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Virginia vs. Maryland
Oct. 4, 2008
Head Coach Ralph Friedgen Quotes
“What I’d like to say is Virginia obviously just outplayed us. My hat’s off to them. They played very well, they played very hard and that’s really the story of the game.”
About the team’s focus:
“We didn’t play very well. We made a lot of mental mistakes; we weren’t very physical. You know, it’s kind of what I was worried about coming down. We just don’t seem to be reaching these guys. I knew how Virginia would react, very similar to how we reacted after Middle Tennessee. It’s an emotional game. We’ve got to be ready to play. I did my best to try to prepare these guys and it obviously it wasn’t good enough. “
About their practices this week:
“I thought we practiced pretty good this week. Thursday I thought we practiced pretty good. “
About who should take responsibility for the loss:
“It’s on me. I’m the head coach. Everything was under me. We weren’t prepared to play a good Virginia team tonight and anytime that happens, you can put the blame on me.”
On the team’s defense:
“You know what’s frustrating is a lot of things they were hurting us on, we had practiced. We did make an adjustment here or there, but it really wasn’t about Xs and Os. It was about who came to play and who didn’t. That’s what it was about. You could have the greatest plays in the world and if you’re not going to execute them and the other team is playing a different speed than you are, then it’s not going to work.”
About the missed kick:
“Obi (Egekeze) kicks that thing perfectly every time in practice. I was caught in a situation with the ball on the 45 and we were going to kick it and get it on the 20. How much are we going to gain there? I figured we’d try the dribbler, which I think is one of the tougher returns to get if you hit it right. We missed the ball. It wasn’t our night.”
About what was said in the locker room at half time:
“I said a lot to them at halftime, and so did the other coaches. Some of the players said things. They still had that distant stare.”
How the players reacted on the sideline as they fell behind:
“Some of the guys were saying things but after awhile they weren’t. They mentioned Middle Tennessee and I could see we weren’t prepared and the practices weren’t good. This week, we were spirited. I felt like we’d be ready to play, but we weren’t.”
About what he told them in the locker:
“I told them we have a meeting on Tuesday at 2:30 and I’ll tell them what we’re going to do. I originally was going to give them a day off, but I don’t know what I’m going to do now. We’ve got to get better. We’re banged up right now, we’re banged up after this game because we got the crap kicked out of us.”
The implication of this game:
“We’re playing four of the next six at home. It was reiterated daily. Last night I talked about it that is was our chance. It’s frustrating. It really is. You guys must think I’m out here trying to throw these games, but I’m trying my hardest to prepare them, to motivate them, but right now it’s frustrating to everyone, the players and the coaches. I don’t think they wanted to play poorly. I don’t think they wanted that at all. I take my hat off to Al and Virginia’s coaches, they did a great job of preparing to play. I’m sure after losing to Duke that motivated them very much and the fact that we were coming out here really motivated them. I knew that was going to happen. I knew that. I try to think “What more could I have done…” It’s a question of whether they hear you or they want to hear you.”
About the team:
“I don’t feel like this team quit at any time. I just don’t think we played well. There’s a difference there. They were trying right to the end. It just wasn’t our night tonight. The biorhythms weren’t right or whatever. I just think they had trouble. Virginia was playing very good. You’ve got to give them credit. They came to play and they were playing at a higher level than we were.”