Syracuse Player Quotes
December 6, 2003
Carrier Dome
Senior Tight End Joe Donnelly
On Coach Pasqualoni:
"I want everyone to know that if they were to make a change in the coaching staff it would be unfortunate. The whole coaching staff, especially Coach P (Pasqualoni), wins games, but they also help young men enter the world; they build character. You never hear about a player in the NFL that went to Syracuse getting into trouble. Coach P builds a character program. We run the cleanest program in the country and it's all because of our coach. I would take a 0-12 season with Coach P over a 12-0 season with anyone else. He's done so much for me and this whole program."
Senior defensive tackle Christian Ferrara
On today's win:
"This was a great way to end a season; beating one of the most respected programs in the country, on national television. People have to respect us now; they have no choice. They have to respect that Syracuse football isn't done. Going out with a dominating win they way we did today, is a great way to end the season."
On Coach Pasqualoni:
"Coach P (Pasqualoni) is probably the greatest coach I've ever had. We love that man. He does so much for our team. Coach would do anything for us. He gives up time with his kids for us. He'd do absolutely anything; all you have to do is ask him."
Junior offensive guard Matt Tarullo
On the future of Syracuse University football:
"This team is only going to get better. We're going to be strong because we have people who are working hard and want us to get better. We have coaches and players and staff who are all working to see us get better and stronger."
On today's game:
"We kept three main points in mind: to be tough, be persistent and to do what you want to do and be happy while you're doing it. We did all those things today. We were persistent in our vision to win this game. We are happy."
Running back Walter Reyes:
On the Carrier Dome chanting his name:
"I hear it, and it's great, as long as we're winning. But you have to look beyond me. You have to look at the offensive line and the full backs and the wide receivers and the coaches. They make my job a lot easier and I'm happy as long as our team is winning."
On preparation for today's game:
"All week Coach P (Pasqualoni) kept us focused on beating Notre Dame. He did a great job of preparing us for today's game. He was worried about today's game, he was focused on beating Notre Dame and we fed off of that. For the seniors and the underclassmen and for the program, we wanted to come out here and show the nation that Syracuse football is still here, and that we're not going anywhere. "
On the presence of Syracuse fans today:
"The fans today were unbelievable. The electricity and excitement, even before we took the field, helped us. My hat goes off to the fans—thank you. This was the way the seniors wanted to go out, with a great win over Notre Dame and with the fans right behind them."
Senior quarterback R.J. Anderson
On senior day:
"It was emotional. It was a great day. It has been very special. I'll never forget this game for the rest of my life. I'm just grateful we could go out the way we wanted to go out."
On the support of Syracuse University fans:
" We were at a function last night and it was the best pep rally I've ever been to. There was so much support. It was overwhelming. You could tell our fans were excited to come out and see us play against Notre Dame in the Dome. Their presence helped us today."
On Coach Pasqualoni:
"I hope he'll be back. The whole team wants to see him back working with us in the future. We all respect him as a coach and as a team leader."
