Sept. 13, 2008
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Maryland
Head Coach Ralph Friedgen
On today's game...
"This was a very, very good win for our program. Our coaching staff did a heck of a job. Chris Cosh and the defensive staff and James Franklin and the offensive staff put together two very good game plans. The best play today was the on-side kick because we don't get those. I think the credit has to go to our players, too. This was a tough week. We had a tough loss last week, and then we had to come back and play a very, very good football team. I thought we played very well early and there were some things we could have done better in the second half. I think this game should do a lot for our confidence and we need to grow from this game. It kind of showed what our kids are made of. I'm very proud of them for hanging in there."
On his pre-game talks with the team...
"I kind of challenged them last night at our meeting and in the pre-game period they were really different. There wasn't much emotion and I thought they were really tight. In fact, I even cracked a few jokes before the game, which is uncharacteristic of me. They came out ready to play, and they played with their hearts. That's what I asked them to do."
On the team's meeting last night...
"I asked them a question. I said, `Who in this room has been told they're not good enough?' I raised my hand. I said, `How does that make you feel?' I went around the room and I asked them that. They said, `It makes me mad.' I said, `So what are going to do about it? This is what people are saying about us. You have a chance tomorrow in front of national television to show them who you are and what you're made of. We need to get after these guys as soon as they walk off the bus.'"
On the team's running game...
"I think that's who are; we should be able to run the football. This was a defense that led in a lot of national statistics after their first two games. This was a good defense. I think we showed some people what we are capable of and we've got to do it more consistently."
Senior Offensive Lineman Jaimie Thomas
On overall team performance...
"This game was one of our better games and it still was not our best. We know we can get better from here; we just need to do it in practice."
On the play of the offensive line...
"We have had a chip on our shoulder all year. We just want to prove to the country that we are one of the best offensive lines. We are doing things better. We are not 100 percent but we are getting there slowly but surely."
On the play of Quarterback Chris Turner...
"Chris managed the offense extremely well today. We moved the ball up and down the field well with good passing and running."
Junior Quarterback Chris Turner
On the play of the offensive line...
"The offensive line seemed to step it up a lot from last week's game against Middle Tennessee State. The play of the offensive line was very important."
On what the game means for Maryland...
"We knew that if we could get this win, it could change the trajectory of the season. Hopefully we can just capitalize on this victory."
On the importance of the victory...
"I think this game proves that we can play with anyone. We can put a lot of points on the board and probably should have scored a few more touchdowns."
Junior Defensive Back Nolan Carroll
On mental preparation for the game...
"You just need to stay positive no matter what goes wrong. That's what we did the whole week, stay positive. If someone does something wrong, then you just correct it for the next time."
On the importance of the win...
"This game is a confidence builder for us. This is how we are capable of playi
California
Head Coach Jeff Tedford
On preparing for Maryland...
"We looked at them on tape and we knew that they had a lot of ability. I don't think the first two weeks they played to their potential. I think they had a light lit under them after last week's loss and they were very focused. We got behind early and even though we got to the red zone we couldn't score touchdowns. That's a problem. You can't settle for field goals."
On the California passing game...
"I think some of the receivers had a chance to get some action today and catch the ball which was nice. We had a couple blown assignments out there so there are some growing pains. The key is that we learn from those. It comes down to communication and making sure everybody understands what they're doing. But I was happy to see some guys make some plays and that's going to go a long way."
On tailback Jahvid Best...
"We just didn't open up very many holes for him today. We didn't dominate the line of scrimmage. Coming in, we talked about how it all starts up front. We got beat up front offensively and defensively, both in the pass rush and in the running game. They just played more physical than we did."
On the Terrapin defense...
"They were a good team. They were a good defensive front. They had very good linebackers that were scraping really well and a lot of those guys were making plays. We didn't get up to the linebackers a lot of times."
On converting only 2 of 11 third-down opportunities...
"Third down is key. They were converting third downs and we weren't. Our misses were in the red zone and you just can't live like that. You've got to be good on third down. Today was a test and we didn't do a very good job."
On adjusting to the Noon kickoff time...
"No excuses, whatsoever. We prepared well, we stuck to a plan. The kids were up this morning focused and ready to go. No excuses."
Junior Tight End Tad Smith
On the morale...
"We are down. It's always tough when you lose, but we know what we have on our hands. It's not going to be like last year when there was a lot of finger-pointing and all of that. As a leader on this team, I'm going to get the other leaders going and we'll lead the team in the right direction. We have a bye week; we're going to have a bad taste in our mouths for a little bit, but we'll get it going in the right direction."
On the game...
"It was tough; offense wasn't firing in the first three quarters and defense was playing a little sluggish. To tell you the truth, this humidity was tough. With this heat and humidity, I was over-heating in the game but I think once we got our second wind as a defense in the second half, it was easier to feel more grounded."
On what contributed to the loss...
"I don't think the trip did anything to us. This was a tough heat to battle. We're not use to this humidity and they kind of had the advantage there."
