:
"I don't really pay attention to it all that much. My mom's really the one that pays attention to stuff like that. I just go in ready to play a game. That stuff doesn't mean anything to me... well it means something. But as of right now, we had a great win as a team. I'm about to see my mom, she's probably going to hug me and be like, 'Oh my God.' But it's great, it's a great feeling, and it's on to next week starting tomorrow and Tuesday."
 
On how he would evaluate the team through the halfway mark of the season:
"I agree with Darnell. Every week is Week 1 for us. We want to be 1-0 – as Coach Canada says – we want to be 1-0 every week. Obviously, we had the ability to be 6-0, but we're not dwelling on that. We're going on to next week now."
 
On how this win will help prepare the team for next week's game in Iowa:
"It gives Iowa things to look at, because we have a great defense, we have a great offense. I just think going into next week, Coach Canada and the rest of the coaching staff is going to have a great game plan for us and we just have to execute. It's always good coming off a win, so just get on to next week."
 

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Rutgers Head Coach Chris Ash
Opening Statement:
"When you struggle to run the ball and protect the quarterback, we struggle to get open against the man coverage, we obviously had five turnovers, it's going to be tough to win a game. Right now, defensively our guys go really hard, they care, but we have to be perfect right now, we've never been in a perfect game. We gave up a couple explosive plays in the first half due to a couple mistakes, but the guys fought and kept playing. We have got to figure something out offensively to move the ball consistently to score some more points."
 
On the performance of QB Artur Sitkowski:
"Watching him, he obviously struggled. I think we completed two passes for eight yards and threw five picks, so I can't say that was great but until I watch the film and get with the offensive coordinator to figure out what all the issues were, I can't say it was just him, or the O-line or protection, and guys running routes, but clearly it was not good enough obviously."
 
On QB Artur Sitkowski losing confidence:
"Yeah absolutely, he is a prideful man who works really hard and I thought he played really well last week, had a good week at practice, come out today, didn't have a great day. If those days continue to stack, yeah, you worry about it."
 
On the pressure of starting drives from the 2-and-6-yard lines:
"Well I mean it is a field position game and all three phases play a role in that. We're not going to start every drive on the 50 and when you start on the 2-yard line, it does cut down the play book and the number of calls that you can make, but that has nothing to do with the five interceptions."
 
On the bad kickoff recovered by Maryland:
"We got Isaiah (Pacheco) back there and they kicked it up in the wind. I think it landed around the 15-yard line, he needs to go get the ball. He didn't, he misjudged it, but it got hung up in the wind and hit the ground."
 
On missing chances to get back in the game:
"There were opportunities there. When you get the takeaway and then you turn the ball over, that's really tough. We had an opportunity for a TFL, we missed a tackle and then next thing you know, it cuts back, guys over-pursue and it's a 50-yard gain. There are opportunities there. We're just not making them, not taking advantage of them."
 
On trying different things on offense:
"It a good question. We have tried a lot of different things. We've tried a lot of different people. Right now, it's not working the way it needs to and the way we expect it to. We're not going to be able to change offensive philosophy. We're a multiple offense that can do a lot of things, we have got to figure out, though. What is our identity, what we can do consistently to give ourselves a chance to move the ball, get some first downs and put some points on the board because right now, this isn't working."
 
On his frustration:
"Yeah, well, my job is to coach the football team. The players are going to react to me and I'm going to show up every single day to coach the football team. That's what we do. When you put a lot of time and effort into it, and I'm talking about the players, they get frustrated, and I understand that, we as coaches do too, but our job is to show up and to control what we can control which is our attitude, our effort and the way we stick together."
 
On if effort is becoming a challenge for his team:
"No, the effort is not an issue and that's not the challenge. These guys are really good kids, we have to play better, we have to coach better, and that's what we have to do and it starts with me. We need to find a way to coach better and we need a way for our players to play better. The attitude these men display and show up with every day is outstanding. In the second half, the defense battled their tails off and they weren't perfect but they've done that before. They've done that in the last four weeks. We've gone into halftime in a big deficit and they've battled their tails off in the second half. If the effort is an issue or those guys quit, you wouldn't be doing those things. Yeah, frustration sets in, but our guys have a great attitude and they still work hard."
 

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Rutgers Senior QB Giovanni Rescigno
 On the message from the leaders in the locker-room:
"Obviously it's a tough situation, but the only thing we can do right now is work hard moving forward. We have a good locker room in there, we have a lot of people working hard and moving forward."
 
On what he would say to QB Art Sitkowski:
"He's just got to keep working hard. He's a great player, a tremendous quarterback and an even better person. He's just got to keep working hard. All of this is a learning experience for him, he's only going to get better. There's always going to be ups and downs, there's going to be goods and bads but you have to keep working through them.
 
On the attitude of the locker room after six losses:
"We don't have that type of locker room where guys are going to start giving up. Obviously, people are frustrated, but we don't have that type of mentality in the locker room. We care way too much just for us to lay down and give up and we're not going to do that."
 
Rutgers Freshman QB Artur Sitkowski:
 On today's game:
"It's tough but the sun's going to rise tomorrow and we're going to try to go to work and get better. That's all you can do."
 
On how he plans to improve:
"Limit turnovers, be smart with the football. If it's not there, throw the ball out of bounds and take a second. Just go out there and rip it, don't shy away. Just go out there and play football."
 
On his confidence moving forward:
"I'm confident. I've been through this before and I know how to regain from this, this is just a learning experience for me. I'm confident in my ability, better believe that and every time I step on that field, I believe in myself without a doubt."