Oct. 8, 2005
Head Coach Dirk Koetter
On the game:
On playing their safeties deep:
"They played a lot more deep-safety zone than they did in the past. When they got the lead they could dictate the tempo a little bit more. They dropped eight the last quarter of the game. They dropped eight and had a three-man rush and they were still able to get pressure with the three-man rush."
On being forced to throw short passes:
"They were forcing us to nickel and dime it underneath. There's nothing wrong with us doing that, but we couldn't make enough plays. We can move the chains doing that, but we couldn't put two plays back-to-back."
On the bye week:
"It's going to be a tough 14 days. The emotional part of it is rough. We have to get healthy and start getting ready for Stanford. We'll come in here tomorrow and take a look at the tape. We've got to decide what kind of team we're going to be the second half of the season. We've got to start rebuilding our team's confidence and getting this team back on track."
WR Derek Hagan
On the difficulties of the offense:
"It all comes down to execution. We just didn't execute at all on offense tonight. I felt like the defense played a pretty good game. They had some good stops, but when the offense got back on the field we didn't make any plays tonight."
On 's defense tonight:
"They were just playing their basic cover three, not really doing too much. Sam (Keller) wasn't getting blitzed too many times, but like I said, it all comes down to execution. All week in practice we weren't executing, and that's where it all really starts. Once game time comes around we have to be ready to play."
S Zach Catanese
On the team's mental focus:
"The momentum shifted a lot. When the defense stepped up the offense couldn't answer, when the offense was ready the defense let up. Things didn't work out the way we wanted them to. We just have to look forward to Stanford and put this behind us."
DT Jordan Hill
On the loss to Oregon:
" had a great scheme tonight. They came out and executed the things that they need to. They got big plays. It just didn't seem like we could get right back into it. We had opportunities to make big plays, but we got a couple turnovers. We just needed to capitalize on it."
"We prepared for it all week. We knew they were going to come at us in the same type of offense as Northwestern. We just had a couple breakdowns here and there. We have to give credit. They came out here and played hard and they executed their offense and did the things they needed to."
"We've been through situations like this before. We feel like we can come back. We have the team that can do it. We just didn't capitalize on the opportunities we had. Defensively there were plays we should have made. Normally we make those plays. We just didn't make them tonight. I think just from this game we need to put it behind us."
Oregon Head Coach Mike Belotti
"I was very pleased with the heart and character of this football team. We started off by digging ourselves a hole early with our turnovers, penalties and mistakes, but we didn't give up hope. We came out and got the momentum going into the half."
"I felt good about our offense moving the football today and I thought our defense played very well. They dug us into a huge hole early, but they came back out and played a good and courageous football game against a very good offensive team."
"Our ability to run the football was the difference in this game. It opened up a lot for us down the field, certainly. I thought that because of our line and because of some of the things we've been able to do that we would do that tonight. I was very pleased with Terrence Whitehead, as well as all of our tailbacks. When he is healthy, he is one of the best all-around football players in this conference. Kellen Clemens had a great game and Demetrius Williams made plays for us. I have to give credit to the offensive line tonight. They ran the football well against a good defensive team. Our ability to get pressure on the quarterback also made a difference in the game."
QB Kellen Clemens On the play of the defense:"Those guys played hard tonight. They were fun to watch. 's offense is as prolific as ours and our guys just shut them down. I enjoyed watching them tonight."
On the goal line fumble:
"That was frustrating. I should have done a better job of ball security. The end zone was so close; I just tried to do a little too much."
On the magnitude of this win:
"I haven't felt this good after a win in a long time. Our guys showed a lot of character and heart out there tonight. I'm proud of everyone on this football team."
CB Justin Phinisee
On this year compared to last year:
"We are more in control this year than the pervious two years. We are back to the basics this year; just taking it one step at a time. We know we can win the tough games. We just want to focus with keeping our heads on straight."
Anthony Trucks
"Anytime you can get a win on the road in the Pac-10 it's a great feeling. This game shows that we belong. People criticized our play against USC, but today we proved that we belong.This win raises the stakes for the rest of the season.Next week against will be a battle."
Matt Evensen
"The first field goal was a real ice breaker.Getting out there and getting a look at it was a real benefit for me.I hit it with a low trajectory and just got it down too much. Everyone one was supportive on the sidelines telling me not to keep my head down. I knew I would get another chance.I like the pressure and I was glad ASU tried to ice me."