Postgame Quotes
September 08, 2007 | Football
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TEXAS TECH POSTGAME QUOTES
Head Coach Mike Leach
On words of encouragement at half-time:
The biggest thing was to just regroup everybody. I think everyone wanted the same thing, but the majority of that first half didn't come out the way we would've liked. We had to overcome some adversity, but we were just really trying to get everyone on the same page so that we are working together rather than separately.
On playing on Monday then turning around and playing Saturday:
It obviously had an impact. I just think this time of year it's challenging. I was proud of our guys rising to the challenge. Not just overcoming the two-day differential, but also being down at the half and coming back in the second half.
On confidence level after field goal going into the half:
I think it was important because we were playing well together at that point. I would've liked it better if we scored a touchdown but we just ran out of time. I think everybody offensively felt that way. We were also starting to play better defense at that point. I thought it was good, but it didn't change the fact that we had to regroup a little at the half. I was definitely proud how we came out in the second half.
On second half play:
Trying to win the battle of time of possession, which I cherish because I think that is the most valuable step. Football, despite the good ball control drive, we lost in that category. But we did have more plays, we had more first downs, and we had really good third down conversions and we had more points.
On offensive line play:
I think our offensive line continues to improve. We have these big, monstrous guys out there that just continue to get better. I think we are still emerging. We have a chance to continue to improve in the several weeks to come.
On wide receiver Michael Crabtree:
I think it's better than average. He has done some good things. He has a quality that you'd like all football players to have. Anytime there is a game he hates to come off the field. He loves to be out there in some capacity. He's got all those things you would like in a player, and the enthusiasm has definitely rubbed off on the other players.
Running Back Shannon Woods
On if he worried any about the deficit
"We had a pretty good game with them last year. I think more than anything we weren't really worried about losing. We just didn't take it the distance like last time. I was never worried"
On the impact the Insight Bowl made
"When we went in at halftime, Leach definitely talked about that situation and how we persevered and came back. I don't think really anybody was worried. It was weird at the same time in the Minnesota game when we were down however many we were down, we never got worried then. That was really weird to me being down that many points. We never got scared you could say."
Wide Receiver L.A. Reed
On if he was worried about the deficit
"We were moving the ball around and making a few mistakes that were stalling our drives. When we went in at halftime, we regrouped and came out firing. We never get down."
On how it feels to be known as more than a great special team player
"It's fun. On special teams, all you have to do is run to the football. You don't have to think about reading coverage. You don't have to think about anything. You just run to the ball and make plays."
Quarterback Graham Harrell
On if he was worried about the deficit
"Not really. Looking at last year, I don't know how many games we were down and came back and won and there were a lot of them. And in the bowl we were down 31, so no big deal. We came out and executed, and we were fine after that."
On the confidence he has being down in the game
"It's something as quarterback you look forward to bringing your team back. We were in that situation last year, so it was nothing new to us. We knew we just had to come out and execute, and that's what we did. I think we have a lot of confidence in that situation because we've been there before. We'll do what we've done before, come out and make plays and we won't get burned."
UTEP POSTGAME QUOTES
Trevor Vittatoe, Freshman Quarterback
On UTEP's offense:
"We did what we needed to do. We were slow last week against New Mexico, but I think we came out and proved ourselves tonight. The offensive line did a great job tonight."
On his play tonight:
"I came into this game more prepared than I did last week and that really helped me. I did things throughout the game that put me in better position to become a leader on the field."
On Texas Tech's offense:
"They have a lot of great athletes, and do a great job of putting themselves in position to win."
On leading at halftime 28-17:
"We felt good. We knew that good teams play for all four quarters in big games, and we knew that Tech was not about to give up."
Brian Wilkins, Sophomore Linebacker
On forcing Graham Harrell to fumble in the first quarter:
"I was just blitzing off the edge and got through clean. It was just a normal blitz, nothing too special. We were just trying to do anything we could to break their confidence."
On Texas Tech:
"They are a good team all the way around. We had to try to tackle them the first time or they could get loose in the open."
Joe West, Senior Receiver
On UTEP's offense:
"We felt more ready this week. We got a good rhythm going throughout the game but we have to cut out the turnovers."
On leading at half:
"In the locker room we were just talking about how this was whole new game. We were starting over 0-0 and had to try and come out and win the second half. We knew they were not going to give up."
Jeremy Jones, Senior Linebacker
On Texas Tech's offense:
"They have a great offense. Their offensive coordinator is a genius. Even when they get beat, they still put up a lot of points. Getting a three and out against them is as good as a turnover."
On leading at half:
"We were all calm and focused. We knew they would not fold. You have to take your hats off to them. They played a great game."
Head Coach Mike Price
On how he felt after taking a 21-7 lead:
"You never really feel real comfortable against this team because they're so capable offensively throwing the ball. You just try to get another score on that scoreboard, but in the second half I was disappointed in how we executed. We fumbled the ball, we had too many penalties, we broke a couple of coverages and we lost the game. We played hard and our game plan was pretty good but we just made some mistakes in key situations."
On his team's progress between weeks one and two: "I think we took a big step offensively and I think we got better, I think our team got better from last week and we learned. It was good to play here; it's a good environment, it's a lot of fun and it's exciting to play in, and I appreciate Texas Tech giving us the opportunity to play them these last two years, it's been good for the program."
On whether or not he was concerned after Tech's first drive that resulted in a 7-0 deficit:
"No, I wasn't worried then, because I felt like we could move the ball consistently. I was disappointed we couldn't score when we had the two opportunities in the second half."
On the mistakes his team made in the second half:
"When you do you make those mistakes, they just take advantage of it. If you screw up a coverage in the goal line, that's a touchdown, and we did it twice. They know what they're doing, they're well coached and [Mike] Leach does a great job."
On the change in his defense between the first and second half:
"We were going so strong defensively in that first half and then we just kind of wore out. Some of our defensive backs just got tired and they'd fake us out or we'd miss the tackle. They just keep hammering that thing at you in their own way of passing the ball."
On not having to face Tech quarterback Graham Harrell again:
"It will be nice [not to face him], but I think it was a real good opportunity for our university to play this team, I wish the results would have been different."
On redshirt freshman wide receiver Michael Crabtree:
"We kind of knew about him, he's really good. [L.A.] Reed made a nice catch too and then you've got those other two little rugrats running around there catching balls all over the place and you can't stop them."
On how he feels about his team:
"Going into the game I felt pretty good about this team. I felt like it was just going to be a matter of time before we started clicking on offense and I thought we did. I liked the way our defense played with spirit and we also made some big plays in the first half."
