Wake Forest Athletics
Weekly Football Press Conference Video & Quotes
10/25/2011 12:00:00 AM | Football
Oct. 25, 2011
Head Coach Jim Grobe
On the importance of the comeback victory against Duke...
"Winning's important, and no matter how good you play or how poorly you play, the bottom line is whether you come away with a W. We learned a lot (against Duke), and I thought we played a really, really good first half. You've got to give Duke some credit because I thought their kids played really good, especially in the third quarter and the first half of the fourth quarter. But, we've got a lot to build on."
On the challenges that North Carolina poses on Saturday...
"They have a lot of good players on both sides of the ball. North Carolina is really good, and they have a lot of good football players. It will be a great challenge for us."
On the significance of earning his 100th career win last Saturday against Duke...
"My players have said some things about that, but I have been a very small part of those 100 wins. It's mostly my coaching staff and my players. Just beating Duke was good enough. I didn't need the 100 wins, but I just needed a win against Duke on Saturday."
On the play of the team last Saturday against Duke...
"It was a team deal. We didn't play well as a team, but I thought our defense fought their hearts out, and thank goodness they did. The offense made a play when they needed to, but the thing that the team needs to understand is that it wasn't just an offensive problem. Defensively, we could have had a few three and outs in order to give our offense a few more opportunities."
On the significance of meeting all three in-state foes this year on the gridiron...
"We've had some battles with North Carolina, no question about it. Just like with our NC State and Duke games, a lot of the players on their teams are North Carolina kids. A lot of our players have played against those guys in high school, so there are some rivalries that will be renewed from high school days. That makes it a little bit more interesting."
On the play of wide receiver Chris Givens this year...
"With Chris, the thing that makes me happiest is to see how much he has matured as a person. He's much more concerned now with our football team, his teammates, and winning than he is with personal achievements. He has had some really good games to this point, but I think Chris would be the first to tell you that all of that is in the past and we have to look forward. In every way, he's just matured and grown up. He's not just a talented kid now, but he's a good football player."
On the play of quarterback Tanner Price this year...
"I'm not surprised that Tanner is playing well because I know he's capable of that, but I think he's capable of playing better. He's going to have some ups and downs because he's a young guy. He's a young quarterback that's growing, but I couldn't be happier with him now. I think he's got some room for improvement, but that's a good thing, and I think he knows that too."
Sophomore Quarterback Tanner Price
On preserving the win at Duke...
"It was good for us. We didn't play great football; we stalled in the third quarter, and that's something that we've done all year. We really need to work on that and get better at it, but a win's a win and it is always great to get a good win like that."
On the possibility of becoming bowl eligible...
"That's something that, going into the season, was one of our main goals. We wanted to get back to a bowl game and prove to everybody that we're capable of that and capable of competing in the ACC. To be able to accomplish that goal would be awesome for us as a team."
On the looming matchup with Clemson...
"It's definitely a part of our mind and it's something that we'd love to see happen if we could get a win. Right now we're focusing on North Carolina though. They're a great team and it's not going to be an easy game. We're going to have to play really good football. If we do win, it would be excited to be able to set up the matchup with Clemson."
Senior Left Tackle Dennis Godfrey
On the excitement of facing North Carolina...
"Well, I was born in Chapel Hill, so most of my family have always been die-hard Tar Heel fans. It's a great university with great campus life and a great football program. We know it's going to be a tough game, and we know that we're going to have to play at our best to beat North Carolina because of all their talent. We have to know our assignments and know what we have to do in order to get a win."
On being a part of Coach Grobe's 100th career win...
"It was a great thing to be a part of. I've been here since 2007 with Riley Skinner and all those guys, and I've seen this program in highs and lows. Right now we have one of the best offenses that Wake has had in a while, with Tanner Price at quarterback and Josh Harris and Brandon Pendergrass in the backfield. You never know what can happen with this team."
On what to expect from Duke's defense...
"I've been looking at film and analyzing them. Quinton Coples is a great defensive end with his techniques and talent. They run a lot of off-front and a lot of their base defense. They like to blitz on second and third down, so we're making sure to prepare for that. We want to create some hot routes for Tanner and make sure that he's well-protected. We've been working on some one-on-one pass rushing in practice this week to get ready for that."
Freshman Cornerback Merrill Noel
On playing against high profile wide receivers...
"It's always exciting for me. I'm like a kid in a candy store. Every week being able to play against high profile players, it's a blessing because that's what I came here for - to play against the best and prove to myself that I belong here."
On what it would mean to beat North Carolina after already beating Duke and NC State...
"It would be a blessing, just for Coach Grobe. We like to see him smile. We like to see the fans have a good time at the games seeing us come out on top every week. So we just have to take it one game at a time. At the same that would be a great feeling to be state champs."
On your individual confidence level after having a good game at Duke...
"Well I'm very confident because I know I have teammates that have my back. When I mess up, I don't have to hang my head low and have it in the back of my head the whole game, because I know if I mess up I have a safety that's going to be bring them down. Cyhl Quarles and Josh Bush are great role models and leaders on our defense. I look at them like big brothers and I know if I mess up they will be right there to fix my mistakes."
On how to avoid a letdown when playing North Carolina...
"Just execute on all ends. Go with the play calls that our coach gives us and just execute them the best we can. (We) just (have to) be the great football players that we are. That's why we're here. I know they're going to come out tough. They're a great team with outstanding athletes. We just are going to have to bring our `A' game. They need this win, and we do, too."
