Arizona State Head Coach Herm Edwards
On what impressed him the most in the win:
“Their ability to compete in some adverse situations, I think we talked about it all week, I thought the staff did a really nice job sending that message. I think when you watch the game, it wasn't pretty by any stretch of the imagination, but our ability to just continue to compete was there. Then, you have to give our defense a lot of credit; I think this is a high-power offense and if you can play to the point that we were able to do, that gives you a chance. The times the offense struggled, we kept running the football. Our record is pretty good when we get it over 250, it was a great effort by the players and coaches.”
On Rachaad White’s performance
“He is a dramatic back, he has his game-changing plays obviously, he has very good vision, and is explosive. That is what you saw; he scored three touchdowns against a team like that and some of them were long runs. He had 202 yards rushing. We gave the ball to him a bunch and he did a nice job running with it.”
On keys to stopping the run attack
“We talked about it all week, we felt that they would try to run the ball because they have been running it nicely. They have two big, powerful backs and we wanted to stop them from running, and believe it or not, we did not sack the quarterback but we were able to get around. Our secondary and our linebackers for the most part didn’t give up a bunch of explosive plays. This is what the offense can do, they can make big plays working down the field and that was not the case tonight.”
Grad. defensive back Chase Lucas
On finishing the game
“We needed to finish, we needed to finish in a good way. Our defense played lights out and big props to our linebackers and linemen doing their job to stop the run. I believe the message was to finish the game.”
On how important a win was tonight
“This win was huge for us, I know that I won’t be able to play them (USC) again, and as a team we know that we have more things to finish. It was great to defeat USC. I love this team.”
Redshirt senior running back Rachaad White
On the message to the team toward the end of the game
“I can speak for our offense, we were in this position last year where we didn't quite finish, and we came in with the mindset that we always have to play four quarters. My message to the guys was that we have been here, just keep doing what we we’re doing and have everyone do their job.”
On being able to have three touchdowns and to comeback from injury
“It is a blessing, the team welcomed me back and rallied behind me. They respected my decision last week in not playing, and to come out and do that tonight was amazing. I give credit to all the receivers and my linemen. It was a blessing and I’m really grateful for tonight.”
On the fox
“The fox was funny, he can come back against U of A. We'll need him!”
Senior linebacker Darien Butler
On the sense of urgency at practice
“We were on fire Monday, we got really dialed in offensively and defensively. We’ll keep moving forward and keep trying to get better.”
On tonight’s win against USC
“Every time we play them is special, there’s always a chip on my shoulder when we play them, I love my teammates, I love my coaches and I’m forever a devil.”
Grad. defensive lineman D.J Davidson
On USC rotating quarterbacks:
“I don’t think it really matters since we know we have to do our job, no matter who is in. Both quarterbacks could throw and run a little bit, but the game plan never really changed much.
USC QUOTES
USC Head Coach Donte Williams
Opening statement
“We went out there and played well. When it comes to penalties and certain parts of the game, there were certain parts we didn’t play well. They had more turnovers than us, so we made a couple of plays as far as the turnover game. The biggest problem is that we did not control the line of scrimmage. They ran the ball on us and had big, explosive plays in the run game especially when it came to tackling. At the same time, we weren't able to run the ball in the way we needed to, so one of the biggest things is controlling the line of scrimmage. When you don't go that against a team that has multiple guys that can run the ball, you're going to have issues and we had issues tonight.”
On the quarterback rotation
“I don't feel good anytime when you don't score points. We had a couple of little issues that led to that… credit to them, their defense played really well tonight. There are some things as a whole that we need to continue to clean up... I always say this: we're going to do what we have to do to win the football game. It's not like either one of them lit it up tonight, to say that one is clear cut in front of the other. They both made mistakes just like we all make mistakes... I can't tell you that it's the right decision and I can't tell you that it's the wrong decision. We're going to make sure that we play the best guy, and neither one of them has taken the full range to say that's the guy. Were still trying to look for answers when it comes to that department. We have a lot of guys that are dinged up or hurt, so we’re trying to find the right rotation.”
On the tackling issue
“Sometimes it's one on ones. When we gang tackle and have a lot of guys getting to the ball, it wasn't like every play was a gash. The problem was us stopping them for five or six plays, but the next play was a gash. If you look at it, every time it was a gash, it was a one on one tackle and we didn't make the play and they did. It is something that we have to continue to correct.
USC wide receiver Tajh Washington
On ASU’s defense
“I feel like when we get our chances, we have to capitalize on those opportunities. Those guys made some plays and they studied (film) pretty well.”
USC safety Xavion Alford
On the way the defense performed
“Credit to Arizona State. We just have to make more plays. We were in position and we have to make those plays. We will go back to practice and clean up the little things like tackling and make those one-on-one plays.”
On the second pick
“I had been watching film and in the slot they did a little look route, and once I saw it I trusted my instincts, and trusted my film and preparation and everything we go over at practice and made a play on the ball.”
