Pitt vs. Syracuse Game Quotes

Nov. 3, 2007

PITTSBURGH -

Pitt Head Coach Dave Wannstedt
"I have a variety of emotions, of which getting a win is the most important one. Coming into this game it's easy for people, players, coaches and maybe fans to fall into a trap that any game is easy. Every week is different. You have to find a way to win any way you possible can."

"Today, I was really pleased with our special teams play. I thought our kick returns, from a field position standpoint, and our punt return at the end, were huge."

"Defensively, we gave up the one long pass play which we shouldn't have. They've run that play before. We should have stopped that play. But, overall I was very pleased with our defense. We held them to 30 yards rushing."

"From an offensive standpoint, it happened exactly the way we all expected. We've got to create some more opportunities with our passing game, but it is not going to be our lifeline."

"Pat Bostick is coming along. He's protecting the ball. We're trying to be smart with him. He's trying to be smart with the ball."

"I've got confidence in our players. I've got confidence that we will block them and make a yard. We've got to get better and get to the point where nothing is guaranteed, but we have to make some of those plays."

"It was one of those games where you are in the fourth quarter and you're in the red zone kicking field goals."

"We knew what type of player LeSean McCoy was coming out of high school. Did I think he could be this type of player this quick? Yes, I did."

"Greg Romeus had a big sack at the end. That was the difference in us closing out the game."

Pitt Quarterback Pat Bostick
"The field position was great. I wish it could always be like that. With the team that we have, it has the potential to be that way."

"They were putting eight guys in the box so we need to take a look at the film and see why we aren't converting on some big situations. But we got the win, and that's the most important thing."

"It's great to have two offensive threats in the backfield in LeSean and LaRod. I think it's just a testament to our offensive line and all the guys out on the field. It makes things a lot better from an offensive standpoint to have playmakers like those guys back there."

Pitt Defensive End Joe Clermond
"I've always had faith that we can play well on defense. We just have to emphasize the importance of every day in practice. We have to be a hard-working blue collar team. All our success comes from that hard work."

"Coach Wannstedt told all of us (seniors) to step up and lead the team and that inspired me. Chris McKillop gave one of the most impressive speeches before the game and it just got everybody going. Everyone came out and played their hearts out."

Pitt Defensive Lineman Greg Romeus
"All game we were getting a lot of pressure on the quarterback. Making that final sack felt great. It's good to go out and execute."

"Joe (Clermond) got us going with his play. Once one person does something well, it gets all of us going."

"Everyone on defense did a great job. This win today was a result of a team effort."

Pitt Running Back LeSean McCoy
"Today felt good to get the win...everyone came together. This was a team victory"

"We knew that their defensive front was tough, but we still need to execute on those goal line plays."

"I eventually thought I'd get 1,000 yards but I didn't think I'd get it in my first season. I didn't know I'd get this much playing time so I'm excited, but again this is all about the team."

"Today I thought we came out a little flat. These next couple games we have to come out stronger early and finish the same way we did today. The next couple of weeks are going to be tough for us."

"It hasn't hit me yet that I hit the 1,000 yard mark. Eventually when it hits me, I'll be excited but it hasn't hit me yet."

"I knew it's been a while since a freshman ran for 1,000 yards but I didn't know exactly how long."

Pitt Fullback Conredge Collins
"That was rough when we couldn't convert on that goal line situation. You have to forget about it though or it will bug you the rest of the game."

"Things don't always flow the way you want to but you just have to stay focused and try and get a win."

"This is my first achievement, to have a 1,000 yard rusher on our team. It means a lot to me. LeSean has been phenomenal but so had LaRod. Both of them give us a great chance to win. I thought all of our guys contributed today."

Syracuse Head Coach Greg Robinson
"This is a tough loss, one where we had a chance until the very end. In retrospect, I wish I'd gone with Cameron Dantley a little sooner in the game. Andrew Robinson pulled a muscle in his back this week in practice, and he's a tough kid who thought he could gut it out, but ultimately we were limited in what we could do on offense in the first half. I thought we competed very hard, but our kick coverage really let us down. Twice when we had just scored to gain some momentum, they ran a kick back far into our territory, which allowed them to take back control of the game."

"Andrew Robinson's injury is a muscle issue. He tried as hard as he could to fight through it, and he's a tough kid that I know can play through pain. But ultimately, I should have gotten him out of there sooner, because his injury really limited what we could do on offense."

"Cameron Dantley did a great job coming in off the bench, but Andrew Robinson is our quarterback. Today doesn't change that fact"

"I was very disappointed in the way our offensive line played today. I don't want to get into specifics, because I haven't seen the film yet, but I know we have to perform better. From what I could tell from the sideline, a lot of their pressures were coming on simple blitzes, with one extra guy coming. We need to be able to pick that up."

"I thought Max Suter did fine job running the ball. I'll have to look at the film to see how he did on things like blitz pick up, but I was very pleased. He gives you flat out speed, which is something that we don't have a lot of elsewhere."

"The way things were going at halftime, I was pleased that we had kept the score close, but I was also a little mad at myself. I could see that Andrew Robinson was trying hard at quarterback, but he was also very limited too. We weren't firing on all cylinders on offense, and I thought we had a chance to be in a much better position if I'd made a change."

Syracuse Offensive Lineman Ryan Durand
"We're nine games deep at this point. We came up short today, but we've got to stay focused on playing well and getting better every week."

"I have no excuses for the way I played today. When you miss some time you're going to be rusty, naturally, but that doesn't explain the way I played."

"I was happy with the way we came back, I think that showed a lot of spirit, especially for the young guys. Ultimately, it was too little too late though, and that's incredibly disappointing."

"Sacks are ultimately a lost yardage play. No matter what causes them or what the situation is, it's the fastest way to kill a drive."

"Cameron Dantley competed hard. I'm really proud of the way he was able to come off the bench and give us all a lift. I've seen him work hard every day in practice and I knew that he had it in him."

Syracuse Wide Receiver Taj Smith
"Cameron Dantley throws a great ball. The long pass that went for a touchdown was an excellent play on his part. There was only one place he could put it where I could bring it in, and it was right there."

"We're improving on offense for sure, but I thought our defense really stepped up today and gave us a lift. We need to get in sync as a unit so that they don't always have to bail us out."

"On the last drive, a field goal wasn't even on my mind. I was looking to go down, get a touchdown and win the game. That's how I approach every drive, like I'm going to do whatever it takes to get us in the end zone. It didn't work out, but I was glad we didn't go down without a fight."

Related Videos