University of North Carolina Athletics
Larry Fedora Wednesday Quotes
November 20, 2013 | Football
Larry Fedora spoke to the media on Wednesday's ACC Football Coaches Teleconference.
“Our football team is looking forward to playing an 8-3 Old Dominion football team that has been coached very well and is in the middle of a transition from FCS to FBS. These guys have done a tremendous job. They've got a great quarterback, a kid that's completing over 71 percent of his [passes]. He's got four receivers that are catching over 40 balls, they really move it around quite a bit and they have done a tremendous job and so we have a tremendous challenge this week getting ready for this football team.”
On the ACC potential having more bowl-eligible teams than bowl partners:
“It's extremely important that here's a home for your bowl-eligible teams, and nobody knows how it's all going to shake out, but I think in the long run it usually works out. One good thing about it is the fans travel. They love bowl games and so there's usually going to be a home so it's not something that I really spend a lot off time worrying about.”
On Old Dominion quarterback Taylor Heinicke:
“I tell you what, he is a very talented young man. Early in the year as we watched crossover tape, we kept seeing him against various defenses and all of our staff kept making comments on, 'Wow, that quarterback is special.' He can extend plays, he's got a great arm, he knows where to go with the ball, he's just a playmaker, is what he is. There's no doubt. You can see why he was the national player of the year last year in the FCS as a sophomore. The guy's very, very talented and he does a great job within their offense. I think Boby Wilder and those guys do a great using all of his tools.
On the key to winning Saturday:
“For us it's been the same as it is all year. First of all, special teams, we need to create a game-changing play on special teams. And then, offensively, we've got to take care of the ball and we've got to do really a great job in all the critical situations. That's going to be key. And then defensively, we've got to adjust to their tempo and we've got to do a great job of stopping the run. We've got to stop the run and then we've got to be in the position to not give up big plays as they put the ball out in space.”
On Switzer's instincts and vision as a punt returner:
“First of all, he has the skills, the skill level and the skill set that you need to be a great punt returner. He's got great speed, he's got great, great quickness and that is probably the biggest key, and then confidence is very important. He really believes he's going to make guys miss and so the other guys know they've just got to get on guys and stay on them a little bit longer because he's going to make a few guys miss. And then when he does that, anything can happen. He's got great vision and he's got some quickness, some things that other people don't have.
On seeing a player break two punt return touchdowns in a single game:
“I was thinking about it. I don't think I've been in a game, I haven't been involved in a game like that, that we've had two punt returns in the same game. Is it 100 years of Carolina football? I don't think it's every happened here, so it's a pretty unique thing.”
On how he kept players' heads up at 1-5:
“Well, it goes back to your philosophy, you know? You can't just be about when things are going good everything's going great. Your philosophy has to be sound, and you have to know that, you've got to believe in you philosophy and our staff did a great job of just keeping their nose down, kept working, nobody panicked and they were able to show the kids that there's no reason to panic. We're close, we just have to make this play, or we have to do this, or we have to do that. The kids kept believing, they kept working extremely hard, they had great attitudes and that's one thing I can say about these guys: their attitude after a game or going into a game has been the same each and every week, so that's very consistent, which is what we're looking for.
On if maintaining a positive attitude in difficult circumstances takes a unique group of players:
“I think so. I think first of all that leadership comes from the staff and then the leadership goes to the leaders on your team and then the entire team has to buy into it, and you know, for us it's earlier in the year so you can go a lot of different ways. That's why I give credit to the staff and those seniors and the leaders on this football, team how they kept everybody together.”
On the pass defense and pass rush heading into the game with Old Dominion:
“It's going to be very critical that we are able to get some pressure on the quarterback and try to harass him, try to make him make some throws early, and then we're going to have to hold up in the back end, too. I mean, we don't want to have to cover those guys for a long time because if he gets to sit back there, he's going to pick you apart. They're going to make some plays. That's going to happen. Anytime you're running this style of offense where probably 50 percent of the game they're in an empty set, you are spreading the field and you're going to create one-on-ones that if a guy misses a tackle it's going to be a play. That's why we've got to do a great job of tackling in space.”
On the value of crossover film, particularly when both teams are on the schedule (Old Dominion played at Pitt in October):
“It helps quite a bit. Not only that, it also helps your players to understand. They just played this opponent, so they know what this opponent's all about. And then you're able to watch Old Dominion against that opponent and say you know what? Hey, this is a good football team. They're moving the ball on this team and they're doing what they want and so I think it helps in the focus for your football team. It really is, to have that good crossover film.
On if the players learned a lesson of not respecting opponents after the East Carolina game:
“It better be a lesson that was learned. And this is one thing we talk about as a team throughout the season. All of the mistakes that we make during a season, and whether it be a missed assignment, or a scheme, or anything. We're trying, and we go back on Sundays and we try to correct all of our mistakes that we made in the game. And then we talk about making sure that we're able to focus so that we don't make that same mistake again. And so, yes, I hope that is a lesson that this football team learned. And if not, I'll be very, very disappointed if we're not ready to play on Saturday. And again, that's my responsibility.”
