Opening Statement: “Back in March we said whoever handles this pandemic best is going to end up holding up that trophy. They managed to find a way to stay healthy, make it to every game, and sure enough we found ourselves here in the PAC-12 Championship. Tremendous credit to these football players.”
On defense setting the tone: “Right away with the turnover, with the pressure on the quarterback, stopping the run game, physical on the line of scrimmage, physical on the perimeter really just came out with an attitude and purpose and mission.”
On Kayvon Thibideaux: “We know when Kavon plays like that he’s hard to stop. He changes everything because he’s an every down drive. As a one on one matchup he’s very difficult to block and he’s only getting better. Really proud of him, really proud of the defense. You could tell it was coming the way the guys were practicing, pushing each other, holding each other accountable.”
On Jamal Hill INT: “I’m like alright Mr. Official can we take a really good look at this. We still got to get the first down we just happened to pop one right away. We ran enough time off the clock to pin them deep, force a penalty on the kick, and give them a long field.”
On putting Anthony Brown in the game: “We developed a short-yardage goal line package for him some 4-minute stuff as well. Just a different look, big body he can run the ball as well, you saw the touch he put on that pass. He’s a really good player and he deserved to play somehow some way. Not only that but he provided an advantage for us in the RPO world. He executed really well. We all appreciate Anthony for hanging in there throughout the season.”
On defensive line: “The week leading up to Cal you could tell it kicked in. We’ve never made an excuse all year. We said whoever handles this COVID scenario the best will find themselves playing for a championship and we did. When you look at the reality, there were 6 weeks when we were home while other schools were practicing. Our whole team can tell you that they knew our defense was going to play very well. Your practice happens is your game reality, you can’t separate the two.”
On LA guys winning PAC-12 Title in their hometown: “I thought it was awesome when they got to come here last year and play in front of their families right here in the coliseum. You wish the families were allowed at the game. So many guys on our team are from southern California and California in general and it means a ton. The coaching and the caliber of elite athletes out here is hard to match.”
On defense setting the tone: “Right away with the turnover, with the pressure on the quarterback, stopping the run game, physical on the line of scrimmage, physical on the perimeter really just came out with an attitude and purpose and mission.”
On Kayvon Thibideaux: “We know when Kavon plays like that he’s hard to stop. He changes everything because he’s an every down drive. As a one on one matchup he’s very difficult to block and he’s only getting better. Really proud of him, really proud of the defense. You could tell it was coming the way the guys were practicing, pushing each other, holding each other accountable.”
On Jamal Hill INT: “I’m like alright Mr. Official can we take a really good look at this. We still got to get the first down we just happened to pop one right away. We ran enough time off the clock to pin them deep, force a penalty on the kick, and give them a long field.”
On putting Anthony Brown in the game: “We developed a short-yardage goal line package for him some 4-minute stuff as well. Just a different look, big body he can run the ball as well, you saw the touch he put on that pass. He’s a really good player and he deserved to play somehow some way. Not only that but he provided an advantage for us in the RPO world. He executed really well. We all appreciate Anthony for hanging in there throughout the season.”
On defensive line: “The week leading up to Cal you could tell it kicked in. We’ve never made an excuse all year. We said whoever handles this COVID scenario the best will find themselves playing for a championship and we did. When you look at the reality, there were 6 weeks when we were home while other schools were practicing. Our whole team can tell you that they knew our defense was going to play very well. Your practice happens is your game reality, you can’t separate the two.”
On LA guys winning PAC-12 Title in their hometown: “I thought it was awesome when they got to come here last year and play in front of their families right here in the coliseum. You wish the families were allowed at the game. So many guys on our team are from southern California and California in general and it means a ton. The coaching and the caliber of elite athletes out here is hard to match.”
