Miami Player Quotes
Nov. 24, 2003
CORAL GABLES, Fla. (www.hurricanesports.com) – Comments from University of Miami players from Monday’s press availability.
Jon Peattie, Redshirt Freshman Place Kicker
On keys to his success this season”I think the big thing is that I have really learned from my misses. On my misses, I know what I did wrong and I’ve known how to correct it. We really stress an emphasis on field goal blocks. Everyday we are doing it with them coming at us and if I can do it with UM coming at us then I don’t think any defense should be able to block our field goals.”
On his miss at Louisiana Tech“That was my first kick in college. I was really mad when I missed it and just wanted to come out and hit my next one. I was just nervous and really wasn’t doing what I normally do on my kicks. I was looking around and you can’t do that.”
On being nervous when called on to kick“I try not to think about it too much and just go out an react. That’s what they brought me here to do – to go out there and not miss field goals – so that’s what I try to go do.”
On the implications on the Hurricanes’ game with Pittsburgh“Of course we wanted to play in the Sugar Bowl – that was the main goal, but we will take winning the BIG EAST. This is a big game coming up. We are going to prepare for it just like any other game and come out and win.”
On the cold weather“I definitely have to take it into consideration. I have to warm up a lot more before I go out and kick. I don’t want to pull anything, but you can’t really worry about it and have to play it just like any other game.”
Greg Threat, Sophomore Safety
On Pittsburgh wideout Larry Fitzgerald”He is a great athlete and great receiver. He goes out and gets the ball. He has the capability to jump over a defender and going to get the ball at the highest point. One person doesn’t make a team. We can’t go out there with the mindset to stop one person because the minute you do that someone else is going to hurt you.”
“I feel that you have to be physical with him. I don’t think he has seen corners or a secondary that is as physical as we are. You have to make him earn everything.”
On the Hurricanes defense“There is always room to improve. We are a pretty good defense, but I feel that we can be even better. You are never perfect.”
On his role this week against Pittsburgh“I’m going to leave it up to the coaches. If they ask me to step up and play, then I am ready for that.”
On the importance of this game“Any game we play is a big game, so we are going to go out there and play hard regardless. Of course this is a big game because an emphasis on the title so we are going to come ready to play.”
On teammate Sean Taylor“Sean is a great player. He has basically changed the position of safety in my eyes. He is so big and agile. I try to take his intensity and how he plays and try to make myself a better player. He is a leader.”
Chris Myers, Junior Offensive Lineman
On playing center this weekend”It was a tough break with Joel (Rodriguez) going down. I guess it’s good that it happened the second to last game of the season rather than halfway through. I’ve been taking snaps all year. It’s nothing new. We just have to step up and move some guys around on the line.”
On whether the shifting on the line will affect the game plan“We did it some against Syracuse and we have pumped some guys in there in every game this season. Just because it’s Pittsburgh doesn’t mean we are going to do anything different. Obviously this is a big game to win the BIG EAST and get to a BCS bowl. Some people have to step up and this is that time.”
On the implications of this game“This is a big game. We are either going to be first or third in the BIG EAST. If we get third then it’s going to be something like the Humanitarian Bowl – playing on that blue turf – and we don’t want that. We want to play on some nice turf like here in the Orange Bowl or the Rose Bowl. So we want to win the BIG EAST and go to that big bowl.
On this class playing in each of the four major BCS bowls“We will have played in every BCS bowl, and two of them were for national championships and that is a major accomplishment. It speaks volumes for our class and the class before.”
Kyle Cobia, Junior Fullback
On the importance of this game“A lot is on the line, but every year we go through the same thing. I think we are prepared, but we realize what’s at stake.”
On being able to run“You never know what the game has in store. It could be one of those game where the line really has to be physical and tough.”
“I don’t think that it is a concern – that we have to run every game. We definitely have to get the running game going, but I’m not thinking that we can’t pass the ball. I think we will. If we are hitting on all cylinders, then we should be good.”
Tyrone Moss, Freshman Running Back
On the importance of this game“This is going to be a big game. We know we have to go out there and play with our hearts to win the BIG EAST Championship. That was one of our goals that we have looked forward to so we know we have to get ready.”
On the potential offensive production“I think the offense is going to come around and help out the defense. The defense has really done a great job this year so I think the offense is going to step up and try to put a lot of points on the board.”
On the cold weather“(Pittsburgh) are up there. They practice in that weather everyday so they are probably used to it. We play in this 90-degree weather everyday so we are going to have to get adjusted. “
Antrel Rolle, Junior Cornerback
On the importance of this game“Every game to me is a big game no matter who we play or what is on the line. This is big being this is the last game of the season and we do need this to go to a BCS Bowl. We are going to take it like any other game.”
On Pittsburgh wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald’s Heisman hopes“He has proven himself year in and year out. He has been getting the job done. He has something like 19 touchdowns and 80 something catches – those are remarkable stats. He is a great receiver. To me, he is the best receiver in college football. It is going to be a battle.”
“You want to go up against the best. I like to get up in your face. I play with my hands and my feet so it depends on how I feel during the game. I know that he works with Chris Carter and knows the ins and outs of the game. We just have to go at it.”
Jon Vilma, Senior Linebacker
On Javon Nanton’s four sacks against Rutgers”He was a walk-on. He has been working out and really working hard. He was just dong what he was supposed to do.”
On stopping Pittsburgh“I think if the front seven does their job in stopping the run and the secondary stops the pass then it is not going to work the same. This is not the first time we have had balanced attack coming at us.”
On Pittsburgh quarterback Rod Rutherford“He has two dimensions. He is like the quarterback from West Virginia and both quarterbacks from Virginia Tech. They can run and throw so that makes it a little harder.”
