Syracuse Post-Game Quotes vs. Temple
Syracuse, NY - Carrier Dome
Head Coach Paul Pasqualoni
On R.J. Anderson: "I think [R.J.] played well. I think he threw the ball well with some very, very big plays. The long streak to Johnnie Morant, was an excellent throw, where we avoided the rush. We got the ball out there with the one to Jamel Riddle, was a good play. I thought that [R.J.] directed the offense and did a good job "
On Orange Uniforms:
"It's been a very, very heated topic of conversation within our team. The leadership on our team indicated that they would like the opportunity on a special occasion to wear the orange jersey. We went back through the entire the history and tradition of Syracuse football. The reason it was important was because it was important to the [team]."
"Kyle Fetterly, our equipment manager was able to get it done. I thought it was a lot of fun today."
"We did not know exactly when [the uniforms] would come in. So we decided when they do come in, we would wear them this year for a game."
"Blue is our uniform. The orange uniform is part of the Syracuse uniform. I don't know when we'll do it again."
On the First Quarter:
"Our first quarter was an excellent first quarter. We said that we wanted to kick off today, we wanted to defer, we wanted to hold them on the first down, wanted to try to block a punt, we wanted to try return a punt, we wanted to be on the strong field. Everything worked out for us in the first quarter."
"We thought that we would give them the ball first, and force them to a third down.That worked out very well for us today."
On the Second Quarter:
"We got a little bit sloppy. But I think we picked it back up in the second half, and played a solid second half."
"There is no change in philosophy. We're just doing what we do. We are starting to get mature, come along, and get a feel for things."
On Special Teams:
"They are working very hard on special teams. I think we have a very solid special teams operation."
"Collin Barber is doing very well kicking the ball."
"Mike [Schafer] is doing a good job punting and kicking the ball."
"So I think [special teams] is doing well with keeping the confidence. We know what we're doing a little more. We are making some nice plays on special teams.
On Jamel Riddle:
"It's taken him a little bit of time to get used to school, and getting himself squared away. He's really starting to get a feel for the game. He's a dynamic player."
On Johnnie Morant:
"[Johnnie] is doing well. [But] he has to continue to do better."
Player Quotes
SU defensive end Dwight Freeney on his performance:
"I am not always just trying to make the tackle, but make the play and get the offense the ball in a position to score."
On the Orange jerseys:
"The jerseys gave us a spark, and we just played well. Everyone did what they had to do."
SU equipment manager Kyle Fetterly on team reaction to the orange jerseys:
"The plan was to let the team warm up in the blue and while they were out there we hung the orange jerseys in the lockers. Boy, you should have been there when they walked in the room. It was like Christmas. Like a six-year-old at Christmas coming downstairs. The intensity rose to here [raising hand above his head]. I looked at my assistant Jimmy Schlensker and said, 'We are going to trounce these guys today'."
SU quarterback R.J. Anderson on his career high 308 yards passing:
"Once you get in the groove you start to feel real good. Things were open, a lot of guys made some big catches and the offensive line held up long enough for me to get the ball off."
On the receivers:
"We always knew they were capable of making big plays and they did that today. It is a great job by them and by the offensive line."
On SU wide receiver Jamel Riddle:
"I have known Jamel since high school and I knew he was capable of making big plays. Today he did that."
SU wide receiver Johnnie Morant on the orange jerseys:
"The jerseys were motivation. We knew that if we lost with those orange jerseys we would never wear them again."
On preparation by the receivers:
"We just practiced catching drills, running routes and getting more comfortable with R.J."
SU wide receiver David Tyree on special teams:
"It was a big day for the special teams. We really wanted to set the tone. It is big to get them on kickoffs inside the 20."
SU wide receiver Jamel Riddle on his punt returns:
"My main objective is always to go all the way. I have not gotten there yet but I will soon."
On what his performance means for upcoming games:
"Now that I have been returning a lot teams are going to start coming after me more so its going to be a challenge. Now they know what I can do."
On the receivers:
"We have a good rotation going with every receiver so we have fresh legs coming in each time. Someone else is in the spotlight every game and today was my turn to be the one."
SU offensive tackle P.J. Alexander on the jerseys:
"No one had any idea. We came in the locker room after warm-ups and everyone was wondering what was hanging in the lockers. I did not realize what they were at first because I was trying to stay focused, but when we did we just went crazy."
