University of North Carolina Athletics
Q & A with Jason Brown and Doug Justice
November 2, 2004 | Football
Nov. 2, 2004
Center Jason Brown and linebacker Doug Justice fielded questions from the media Tuesday.
Q: What's been the mindset with the new week?
"I think the focus right now is Virginia Tech. There's no looking back. The high from Miami -- that's over. Looking too far down the season, we can't do that either. We have to be totally committed, totally focused on Virginia Tech."
Q: Why haven't you guys been able to capitalize on the momentum from wins during the season? What are you going to do this week to keep the momentum going?
"Wow. [We've] been plagued with inconsistency. Plagued with just being uncomfortable after a big win. The main thing is, like I said before, getting our focus back. Making sure we have a tremendous week of preparation. Going out there and executing everything that our coaches have for us planned out in detail with great enthusiasm. We need to get ready to go out there and play on Saturday."
Q: Coach [Bunting] said that some responsibility has to fall on the players as far as keeping everybody in line this week.
"Of course we have an added responsibility. The seniors and the leaders and captains, we have the highest responsibility. We're making sure that everybody is staying in line, and making sure that they know - hey, Miami, that's completely over. Completely over. That ended on Sunday."
Q: Why has this offensive line been so successful?
I attribute most of that to Coach Hunter. When he first set foot here at Carolina, he implemented over-the-top work ethic. Our work ethic far surpasses any other offensive line in our conference, any other group on our team. When we go into the meeting room, it's all business. When we go out on the football field, it's all business. Even when we go out and handle ourselves off of the football field, it's all business. It's all of the little things that count. It's all of the little things that make you a better player. But it's mainly the work ethic. We go out there with the attitude knowing that we're going to go out there and play for 60 minutes -- all four quarters -- and we're going to dominate our opponent. When we looked at Miami, it was just the second quarter, and they're hunched over on their knees gasping for air. We run up to the line and let them know that it's going to be a long night. And that's what we let them know this past weekend."
Q: Will Bryan Randall be the best quarterback you've faced this season?
"Well he can beat you two ways -- with his arm and with his feet -- so we're going to have to make sure that we keep him in the pocket and don't allow him to run because he's another running back. And he's very athletic. We're just going to have to keep a spy on him."
Q: Have you lost some weight this year?
"Yeah, I was up to 252 [pounds] last year. The coaching staff [last year] felt like I needed to gain some weight. I couldn't run like I used to, and when the new coaching staff came in they told me I needed to lose a few pounds. 252 was too heavy for me. I felt like I should've put my hand in the dirt if I was going to be that heavy."
Q: How did it feel to give back to the fans on Saturday with the big Homecoming win?
"It was just like N.C. State. I told them at the pep rally that at the N.C. State game that it was one of the most exciting moments I've ever had at Carolina -- having those people around congratulating me and against Miami tearing down the goalposts. I was at the Florida State game in 2001 when they tore it down, but I didn't get to play in that game. It was exciting to get to play in a game where people were so excited and the whole crowd was crazy. And they were just so into the game. My ears hurt so much after that game. And it felt great because I live with six regular students. I came back and I was able to just talk to them about they game. And they were so excited about it -- not just because I got to play a lot, but also because they were there as fans -- and how much they really enjoyed the game, which meant a lot to me."
