Aug. 30, 2008
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Postgame Quotes
Maryland Head Coach Ralph Friedgen
On today's game:
"Well, I told you it was going to be a tough game. You didn't believe me, but it was. They're a good football team and I think we got something out of this game. I was concerned about how we would play since we only had two hot days in camp. It made us work and we played a lot of people. It's a hard-fought win. We did a lot of good things and we have some things we've got to get better at. We probably ran the ball better than I thought we would run the ball, but we probably didn't throw it as well as we have been throwing it. "
On the offensive performance:
"Da'Rel Scott, to me, was a little tired from camp. He and Davin Meggett have taken most of the reps. Normally, he would break some of those runs. I don't think he quite had his third gear today. I thought Davin played very well, too. I think they're a good one-two punch. I thought Darius Heyward-Bey had a good game. I think we've got to get the other receivers playing at a higher level right now. "
On the defense:
"Defensively, I thought that we need to tackle better and we need to get a little more physical up front, but overall, Delaware's [Johnathon] Smith is a big tough kid and he wasn't the easiest guy to tackle. We held them good in total offense. This is a team that got over 400, 460 yards last year. I thought our pass defense, especially on third down, was better. We had some mental mistakes with our younger players, we've got to that corrected. Some of the holding penalties, we've got to get those corrected."
On Delaware's offense:
"I think they changed their offense a little bit, I think they were more pass-oriented with Joe Flacco. I think field position was a big part of this game. In the first half, we were backed up and we drove the ball and we would run out of gas right around the 50-yard line. Once we got good field position, we were able to put the ball in the end zone."
On preparing for next week's game at Middle Tennessee State:
"Overall, we've got to continue to improve. We've got a tough game this week and we've got to get better. We've got to go to Murfreesboro, where they'll be waiting for us, so we have to get ready to go again."
Maryland Players
Junior Wide Receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey
On the Terrapin rushing attack:
"It helps us out to have a threat in the backfield. It makes it easier for myself, Isaiah [Williams] and Danny [Oquendo] when we've got to go out there and run patterns and catch the ball."
On scoring Maryland's first touchdown of the season:
"Cory Jackson made a great block and then I had to jump over him. We got in the end zone and it was a big score for us."
On the Terrapins using three quarterbacks:
"In practice, I see all three quarterbacks. We take reps with all of them, so I've got good timing. It's easy to adjust to, no matter who's in there."
Junior Defensive Back Terrell Skinner
On Maryland's opening victory:
"We did a lot of good things, but there are a lot of things that we've got to work on. We'll just get back to work this week. We gave up a shutout at the end and I'm a little disappointed about that. But the fact of the matter is that we came out with the `W'. They say the biggest improvement is between Week 1 and Week 2 so we're just going to try and get ready for Middle Tennessee State. "
On his interception in the fourth quarter:
"I just read the pass, sunk back into my zone and caught it."
Sophomore Linebacker Alex Wujciak
On the Blue Hen offense:
"I think we did a really good job preparing for them. We knew they had a transfer quarterback coming in, so we knew they were going to be solid. We had a few game plans coming in because we didn't know what to expect. We prepared for everything throughout camp and throughout this last week. We made a few mistakes here and there, especially on their touchdown drive. But overall I think we played well. "
On losing the shutout in the fourth quarter:
"We were talking about that on the sideline. Unfortunately, they made a big play and we couldn't stop them on the goal line."
Sophomore Running Back Da'Rel Scott
On if he was surprised at how much he ran the ball, after having 14 carries last season:
"No, because we came in with the game plan that we were going to load up on it and run the ball, so I was pretty prepared for it. I just wanted to let people know what I can do and help my teammates out."
On the holes made by the line:
"That was definitely a big help. We worked on that in practice, so I just saw it and tried to hit it. They were on point today. They were just really sharp today and they gave me a crease so I just hit it."
On if this was how he imagined his first college start:
"I think so, because the coaches know what I can do and what I'm capable of. I know myself and I just need to stay confident in myself and just keep running hard and hoping I have more days like this."
Delaware Head Coach K.C. Keeler
On today's game:
"I told our players after the game how proud I was of them, but this was not a moral victory. I do not believe in moral victories. We had our opportunities and we let them get away."
On the game plan:
"In the first half, we wanted to play defense and play ball control. We wanted to be conservative in the first half and try to win the field position battle. We wanted to make them earn every yard. It was disappointing because we made a couple of mental mistakes. We played the first half conservatively with the mindset that we were going to take some shots in the second half in terms of the passing game."
On the second half:
"We put ourselves in a great position to win the game. We were down by seven with the ball to begin the second half, but we turned the ball over. Our defense was very resilient and stepped up and made a big play right away to get some momentum back. Obviously, we were playing against a good football team and we shot ourselves in the foot in the second half. We could not get the ball in the end zone on several opportunities."
Delaware Players
Junior Quarterback Robby Schoenhoft
On the game plan:
"I trust Coach [Keeler] and trust him with everything. I think we had a perfect game plan, but obviously we slipped on the running game. I think the game plan was perfect."
On the offense:
"We had some great runs and we were able to get people open. I think that shows great character for our team. People are getting others open and blocking for one another and that shows a lot of character."
Sophomore Defensive Back Anthony Walters
On the game:
"I'm very disappointed. Some people would feel good that they competed, but competing is only one thing. Winning is a whole different type of ball game and we didn't win so I am feeling a little down about that."
On the contributing factors:
"I think we just ran out of time. I don't think we played as good as we could, but I think we were close. We gave up more good plays than they did. Darrius Heyward-Bey scored on a busted coverage and their second touchdown was on a big run. I think we just gave up big plays at the wrong times."
On their touchdown:
"It was definitely a big boost. It is not about moral victories, but that touchdown got us back in the game. At some point in the season, we are going to face adversity and it is better to handle it in the beginning of the season rather than the end. I feel that touchdown was a jumpstart for us and it got us back in the game."
