Head Coach Mike Riley
On the team's overall performance:
"I thought we did a great job. Washington's young quarterback made a lot
of big plays. We didn't play the deep ball very well and they took advantage
of it. I thought nothing we did on offense was easy. We got some yards and made
some big plays but I thought (Washington's) defense was pretty stubborn and
they did a pretty darn nice job."
On the goal line stand:
"I thought it was just a lot of pride right there. We could have probably
thought that the game was in hand and not done it but the guys wanted to. I
think the guys were disappointed they let Washington down there and they took
every shot at them and did a nice job."
On five straight wins over Washington:
"All we look at is year to year and that's the most important thing but
turning some of those old streaks into new streaks isn't bad either. If we can
continue to do that it would be great."
On getting a big road victory:
"It was really good to win. If you want to have a good season, you have
to win games on the road somewhere so to come up here and do that right now
and right past the midway point of the year when you really have to start establishing
your identity and who you're going to be is big. Washington played very hard
and played well. They made a lot of big plays. Their quarterback played well
and their receivers made a lot of big plays. Offensively, nothing we did came
easy. We got some big plays but guys made those big plays. It was very competitive
and (Washington) played hard until the end."
On whether getting James Rodgers more involved was in the game plan:
"It's always all part of the game plan. It's a matter of what goes and
I think it's really important that James' part of the offense and the receivers'
part of the offense in general complements what we do with the running game.
We knew going in, Washington would try to do what they could to slow down (Jacquizz
Rogers). That would appear to me to be a pretty good formula if you want to
beat the Beavers. We had to have some other stuff going and we did and that
was good."
On how big this win is:
"Right now you just have to win. You're starting to go down that stretch
where the teams that do well now are going to have good identities near the
end and are going to feel good about their seasons. So, consistency and competiveness
and production right now are really, really big and will determine who you are
as you finish."
On team's identity:
"I think the main thing is I'm feeling good about the confidence. Confidence
is very important for growth and as long as that confidence doesn't taper over
into being complacent or being cocky, then you've got it going. I don't think
our team will do that. I'm pretty trusting of how they'll react. I like the
confidence and I like the fact that we're finding out what guys can do and how
we can balance things out. There are certainly things we have to improve upon.
We gave up way too many big plays and defensively that's kind of uncharacteristic
for us but I think we have a pretty good feeling about what we can accomplish."
Safety Al Aflava
On his hit on Terrance Dailey:
"I saw the ball but I couldn't get to it. I saw the receiver,
and I had to lay the hit, so that's what happened."
On the team's defensive performance:
"We did well up front, but we gave up a couple of big plays in the secondary.
We've got a bye week to get that straight and get everybody ready. We have some
guys that have been playing hurt, and we have this week to heal up and get ready
for Arizona State."
On the goal line stand in the 4th quarter:
"When they got to the goal line we had to remind everybody about the Cal
goal line stand; that motivated everybody. Then we did it again."
On giving up big passing plays:
"Frustrating. He was just throwing the ball up, and I guess we misjudged
the ball and their receivers found the ball.”
Quarterback Lyle Moevao
On when both Rodgers' are in the backfield:
"It's always exciting seeing those two--that's probably the smallest backfield
you'll see in college football. But they're really explosive, that's the thing.
You know, one of the Rodgers brothers is bound to get it, so I'm happy about
that."
On his passing accuracy (18-22):
"I knew I had to have a better game than last week. Last week was something
that I don't ever want to repeat ever again, so I had to come out strong this
game and have a strong performance, and I felt I did that. I took what the defense
gave us. I make the final decision where the ball goes, and I knew I couldn’t
be greedy. That’s one of the things I did last week, trying to take more
than they were giving us.”
On if the monkey is off the back after finally winning on the road:
"Definitely--especially coming into an environment like this. Washington,
they might not have the best record in the Pac 10, but you know playing up here
when they're at home after a bye week, it's dangerous. We knew we had to come
out strong and keep that up all game."
On Quon's play:
“There was something about James today. He was feeling it. He was able
to get those open-field runs.”
On James' 55-yard run:
"We call the play the ‘flip alert.’ Either we flip it to James
or give it to Quiz. One of the Rodgers brothers is going to get it, so I’m
always happy about it.
Wide Receiver James Rodgers
On how it felt being the focus of the offense:
"I didn't feel like that at all, I was just making plays whenever
I got the chance to."
On the offense's success:
"It felt good. We had great blocking up front, Lyle [Moevao] controlling
the offense, and the receivers doing what they do best."
On if he was tired of everyone talking about his brother (joking):
"No, that's my brother. It never crosses my mind when people are talking
about my brother."
Defensive end Slade Norris
On the Rodgers brothers:
"They are just such an amazing tandem. That one play when they fake the
handoff to Quizz; they're just amazing players."
On the win:
“We’re starting to call it our own home stadium. The Huskies played
their hearts out. They’re a good team. They’ve had some tough breaks.
They’re going to get some wins this season. Getting that first road win
gets the monkey off our back. Now we can focus on the rest of the season and
just winning. We finish seasons strong and that’s what we’re going
to do.”
On intercepting the UW QB three times - “We knew coming
into the game we had to get into his face and make him uncomfortable, which
every game plan is. We couldn’t get the sacks because he was getting the
ball off quickly, kind of throwing it up, but I think he will feel us in the
morning.”
Running back Jacquizz Rodgers
On his brother's play:
"It was an awesome game. He’s a great player. He can do good every
time, too. It shows you he's a very good player. Everyone's been saying I'm
getting the spotlight, but that just shows you."
Wide receiver James Rodgers
On his play:
"I didn’t really feel like it was (my day) at all. I was just making
plays whenever I got the chance to. It felt good. I got some great blocking
by the receivers downfield. That’s how I made it happen.”