TicketsNov. 7, 2006
On the Past Week:
"We had a week off this last week. It was a great week, obviously."
"We had a chance to heal up. As long as I can remember, we're as healthy a football team as has ever been wherever I have been. We're 100 percent healthy."
"We enjoyed some time off and our coaches were able to go on the road recruiting. We were able to get away from football for a couple of days and came back reenergized. All in all, it was a great week for us. We were able to sit and watch."
On West Virginia:
"West Virginia is a great football team with great concepts. They play extremely hard. They have great players who are well-coached."
"(The game) is another measuring stick for our football program. It will be a great environment and very exciting for our players. It gives us a chance to see where we are at right now."
On the importance of the West Virginia game:
"Our players will go there expecting to win. We have got to win one of these away from home. We have played very well away from home. We have competed, but we have to win one. That's where our program is at right now."
"We are in position to become bowl eligible if we win this game. We'll take them one at a time. We're also tied for third in the BIG EAST Conference with two other teams."
"I like our attitude. I like where we are going as a football team. I can't say enough about our players' attitudes in terms of the way in which they respond."
On the West Virginia offense:
"I think they have great speed at the skill positions. Their wide receivers are very good football players. They can throw it. They are gong to keep you off-base. Nobody has stopped them yet. They have stopped themselves. Which is usually the case."
"I always ask our players, `Was that us, or was that them?' Usually it comes back to execution. When you're executing and not turning the football over, you're going to be successful." "That's two keys to the game. Not turning the ball over and time of possession. Those are both very critical."