UCLA vs. Stanford Postgame Quotes
November 29, 2014 | Football
Opening statement
Obviously, it goes without saying that was just a disappointing loss. I feel especially bad for our seniors who haven't beaten (Stanford). There is really not much more to say. We struggled to get off the field on defense and we struggled to sustain anything on offense. (Stanford's) is a really good football team. We have to figure out a way to close the gap.
On how Stanford gives UCLA so much trouble
This is the worst they have beaten us in the four games we have played them. They are just big and physical. I thought we had closed the gap, but we still have work to do. We will continue to do that, we will continue to work hard on getting bigger and faster and stronger and more physical in recruiting the type of athletes that we think can help us win those types of games. That's what we have to do.
On possible letdown after last week's USC win
I don't think so. We had an amazing week of practice. We came out and got them off the field on defense. We scored on offense. Those aren't indications of a hangover to me.
Stanford head coach David Shaw
Opening statement
“First of all, this was a great team victory. UCLA really came out firing on both sides of the ball and our guys took one on the chin early on; we had to regroup ourselves. Credit goes to the coaches, and a lot of credit goes to the seniors as well, for settling everybody down and allowing us to come back and play our best football in all three phases. It wasn't perfect, especially early on, but then we got into a groove offensively, running it and throwing it. We got into a groove defensively; staying on the attack with some pressure, but also playing some coverage. I thought up front we played extremely well. Coverage wise, we kept them in front of us; the guys played extremely hard and we were proud of how well we played. Forget about what's happened in the past, this game was indicative of how we want to play. Hopefully we will carry this on into the bowl game.”
On if this is the kind of game he was looking for all season
“Absolutely, this is the kind of game that we are capable of. We are not looking back. Hopefully lessons have been learned from the past by the coaches and players, but we're looking forward and this is a great team win by our guys. We have one more game to play and I can't wait to play it.”
On the defensive performance
“Defense wins. Our guys, up front in particular against the running game, we made [UCLA] earn every yard. There were no cheap yards in there. [UCLA's] offensive line did play well during the course of the game, but once the score gets to a point where they can't just continue to run the ball, we put them in more passing situations and our guys did a great job pressuring the quarterback and in coverage.”
