Tuesday Football Press Conference Quotes
11/9/2004 12:00:00 AM | Football
Nov. 9, 2004
Head Coach Jim Grobe
On the week off:
"We've had a week off, and we played pretty well against Florida State after a week off, so I'm hoping our guys will bounce back well. Hopefully we'll get some guys healthy and take a good shot this weekend. The first bye week helped us not so much injury-wise as it gave us a chance to collect our thoughts. We had been through some tough games. I'm hoping this week will give us a chance to get guys healthy."
On North Carolina:
"I think they're playing as good as right now probably as anybody in the league. These last two weeks have been really, really impressive. Certainly the Miami win was as good as it gets and to come back with a great effort against a good Virginia Tech team is impressive."
On playing in front of a large home crowd:
"I think it's going to be really exciting. I think North Carolina will have a very good contingent at the game also, so that will be a great Saturday afternoon for football."
On Ben Mauk starting:
"He finished the Duke game for us, and we won that game. I think Cory will play better (than he did in the Duke game). Cory's healthy now, and he'll have a good week of practice. We intend to play both quarterbacks, but Ben has earned his start. That's what we're trying to do, make it competitive but make sure we're fair."
On injuries:
"We have to get some pad practices under our belt. Monday night for us is a really light day. Brad [White] was out at practice. Jason [Anderson] practiced, and I think Jason has probably got the best chance to be ready to go. We'll see how Brad does in pads, and Willie Idlette has a stress fracture in his foot. That's a problem because it's sore and there's not a whole lot we can do about it. If he could catch punts for us that would be huge because we're getting great play out of Kevin Marion in the slot position. If Willie can take care of the punt duties we'll be better off."
Senior cornerback Eric King
On playing North Carolina in his final home game:
"We wouldn't have wanted it any other way. There is just so much hype surrounding this game and it means something for you, especially if you are a senior and for our bowl hopes. Both teams really need this win and from last year we still have a bad taste in our mouths and we want that to come out on Saturday against Carolina.
On having bye weeks:
"Sometimes it doesn't come at the greatest time, but it is good for the body so you can rest up because this is a very physical conference and there are very tough games each week that go down to the wire. It allows the players to get healthy and to get ready for the next game.
On the team's bowl chances:
"We are not talking about a bowl game right now. The only thing we are concerned about right now is getting a win over Carolina. We feel that last year they ended our season and we want to take that going into this year and we are going to be ready to go on Saturday.
Senior safety Warren Braxton
On playing in his final game at Groves Stadium:
"Our emotions are going to be pretty high, especially for the seniors. It's our last home game and we are playing UNC after a big time loss last season. It is going to be intense and we just have to go in there and make plays."
On playing UNC:
"Playing Carolina as the last hom game of the season is big time and you can't ask for much more than that."
On UNC's offense:
"It is one of the best offenses we face this season. They are a two-headed monster. They can move the ball on the ground, the quarterback can run. They are skilled at all positions. They have moved the ball against every team this season so our defense is going to have a tough job against them.
Senior center Blake Lingruen
On the offense:
"We are definitely looking forward to this game as an offensive unit. Our main focus this weekend is to get the win. We know if we are going to win this weekend we are going to have to do it on both sides of the ball. Our defense has their work cut out for them. They are a great offense and defense. We are expecting the best out of them."
On the emotions of playing in his final home game:
"It is definitely going to be an emotional game. We are starting to play with a sense of urgency because we are starting to see the end. The games from here on out are must-win situations, if we want to go to a bowl game. We are going to leave everything on the field."
