Tulsa v Rice Quotes
10/3/2009 12:00:00 AM | Football
Oct. 3, 2009
Recap | Final Stats | Notes
Rice University Head Coach David Bailiff
"I'm obviously disappointed because the players invested a whole lot into this week, and I mean a whole lot. We had a great week of preparation. I thought the defense this evening played exceptionally well again. We keep battling and keep battling and we still need to create more takeaways on that side of the football. We're getting hard hits and we've got to dislodge that ball, but, I'm very proud of their effort. It was about 40 points better than what it was a year ago.
"Offensively, first half I thought we kept good rhythm in the football game. Actually, we kept Tulsa off-balance somewhat defensively and moved the ball. In the second-half we couldn't get it done. We still have to convert third-downs, we've got to keep drives alive, and keep our defense off the field. And, I've got to come up with a way to get those kids in position to where they can be successful. That's my job.
"I know there are a lot of wins left in this season for this team. We have seven opportunities left and I know each week we continue to improve.
Rice Quarterback Ryan Lewis
(On dealing with defensive changes shown in the second half) "I thought we had seen everything (on film) Coach really prepared us for this week, we just didn't get it done.
(on why having third quarter problems)
"Couldn't tell you.
(On dealing with not being able to deliver the ball to open receivers)
"Luke was open in the end zone, you know you just can't get those back, I just misfired on that one. Honestly all I try to do is go to the next play and just try to make another play for the team. I understand I'm going to make mistakes out there, but honestly I try not to look at it, try not to remember; just forget and move on.
(On having more control than last week)
"Definitely, Coach really worked with me this week on making my reads and things that I should look for and working on all of that this week was a big help.
(On making progress after starting)
"Definitely, just being able to be out there a little bit more, to see what it's like, to see what defenses are doing, to see what works for us on offense it does help a lot.
Defensive End Scott Solomon
(On what Tulsa changed to stop the defense in the second half)
"I believe they didn't pass as much in the first half, and then I have to look at the film but I think they were adding a tight end for more protection. I think that's what it was, but I'm going to have to look at the film.
(On taking something out of defense's performance the past couple weeks)
"Coach D (Driesbach?) will be the first one to say that our defense is the best that it's been since he's been here, and I definitely see that, and there's still things we can work on, like the third quarter, where we need to make plays and make those tackles but that's definitely stuff we can work on.
(On the main thing that helped with Scott's individual success)
"I wish I could tell you, but I just hope I duplicate it for the rest of the season."
Tulsa Coach Todd Graham
"We're real excited. This is our fourth game and to get another road win is big. I want to give props to coach Bailiff and his staff. Their kids played extremely hard. Andrew Sendejo is a warrior. They all played extremely hard.
"The rain shouldn't be a factor and shouldn't affect anything we do. Maybe it was. I think it had more to do with just their guys being more mentally focused. We had like five penalties, which is very uncharacteristic, in the first half. Bad snaps from the center-quarterback, which is something we haven't had all year. You can't use the weather as an excuse. You have to snap the ball - rain, sleet or snow.
"The first half was not very good. I am really proud of the defense, and how they battled. I thought the O-line, up-front, played extremely well. The quarterbacks, our quarterback and both their quarterbacks, showed a lot of courage because they got hit a bunch tonight. I'm proud of our football team. We're 2-0 in conference play and fired up. Now we have to get ready to play one of the top teams in the country.
(at halftime...)
"I didn't say much. I didn't yell or scream at them. I told them everything that happened we pretty much did it to ourselves with turnovers and bad snaps, not protecting our quarterback and busting blocking assignments. We tried to play Clinton Anderson and he wasn't ready. Anderson played the first couple series and that was it... and (we had) the stupid penalties. On the same handle, our guys really battled and played hard. Our defense, I told Coach Patterson, 'big time props to them,' they gave up 11 yards in the third quarter. That allowed us to get a two and three score lead. I thought that was the difference.
"Damaris (Johnson) does everything but fly our plane and drive our bus. He's just tremendous. He's a warrior. He had big-time blocks. I don't know if y'all notice the blocks he lays. The kid is just a great team player and a great talent. We actually had field-return on (on the third quarter kick return), but he saw the opening and took it. That was big."
