Head coach Todd Graham
On how the team performed:
“I thought the whole gang was dominating defensively. We just gave up a little here and there and too many first downs. The first half we did pretty well and as soon as I started enjoying the game they busted out a 60-yard touchdown. I don’t know where that came from. Other than that, I thought we dominated defensively. They guys are giving me everything they got.”
On the defense playing the option:
“I think we had about six three-and-outs. That is pretty good. We do need to get more takeaways. I think we only ended up with one interception. But against the option, it kept our offense honest. It was tough playing against their quarterback, especially in the option because he can run. That is one play that is tough to practice against. But we got it going and we gained some confidence. That is why I left high school; I hate that kind of offense. It is totally different from anything we had to play. It took me a second to get into a rhythm.”
On the offense:
“Offensively we started hitting our stride. We needed that second quarter, where we did some nice things there. We came out and got in our rhythm. And then in the second half, we did a good job in the third quarter, as well. I am very proud of our guys; I thought they played very well.”
On conference play next week against USC:
“Our best football is ahead. We are 2-1 and now the games that don’t matter as much are done and we start conference play next week. We have USC coming into Maroon Monsoon, I think sellout crowd. This is what it’s all about and our guys are going to play their best game next week. I guarantee our guys will come to play next week. It is Pac-12, which is what we play for.”
On Demario Richard:
“Demario obviously did a great job. I think it was the most yards in school history for a running back receiving. Over 100 yards rushing and over 150 yards receiving, that’s pretty good night. I am very proud of him. He is one the hardest working guys on our team. He has probably matured more than anyone on the team. It means something to him, he wants to be great. He runs with an attitude and he runs through the tackles. He finishes off runs and he’s a competitor. I know there are not that many running backs that can say they had a night like that, that’s pretty impressive.”
On how the team performed:
“I thought the whole gang was dominating defensively. We just gave up a little here and there and too many first downs. The first half we did pretty well and as soon as I started enjoying the game they busted out a 60-yard touchdown. I don’t know where that came from. Other than that, I thought we dominated defensively. They guys are giving me everything they got.”
On the defense playing the option:
“I think we had about six three-and-outs. That is pretty good. We do need to get more takeaways. I think we only ended up with one interception. But against the option, it kept our offense honest. It was tough playing against their quarterback, especially in the option because he can run. That is one play that is tough to practice against. But we got it going and we gained some confidence. That is why I left high school; I hate that kind of offense. It is totally different from anything we had to play. It took me a second to get into a rhythm.”
On the offense:
“Offensively we started hitting our stride. We needed that second quarter, where we did some nice things there. We came out and got in our rhythm. And then in the second half, we did a good job in the third quarter, as well. I am very proud of our guys; I thought they played very well.”
On conference play next week against USC:
“Our best football is ahead. We are 2-1 and now the games that don’t matter as much are done and we start conference play next week. We have USC coming into Maroon Monsoon, I think sellout crowd. This is what it’s all about and our guys are going to play their best game next week. I guarantee our guys will come to play next week. It is Pac-12, which is what we play for.”
On Demario Richard:
“Demario obviously did a great job. I think it was the most yards in school history for a running back receiving. Over 100 yards rushing and over 150 yards receiving, that’s pretty good night. I am very proud of him. He is one the hardest working guys on our team. He has probably matured more than anyone on the team. It means something to him, he wants to be great. He runs with an attitude and he runs through the tackles. He finishes off runs and he’s a competitor. I know there are not that many running backs that can say they had a night like that, that’s pretty impressive.”
