Wake Forest Athletics
Tuesday Football Press Conference Quotes
9/12/2006 12:00:00 AM | Football
Sept. 12, 2006
Head Coach Jim Grobe
On the performance in the Duke game:
"I really was happy to win the football game. Certainly we didn't play as well as we wanted to, but sometimes it's nice to win ugly. We have a lot to work on."
On what to work on:
"Really, we need to work on all three areas. We didn't play well in the first half on offense or defense. I thought we played better in the second half in both those areas. Each spot in our kicking area needs some work, probably the punt team was a little better the other day, but each team needs some work."
On how to start the UConn game:
"We need to start faster, that's for sure. One of the things for us is consistency right now; we're not a very consistent football team. I'd like to see us get to the point where we can play (well) for four quarters."
On the excitement of being 2-0:
"I think our players understand that our schedule will get progressively tougher as we go. We could have very easily lost the first two games. Fortunately, we won them. We have a football team that's capable of winning but we got to play (well) every Saturday, and hopefully that's the lesson we learned this Saturday."
On the impact of the blocked field goal:
"I think in every season when you look back, if you've had a successful season, you've probably had two or three plays during the season that made you have a good one as opposed to an average season. For us, hopefully we can look back at the end of this year and feel that was a pretty important block."
On Riley Skinner going on the road:
"We feel like he got his feet wet and acquitted himself well in his first start at home. Now, going on the road and starting in front of a hostile crowd will be another new experience for him. He's got to have some confidence now. He's got a couple wins under his belt now."
On the defense playing soft:
"I think our players realize you can't take anybody for granted. We knew Duke had some very nice players on offense and we knew they were very talented players. I thought their coaching staff did a really nice job and their kids executed very well."
On opening up the offense:
"We need to work the ball downfield a little bit more. A lot of that will be personnel match-ups. You'd like to expand what you're asking Riley to do, but each week we add new things for different defenses, but that combination could end up being too much. We've got to give him enough of our playbook for our offense to be successful with, but not so many things that he doesn't play fast because he's thinking too much."
On remembering UConn's victory at Wake Forest in 2003:
"We haven't said much because we would hope that they remember. The number one thing is UConn has a really good football program and they came in here and pretty much embarrassed us. First and foremost, they have a really good football program and secondly, we would like to play a heck of a lot better than we did last time we played here at home.
On UConn's program and recognition:
"Well, I think they are underrated, but I think each year they get more respect. They've been to bowl games now, they've made the jump from I-AA to I-A, and I don't know many programs in the country that are more improved right now. The nice thing for them, which makes it a little tougher for us, I think they keep getting a little better each year."
Sophomore safety Chip Vaughn
On how to improve after a lackluster defensive performance last week:
"We have to come out and play really hard. Coach Grobe said that we have to step it up on defense, so let's go and do it.
On the emotions after last week's game:
"It was both excitement and relief. Everybody thought we were going to win, but nobody knew how. For the game to end like that was just crazy."
On Connecticut:
"UConn has great special teams. Their return teams average about 35 yards. They have a veteran quarterback and some strong tailbacks coming back."
On being 2-0, but not playing to potential:
"We're fine, but I don't think we're satisfied. Now it's just time to go and play UConn on Saturday."
On the possibility that the field goal block was a season changer:
"I don't think the stars were aligned for that play, but we'll have to see down the road how that play will affect things. I can't say now, but come October it might be another story."
Senior wide receiver Willie Idlette
On the possibility that the field goal block was a season changer:
"I couldn't really look. I heard everybody cheering and saw that we recovered the block."
On his feelings after the game:
"There was definitely a feeling of relief after the game. We didn't play as well as we wanted to but we came out with a win. We were really excited about that."
On playing UConn on the road:
"We're excited to go up and play them. They came down here a few years ago and beat us, so we want to go back and return the favor. They're a great team. Everyone at a D-1 level is a good team and has good athletes."
On team improvements:
"We have some things to work on. This was just the second game of the season. Going up to Connecticut, we need to improve on all aspects of the game: offense, defense and kicking."
On Riley Skinner's debut at quarterback:
"He led and made smart decisions. We're going to follow him."
On guarding against overconfidence:
"Coach Grobe always says that we're only guaranteed 12 games. We take each game at a time and focus on that team."
