Selection Sunday Press Conference Quotes

Nov. 22, 2009

Head coach Mike London

Opening statement:
"Obviously we're elated to be in the playoffs, have a home game and be playing a team we played last year. We're fortunate that this will be a good game and both team's know each other a little bit. I haven't been keeping in contact with what they've been doing in the course of their season but rest assured we'll be coming up with the things we need for a game plan. I know they're a very good team. Coach Lembo does a great job with his players and with this staff. It will be an exciting game and another chance to play in front of the Richmond home crowd."

First game as head coach at Richmond [28-10 win at Elon]:
"Looking back on what we see now, film wise, we have see if there's any similarities in their systems. I know they lost their defensive coordinator. They may be a little bit different. Offensively, they'll probably be doing some of the same things. From what I've heard, they're very athletic at the wide receiver position and skills position. Starting tonight and the rest of the week, we'll be getting into our game plan and trying to come up with some schemes and a plan to stop them."

Goals set in preseason coming into fruition:
"The goals were to have a winning season and win the conference championship and then have a chance to play further and go on. There's still some goals left out there. There's a lot of games to be played. We're excited about the opportunity to continue on and try to reach the pinnacle again."

How rewarding the regular season finish was:
"It is very rewarding when you see the hard work of coaches and players that spend a lot of time and energy to making something go, making something happen. It's very rewarding that we're within six inches of being 11-0. I'm so proud of our players and proud to represent Dr. Ayers and the university community. An academic school can also play some football. We're proud about that and looking forward to keep on moving on."

Refocusing after the William & Mary win:
"It's definitely a refocusing because now you're `one-and-done'. Now the focus is on doing whatever we can to put ourselves in a position to win games. Elon is a very good team. They lost to Appalachian State and they lost their I-A game. So they have some wins. They've been in this position before. It will be a great game. I would imagine they'll bring a crowd with them. We're going to do everything we can to get the Richmond faithful out there for another home game."

Value of being the defending national champion at this time in the season:
"You have to play the game at hand. What we did last year is not going to help us block or tackle. The experiences of last year might help in certain areas, but the execution of the plans, it matters what we're doing right now."

Home-field advantage:
"We're a pretty good team on the road, so an argument can be made for that. I think it's good that again, the university community can get people out there and support us like they did last week. We love to play at home. It keeps our routine, routine even though it's during the holiday week. The players would much rather play at home and be in a situation that we're in right now."

Differences going into the playoffs with one-year of coaching experience:
"You try to do things a little better. You always try to improve on things. You try to recruit a little better. You time-manage a little better. This is a job you're always going to make mistakes but you try to minimize those mistakes. Getting last year's experience was a great learning tool for me and this year has been the same. You're never at a point where you know too much football. I'm learning every day. I'm around great players and coaches. I think right now our team is clicking. We're going to see if we can keep it going."

Strength of the CAA (two seeded-#2 Villanova, #4 Richmond; three hosting: Villanova, Richmond and William & Mary):
"Today with the pairings, people can see nationally the CAA conference is a very strong conference. Particularly in the southern half of the conference with Villanova, William & Mary, Delaware and James Madison and us who have all won conference championships and playoff games. It's a proud day for CAA football."

Senior QB Eric Ward

Last season's Elon game:
"I remember they were a pretty good team last year and just from what I've heard they're an even better team this year. We'll take the time this week to look at them on film, study them up and be ready to go."

Differences from this year's playoff game from last year's playoff games:
"I don't think there's much of a difference because once you get in the playoffs, everyone is fighting for the same thing. We just have to take the same approach. We know who we're playing now and do what we have to do this week next week in practice."

Personal improvement over the course of the season:
"I'm preparing the same way I've been preparing every game. We treat every game like a championship, like a playoff game. That's the way we approach every game. That's how I approach every game."

On this year's success:
"It's been pretty remarkable. It's been an exciting run coming from last year's National Championship and all the things we've accomplished this year so far. We have a great group of guys. We have the first 10-win regular season in school history. I think that speaks volumes. A lot of the goals we set as a team at the beginning of the year, we've accomplished. We have one more main goal that's in sight and we're going to try to go after that one."

Emotionally recovering from yesterday [13-10 win over William & Mary]:
"That was a big win. And to win in the fashion we did was exciting. After seeing the show and knowing who we play this week we have to let that one [William & Mary win] go. We have bigger things ahead of us. We have to focus on those things and come out do what we need to do this week and be ready for the weekend."

Going into the playoffs without the win streak:
"I don't really think that's one of the things the guys on the team go into each game saying, `We have to preserve the streak'. We approach every game with a winning attitude. We play each game of the season like it's a season itself. We take each game one game at a time. I don't think the streak was too much of a burden on us."

Redshirt senior RB Justin Forte

Emotions competing in the playoffs:
"I expressed to the team in the last team meeting that one of my main goals was to do whatever I can to help my team get back to the National Championship and be successful. It's very emotional to me, knowing I'm closer to the goal I had set out. I have the full support of the team and they have my full support. I'm really excited [for the game]. All I can do is focus on giving my best effort out there. I don't want to be out there an be star struck. I've got to remember to remain composed."

Redshirt junior LB Eric McBride

On last year's Elon game:
"I know we went into that game preparing for one of their receivers [Terrell Hudgins]. The quarterback [Scott Riddle] is very good. Just for them to make it through the Southern Conference, which is a very competitive conference, we know they're going to be a tough opponent. The whole team is excited. The team is looking forward to having another home game. Elon is very competitive so I know it's going to be another great game."

Home-field advantage:
"I expect a big crowd. They [Elon] have to travel, which can wear you down mentally. For us, it's going to be more of a routine. It will be good to take our time to get ready for them, whereas when you travel you feel a little rushed."

Familiarity with Elon:
"It helps your confidence going into the game knowing we've played these guys before and have beat them before. I expect they're going to be motivated and remember last September. It helps the team as a whole that we are capable of winning this game and moving on to the next round."

Differences going through playoffs as the defending national champion as opposed to a challenger:
"The memory of winning the championship is still in our mind. Losing to Villanova is still fresh in our minds too. We know we don't want to lose again. We know we want to win that championship again. Winning the championship last year just adds to our confidence."

Calendar

Upcoming Events