Wake Forest Athletics
Weekly Football Press Conference Video & Quotes
11/15/2011 12:00:00 AM | Football
Nov. 15, 2011
Head Coach Jim Grobe
On rebounding from the loss to Clemson...
"Well I think winning is the key. We don't have anything to be ashamed of about our performance at Clemson, but we didn't win and we haven't won in awhile. Hopefully the will to win is what keeps us going."
On playing for bowl eligibility...
"I don't think that there is any question that that is a major factor for us, but we have a really talented Maryland team coming in and they're not really happy right now. I think they are going to come in and play hard, so we have to focus on taking care of the Deacs first, but also know that we have a very talented Maryland team coming that would love to get us."
On having two chances at home to become bowl eligible...
"It's nice to be here at the end of the season and still have things to play for. Last year we had nothing other than pride to play for. Now we have an opportunity to be bowl eligible, but it's not going to be easy. We have two really good teams coming to town."
On the seniors having their Senior Day against Maryland...
"This has been a really special group of guys. I don't know how many of them will have the opportunity to play at the next level. For a lot of them, their seasons are coming to an end and their football careers are coming to an end. This has been a great group. Our young guys like them, look up to them and respect them. We're not always the most talented team, but we have chemistry and that starts with seniors."
On the emergence of Brandon Pendergrass...
"Whenever you have two running backs, sometimes it's hard to develop the consistency that you need. Since Brandon has been getting more work, he's really developed into a very dependable guy, not only as a runner, but he is blocking well, running routes well and doing the things that you would like to see a senior do. He really did some nice things against Clemson and hopefully will build on that and have a good game this Saturday.
Sophomore Quarterback Tanner Price
On the importance of becoming bowl eligible...
"It's a goal that we've had all season and it's something that we've been trying to work towards. Our main focus in these last two games is to become bowl eligible and that's something that we're going to work really hard to try to achieve."
On facing Maryland...
"They're a good team. They're very athletic and their record really doesn't show how good of a team that they are. We're going to have to remain focused to be able to go into this game and execute."
On not allowing Maryland to become a trap game...
"We're preparing for them in the same way that we do every week. We've been practicing really hard and studying up on their defense and we're just trying to remain as focused as we can be on the goal at hand."
On the season becoming "do or die" at this point...
"I don't think that we're quite to that point yet, but we do want to end the season very strongly in our final two games."
Senior Outside Linebacker Kyle Wilber
On Maryland QB C.J. Brown...
"He's really fast, but he also has an arm too, so you can't always assume that he's going to run the ball. It's going to be a tough week of preparation to learn how to deal with a quick quarterback like him."
On the importance of starting a game quickly...
"We're always trying to practice hard and making sure that we stay focused, and we can't allow the team to slack off like we've been doing in the second half."
On the emotional loss to Clemson...
"We're mad at ourselves because we let the game slip away. They're a very good Clemson team, but we just need to cut out the mental mistakes and come out hard and physical against Maryland."
On keeping the same level of energy against Maryland...
"Bowl eligibility is a big thing for us. It's a goal that we set for ourselves at the beginning of the season, so it's going to make us come out hard and quick against Maryland."
Senior Safety Cyhl Quarles
On staying mentally focused after the tough loss at Clemson...
"We have many leaders on our team - Josh Bush, Brandon Pendergrass, and Kyle Wilber. Even Tanner Price. These guys help the team stay up and stay positive about what we're going into this week and put last week behind us. It was a tough loss against a great team in Clemson. We just want to look ahead and try to make a bowl game this week."
On what you are seeing of Maryland's offense on film...
"Like Tanner (Price) said, their record does not reflect the team. They're high powered, even with O'Brien out. CJ Brown is an athletic guy. He can run and he can throw the ball. He did put up a lot of points against Clemson so that one thing we have to look forward to and have to be prepared for this week."
On how exciting it is to play the last two games at home...
"It's very exciting. It's senior week. I remember in '07, those guys were running out and I remember thinking, `That time is coming.' This week is that week and it's kind of sad and bitter sweet, but we'll be prepared."
Senior Tailback Brandon Pendergrass
On the confidence in your performance...
"I'm just feeling more comfortable running the ball. The offensive line is opening up some holes and giving me a chance to see things and get through. That's the main thing, just being more comfortable."
On what was going through your mind after scoring two touchdowns at Clemson...
"Let's win. The first time I scored, I believe we went up one touchdown. After the second touchdown it was 28-14 so I just wanted to keep building on that. To get a lead on Clemson in Death Valley was really big for us."
Senior Free Safety Josh Bush
On helping the younger guys know the significance of a bowl game...
"We had a lot of fun our first years with bowl games. We've just been trying to talk to them about how much fun a bowl game is. They think it's just another game, but you're in the city a whole week and there is so much to do. We're just trying to explain that to them."
On how important it is to wrap up the season with two wins...
"It would be very important. The more wins the better, obviously. We want to get it done."
On what problems Maryland could bring...
"In the past they have been a two quarterback team. But now O'Brien got hurt so the quarterback is going to know his game plan. It's his team on Saturday. So that's what we have to be prepared for."
