Meet the Press: UConn
9/15/2009 12:00:00 AM | Football
Sept. 15, 2009
Head Coach Art Briles
Opening Statement:
"We're glad to be back on a regular schedule. What we tried to accomplish during the off week is what we tried to accomplish before the Wake Forest game. We have a long stretch in front of us so we have to be ready to go to work and take care of business. UConn is a very good football team. From playing them last year, we know that there style of play is something that we respect and we have a good feeling for them as an opponent."
On UConn's defense:
"It has a lot to do with their mentality and then you blend that with their personnel and you get a good sound defense. They have good people who are doing a great job schematically; they make you work for what you get on the offensive side of the ball."
On tweaks made in bye week:
"The thing that is dangerous is when you give us some time and we think about what could be done differently. From that stand point, we try to stay as calm as possible and proactive. There were some things that we needed to correct and we worked on them and went from there."
On winning the turnover battle against Wake Forest:
"I've always said that field position and momentum determine who wins the football game. If you're protecting the football and playing special teams, you have a chance to win the football game and we do a very good job with that."
On the inexperienced O-Line in Wake Forest game:
"I thought they did a really good job. For the first time ever in a game against an experienced defense, I thought they did ok. There is still a lot of work to do but as far as their mentality, effort and production, it gave us an opportunity to do a lot of things offensively. They are eager and anxious and that's not at all a bad thing."
On more faith and support from the community and fans after the win at Wake Forest:
"It's certainly a good thing to have, but it's still unproven. We have to get where we are expected to do well every time we step on the field. That's the area that we have to improve on as a program; we are struggling as a program for respect nationally and in the state of Texas. We have a long way to go to get where we want to be and all you can ask for is a chance. What we have to do is take care of business on the field and Saturday's opponent [UConn] is a very hungry team. They're coming off of a loss so we expect some changes in their game plan."
On Saturday's home opener:
"We are excited to be at home; it's a big deal. It's exciting to be at home and show our fans what we have on our home turf. You have very few opportunities to do that in the game of football so when you have that opportunity to be on the top side, you need to take advantage of it and that's what we're hoping to do."
Senior Linebacker Joe Pawelek
On the bye week:
"I think it was a good week for us. It was pretty routine as far as the practice schedule and lifting schedule. It definitely was a positive leaving with that victory, but it was also big for us because we saw there were a lot of things that needed to be worked on. It [the bye week] was a great chance for us to do that."
On the confidence that victory at Wake Forest gives:
"It was huge for us. Coming into a season where people have expectations for you - a road game versus a team that has been to three straight bowl games, definitely a quality opponent, going up there and starting well - we didn't quite finish how we wanted to, but we still left with that win. I think it was a huge confidence builder knowing that we went up there in a tough environment, played a good game and left with our first win."
On having things to correct after the Wake Forest win:
"There were a lot of things that were fixable whether it is communication out there: making sure the whole defense is playing the same defense or making sure people know what they are doing when they are playing that defense."
On the excitement of a home opener €¦
"Any time you open at home, you want to come out and put on a good show for them. I think that with our situation, coming in and getting that first win and then seeing the big picture of things, this is a big game for us. I think we will come out and have a good week of practice and be ready Saturday.
On UConn's offense €¦
"They have come out in the first two games and run the ball really well. They are a great program that has definitely come a long way. We need to come out on Saturday and be ready to play."
On how last year's lost to Connecticut affects this year's game:
"I think that last year's game was a great game for us, getting the young guys good experience a long way from home in front of a hostile crowd. I don't think we are really going to focus on last year's game. Looking towards this season, this is just a huge game for us."
On winning the turnover battle:
"I think that Coach Norwood and his whole staff do a great job, whether it be with the scout team running UConn plays or when we are with the offense going good on good, it is always about getting the ball. It is 'first guy make the tackle, second guy strip the ball'. Those turnovers are just huge for us; it just changes the momentum of the football game."
On being overconfident:
"I don't think this team is in any position to be getting big-headed. We are 1-0 and we all see that we have a long way to go and a long season ahead of us."
Sophomore Quarterback Robert Griffin
On UConn as a football team:
"They came off a hard loss so they're going to be playing hard and we know that. They aren't going to overlook us and one of our goals is to not give them one sack. I expect them to come after me, but our o-line can take care of that and I can, as well. When you have two teams attacking, someone has to win and I think we have a good shot at that this weekend."
On the quick punt he produced at Wake Forest:
"That was the first time I've punted in a game since ninth grade. I just have to get a roll on it and it'll make it at least 20 yards. I'm definitely not going to take (Derek) Epperson's spot, but we've practiced it a time or two just in case and coach called it on that play and what coach calls we run, so we did it."
On his role as a "distributor":
"I am definitely content with that. The purpose of this year is to give other guys a chance to shine and, if they can keep playing the way they did in the first game, I'm ok with it."
On coming off the loss against UConn last year:
"You have to be able to erase it in that season. After that game you have to move on to the next game. However, this year we are going to be hungry from last year. We are going out there to dominate the game and put it away early. That loss from last year will be there but we have a new season and a new team and we're ready to go."
On added pressure being the first home game of the season:
"Not really; there is always pressure to win, but you just have to go out there and play. You can't worry about other things when you're out there on the field. You can't worry about the pressure. We want to show these fans that we're ready to come out and play this season."
