Coach Pasqualoni Post-Game Quotes
September 13, 2003
Syracuse, NY - Carrier Dome
Comments on the game:
"We're not playing consistently enough. I think we're capable of playing much better, defensively. We had a couple of miscues today. We were back on our heels a little bit, which is a credit to Louisville. We just need to execute better."
On defending the pass rush:
"There was a lot of the quarterback getting the ball out of his hands very quickly. Some of these three-step, five-step timing routes are tough to pressure and tough to sack. I think before you can do that, you probably have to get your coverage a little bit tighter. I don't think it's just simply the pass rush, I think there's a lot that goes into that. The linebackers and the secondary have something to do with it, as well as the guys up front. It's something that we'll obviously continue to work on."
On being down late against UNC versus being down late against Louisville:
"First of all, I don't like getting down 14 or 17 and then relying on having to come back. That's not something by design, obviously. There were times in the second half – the first drive in the second half – they mounted a drive and got a good drive together and got seven points out of it. After that, we settled down a little bit and played a little bit better defensively in the third quarter after the first drive. I just think that the defense has to get the ball back to the offense more. And, obviously, you can't turn the ball over. The number one factor in any game is the turnover margin; number two, you have to convert on third down. Last week, we converted a little bit better, not necessarily on third down, but we moved the chains better, and this week we just weren't able to do the same thing and keep the chains moving. I thought we had some opportunities to do that, we just didn't get it done."
On Louisville's quarterback, Stefan LeFors:
"I think he's very smart. I thought he operated their offense and got them into the right play, and did a very good job at that. I thought he got the ball out of his hands very quick, and threw the ball very accurately, especially on the quicker three-step and five-step throws."
On the decisive plays of the game:
"I think, defensively, we needed to be able to do a little bit more with that quick passing game, those quick three-step throws. We needed to do a little bit better with the five-step. Those are plays that may not seem to be huge plays, but they're plays that keep the chains moving and make first downs and keep our offense on the sidelines. The vertical pass game in the first half, I thought there were a couple of big plays there. I would say that the big plays of the game came with their passing. It kept them on the field, kept the chains moving, and kept our defense on the field."
On Damien Rhodes:
"Obviously, he's not 100 percent. You can see that on the field. He feels pretty good. I think he feels he's up to about 90, 95 percent. So, we're trying to get him to work through it. The trainers feel that he can go. Every once in a while, when it bothers him, we have to take him out."
On Justin Sujansky:
"Justin hurt his hip flexor during the week. Last month he really strained it kicking off in practice. So, he's out. It's bad enough that he can't kick."
On Josh Thomas:
"We got Josh in – that was a positive thing. Josh practiced later in the week. We didn't think he'd be able to go for a long time, but we thought he'd be able to play in some places, so that's what we did."
On Johnnie Morant:
"I think Johnnie had some big plays in the game. There were a couple of very impressive plays where he went up and got the ball. Johnnie is doing well and making the big plays."
On SU's fumbles:
"They certainly bother you. You always talk about taking care of the ball. The fumble and turnover ratio are the number one factors in football, there's no question about that. We had one interception, so I guess they were plus-one on the turnover margin. You don't want to see it happen. It certainly hurts."
