Oregon vs. New Mexico Quotes
09/05/10 | Football
UO 72, New Mexico 0
September 4, 2010
Eugene, Ore.
Chip Kelly, Head Coach
On team Effort:
“We contributed in a lot of ways. It wasn't just one guy, and that's what this team is. We need everyone at some point in the season.”
“It's always won up front. We're fortunate to have our entire offensive line back. We have great depth on both sides of the ball.”
“I said all along we practiced great all spring and great during camp.”
On Darron Thomas:
“I thought Darron did a nice job in his first start taking what the defense gave him. You need to get valuable experience in games.”
“Darren's first start was really really nice.”
“He did a nice job playing within himself. Most guys are so high that they throw the first ball out of the stadium.”
On switching quarterbacks:
“We were up and we wanted to get Nate some quality reps.”
On Cliff Harris:
“Cliff's very talented. He's in his second year in the program and to have him behind Kenjon, who I think is the best returner in the country, is nice.”
On the Next week at Tennessee:
“Any time you have a chance to represent the Pac-10 versus the SEC it's a great opportunity. We relish in playing games like that. We are excited to go out and represent U of O.”
“This team is not going to look at Tennessee and say, 'We did this last week'. I know that for a fact.”
On Kenjon Barner:
“I've been saying all along, I think he's the most underrated player in the country. Today he got a chance to shine. We've always felt that we've had 1A and 1B. We run the ball 40 times a game; one guy is not going to get all the carries. Hopefully that's a good question to ask and we'll split it up.”
Take-always:
“The overall effort of our defense. Our defensive line was relentless at getting after the ball.”
“We will clean up some penalties. The first game was pretty clean. But I'm concerned about today and I'm very impressed with what we did today.”
On if they knew how much they would win by:
“We go out and just play. I thought we played really hard today. I thought the D-line was relentless and that was a big deal for us.”
Brandon Bair, DT #88
On the game:
“It was definitely a great game. I love duck defense, and it was just a testimony to our hard work.”
“Anytime the offense messes up we know we're going to go out and get it back. That's just the way we love to play.”
On Tennessee:
“It'll be another good test for us. It's an awesome experience being able to travel to Tennessee, but we're going to get going and get focused on them starting right now.”
On the team's character:
“You can really see the character of the team. We're going to continue to get better. The biggest thing for us at half was the test of our character and to see how the young guys would step in when we were up big.”
Darron Thomas, QB #1
On the first game jitters:
“The first drive, a little bit, but after the first drive I calmed down.”
“It was a good game, we're just going to get back and work hard, just take it one game at a time.”
“It was tough to get in a rhythm with Kenjon going to the house so fast.”
On his performance:
“I missed some things, but we'll get in the film room and work on it, get better. We just have to work hard and prepare. We'll start on Monday.”
On the offenses' performance:
“I knew the offense was going to push me through it. Seeing the line block and open things up and the receivers blocking downfield, I knew it was going to be a great day for the running backs.”
On controlling the line of scrimmage being easy:
“Oh, no. The line had to work hard and fight and make plays.”
On his tackle:
“I've been a defensive player all my life. I've just got to make those tackles. Can't let them get to the house.”
Cliff Harris, CB #13
On win:
“I can't take all the credit. We came in wanting to come out on top. I don't even know how it feels.”
“When you think too much it is usually when you make mistakes”
On personal attitude on the field:
“I'm always excited. Wherever I need to be for the team.”
On Tennessee game:
“We can't get to big headed. Come Monday we are back to the drawing board.”
Nate Costa, QB #7
On win:
“This was a good stepping stone for us.”
On next game:
“Tomorrow is all about Tennessee and preparing for the big game in Knoxville.”
On teammates' efforts:
“I can't say enough about those guys and how much I respect them. They had great perseverance through fall camp.”
On personal performance:
“It felt great to me to throw the ball.”
On Darron Thomas:
“He seemed nervous at first, but then he settled down and did a great job for us.”
Casey Matthews, LB #55
On the game:
“It was good to finally play a new team and show what we can do. Our offense and defense both clicked, it was amazing.”
On next week against Tennessee:
“It will be fun to play in front of a big hostile crowd, it will be a good test for us. They have good athletes all around.”
On the shutout:
“The shutout was very important. It is a huge accomplishment for any defense. At halftime we saw it was possible and it was our goal to get the shutout.”
On his interception:
“After he cut back I turned around and I just got it and tried to keep going, but he caught my hand and pulled me down.”
Kenjon Barner, RB #24
On the game:
“Not too bad at all. I was remembering that the coaches had faith in me. I have to thank my mother. The coaches told me to be prepared, but I didn't know how many touches I'd get.”
On his five touchdowns:
“I'm blessed; I didn't ever imagine that'd happen. They were all fun. I had five touchdowns in high school, but I never expected five in college, unbelievable.”
On 59-0 at half:
“I was just shocked. Never dreamed that'd happen. Can't say how proud of the O lineman I am. They did an amazing job, played very well.”
On #1 Darron Thomas:
“He acted like a real leader. He got us alive and going.”
On next week at Tennessee:
“Have to put this game behind us and prepare for Tennessee. The SEC plays hardnosed football, have to go be prepared.”
On #21 LaMichael James:
“We're ready to have LaMichael back. He makes special plays, going to be special when we can run side by side again.”
New Mexico Player Quotes
Recorded by Jordan Whittenburg
New Mexico Head Coach Mike Locksley:
On the game:
“We made blaring mistakes and errors that we have to go through and correct. We had some good plays and hits, but we weren't consistent. Oregon is talented and well coached. We expected them to be good, we didn't expect our guys to make those plays and play that well against them.”
On the team:
“We can play our young guys, which will be beneficial down the road. Where depth is an issue we can play young guys and give them experience. The guys have always given a great effort, we just have to execute.”
On what's next:
“We have to run the ball better to help our team and help our defense. We need to evaluate the tape and evaluate all three phases; offense, defense, and special teams.”
B.R. Holbrook, QB #12
On Team Effort:
“We're disappointed. I feel like our team has a different mentality from last season, but we didn't execute today. Oregon is the reigning Pac-10 champ, so you have to give them credit. But you never think things will go that badly.”
On Possessions:
“We can't turn the ball over seven times. That just can't happen. Not even high school teams can get away with that and expect to win.”
On next week's game against Texas Tech:
“We have to study this game film and have a good week of practice to get ready for Texas Tech. That will be another tough test. We have to really take a good look at that film and figure out what we need to do to get things fixed.”
On team experience:
“We're a young team, but we can't use that as excuse. We can't use inexperience as an excuse. It's time to grow up as an offense and as a team.”
James Wright, RB #13
On moving forward:
“This was a really good team we faced in Oregon. You have to give them a lot of credit. They play fast and they're very talented. We need to put this one behind us though and move ahead to next game.”
Johnathan Rainey, DE #88
On beginning of game:
“We started the game well. That interception was a big play for us. Everything felt good at the beginning, but then we blew it.”
On bouncing back next week:
“We can put this one behind us. As tough as the loss was, I think we can do it quickly and move on Texas Tech. We'll make adjustments for next game.”
On team chemistry:
“This was a wake up call for the whole team. We can't point fingers and fall apart. We need to come together as a team and make up for each other's mistakes.”
Defensive end Jaymar Latchison
On preparation:
“We didn't execute the way we prepared to. There's no need to blame others. We just need to refocus, regroup, and look forward to next week.”
On battling adversity:
“We felt like we were ready, but once Oregon got things going, it was just a snowball effect. We've battled adversity before though, and we know what we need to do for next week.”
