Pitt vs. WVU Quotes

Nov. 17, 2006

PITTSBURGH - Pitt vs. West Virginia
November 16, 2006

Pitt Coach Dave Wannstedt
"I think today's game was reflective of all the games, probably with the exception of South Florida. Our kids, on a short week, did everything that we ask from the standpoint of getting them ready to play, to come out and do whatever we can do to win the football game."

"We came out and we were going to be aggressive on defense and try to take away the run. I felt like early on we were doing that."

"Our matchups were good. We weren't surprised by any of the plays. It wasn't any of that."

"We just have to do a better job of covering them. Two of the scores were on blitzes. So, our defender is one-on-one and trying to cover."

"We have got to find a way to close games out, whether it's the last seven minutes, as last week, or it's the second half. We've got to become a tougher team mentally. We've got to group up some on defense."

"They made us one dimensional because of the score."

"My heart is torn out for the seniors. Tyler Palko, H.B. Blades and the guys are doing everything they possibly can. I just wish we were a better team right now that could help those guys. We're playing a lot of young kids and that's where we are at right now with this program. In time, they are going to be good older players."

"We'll regroup tomorrow and we'll coach them as hard as we can coach them and they'll prepare as hard as they can prepare and we'll come out of the gates for Louisville."

Pitt Quarterback Tyler Palko:
"I thought we executed our plan pretty well in the first half. We squandered one series and going into halftime we were pleased with our game plan and we went into the locker room feeling good."

"It's hard to get a team to work as one when things haven't been going well. It's tough to compete, but when you execute and things work out in the end, then it makes it that much more meaningful."

"We came up a little short tonight offensively on some possessions."

"They (West Virginia) mixed things up and they pressure a lot."

Pitt Wide Receiver Derek Kinder:
"Going into the game I thought we were pretty successful against the run and I believe that in the first half we did a really good job and in the second half when we got behind, we weren't able to be as balanced and we had to throw the ball a lot more."

Pitt Linebacker H.B. Blades:
"We shot ourselves in the foot a few times and they made big plays. They're great players (WVU) and if you give them any room, they'll score touchdowns."

"I don't think they ran the ball well in the first half but once they got the lead they just started running time off the clock and sticking to the game plan."

"I said earlier in the week that Pat White is the fastest quarterback in the country and if you give him a crease in the open space and he's going to beat you."

WVU Head Coach Rich Rodriguez
"Our defense played outstanding in the second half."

"Pat White put on quite a performance. He is as good a quarterback as I have seen play. I think he's one of the best quarterbacks in the country."

"Tonight is a good win. I'm proud of our guys. In the second half we played what I like to call West Virginia football. We were calmer in the second half and tried to make some adjustments."

"We always talk about playing hungry. Our guys want to score on every play."

WVU Linebacker Kevin "Boo" Mclee
"We had to come back fighting. I remembered the way I felt after losing to Louisville and I knew that I didn't want to feel that way again, so I decided to go out there and do everything I could to get a win."

"He's a great quarterback (Tyler Palko) but for the most part in the second half we were able to stop him."

"We knew we'd get their best shot. In the second half we had to come out and pick everything up."

WVU Kicker Pat Mcafee
"I have never (kicked a 51-yd field goal) so I was really excited. I was watching the wind and hoping it would still be there."

"We're happy with the win so we're staying positive."

WVU Running back Steve Slaton
"We had some great coaching. There was a lot at stake tonight. It was more of a pride thing than anything.

"It's a blessing (130 yards receiving and 215 yards rushing). Right now we're just really clicking."

"It takes awhile to feel out a team. Tonight it took a little bit longer than usual but we got it done."

WVU Quarterback Pat White
"The offensive line did a great job today. I had time to throw and they did a good job blocking. I do think that this is my best overall performance so far."

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