University of Connecticut Athletics
UConn vs. Syracuse Post Game Quotes
11/28/2009 12:00:00 AM | Football
Nov. 28, 2009
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Head Coach Randy Edsall
Opening Statement:
That's a great win for us today. It puts us bowl-eligible three years in a row now and I think that's just very, very significant for our program knowing that we still have another game to play next week but I'm very proud and very happy for these young men in terms of how they approached this game today after last weekend. They really came to work this week and had a focus and had a mindset that they wanted to play well and for the most part we did. Defensively we didn't play as well as we would have liked; we made some plays when we needed to but special teams and offense really made some huge plays today and it's great to get this victory.
Sometimes it's a long time to get to 6 wins:
Yes, it is. And, especially, with the way this season's been, it's been real long and real hard. Not just on the field but because of all the other things that have transpired with this team. Like I said, I'm so proud of them and so happy for them; and the assistant coaches to put the effort in that they put in. They never quit and they never say die and they just find a way to get it done.
On the big plays today on offense and special teams.
When everybody executes, that's usually what happens. Mike Lang, we knew that they were probably going to try to kick the ball to him and he did a great job, and he had great blocking, and he has great speed so he could take it down the field.
Interesting, Jordan (Todman) breaks another one and we know Jordan has the speed to break it; Andre (Dixon), the thing that was interesting on Andre's touchdown late in the game was the fact that we called a different play from the sideline and Zach (Frazer) missed it and he called a different play so we called one play in from the sideline and he called a totally different play than what we had sent in because he thought he saw a different signal, so when it happened I said, "we really don't know what we're doing, and maybe we should let Zach call the plays.
Senior Tailback # 2 Andre Dixon
Can you talk about the effort of you and the offensive line?
Like it's been the whole year, the offensive line's been doing a great job and this week they really practiced on making sure we execute our schemes and things that we've been wanting to do all year, they just came out and did the job up front and they made holes for us and we had a chance to make plays and we made them. So I think the offensive line combined with the backs making holes and opportunity came up and we just did a good job.
What happened on your (45-yard 4th Quarter) touchdown run?
It's a signal we have that's similar to a run signal and they called the run play and it split. I mean, I'm not complaining.
Orange Head coach Doug Marrone
Opening Statement
"It was a disappointing game for us. We didn't come away with a victory, which was our goal. We fell behind from the beginning and could never get ahead of it. A lot of credit to the players for battling back and a lot of credit to UConn for making plays when they needed to. We could never get ourselves ahead in the game."
Weighing in on quarterback Greg Paulus' play today and for the season
"It would be hard for me to reflect on the season but today I thought he was hot. He looked like he had a hot hand going. I really thought he was in tune and really focused in today. I thought at one point, 'This guy is hot. We need to stick with him.'"
Paulus set a Syracuse completion percentage for the season. Did that make you feel vindicated for going with him this season?
"No. I don't want to be the guy to say I told you so. I don't want to be that guy. I'm proud of Greg. We've gone through a lot of adversity. I'm proud of all the seniors. I really am. That's what I told them in the locker room. We've been through quite a bit of adversity. They stuck with the program and laid a foundation that we feel very comfortable with, and Greg was a part of that."
What have you learned fro Paulus that you can use for the future?
"I learned to believe in people…Kids can fight through adversity and get through it. Good kids will help your program. Those are the things that I learned, looking back. From Greg specifically- standing up to the plate and being in a position where people are going to take shots at him- I give him a lot of credit for that. It's hard to do in this day and age."
What did UConn do offensively that was so successful?
"They lined up in different personnel groups…In passing situations, I think their guys made plays- on third and eight [in the second half] to keep the drive alive. I thought that was a great catch. I thought the catch that they made right on the boundary before the half by #29 was a one-handed catch against a three-deep coverage. So credit those players for making those plays."
Linebacker Mike Stenclik, Sr.
What do you think will be said about this team this season?
"That we just kept clawing and scratching. There's not much else to say. We didn't get to a bowl game, and that's not something we want to continue in the future. We've got to just keep fighting toward that goal."
What was accomplished this season?
"Some people really stood up as leaders, including some younger guys. We found out what guys could handle playing college football and really find out who is here to play football and win games."
Do you think the program is headed in the right direction?
"Yes. I think I said something last week, too. There's no doubt, across the board that this program is headed in the right direction."
Players Mentioned
