2000 Orangemen Meet the Media
8/11/2000 12:52:16 PM | Football
Carrier Dome, Syracuse, NY
Senior fullback Kyle Johnson on getting playing time:
"Now that I'm a senior, I'm trying to get the official starting
nod. But here at Syracuse, even if you're the No. 2 guy, you're still going to get playing time."
Sophomore quarterback Troy Nunes on the start of camp:
"Everybody seems really excited about the start of the season. I think 'charged' is even a better word to describe the attitude of the team right now."
Nunes on the team's chemistry:
"We as a team get along real well both on and off the field. I think the comraderie will always help team character."
Nunes on what he did to prepare this summer:
"I watched a lot of tape of last season, not just of myself, but the entire offense. The things I tried to work on were improving my physical stature, gaining strength and being more consistent."
Nunes on opening against Buffalo Sept. 2:
"Buffalo is a MAC team that's going to come in with a chip on its shoulder. It's going to be a game. We have to be ready to play, just as we have to be ready to play every team we face this season."
Senior linebacker Morlon Greenwood on how last year's Music City Bowl
win helped this team:
"The bowl game most definitely had a positive effect on us. It brought a positive vibe back to the team."
Greenwood on being a captain:
"I'm still the same person. I'm still going to lead by example, but I realize now I have to be more vocal."
Greenwood on the Syracuse linebackers:
"During the summer everybody worked really hard -- running and in the weight room. It showed today when everybody made their 110's."
"The game has changed from years past. Now linebackers are doing it all. You're going to see us run, hit and drop back to cover the pass."
Senior wide receiver Pat Woodcock on the quarterback situation:
"We have to realize that it's the coaches' decision who is going to play quarterback. Then we have to accept it, move on and support that guy."
Woodcock on what it means to him to be a captain:
"I'm excited about being a captain and showing some leadership. I'm hoping the younger guys can learn from me that you don't have to be the biggest guy or the fastest guy. If you work hard, you can play an important role and, someday, maybe even be named captain."
Freshman wide receiver Johnnie Morant on his transition from high school
to college ball:
"It's harder. I'm learning how they run their patterns. I want to make the travel squad. I still have to learn all the plays, but hopefully I can learn from the older guys who have been here."
Morant on his strengths:
"I think my strengths are being able to run and catch the ball. My height is also a definite advantage because most corners are not that tall."
Junior quarterback Chad Elliott on where he is in the competition for the starting QB job and what he brings to the position:
"I don't know where I am right now. All four of us want the job. It's going to be competitive. It motivates me to perform better in practice."
"I bring a passing style to this team and, hopefully, I can bring some more offense."
"It's rough on the team not knowing who the quarterback will be. I'd prefer there to be a starter named before the first game, but that's the coaches decision. I want to be the starter, but if that doesn't happen, I'm just going to work harder."
"This is the fifth offense I've had to learn in six years. It's by far the hardest."
Elliott on Coach Pasqualoni's coaching style:
"I like Coach a lot. He's fiery and competitive. He's an in-your-face type of coach. I like that. It shows he cares and wants to win."
Senior running back Dee Brown on SU being picked third in the BIG EAST
Preseason Poll:
"We've got to go out and win. Winning will take care of itself."
Junior wide receiver Malik Campbell on the off-season:
"We were all up here working with Coach Hicks and Coach Luther (SU's strength and conditioning coaches). They pushed us. We're in the best shape we can be in right now."
Campbell on SU's preseason ranking:
"It doesn't matter what we're ranked right now. What's important is where we finish."
Campbell on SU's receivers:
"I feel good about our group of receivers. We're experienced and deep."
Campbell when asked what will happen if SU uses the running game more:
"If that happens, the receivers have to get down field and block."
Campbell on the quarterback situation:
"It doesn't matter who's throwing the ball. It's the coaches decision about who plays quarterback and we just have to go with it."
Junior running back James Mungro on his friendship with senior RB Dee
Brown:
"Everybody asks us how we can be such good friends when we compete for the same position. Football is football and friendship is friendship. Dee's like a big brother to me. Sure, it's an on-going battle for snaps, but I think that makes us better players."
Sophomore linebacker Clifton Smith on SU's defense this year:
"I feel confident coming into this year. We're expecting big things from our defense with eight or nine starters back. We're going to get after people and create more turnovers."
Senior defensive end Duke Pettijohn when asked what the biggest difference will be between this year's team and last year's:
"Our leadership will be the biggest difference from last year. We've really made an effort to work on that."
Pettijohn when asked what he thought made him one of the best in the
country at his position:
"My work ethic and my willingness to win. I'm very excited for this year. This is my last year so I want to make it a great one."
