Oregon State-Arizona Post-Game Quotes
October 08, 2011 | Football
Oct. 8, 2011
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Oregon State Post-Game Quotes
Head Coach Mike Riley
Opening statement...
"It was great for our kids to win. Our coaches did a great job; they've continued to do a great job with these kids. The kids have kept working. It appears nothing's going to be easy for the 2011 Beavers, but that's okay because these guys will keep working hard. It's good for these guys to have some success and hopefully we'll continue to build on it. I was really proud of how we played, and how we continued to play when things didn't go so well. At the end of games like that, you've got to make plays. The quarterback and Joe Halahuni - they made a play. And then we made plays defensively to keep them out, that's awesome. It's game over at that point. When it gets tough and it's clutch and it's hard, somebody steps up and makes a play, that's big time. We can build on that stuff."
On bouncing back ...
"We could have been discouraged after the touchdown pass called back for holding, and then frankly the next play was more wide open than the touchdown was. It was big-time wide open, and Sean [Mannion] just overthrew [Markus] Wheaton coming in in the middle. We had two touchdown opportunities on the same drive and got zero points, but we kept playing from there to win the game."
On Sean Mannion's performance...
"He has remarkable composure for a young guy playing quarterback out here in a scene like this. The reason I say that is that when you talk to him on the sidelines, it's like he's been going for a walk in the park. He's very calm and collected and sees things and explains what he saw and asks some questions. That's why he can see out there and make some plays when he has to. He hung in there very well after throwing that early interception that was like, "Wow, what a way to start this thing." Then he made a ton of nice plays down the field that I was excited about. It was really good for our offense to be able to do that. We need to be able to run the ball and throw those balls deep, but also in that range that's 20-25 yards. That's the kind of ball you really need to hit often in the game so you get some continuity. Then the short stuff's easier and you get some shots at the deep stuff too. That intermediate range I think Sean made some good throws in there today."
On the offensive line's performance...
"Their intentions during the week were awesome. The work that they went back with Coach Cavanaugh and did going back to technique...when we have a bad day, you're throwing 66 passes in the game and you have a great pass rusher that's playing against you, sometimes just to get that guy you abandon those things that are the technique...we talked about going back and really selling yourself on your technique and being able to play from there. Those are great kids and they're hard workers."
Sophomore RB Jovan Stevenson
On the running game today...
"We just did not have anything to lose, we threw out all of the cards in the deck and people played it. We did not let our record dictate how we played, we just played our game and this is what showed up on the field."
On running the football...
"We have a ton of running backs where each guy does their own thing deferentially. When I get in the game I just want to be a spark for my team. I do it for the guys who are on the sidelines jumping around and just loving that I made three yards, that is what makes me happy."
On if this win will be a boost of energy...
"We were never down with the situation being 0-4, but we never hung our heads because we always knew that we were close. We were close to getting that first win, but this will definitely be a stepping stone but it is not something to just sit here and be happy about."
RS Freshman QB Sean Mannion
On the first win...
"It feels great. The way our team just kept working through that adversity. To come out here and get a good win against a great opponent like that, it's just a great feeling."
On completing 12 passes in a row...
"As an offense we kind of got into a rhythm as a unit. We just got to try to build off that and try to get that going in every game. We got a great win against a good opponent."
On having a close score late in the game...
"Our attitude was that we were just going to keep going and keep fighting. Our defense made a great play stopping them. Special teams did a lot of great play today as well. Clayton got a blocked punt and scored. Then getting the ball back in the kick off afterwards. It felt great to get a win like that against a great opponent."
Senior TE Joe Halahuni
On the touchdown on fourth down in the fourth quarter ...
"I pretty much knew the ball was going to come to me one way or another. On that play I am the first or second read behind the fullback. I was really excited and I wanted to make a play to hopefully seal the win and I feel like we did that as an offense."
On his thoughts when the lead was shrinking in the second half ...
"We need to get the job done regardless. Their offense was making good plays late in the game, but we are the ones offensively that needed to outscore their team. They [the defense] played a great game today and so did our special teams, but no matter if they score five points or 55 points our offense always needs to outscore the opponent."
On the significance of the win ...
"I'm hoping this is a game that sparks us like it did a couple of years ago. We have our first win under our belts, but it doesn't mean we're happy or we're satisfied. We want to keep moving and keep working hard because we have a good team next week too. You heard it in the locker room. There were people saying that we need to keep it going, work hard next week and get another `W' because we know how good it feels now so another one would be that much better."
Arizona Post-Game Quotes
Head Coach Mike Stoops
On team performance, specifically kicking game...
"It was a tough day for us. We came out with an early interception and proceeded to go three and out. Our kicking game was abysmal to say the least. The turnovers, and mishandling the squib kick before the half definitely hurt us, among other errors."
On the team and performance as a whole...
"Schematically we were OK, although I thought we were a little out of sync offensively in the first half. We settled in and found some rhythm in the third quarter, and gained momentum in the fourth, and I think we really gave ourselves a chance to win."
On team struggles...
"We are struggling defensively with our pass rush, dealing with injuries and a combination of other things."
On kicking struggles late game decision making...
"I don't know what to think about our kicking game right now. It totally discombobulates my thinking on everything. We keep giving people chances and opportunities but at some point it becomes ridiculous. I don't know whats wrong with Alex, I really don't."
Senior Kicker John Banano
On getting the call to kick a PAT...
"I had one my freshman year back in the day so I have been ready and have been waiting for this chance for a while."
On waiting to have a chance and kick for Arizona...
"I have been traveling as the backup field goal kicker for a while. I am focusing on kickoffs as my specialty so I have been ready but they finally called my name."
On Arizona kicking errors in the first half...
"Coach told me before the game to be ready and that I could go in at some point this game. When I saw the first two missed, I started getting mentally prepared and taking some kicks."
Sophomore DB Shaquille Richardson
On the impact of Adam Hall in the game...
"Adam filled his role really nicely and was aggressive. It was good to have Adam back. We like him and Marquis, so if they can figure out a rotation then it would be great."
On getting the pick six and how to build off that play...
"I hope to build on my performance today and keep doing better."
On why he doesn't let the low points of the game get to him...
"Certain stuff happens on the field, and watching you don't know what should have happened or what was supposed to happen. So I don't give any credibility to the negative stuff said."
