University of North Carolina Athletics
Player Press Conference Quotes
October 25, 2005 | Football
Oct. 25, 2005
Trimane Goddard
Sophomore, Strong Safety, Robersonville, N.C.
Q-- Talk to the progression of the defense.
"We are buying in more and more because we are taking in every detail that the coaches are giving us and we are applying it, too."
Q--What are your thoughts about going to Miami and playing in the Orange Bowl with all its history and tradition?
"I am excited about going there because I've never been to Miami and this only my second time going to Florida. I've never been to the Orange Bowl so I'm ready to go down there and play."
Q--When you lost the race for the starting job coach Bunting said you didn't hang your head or pout; what was your mindset when you learned you were not going to be starting right off?
"Well, I wanted to be starting but I knew there was another good player in front of me so I didn't panic because I knew it wasn't my time, so I knew when it was my time I would be ready to step-up. I was not saying to myself, 'Oh I am not starting so I might as well forget about this whole season,' because I am still going to push him and he is going to push me and we are going to make each other better."
Q--What went through your mind when you found out you were going to get your first start this weekend?
"I was just excited; I didn't know what to think because I've never started in college before. I am ready for the game Saturday."
Q--With the speed of the Miami receivers, do have to try to slow them down or do just try to keep up with them?
"Both. If you play your technique you should be fine."
Q--What do you guys have to do specifically to compensate for that speed?
"Probably just play your assignment and the front four get a rust on the quarterback."
Q--The last time you guys when on the road it wasn't pretty. Why will this trip be different?
"Well, we come in with more confidence. We have the blow out from Louisville out of our minds, so it we do not want that happening again we will try our best to make the best of the situation."
Q--What are your top memories from the Miami game from last year?
"Conner Barth's field goal."
Q--What was the best thing you all did as a defense against Virginia to hold them without scoring a touchdown? What did the defense do to raise it's level of play?
"We minimized the mental errors and just played together as a unit."
Ronnie McGill
Junior, Tailback, Clover, S.C.
Q--"What does this offense need to do to score more?
"Not make too many mental mistakes and don't make penalties when we get the ball around the 50 yard line."
Q--What do you think are some of the bigger mental mistakes?
"Pre-snap, we get a lot of false starts and we also get a lot of holding calls on running plays."
Q--How much do you think your presence helps with not only carrying the ball but giving Edwards a rest too?
"It keeps both people fresh and that is always a positive--that's the biggest thing."
Q--Would you talk about what it was like sitting out as long as you did?
"It really got frustrating. Sitting on the sidelines and coaching and not really being able to help out the team on Saturday when you wanted to."
Q--What was the best coaching move you made while you were an assistant coach?
"Trying to squeeze in Mike Briggs at fullback every once in a while to give Rikki Cook could take a blow."
Q--What have you been saying to Conner Barth to try and keep him going?
"Everybody has been telling to kick the ball the way he did last year and not to let the missed field goals get into his head. Just do what he is capable of doing."
Q--Can you address the challenge of playing Miami at the Orange Bowl?
"They are real athletic and they are going to be at home and they are going to be thinking about last year, so we have to go in there and basically play our best game of the year."
Q--How much film have you seen on Miami and what do you think about them?
"I have seen a lot and they are really fast. They are pretty quick and they get a lot of people to the ball. Sometimes it seems like you are going to have a big run and we are just going to have to settle for getting four or five yards instead of ten."
Q--You have always run hard since you have been here, but it looks like you are doing better at finishing the run. Can you talk about that progression?
"I wanted to keep gaining weight since I've been here so I got so I got heavier and that helped and I got a little smarter when I try to fight for yards. Sometimes you've got to know when you can fight for yards and when you just have to go down. It's not always trying to make a big play and then get tackled for a loss, it's knowing that when you get hit it's a guy you can take and keep on fighting and get two or three more yards."
Q--How much longer will you have to wear the shoulder brace?
"I have no clue but if I keep playing good in it I am just going to keep wearing it."
Q--Did you feel 100 percent last week?
"Yes I felt fine. I didn't want to use my arm because I haven't use it that much before but when I put it on the ground it braced me so after a couple runs I felt I was in tip top shape."
