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Virginia Player Quotes vs. Texas Tech, Gator Bowl, Jan. 1, 2008
DE Chris Long:
Describe the feeling in the locker room after the game: “Obviously we are dejected. It’s the worst feeling in the world to lose a football game. We’ve been on the other end of games like this where we felt that we got some opportunities and we gave it away a little bit, but hats off to them, they’re a great team and well deserving (of the win).
Can you talk about how proud you are of the defensive effort despite the last three-and-a-half minutes? “We went out there with the attitude that we have nothing to lose. We’re facing a coach that’s regarded as a genius. It’s an offense that’s basically like the Indianapolis Colts and that’s what we were told. And they really lived up to that. They were a heck of an offensive team. But we wanted to do something that other teams were unable to do and for a while there, but they outlasted us on offense. They made enough plays to win.
QB Jameel Sewell:
Did you ask to go back in the game before the final possession? “Yes. I was letting them know I wanted to go back and I was able to go back, but right then and there I wasn’t needed. There was no need to put so much stress on my body to do such a thing.”
How far has this team come this season? “It’s amazing just how far this team has come. We were 5-7 last year and won nine games this year and it’s amazing to see what we can do. The seniors that are here put this together. They put this foundation together. It’s because of them that we were able to get as far as we got. It’s just amazing to see this and we want to try to keep building off of this and hopefully the seniors next year can do the same thing.
G Branden Albert:
Was there a point when you guys thought you had the game in hand? “We felt like we had the game in hand but we knew at the same time they have the type of offense that can pull the game through and that’s what they ended up doing.”
S Byron Glaspy
General comment about the loss: “It’s definitely one of the tougher ones, first of all being the last game of the season and we wanted to send the seniors out with a win. (It’s a) bowl game and we’re trying to make history winning 10 games in a season. Losing like that where we felt like we just kind of gave it away at the end, it definitely has to be one of the worst ways to go out. But you’ve got to give credit to them. They made plays when they had to and they won it fair and square.”
What were you thinking of the defensive effortwith six minutes left they only have 14 points on the board? “I think we did a remarkable job. Looking at their comparative scores and what other teams have been able to do against them and how they haven’t really been able to stop them. I think we did pretty good coming in and just trying to shut them down. We held them to just 14 points until the last six minutes or whatever, so I think we did good up until that point. We had a few breakdowns and that’s how it happened.”