University of Richmond Athletics
Postgame Quotes: No. 21 Richmond Survives Rhody, 15-6
Nov. 13, 2010
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Richmond Head coach Latrell Scott:
Opening statement:
"Well it wasn't pretty, but we'll take it. You never apologize for a victory. I prepared our defense for playing tough and holding on, and keeping us in there until the offense or whichever makes some plays in the second half. Again, as always, I'm proud of these guys. The way they fight. They are tough. They are resilient. They don't expect to lose football games. It was just great to guarantee these seniors a winning season and let them play their last game in Robins Stadium, and go out on a pretty good note."
Determining factor:
"Our defense. We just held on as long as we could until we finally made a play. Joe Trainer's done a great job at Rhode Island and you have to applaud him for the program he's built. Those kids played as hard as they could until the end of the game."
Theory for the large number of turnovers:
"Two good defenses and a little bit of lack of execution on offense. For us, I know, if we expect to have a chance in Williamsburg next week then we have to take care of the ball. Somehow, someway we were fortunate enough to come out with a victory today."
The TD pass from Laub to Boston:
"It was just something we felt good about. It was coverage-based and we just threw a post. John had been struggling up until then. You know, we don't belittle these guys for making any mistakes, and I've got total confidence in John. It was a match-up that we wanted to be explored. It was a great throw by John and great catch by Donte. Great run and catch by Donte."
Looking at the playoffs:
"It's a realistic goal for us. It's something that we try not to talk about, but it's something that this team wants to make happen. Obviously we've got to beat William & Mary to give ourselves even a shot at it."
Estimate if William & Mary will be in the playoffs:
"I have no idea. I think that's up to the selection committee. I think, when I speak about teams from this conference, be it us, be it William & Mary and New Hampshire, I'll go on record and say that I believe this is the best conference in FCS football. As many representatives as we can have in the playoffs, I think is just a great situation for our conference."
Sophomore QB John Laub:
About the TD pass to Donte:
"It basically comes down to the offensive line giving up protection and, you know, Donte was matched one-on-one, so I just had to put the ball up to a place where Donte could make a play, and that's what happened."
Maybe trying too hard at points:
"Yeah, I forced some throws, and I was getting a little frustrated. I just tried to shake it off as best I can and come out and continue to try and move the ball down the field."
Senior LB Eric McBride:
How the defense performed:
"As a defensive unit, we pride ourselves and it's been a tough year, and a lot of fifth-year guys, we just took it to heart. We want to lead by example, and the young guys they buy into it, they step their game up. As a unit, we all just believed that we don't want anyone to get in the end zone and we can stop everybody."
Difficulty in defending URI's offense:
"We knew the quarterback would keep the ball and run with it - he's a good scrambler and a good runner. He hurt us a little bit today and got some good runs, but that was expected... Each man has to do his job, you know, fit your gap, and everything's going to pay off if you do your own job."
About the senior defense performing well on Senior Day:
"We just did what we expect of ourselves, and the offense came up big with a big play, and we it came time to run the clock out, the offense kept moving the ball down the field. It's a team effort. I think special teams played well today - it wasn't just the defense - it was a team effort... It was an emotional day, but all that is behind you once the whistle lows through the first play... We are a team, so it's not just about us. As a team, we want to win every game."
The goal of a winning season and the upcoming William & Mary game:
"I believe they lost today, that's just the way this conference goes. It was good to get a winning season, but more so just to get this one win and just to go to the next and come into the next weekend prepared. With our chances still alive, we still got faith that we can go out there and win and make it to the playoffs... A couple teams lost and everything's up in the air. We just have to prepare for William & Mary now."
Rhode Island Head coach Joe Trainer:
Opening statement:
"One of the uglier days we've all seen here today, huh? Obviously Richmond is a great team. I think they've done an unbelievable coaching job with the injuries they've had - a couple different quarterbacks and losing some key players, and then keeping those guys in the hunt down all the way to the end and having a chance here. Going into the last game of the season to continue to play. They have a great team and we knew we'd have to play extremely well to beat them today.
I was proud of the way our guys played in terms of the effort and the intensity, and we matched them play-for-play, but we just made too many mistakes and we made too many turnovers to beat a quality team like that at home... It wasn't going to happen for us today, but it certainly wasn't from a lack of effort."
About the large number of turnovers:
"For a while there it looked like nobody wanted to hold on to the ball. They were kind of back-to-back. The last couple weeks, you know, we were down at Delaware and lost 24-17 and were minus-three in turnovers down there, and minus-three at William & Mary and lost by three scores there. You can't at this level and in this conference, you can't turn the ball over, particularly in a year where there is so much parity and there are so many good teams. There's not one team above the rest I think this year, and when you get a team like that... we aren't good enough to overcome those lost possessions that we gave up down the stretch."
Why Richmond survives close games:
"Right now, they are winning games with great defense, great special teams, and they had been winning games without turning the ball over, and today was one of those games. I think if you asked me or Latrell if each of us had four turnovers, neither one of us would feel good about the outcome of the game, but they've done a great job -- playing great special teams, they have a great field goal kicker, very, very good defense - one of the best defenses in the conference - and then you have their offense where they are playing the field position and doing enough offensively to win games."