Sept. 30, 2000
Stanford Quotes
Head Coach Tyrone Willingham
This afternoon, we made far too many mistakes to beat a good football team. Coming in, we knew Arizona would be a good football team. They had some weapons that were very hard to deal with and Arizona did a nice job this afternoon.
There are really two things. We talked about the first one - making mistakes - and the other is field position. When you put a team on a short field, eventually something good will happen. We were not able to stop them enough times in the first half. Eventually, bad things happen when you give up the ball and field position.
We didn't execute well, and when you don't execute well against good, crisp defensive teams, you put yourself behind.
We did not do the things offensively that we needed to do. We did not take charge of the running game or the passing game. Those are the things we needed to do, and when you don't do that, then you do put it all on your quarterback. He has to complete more passes than you'd like him to, and it really makes it difficult.
There were probably a number of mistakes. One of the things we talked about was that it would be ugly at times. It would not be pretty against this defensive team. We were not as successful as we thought we might be.
On Randy Fasani
We have to be awfully careful when we talk about when Randy will be back. We'll do the things we've always done. We've always been very patient, and we'll wait until we have the right information before we make our decision.
One week you're up, one week you're down. When you turn the ball over, bad things happen. When you turn the ball over as many times as we did, your chances of winning are awfully slim.
As a team we didn't play a complete game. We had a few too many turnovers, and defensively, we need to be able to step up in certain situations and make a big play. Arizona was able to run around, get the ball and create the plays.
We were in position to make plays and we didn't make the plays. Our defense is going to have to come together like we did against Texas and focus on the game against Notre Dame now.
I obviously didn't play up to my capabilities. I should have made a lot more throws. I should have stepped up in the pocket a lot more. The line played great. They threw a lot of stuff at me and they did a good job of picking it up. I have to come through for us. I'm young and I know they're going to bring a lot at me. I just look forward to getting back to practice and working on the little things - staying calm, keeping my composure and making the throws I need to make.
This wasn't really much different than the Texas game. Randy only had like two series, then I went in, so that wasn't a problem. I played basically a full game (versus Texas). But, you have to bring it every game. You have to be mentally sharp and get the job done.
Obviously, consistency is the number one thing to improve on. Right now, I just have to get better. That wasn't me out there, that wasn't us out there. Obviously, we're a much better team than that.
It's a different feeling. It's a different attitude knowing that you're starting. I'm not going to blame this entirely on myself, but obviously I've got to step up.
They threw a different scheme at us. They had some loose guys, and we just have to expect that that might happen. I made too many bad throws, and I'm going to have to step it up next week.
I had some good stuff, and I had some bad stuff. I'll take a good look at the film and see what I really need to improve on, but I'll be ready for next week."
Arizona Quotes
Head Coach Dick Tomey
I'll start with the fact that Coach Dickey (Asst. Head Coach/Offensive Line), Reggie Sampay and Marques McFadden get game balls, becauase I've never seen anybody do a better job of preparing a group under such duress as Coach Dickey did. There were times during the week when Marques was down, Bruce was down, Stephens was out. He's got 60 percent of his starting line, including a starting center that had never played, playing against Willie Howard and all those guys, and they just did a fabulous job. It was a superb job - it shows so much courage and determination. It just makes you feel good to know that the stuff you believe in about character and all those things still win out.
The defense did a great job and they got the turnovers, but the story of the game was the offensive front. The offensive front was totally decimated, but we had a bunch of guys that stepped up and gave a yeoman's effort.
On Defense
The defense did a great job - they needed to do a great job today with a freshman quarterback. But, as someone said, "you were playing against a freshman quarterback, when O.J. was a freshman, they went up against a freshman quarterback too."
Next week will be our midterm exam on defense, because we're going to face a team (USC) that just has weapons everywhere.
On opening Pac-10 play with a win
To be able to start the league season on the road with a victory against the defending champions - I don't think it gets much better.
On playing on the road
We've been on the road twice, we've played well on the road. Obviously, there are things we need to do better. It's not the fact that you're on the road, it's who you play. It's the team that you beat, not the road.
On rushing offense
We showed we could run. Against Texas, I think their longest run in the second half was two yards. That's a tremendous job by the offensive line and the running backs of making things happen. Clarence Farmer did a great job - he just needs to get in better shape. He'll get in better shape next week and so on and so forth, but right now he's not capable of carrying the ball more than that.
Joe Tafoya
Anytime you win a Pac-10 game, it's great. But, defeating the defending Pac-10 champions on their home field, being a big-time underdog, its a serious boost for our team.
On sack and fumble return
Me and (Idris) Haroon had been dreaming about doing something like that for four years, and it finally gets to happen. They missed a block, and I just came around the end and nobody touched me.
On holding the oppostion without a TD in three of first four games
I wish it was four. It seriously is a pride thing. They started at the 1-yard line and started driving on us. We all got in a big huddle and told each other there was no way they were getting into our end zone.
On contributions of younger players
It's good to know that some of the younger guys are going to be able to step up and play for us. We had Reggie Sampay, who had never played before, and he stepped up big time at center. We had some guys that were hurt, and they stepped up and played hurt. It's really encouraging to know that we're going to be a good team no matter who is in.
Clarence Farmer
On first collegiate 100-yard rushing game
It feels great. I've been out there working hard, and it all payed off in the game.
The whole key to running the ball and gaining the yards that I got was my O-line and my fullback blocking in front of me. I didn't do anything - all I did was run hard, all they did was block. The key point to making yards is blocking, and that's what they did. The O-line gave me the yards, I give them the credit. They deserve all the credit.
Our goal was to come out here and win and make a statement. We came out here, we played hard and we came out victorious, and that was our whole goal.
Just to look out at our defense and watching them stuff the other team and sack the quarterback, that is the greatest feeling you can have. That gives you the confidence as an offense. We (offense) may not be clicking and running full throttle right now, but our defense is out there stopping people. That gives us the inspiration and power to go forth and play.
Ortege Jenkins
We came out and the defense played well, as usual as they've been playing. The offense stepped up a little bit and put some points on the board in the first half. We just keep doing our thing, and it feels good that we can come out here and make things happen like that.
On progress of offense
Our offense is close, it's getting there. I think each game we've gotten better, and any time you can do that, you're improving and that's good. That's the main objective - to get better, and that's what we're trying to do.
On play of the running backs and O-line
We need big plays from everybody. All of our running backs played well - Mills, Croom and Clarence, they all played exceptionally well. Our offensive line had two starters out, but they came and stepped up and played. Any time you have your teammates coming out and playing hard like that, you have a good chance to win.
On defensive excellence
It's good - it gives us a lot of chances. As our offense grows, it will give us a chance to be more productive and put more points on the board. As long as our defense keeps playing as well as they do, we have to take advantage of those opportunities.
On key to offense reaching potential
No turnovers and keep moving the ball. We have to be a balanced offense - if we can be a balanced offense, we'll be fine.