Colorado vs. Oregon - Quotes
11/23/14 | Football
Mark Helfrich – Head Coach
On the team's performance…
“That's a great word: solid. I don't think we played exceptionally well in any phase, which is a good thing. Our guys realized what we could improve upon, but I'm really proud of our effort. There's been a lot of ins and outs and ups and downs, and our guys have battled like heck.”
“Probably our most solid effort all year from start to finish. 226 yards and 10 points? We'll take that anytime we can get it. A bunch of guys stepped up. They played hard, that solves a bunch of things and erases errors.”
On limiting Colorado's Nelson Spruce…
“We did some things coverage-wise to minimize his production as much as possible and to make somebody else beat us.”
“Our defensive line played probably their best game all year; that allowed us to do that.”
On the offensive production…
“It starts with running the football. We have to be able to run the ball. When you can run, you can do anything. When Charles Nelson pops wide open, that's a product of being able to run the football.”
On the freshmen…
“They're special guys first, and they're really good football players second. They're guys that we've been excited about for a long time. They want to get better and do well. We're playing a bunch of young guys and we expect them to play like cagey veterans.”
On Marcus Mariota…
“He's so good. Somebody was talking to me the other day about how easy he makes it look sometimes. What he's doing is really difficult. His decision making, competitiveness, his command of the team is so outstanding. It's great to be around him because he makes you want to work harder as a coach. The other guys feed off of him.”
On preparing for the Civil War…
“Everybody's dangerous, and that's why we just focus on our deal. We'll certainly get ready for Oregon State knowing that they're dialing in, at the wrong time if you're an Oregon fan. We'll get our guys ready to go.”
On Hamani Stevens filling in at center…
“Hamani did a nice job. He did a really good job all week of just playing at tempo. Our mindset going into this week was just going fast and attacking. At that position, if there's a new guy in there, you might slow it down. He was always the rabbit, getting our guys set and running things up front. He did an exceptional job, as did a couple of other guys.”
On the seniors' last home game…
“It's funny. There are so many things that flash through your mind, and probably 98 percent of it is not football. The reason that the tears come, the pride, the friendship… it's not football. It's a vehicle for a lot of great things and when they really leave, it'll be tough. Today was a little bit more celebratory condensation in the eyeballs, whereas down the road it'll be hard. As a wise old man from the Greek Isles told me, 'If it's hard it's good.'”
Marcus Mariota – Quarterback, Junior
On the game…
“If this was my last game at Autzen, it was truly special. It will be one of those things I will hold close to my heart for the rest of my life.”
On the young players…
“There are countless plays that a number of true freshman made today. There are so many young, talented players here it's pretty fun to watch. It's fun to see them grow and they will continue to get better.”
On setting the PAC 12 record for total touchdowns…
“I couldn't have done it without all those guys in the locker room. It's funny because to me it is what it is. It's a number. I'm sure some guy will come in a few years from now and break that. To me it's one of those things for the entire offense. It says a lot about our entire offense and it's not just me.”
On the road ahead…
“You just have to focus on what's ahead. You can never let the moment be t0o big for you.”
Royce Freeman – Running Back, Freshman
On rushing for 1,000 yards…
“Coming in I just tried to go as far as I could, not really setting any goals. Knowing I have 1,000 yards, that just makes me want to achieve more.”
On the Civil War next week…
“I know it means a lot to the Oregonians out here so it will be interesting. I heard the environment is hostile so it will be a great first experience.”
Charles Nelson – Wide Receiver, Freshman
On his two touchdowns…
“It was a great experience scoring two touchdowns and helping the seniors come out with a victory.”
On thinking it could be 'his' game…
“In practice, Marcus gets everyone the ball and everyone can make plays out there.”
On pressure to keep performing like he has…
“Any extra pressure? Not really. We just need to practice and prepare ourselves. All the older guys do a great job of teaching us and trying to keep the legacy going here.”
Ifo Ekpre-Olomu – Cornerback, Senior
On emotions after last game at Autzen…
“I thought it went great. The fans were great today and just being able to walk out the tunnel for the last time with your family never really hits you until you get out there. It was definitely a great experience. You get out there and you don't think you're going to be emotional, then you actually get out there and you see the fans for the last time, so it was great.”
On passing things on to the younger guys…
“You tell the younger guys that you have to take every opportunity you get and you can't think that you're just going to do it next year or next week because it goes by fast. I remember playing my first game here and now I played my last. It goes by faster and faster every year and you think you have time, but you have to remember that the time that you think you have, you really don't have. It goes by fast.”
Dwayne Stanford - Wide Receiver, Sophomore
On the seniors…
“I felt the emotion with K-Lowe, one of the leaders of the wide receiver pack, and Johnny, too, who came along earlier this year.”
On wearing number 85…
“It felt good, it felt real good. I talked to Pharoah and he was cool with it so I took it to our equipment manager and he came through. We were in our apartment together and I just thought it would be so cool if I was able to wear his number. He was very happy about it. It felt good to make those big plays wearing his number.”
On Oregon State…
“We are trying to give them the same treatment really. Monday, practice hard, have another good week of practice and then go up there and take it to those guys.”
Jake Fisher – Offensive Line, Senior
On the last game…
“It was surreal. It has been an honor to be part of this team.”
On what it means to be a Duck…
“It means a lot of things. Our daily process, believing in what we do. Just being a team, being a team player, doing the right things, and the little things the right way.”
On the team changing positions…
“I think we did really well. The team connected really well throughout the week. It was kind of weird that we have all been rotating. Everyone did a great job.”
On Oregon State…
“Yeah, we have a lot of things to work on and that is always a good thing when we are putting up points like that in the first half, but we have a lot of things to do to get better. I'm very excited to go play up there, it is always loud and crazy. From an away standpoint, that is my atmosphere.”
Doug Brenner – Offensive Line, Freshman
On bye week…
“The biggest thing that the bye week did was just give us some time to relax and get healthy. We were really banged up after Utah.”
On preparing for the Civil War…
“With me in there at guard, as much experience as we can get the better to prepare for Oregon State."
On recognizing Marcus…
“The standing ovation that Marcus got was amazing and definitely deserved. He is such an awesome guy and such a well-deserving quarterback.”
On the Beavers…
“My family is a house divided. My oldest sister played golf and ran track at Oregon State and my other sister with all of her sports here, I had them both recruiting me over the years. I was recruited by the Oregon State team, I have a lot of friends on the team and I have a lot of respect for those guys. It is a big game. I was always a fan of Oregon because of the uniforms, they were better.”
Hamani Stevens – Offensive Line, Senior
On the bye week…
“It was crucial to have a bye week, since we were pretty banged up after Utah.”
On playing center…
“It was great, I had an easy time adjusting to it. I just got in there and kept the ball rolling. I was able to practice with Marcus which was crucial.”
