Coach Pasqualoni Quotes Prior to Virginia Tech Game
Reaction to Donovan McNabb being named to the Syracuse University Board of Trustees:
"I'm very excited. Donovan is an outstanding human being. He has a good perspective on student-athlete issues and what student-athletes go through. It's a great honor for him and I know he looks upon it as an honor. I'm sure he's humbled by it."
On status of quarterback Troy Nunes
"He was a little sore this morning. We'll have to see how well he runs this afternoon. We're hopeful that as the week goes on he'll be okay."
On how well Troy Nunes played against Central Florida:
"He played very well on Saturday (against Central Florida). He played tough. He hung in the pocket. He sat in there and threw the ball. He played one of his better games as an Orangeman."
On the offense's production against Central Florida:
"Walter Reyes ran the ball really hard. In the second half, the offensive line took the game over. They blocked hard and looked athletic, considering the young and inexperienced guys playing. I'm pleased with the effort."
On whether the plan was to use Walter Reyes more than Damien Rhodes against Central Florida:
"It's just the way the series go. The two running backs are in the game plan. There are certain things that Damien can do. There are certain things that Walter can do. What really benefits a back is to come out and take a blow. Teams that run the ball well have more than one quality back. Over the course of the game they are going to get their carries. I think it is important to play a couple of guys."
On Walter Reyes' running style:
"He's a powerful guy. He's very fast. You don't make the long runs he's made this year unless you're fast. He runs up in there tough. He also made a couple of finesse plays, too (against Central Florida). He's only a sophomore. He's learning and he's going to get better."
On whether Mike Shafer will handle the PATs this week :
"The kickers will go out this week and compete. We won't make a decision before Friday. It may be Saturday before the game. Mike's been kicking real well. He gets the ball up quick. The kick (by Collin Barber) that got blocked (against Central Florida) was real low. He practices hard. The kickers have never stopped competing through the week. Mike has been on call and ready to go."
On Virginia Tech's two tailbacks:
"They are excellent. Lee Suggs is a guy who we have played against and we know. He's a dynamic guy. He makes cuts and he has great speed. Kevin Jones is a big guy with speed. As a tandem, they are as good a 1-2 punch as there is."
If Virginia Tech losing to Pittsburgh will make it easier or tougher on SU's preparations this week:
"I don't know if it makes any difference. Virginia Tech will be hungry to bounce right back. It might make it tougher."
On whether Pittsburgh's success running the ball against Virginia Tech will have any effect on Syracuse's success:
"Pittsburgh played very well against Virginia Tech. They (Pittsburgh) have played well against Virginia Tech over the years. I don't know if what Pitt did will have any effect on what we're able to do."
On what the team's mood was when it was trailing 21-3 against Central Florida:
"Despite that things were not going well early, there was a certain level of let's settle down and play. There was no panic. Despite our difficulties on defense, guys just came off the field and sat down and talked. Offensively, we knew we could move the ball. It was a matter of how many times could we get the offense the ball. We know the kids have character."
On play of Steve Gregory on special teams against Central Florida:
"On special teams he had a blocked field goal, recovered a fumble and had a 57-yard kickoff return. That just shows his versatility. He's a young guy who makes plays. We're happy that he was able to be that productive."
Player Quotes
Erik Kalyonides
Senior
Offensive Lineman
On playing Virginia Tech:
"We're honored to be playing a really tough team this week. Their defense is one of the best in the country. Their defense is fast. We're looking forward to the challenge."
On whether Syracuse is going to play like it has nothing to lose against Virginia Tech
"We're coming off two straight wins. We have our confidence back. Now we're just taking it one week at time. We have a top 10 team coming to the Carrier Dome to play in front of our fans and on our turf. How can you not be excited to play them on national television?"
On blocking for Walter Reyes:
"It's a privilege. He hits the hole hard. We have confidence that even if there's a little hole, he's going to hit it. He played great. I'm proud of him."
On offense's production against Central Florida:
"We have to build on what we did Saturday. We knew there was going to be a time when the offense was going to have to win a game. We saw the pressure the defense was under. We just said we had to do our part now. I don't see why we can't build on that."
Christian Ferrara
Junior
Defensive Lineman
On playing Virginia Tech:
"They have two of the best tailbacks in the country. They try to the run the ball right down your throats. It's a challenge, especially to the defensive line. We have to try to shut down the run and make them one-dimensional."
On team's thoughts were trailing 21-3 at Central Florida:
"You check your heart. You have to credit the offense and the offensive line. We had to get them the ball and they put points on the board."
