Oregon Postgame Quotes vs. Utah
09/19/09 | Football
Oregon 31, Utah 24
September 19, 2009
Head Coach Chip Kelly
On back and forth game:
“The defense played unbelievably. We need to clean up our offense. Our front seven ran a game that confused their quarterback. We had a great effort overall.”
On off field practice:
“We have to emphasize the importance of 3rd downs every week in practice.”
On pressure:
“Our pre season schedule got us ready to play big games like that. We know how to pay big games.”
On inconsistencies:
“We need a more consistence offense, but we did a better job of holding on. We had a chance to get a field goal at 28-24, but we didn't. We have things to work on, but our running is coming alive.”
“We need to work on ball security. Our running game is positive, we need to keep putting ourselves in positive situations.”
On Walter Thurmond III's performance:
“He is a leader of this football team and he shows it every day at practice.”
On California next week:
“Our schedule has prepared us, but we will still have to come back Monday morning and go to work. I'm just happy we're at home.”
On the crowd:
“They're awesome. It's an unbelievable experience and there is no better place to play than Autzen Stadium.”
On evaluation of the defense:
“The defense played unbelievably. They gave their maximum effort and gave everything they got. Our secondary kept the ball in front of them, our linebackers are all on the same page, and our competitive depth allowed us to play a couple more people.”
On Utah's performance:
“We knew Utah was not going away. They play hard and I admire the way they played. To not loose since 2007, and go undefeated 16 games, my hat's off to them.”
Utah Head Coach Kyle Whittingham
On the rankings:
“It has been almost two calendar years since we have been in this situation. We are having some growing pains as a team; we are still trying to figure out who we are.”
On Oregon:
“They made the play- we didn't. We are going to continue to fight. Today wasn't our day. Oregon played well.”
“Like I have said all week long, we knew what to expect from an upper level Pac-10 team.”
“Oregon gave pressure at opportune times and had a good plan to win.”
On mistakes:
“There was not enough coverage by us. I'll have to take a look at the film to see things in more detail. We are still a work in progress.”
On the rest of the season:
“We have 9 games left. This doesn't derail the possibility of a WCC Championship. We still have a lot of ways in which we can improve. We are focused on the rest of the year, and this will not have a negative effect on us.”
“We need to keep getting better. It's not any one thing, we just have a lot of work to do.
On Robert Johnson:
“He is a playmaker; one of the best safeties in the conference.”
Utah Players:
#17 Robert Johnson:
On the game overall:
“It hurts, but our coach told us to come back next weekend and play Utah ball. We know who we are; we have known since the beginning of the season. We need to make more big plays.”
#7 Terrance Cain:
On the game overall:
“We fought the best we could. We played a good team today.”
Oregon Players:
#20 John Boyett
On his game:
“I was happy with my performance today. I had some good plays that we practiced and talked about with coach Aliotti. I am happy we won and that I was a part of this game.”
On TJ Ward:
“TJ has been a great leader for the whole team. He's teaching and helping me a lot. He helps all of us out from the sideline. He's a great leader and a role model for me. I am lucky to have him on the team.”
#11 Eddie Pleasant:
On the Oregon defense:
“Every time the defense gets the hands on ball, we try to score and that's exactly what I was trying to do today. We go hard in the practice. We live off turnovers. After that first game at Boise, we have really been trying to step up and do our best. We know that when we are on the field, we have to cover the quarterback and pass the ball.”
#6 Walther Thurmond III
On the defense:
“We really try to be focused on what we do and we play solid. We lost our focus for one play and Utah scored the touchdown. Our defense is the whole unit. We drive the ball.”
On his performance:
“I am happy with what I did on the field today. It's always good to score and get the whole team going. It was a fast ball today. I think the team is starting to click better and better with each game.”
