University of North Carolina Athletics
Torbush Comments on Georgia Tech Game
September 26, 2000 | Football
Sept. 26, 2000
UNC football coach Carl Torbush met with the media on Tuesday at the Kenan Football Center for his weekly press conference.
He had the following to say about last weekend's 20-15 win over Marshall and the week ahead:
"We had a great win last week. I thought it was a hard fought battle. We knew going into the game that it was going to be like that. We were very fortunate to win the game, but we did make the plays when we needed to. I think we beat a very good opponent, and I'll be shocked if they lose many more games this year."
"It is really a great win for our program. It was one of those must-win games or we're back to square one. It's a whole lot better going into the meat of our ACC schedule at 3-1 than 2-2. And it should do wonders for our confidence because we know we can beat a good football team in a close game."
On UNC's running game:
"The most pleasant surprise was that Brandon Russell continued to make improvements at tailback. His two best games have been the two previous games. We also had him returning some punts late in the game and he did an outstanding job of fielding the ball.
"Andre Williams came in and ran the ball hard and showed some improvement. Anthony Saunders played very consistently both running and blocking. He was a big key on the last drive of the game because he did a good job of blocking and really gave Brandon Russell a chance to milk the clock."
On UNC's passing game:
"We got Alge Crumpler involved in the passing game. A lot of the reasons that he wasn't involved earlier (in the season) were because people were taking some things away. We didn't make a couple of the reads that we probably should have made. But at the same time, I believe by getting the ball to him last game, that will help make people have to start covering him again, which hopefully will open up some lanes for our wide receivers.
"Kory Bailey has had two really fine games back-to-back and that should really help Kory's confidence.
"I think our wide receiving crew continues to get better, and that's an area where I believe we have a chance to be really good.
On UNC's offensive line:
"The offensive line, I thought started out a little slow because Marshall was doing a lot of movement up front, but as the game moved forward, I felt like the offensive line blocked extremely well. To do what they did the last seven minutes of the game, that's as good a drive as we've had since I've been the head coach or maybe since I've been here because of what they had to do."
On UNC's defense:
"Defensively, we played very sound and pretty consistent. Overall, with an offensive as explosive as Marshall's is I felt like we played very solid on defense."
On Georgia Tech:
"We're getting to play a very good Georgia Tech football team.
"Defensively, they're probably as improved as much as anybody in the conference. They're very aggressive and making more minus-yardage tackles.
"They've got a great group of skilled wide receivers. They've got good speed at the wide receiver position and guys that can make runs after the catch.
"They've got really good tailbacks in Joe Burns and Sean Gregory."
"(Georgia Tech quarterback) George Godsey has done an outstanding job for them. He's a great competitor, understands the offense, and he doesn't make many mistakes. And he's a smart guy as far as knowing where to throw the ball."
