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Virginia vs. North Carolina
October 18, 2008
Virginia Player Quotes
Virginia sophomore quarterback Marc Verica
On the halftime adjustments:
“The first half couldn’t have gone worse for us. I was making bad decisions, we were being penalized and we just couldn’t move the ball. Coming out we knew we had to stay focused and execute and put ourselves in a position to win. The defense really stepped up huge all day, and we were able to get the win.”
On the fourth-quarter two minute drill:
“That’s what every quarterback ever dreams about. To be given that opportunity, to be able to drive 80 yards in two minutes with your team behind was an opportunity I always dreamed about as a kid. It was really an unbelievable win.”
On the team’s confidence:
“This game does a lot for our confidence. We know what we are capable of. We didn’t play our best today, but luckily we were able to get the win. Now it’s time to focus on a very good Georgia Tech team.”
Virginia senior running back Cedric Peerman
On the North Carolina defense:
“They were tough all day. We had a tough time getting a push and running the ball at some points, but we knew we just had to keep pounding. Every run isn’t going to be a 60-yard touchdown, and we just had to stick with our game plan.”
On the game-winning touchdown:
“It was the same goal line plan we ran at the end of regulation. The blocking was excellent and I just had to follow them into the endzone.”
On victory:
“This is the best game I have ever been a part of here. For the defense to be tough like that the whole game was really incredible. They dug in and held Carolina’s offense in check and did what they quite often do put us in a position to win.”
Virginia freshman kicker Robert Randolph
On starting
“This is really a surreal feel. This week in practice I worked hard to prepare when Yannick (Reyering) went down and I looked to make the most of it today. After I got that kick blocked, the coaches told me to work faster, so on the extra point I worked a little faster and luckily pushed it through.”
On the tipped extra point
“I held my breath for a second, as I’m sure everyone else did. After it went through it really was an amazing feeling and it’s great to be a part of a game like this.”
Virginia senior linebacker Clint Sintim
On the defensive unit
“This defense never quits. Today we worked hard for an entire 60 minutes, and it paid off. The resiliency on this team is undying and we work hard to get victories like this one.”
On Marc Verica
“Marc was amazing out there. From watching him play, you would have never guess he is a sophomore. He was cool and collected in a big time situation, and made some great plays to get us the win.”
On the atmosphere:
“The atmosphere out here was completely electric. The fans were loud the whole game, and today this was really a great place to play. This is first time they’ve rushed since we beat Florida State here, and it really does energize this team.”
Virginia junior wide receiver Kevin Ogletree
On winning the game in overtime:
“It’s as good of a win that I have been around. The mood of this team and the power that has come about is great. We just have to keep pushing, persevere and have the ability to never crack.”
On the team’s performance before the fourth quarter touchdown drive:
“The first half we didn’t have a lot of things going for us. We knew we were still in the game, even as bad as we had played, so we came out in the second half and took some shots to try to score some points in the fourth quarter. It took a while, but some guys that we really depend on made some plays.”
On the fourth quarter touchdown drive:
“Marc (Verica) was accurate and Coach Mike (Groh) was really on point with his calls. We were expecting it and we knew that’s what we would have to do to win.”
Virginia senior tight end John Phillips
On winning the game in overtime:
“Those were the greatest plays that we have been a part of as a team. Last year’s team had the opportunity to do this five or six times, so for this year I am just happy for a lot of these young guys. To come in there and get a win like thatthat’s what the game of football is all about.
On the coaches’ advice when the team was down:
“The coaches did a great job with the play calling. Really it’s all in the plays as an offense. We just keep each other up and know that we can come back and win the game. When you are on the sidelines and the defense has got your back, you know you can come out and make plays like that.”
On his catch to set up the overtime touchdown:
“That’s just a good play and a good play call by Coach Mike (Groh). Cedric (Peerman) set it up nice and I was just happy to get the ball down there close because there is no back in the country that is better than getting the ball in there like Ced.”
On the team’s touchdown drive in the fourth quarter:
“That’s something we pride ourselves in that, we work on it a lot. Marc (Verica) stepped in there and did a heck of a job for us. He stepped in there and made a lot of big throws. He made a lot of good throws down the field and the offense was just clicking well. Those are the kind of situations that you love to be in.”
Virginia senior linebacker Jon Copper
On winning such a close game:
“That’s what we train for and that’s what we prepare for. Everybody stepped up and made certain stops when we needed it and the offense punched it in when we needed it too.”
On how the linebackers responded whe Antonio Appleby was injured:
“I just looked at Darren (Childs), smiled at him and he did really well out there. We have a next man up’ mentality, and I don’t even know what happened to Appleby but when he (Childs) went in there he did a really good job. It was also our first time playing together but we did really well.”
On the difference in the defense between the first series and the rest of the game:
“They didn’t do anything that we weren’t prepared for, in the first series. We just didn’t tackle well and I think we blew a coverage or two and they took advantage of it. After that we just came together and went for it.”