Oct. 17, 2009

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Post-Game Quotes Western Carolina 14, The Citadel 10

Western Carolina Head Coach Dennis Wagner

Opening Statement:
"I was holding my breath and saying prayers that we would get this opportunity. That's what I told the guys at halftime. I told them to put themselves into the position where it goes down to the last play of the game. It just so happened to work out that way. That's what we talked about in the locker room. You have to play every play. These guys haven't quit all season. They have worked hard and they have done everything we have asked them to do. They have responded to us, but we haven't got the results we want. Hopefully, this will be the turning point for us now to head down the right track. The road is not going to get any easier with the teams on our schedule, but it makes it easier in the sense that these guys believe in themselves."

On the increased offensive intensity after a 39-yard Zack Jaynes to Marquel Pittman pass:
"I think the offense has struggled so much this year. We just needed some success to make a big play and something positive for us. We needed that play. It was a big turning point for us. We challenged them at halftime that we had to be able to run the football. We are not good enough to throw the ball for three downs. Zack had a tremendous game. He managed the ball very well. I think that he is able to operate better when he doesn't have to try and do everything himself. He needs to be able to be a part of the win instead of everything being on his shoulders. He certainly helped manage the offense and do things right."

On not capitalizing on The Citadel botched punt earlier in the game:
"It comes down to making plays when you get opportunities. When we do that, we are going to be a good football team. We still made mistakes today. I told them I loved them and I was proud of them. But we've got work to do. If we are going to beat Wofford, we've got to find ways to eliminate mistakes. Our special teams had been real soild all season long. Today, it wasn't where it needed to be."

On the play of special teams and the fourth quarter miscue:
"It was rugby style point so you have big seams there. (Blake Cain) was walking into our protectors and the snap was low. He was feeling bad in the locker room, but I told him tomorrow is a new day. He's done a great job the weeks before. He's one of the top punters in the league. He had a bad day. His teammates rallied around him. He's going to have to come back. When you have a rugby punt, you're going to have a rush."

On converting on fourth down and one:
"It's one of those things - should we play points or kick it. We thought initially to kick the ball. Then all of a sudden when the guys lined up for the kick (the first yard marker) was shorter than we anticipated. I called a timeout. We only had a few seconds left and we weren't going to get the (field goal) kick off. The timeout gave us extra time to think about it. Dion brings a dimension that he can run down hill and pump it. They were in box coverage zone every time we got into the red zone. They were taking the safety out of the box (covering WCU WR Marquel Pittman). We knew that going in the game because they had done that to Appalachian State and Elon."

On the play of the seniors:
"I think the nine seniors don't want to go out losing, obviously. They have been through the wars here. They survived through our staff and fought hard. They have gotten better and better. They practice hard. People listen and do things right. If they are hurt, they are hurt. If they are out there, they are trying to go. I think this bye week helped us get healthy. Everybody else that we are going to get back will be back for the Wofford game. The defense has done enough to win ball games all year, but not the offense. I think the offense is what helped us today. The defensive guys were down there when we scored our first touchdown."

Senior Linebacker Adrian McLeod
On the win over The Citadel
"We trained in practice every day to never give up and give it our best, no matter what the situation. We look as though our backs are to the wall every time in practice. It's all about how you respond in those situations. I think we did a good job. Our defense played a heck of a game and we got the final stop."

On scoring 14 unanswered points in the second half:
"We overcame adversity. Like coach said they are not giving us anything. We have to make our own plays.

Red-shirt Junior Wide Receiver Marquel Pittman
On having the defense on the field at the end of the game:
"I trusted the defense. They bend, but they never break. That's the opinion of everyone on the sideline. I felt comfortable with them out there."

On the adjustments made at halftime
"It was all heart. Coach (Wagner) came in and he pushed everybody to not quit. He told everybody to fight. We got our running game better and we came away with a win."

Redshirt Freshman RB Dion Wilson
On the team's confidence coming into the game:
"We just knew (that we were going to win this game). There was something in the air today. We knew we were going to win."

Redshirt Sophomore Quarterback Zack Jaynes
On how to carry the win into next week's game with Wofford
"We just got to come back and prepare the same way. As bad as we started this is the most strong-hearted and strong-willed team I have ever been a part of. Every player comes here and practices with all they have every day and every week. They are here extra getting treatment and working in the film room. We've got to do the same thing. We've got to continue to eliminate mistakes."