Syracuse vs. Louisville
November 1, 2008
Carrier Dome – Syracuse, N.Y.
Opening Statement:
“It was good to get a BIG EAST win here at home. It’s been awhile since we’ve won one here at home. As a team, it was not a surprise. We knew we were getting better. The players knew it. That’s not to take anything away from Louisville. They’re a good football team. Our players played very well tonight. Offensively, Curtis Brinkley put on a show out there. Those guys up front are working really hard. Cam Dantley did a great job. He hit some key balls. Da’Mon Merkerson stepped up and made some plays. Antwon Bailey got in there and did his thing. It was a great offensive effort. On the defensive side, the question was asked of me regarding the opening drive. I thought we kind of just shot ourselves in the foot a couple times. We had some opportunities to stop them. There was a penalty or two there I wasn’t so sure about, but it doesn’t matter. The point was we came back and re-grouped and did a good job. That’s a good team. We had a number of guys banged up. A lot of people had to step up. There were a number of people who had to step up on special teams by the end of the game. It’s about as many guys banged up in a game as we’ve had. It was great to see some of these younger guys step in. I’m obviously excited about it. For this team, there are better days ahead.”
On his thoughts on why he gave his wife a big hug (in the press room). Was the win a relief:
“I don’t know about a relief. It’s just beginning. I gave my wife a hug because she’s out there in the real world more than I am. I just appreciate her hanging in there with me and fighting through all this stuff. That’s part of the deal and we understand that. It’s not really so much relief, as we have a lot of work to do.”
On Louisville player not making the catch with the score at 21-14 and what it did for the team:
“It obviously helped us win. That’s football. We dropped the ball too. That happens. We blew the coverage and we didn’t adjust properly. The guy put a great ball in and the guy dropped it. That happens. I’ve been on both ends of those things and you just go to the next play. (smiling) Believe me, I’d have much rather he dropped that ball than catch it.”
On getting turnovers and making plays:
“I saw so many good plays. There were a number of things we could’ve done so much better on both sides of the ball. It’s going to be one of those kind of sessions when we watch tape and point out all the things that could’ve made us play even better. All in all, right now it’s the win. That’s what we needed to do. We needed to show people we could win and win against a good football team. I’m so glad it was here in the Dome. We did not even have a student section tonight (due to family weekend), and we hear the chant, ‘Let’s Go Orange!’ That was great.”
On what he said to Bruce Williams following his interception:
“I wanted to know if he caught. He said there was no question he caught that ball. I said I wanted to know for sure in case I needed to make an adjustment with the defense. He said ‘Coach, don’t worry. I got it.’”
On the offensive line’s performance against the No. 5 rush defense in the country:
“We blocked them. Like any great rushing team, the back has a lot to do with it. Those guys up front are doing their job, too, though. I give Mitch Browning credit for the way these guys have come along. They’re not going to fall off. They’re going to get better. It’s great to see.”
On the impact (wide receiver) Da’Mon Merkerson had for the offense:
“Da’Mon really worked hard in practice. He’s a very hard worker. His attention to detail is great. Cam Dantley sent him some balls that were on the money.”
On going for it on fourth-and-two:
“We thought we had a chance to do it.”
On team injuries:
“Kevyn Scott got hurt. Frank Satterfield, arguably one of our best coverage guys on kickoffs, was hurt. We had A.J. Brown go down. Max Leo got toasted there on that one play, but Dalton Phillips stepped up big. His snaps were excellent.”