University of North Carolina Athletics
North Carolina 24, Rutgers 22
September 10, 2011 | Football
Sept. 10, 2011
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North Carolina 24, Rutgers 22
September 10, 2011
Postgame Press Conference
UNC Head Coach Everett Withers
On the sloppy play of the Tar Heels:
"The only thing I can attribute it to is lack of focus and stuff that we didn't concentrate enough on in practice. The only way I know how to get better at it is to focus on it in practice and go back into practice and make it better."
On the defense:
"We stopped them. They tried to run a power and we stopped them. They tried to throw the ball and we made plays on the ball, blitzed the quarterback to get the ball out of his hands and get the ball back. This game ain't real hard."
On critical plays in the game:
"I think the goal-line stand was huge and the kickoff return right before the half, where we go down and kick the field goal, were critical plays in the game. The stop here on fourth down and then the 4-minute drive where Ryan (Houston) keeps the thing alive, then we were able to get the victory. You think about those three parts of the game and you think about that's how you win games."
On starting Giovani Bernard:
"Last week we started Ryan and we wanted to start Gio this week to see who would be the guy. They're both considered starters to us."
On winning despite five turnovers:
"Obviously it's good any time you can win games and don't play as well as you are capable, then you have the opportunity to go back and work on things. I would rather win this way than blow somebody out and not know what our problems are."
North Carolina Football
UNC 24, Rutgers 22
Sept. 10, 2011 • Kenan Stadium • Chapel Hill, N.C.
UNC Player Quotes
Dwight Jones, Wide Receiver, UNC
On a sloppy game:
"I mean it was a sloppy game with our passing, turnovers, interceptions... We got the W, but overall, still a sloppy game."
On his td:
"The play was originally a slant, but Bryn, being a good quarterback, audibled the play to a go... I ran deep and caught the ball. It was a good throw."
On his fumble:
"I really don't know what happened, I never fumble. Some plays you've just got to have a short memory and move on."
Giovani Bernard, Tailback, UNC
On his 60 yard run:
"It was good to be able to get out in the open, seeing my linemen downfield. We talk about it in practice, I always tell them `don't ever stop because I'm always going to be on your hip someway, somehow'. They couldn't really see my short self in the pile, but I give all credit to them because they're out front leading the way for me."
Wwhat does he attribute the turnovers and penalties to:
"That's lack of focus. We do a great job in practice of holding onto the ball and we really pride ourselves on that... We can learn from this tomorrow and in preparation for the game next weekend."
Other team's ability to stop him for a loss:
"They really came hard off the ball and they had very good penetration. Some plays can just go either way, and its something that our offense can work on."
Kareem Martin, Defensive End, UNC
What he takes from this game:
"There's plenty to work on. At practice this week we will focus on taking care of the ball and just taking out penalties. The coaches will instill discipline into us every chance they can."
How the team will work on turnovers:
"You've got to just put them out the back of your head. A win is a win, it was sloppy, but I know our offense will be able to bounce back."
Bryn Renner, Quarterback, UNC
About his performance:
"I need to play better. When you turn the ball over its unacceptable.
On teammate Giovani Bernard:
"The run he made on that touchdown today was unbelievable. He just slipped by everybody and made a great run, it really sparked us. We needed to score there and he did a great job."
North Carolina Football • Game 2
UNC 24, Rutgers 22
Sept. 10, 2011 • Kenan Stadium • Chapel Hill, N.C.
Rutgers Coach Greg Schiano
(On having the ball with 6 minutes left in the game and whether he thought his team would score)
"I always do. I'm an optimist. I believe we're going to drive the ball down the field. We prepare for everything, we had two-minute defense ready, four-minute defense ready. I believed we were going to drive the ball down the field. We have great playmakers out there."
(On the physicality of the game)
"One thing that I am pleased with is that it showed the toughness of our football team. There's a resiliency in there that until you get tested you don't know. Without the struggle you don't know. Now we've had the struggle and we'll see where that puts us moving forward and I think this game could be a very important football game."
(On the Rutgers offensive line)
"Again, that's one of the premier defensive lines in the country so the sack part, I thought we got rid of the ball rather quickly....We've got to run the ball more effectively. We've got sit down and figure out if it's schematic, if it's personnel and then make whatever adjustments we feel will help it."
