Tuesday Football Press Conference Quotes
11/28/2006 12:00:00 AM | Football
Nov. 28, 2006
Head Coach Jim Grobe
On treating this game like every other game:
"Well, I hope we learned a lesson against Virginia Tech. I think we got caught up a little bit in the bright lights against Virginia Tech. Last week I think the guys calmed down a little bit and really worked hard in practice to go into Maryland with a real business-like approach. We just need to do the same thing. We need to have the same week of preparation and the same attitude."
On having running back Kenneth Moore and Kevin Harris healthy:
"It makes us better, no question. Kenny is a great player and if we can keep him healthy he gives us a little bit more speed and quickness than we are used to. Kevin Harris is a much more physical runner and when he is healthy he gives us a little bit of a different dimension. So with those two back, we have a better offense, no question."
On trusting Riley Skinner:
"I think the only thing we haven't really worked a lot on is option stuff. But I think he ran the ball very well the other night in scrambling situations. We have some things designed for him to run the football and I think he feels more comfortable now. He really runs the ball with more purpose, so, there is nothing we are worried about with Riley Skinner."
On his interest in the Alabama job:
"None whatsoever. Somebody told me the other day that my name was floating all over the place and I said I don't know why it is floating around out there because I didn't put it out there. Wake Forest is my school and I love these kids so much right now."
On the chance of him leaving Wake Forest:
"There is nothing that I can think of that would make me leave. We have not only a great place to work and really nice people at Wake Forest, but also a great football team. I think the players we have in this program are going to make us better and better each year. So there is nothing that I can foresee that could possibly make me want to leave this place."
On Riley Skinner playing in his hometown:
"I am not worried. He is a really mature guy and I don't think it will affect him. It may help him play a little bit better. I know he is excited and really wants to play well. But, he has been in some big games before and handled it well so I would be shocked if we saw a different attitude or effort on Riley's part."
On the caliber of this team:
"It reminds me of a team that we had at the Air Force Academy that went 12-1. We did not have a lot of superstars but a lot of really talented players and a lot of team guys and that is the way this team feels. This is my favorite team that I have ever had. It is the team that I have enjoyed coaching the most. It is the best group of players and guys that like each other. The players care more about winning than about personal stats. There are no egos on this team."
Riley Skinner, RS Freshman, Quarterback
On playing in Jacksonville (his hometown):
"Now that it is here, it is just as good as the dream. We came out last week pretty fired up and we knew it was going to be a hostile environment. It was a do or die for both teams. So we knew it was going to be tough being on the road, and I think we came out firing on both sides of the ball. Being able to capitalize when they capitalized was a huge part as far as momentum goes. So being able to get that win Saturday was a great feeling and being able to do things that haven't been done at Wake Forest has been really special.
"Going home to play in Jacksonville, it cannot get much better for me. The only unfortunate thing is that my high school coaches and teammates from Bolles won't get to see me play because they will be in Miami playing in the State Championship, which is great. However, they won't get to see me play."
On handling the pressure of playing in front of a hometown crowd:
"I'm not as nervous as I am excited. I'm not really worried about how I perform in front of my family because that kind of stuff doesn't matter as much to them. I just really care about getting a win. I just want to get to the Orange Bowl right now. So we have to keep our heads on straight."
On Georgia Tech:
"It is going to be really tough to get a win against them. They are obviously very physical on defense, and on offense they have some incredible playmakers. So we are really going to have to play hard."
On being composed as a freshman:
"One thing that has always helped is that my high school coach emphasized that you have so many people around you that you don't have to make every play yourself. That really helped me in my transition here. To know that we have such a good defense behind us and then obviously having Sam Swank who is one of the best kicker/punters in the country. That really helps us stay calm."
On playing under the current offensive scheme:
"Playing in this offense is fun. You get to do everything. I get to throw the ball, run it, block, I have even caught a pass. Everything is great, the reverses are just another play for us. So I don't know too many schemes that can be as fun and keep the defense on their heels like ours does."
Willie Idlette, RS Senior, Wide Reciever
On the season:
"It has been amazing. This season has just been great. Being a fifth year senior, this has been a great experience."
On the gratification of his performance:
"Well it has been great so far. But, we still have two more games to go so I hope that we can go out there and play as hard as we have been playing. At the beginning of the season everyone had us picked last and to be going down to Jacksonville to play in this game, it has just been really special."
On playing under this offensive scheme:
"It is a lot of fun, especially for a reciever. But, it all starts up front with the offensive line. Those guys have done a tremendous job and deserve a lot of credit. All those guys have really stepped up and it is showing in every play."
On Riley Skinner throwing blocks:
"We always laugh in the film session. It is hilarious to see Riley out there throwing blocks. He probably has as many cuts as anyone else on the team. But he is a tremendous competitor because he is willing to do that and whatever it takes to win."
Kenneth Moore, RS Junior, Running Back
On how the team has achieved its success this season:
"It's basically just believing. That's the one big thing in college sports. Everybody has confidence that we could get the job done. Everybody on the team just said that we can do it. That's why we're having the type of season we're having now."
On rebounding after the Virginia Tech loss:
"That was our worst game. We had to let it go. We knew we couldn't play like that anymore. Going into Maryland, we knew it was going to be a hostile environment, just like every other road game we've had this year. We were able to go in and adjust. The coaches made a great game plan for us. We got the job done."
On playing on the road:
"You don't think of us losing home games. We've been able to play well on the road. We're happy with that accomplishment, but we have to keep going."
On switching from wide receiver to running back:
"It's been an adjustment. The first game against Boston College, with all those big boys in the middle falling on me, I had to be like `OK, so this is going to be what it's like.' Playing that game and against Florida State really got me prepared for the rest of the season. The adjustments are coming along well."
On playing in Wake's unique brand of offense:
"In high school we ran a Wing-T, so I had some experience with an offense like this. It's fun to play in this type of an offense, to keep defenses on their toes and not knowing what direction the play is really going."
On team speed:
"Speed is definitely a killer. With speed, you can get some plays off you might normally have gotten off without it. Our offensive line has done a great job with that this year, being able to get to the second level and get their blocks."
Josh Gattis, RS-Senior, Safety
On Georgia Tech:
"We're kind of familiar with Georgia Tech from having played them last year. I think it's going to be a great match-up. It should be an electrifying game with a lot of big plays. We have a chance to go out there and make history, and we have to prepare ourselves for that."
On the defensive strategy:
"Our defense is focusing on trying to limit the big play ability of the Georgia Tech offense. Going into this game, we know Calvin Johnson is one of the most electrifying players in college football. We have a ton of respect for him. At the same time, you can't just focus on that because they have such a well-balanced offense. They can beat you with the run. They probably have one of the best running backs in the ACC with Tashard Choice."
On the team's conference awards:
"It's good to get the individual awards, but you don't get those awards if you're 4-7. The awards are representative of the team's success. Being 10-2, you've got a lot of guys named all-conference, but that's only because of the other teammates on the field. I'd trade in the All-ACC honor for a conference championship."
On the team's injuries:
"We have a lot of guys hurt right now, including myself, but when you're winning a lot of that pain goes away. A lot of guys are playing with sprains or tweaked muscles, but you have to go push yourself every week. You can't play the game of football injured, but you can play hurt. That's what we're trying to keep in mind right now."