On what impressed him the most in the win:
“Their ability to compete in some adverse situations, I think we talked about it all week, I thought the staff did a really nice job sending that message. I think when you watch the game, it wasn't pretty by any stretch of the imagination, but our ability to just continue to compete was there. Then, you have to give our defense a lot of credit; I think this is a high-power offense and if you can play to the point that we were able to do, that gives you a chance. The times the offense struggled, we kept running the football. Our record is pretty good when we get it over 250, it was a great effort by the players and coaches.”
On Rachaad White’s performance
“He is a dramatic back, he has his game-changing plays obviously, he has very good vision, and is explosive. That is what you saw; he scored three touchdowns against a team like that and some of them were long runs. He had 202 yards rushing. We gave the ball to him a bunch and he did a nice job running with it.”
On keys to stopping the run attack
“We talked about it all week, we felt that they would try to run the ball because they have been running it nicely. They have two big, powerful backs and we wanted to stop them from running, and believe it or not, we did not sack the quarterback but we were able to get around. Our secondary and our linebackers for the most part didn’t give up a bunch of explosive plays. This is what the offense can do, they can make big plays working down the field and that was not the case tonight.”
Grad. defensive back Chase Lucas
On finishing the game
“We needed to finish, we needed to finish in a good way. Our defense played lights out and big props to our linebackers and linemen doing their job to stop the run. I believe the message was to finish the game.”
On how important a win was tonight
“This win was huge for us, I know that I won’t be able to play them (USC) again, and as a team we know that we have more things to finish. It was great to defeat USC. I love this team.”
Redshirt senior running back Rachaad White
On the message to the team toward the end of the game
“I can speak for our offense, we were in this position last year where we didn't quite finish, and we came in with the mindset that we always have to play four quarters. My message to the guys was that we have been here, just keep doing what we we’re doing and have everyone do their job.”
On being able to have three touchdowns and to comeback from injury
“It is a blessing, the team welcomed me back and rallied behind me. They respected my decision last week in not playing, and to come out and do that tonight was amazing. I give credit to all the receivers and my linemen. It was a blessing and I’m really grateful for tonight.”
On the fox
“The fox was funny, he can come back against U of A. We'll need him!”
Senior linebacker Darien Butler
On the sense of urgency at practice
“We were on fire Monday, we got really dialed in offensively and defensively. We’ll keep moving forward and keep trying to get better.”
On tonight’s win against USC
“Every time we play them is special, there’s always a chip on my shoulder when we play them, I love my teammates, I love my coaches and I’m forever a devil.”
Grad. defensive lineman D.J Davidson
On USC rotating quarterbacks:
“I don’t think it really matters since we know we have to do our job, no matter who is in. Both quarterbacks could throw and run a little bit, but the game plan never really changed much.
USC QUOTES
USC Head Coach Donte Williams
Opening statement
“We went out there and played well. When it comes to penalties and certain parts of the game, there were certain parts we didn’t play well. They had more turnovers than us, so we made a couple of plays as far as the turnover game. The biggest problem is that we did not control the line of scrimmage. They ran the ball on us and had big, explosive plays in the run game especially when it came to tackling. At the same time, we weren't able to run the ball in the way we needed to, so one of the biggest things is controlling the line of scrimmage. When you don't go that against a team that has multiple guys that can run the ball, you're going to have issues and we had issues tonight.”
On the quarterback rotation
“I don't feel good anytime when you don't score points. We had a couple of little issues that led to that… credit to them, their defense played really well tonight. There are some things as a whole that we need to continue to clean up... I always say this: we're going to do what we have to do to win the football game. It's not like either one of them lit it up tonight, to say that one is clear cut in front of the other. They both made mistakes just like we all make mistakes... I can't tell you that it's the right decision and I can't tell you that it's the wrong decision. We're going to make sure that we play the best guy, and neither one of them has taken the full range to say that's the guy. Were still trying to look for answers when it comes to that department. We have a lot of guys that are dinged up or hurt, so we’re trying to find the right rotation.”
On the tackling issue
“Sometimes it's one on ones. When we gang tackle and have a lot of guys getting to the ball, it wasn't like every play was a gash. The problem was us stopping them for five or six plays, but the next play was a gash. If you look at it, every time it was a gash, it was a one on one tackle and we didn't make the play and they did. It is something that we have to continue to correct.
USC wide receiver Tajh Washington
On ASU’s defense
“I feel like when we get our chances, we have to capitalize on those opportunities. Those guys made some plays and they studied (film) pretty well.”
USC safety Xavion Alford
On the way the defense performed
“Credit to Arizona State. We just have to make more plays. We were in position and we have to make those plays. We will go back to practice and clean up the little things like tackling and make those one-on-one plays.”
On the second pick
“I had been watching film and in the slot they did a little look route, and once I saw it I trusted my instincts, and trusted my film and preparation and everything we go over at practice and made a play on the ball.”