UO v. USC Postgame Quotes
11/01/09 | Football
Oregon 47, USC 20
October 31, 2009
Oregon Head Coach Chip Kelly
On the game overall:
“They did finish tonight. We knew that USC was a good team and we had to come out and make plays. I'm really proud of how they played tonight.”
“Our conditioning is at the top. We thought it was going to be a battle, we knew we had to keep battling and wear them down. Eventually, we got to them.”
On the team:
“This is a team- not just an offense, and everyone contributes.”
“We are growing as a group. You have to play with what you got, and I know we only have lost a few players to injury, but the next guy just steps up and plays. The college football season is the long haul and you can survive by having quality depth and players that can contribute in different aspects of the game.”
On the crowd:
“I love them. My ears are still ringing. There is no place like this is College Football. Our crowd definitely answered tonight.”
On halftime adjustments:
“Our halftime adjustment is get a drink of water, touch your toes, and let's go play. I tell our guys we recruited you to come here and win games like this not just play in them.”
On offensive line:
“Because of how well our offensive line plays you have to defend the entire field. We want to spread the ball around.
On #8 Masoli:
“He has one of the quickest releases I have ever worked with.”
On the biggest win of head coaching career:
“I haven't been a head coach that long. This is my biggest win this week.”
On upcoming:
“You have to finish, and we will continue to finish this season. We are focused on the task ahead. Stanford is a good team. We need to go out and continue to grow.”
On coaches/player:
“Our coach/player relationships are special. We can laugh with the guys, because they know we are going to have them go out there and keep going. They know that we care about them. Their chemistry and attitude is tremendous.”
On #21 James:
“He has such an individual talent. He is a special player and he gets better each week.”
On wearing the mascot during Gameday:
“I do have a new found respect for mascots. It's hard to see and it smells in there.”
On sideline mentality:
“Never do we think the game is over or won. I'm always doing math. How many possessions do they have? What score is that?”
Oregon Player Quotes
#39 Will Tukuafu
On the game:
“Going back to practice on Monday we had really high expectations for this game. We knew it was going to be hard, but we know what we can do and we are a great team. We followed the plan. We used every opportunity we had, played hard, and put pressure on them. Both offense and defense executed the plays and the scoreboard showed who was better today. I am very happy.”
On the importance of this win:
“We are already getting ready for our next game. We are focusing on our opponents next week. That's the way to do it and we have been following that plan. Every win is big for us.”
#21 Lamichael James
On the game:
“We knew that this game was going to be really hard. USC is a great team. I am very patient and I just want to look good on the field and do whatever I can to help the team win. We believe in ourselves and have high expectations every week we go into practice. We followed the plan and we were a better team today. I love the challenge and big games.”
On special teams:
“Our special teams are our strength. They can really do anything.”
On next week:
“We are in a good shape and ready to work hard again on Monday.”
#24 Kenjon Barner
On the game:
“This season our second halves have been always better and today especially we really got it going. To me it doesn't matter who we play. I take everyone seriously and every time I come out on the field I want to win.”
On the atmosphere at Autzen Stadium:
“The fans are always great and loud. It helps and gets us even more excited. I want to thank everybody for such a fantastic support.”
On the team's effort:
“Offensively, guys made plays for us. I can't say enough about the O-Line play. That was an outstanding defense and they did a great job against them.”
On going into week of preparation:
“The main thing for us is to keep our focus, not letting our head's get big, going into Stanford. We're a mature team though that won't let that happen. We have a team rule only 24 hours to celebrate, but a lot of guys on our team are from SoCal so I know this means a lot to them. I'm really happy and proud for my team.”
On Stanford:
“They played tough last year, and we have a lot to improve on from last year.”
On running the football:
“When they went man, crossing routes really cleared up the field for me.”
On #21 James:
“He keeps working every week and keeps getting better. He's come a long way. He's a small back with a big heart and he won't let any guy bring him down. He has grown so much in so little time. He is so elusive and slippery, guys just bounce off him.”
On target on their back growing every week:
“Wouldn't have it any other way.”
When asked about his thoughts on Boise St.:
“I'm not even worried about Boise St.”
On making a statement:
I don't know if we made a statement because this is what we are trying to do every week. If it makes a statement, it makes a statement.”
On rhythm:
“That was one of the best rhythms I think we've been in. On offense that's when you can tell you've got the game.” On if it surprised if it was against USC: “Not at all.”
On the atmosphere:
“That was amazing! I can't thank the fans and everyone who supported us enough.”
USC Head Coach Pete Carroll
“They (the Ducks) overloaded us and threw us off our game plan, and we missed out chance to stay in the game.”
On the running game:
“We couldn't keep up with the fast paced offense of Oregon, and we couldn't settle the ball.”
“The Ducks running back had their way with us, and they were much too fast. It was a real mess with the running game, they out ran us and we couldn't make the tackles.”
On tackling:
“We learned our lesson and need to move forward with our
season, and get on the right track.”
“We ran out of juice late in the game.”
“Masoli kept us on our heels and we had a hard time tackling him.”
On the noise:
“The noise of Autzen did not affect our game. We were prepared, but in the end we didn't execute and got beat.”
USC Players
Safety #2 Taylor Mays
On loss:
“We felt very prepared for this game. We just got beat.”
On preparation:
“They were doing everything we had practiced. We did not execute. We got beat up. They busted us.”
On LaMichael James:
“He sneaks through and makes plays. He was busting us all night.”
On game:
“If you do not play disciplined, you get killed.”
On possibility of being out of the championship:
“This one hurts, but we have a lot of heart and pride of tradition. We had the potential to play really well, but we have to be in the right mindset every game all the time.”
“We have four more games left. This is the worst loss, and most points we have every given up. That was our mistake. We did not play smart and it killed us.”
Quarterback #7 Matt Barkley
On expectations for game:
“You never think about this stuff. Tonight was not one of these nights. Before this season I never thought this could happen. “
On scoring:
“There was pressure coming from the 3-4. We were moving the ball, but when it came down to it we did not put enough points up there.”
On the noise level:
“It was not a factor to me. A lot of guys were playing hurt and I give them credit.”
On pressure to score:
“We cannot win a game in one series, and there was a sense of urgency at the beginning of the fourth quarter.”
On loss personally:
“There is a lot I can learn. I realize there is nothing we can do about this. Come Monday, on the practice field, it is a whole new year.”
On still in race for championship:
“We plan on winning every game, and we definitely think it is possible.”
