University of California, Los Angeles, Athletics
Postgame Quotes - UCLA vs. #10 Washington
POSTGAME QUOTES
Washington 31, UCLA 24
Pasadena, Calif. (Rose Bowl)
October 6, 2018
ย
UCLA Head Coach Chip Kelly
ON RUNNING THE BALL MORE IN THE SECOND HALF
โWe were just trying to figure out what we could do to move. [Washington] is the No. 1 defense in the country, you just have to keep poking and figure out what works. You canโt just be one-dimensional. We have to be somewhat balanced so [that] we can run the ball and throw the ball. I thought our guys did a good job, especially with the way they competed to start the second half. We had the 12-play drive and then the 17-play drive. We just [came up] a little too short.โ
ย
ON IMPACT OF OFFENSIVE LINE & JOSHUA KELLEYย
โI think itโs a combination of everybody. I think our tight ends were involved in that. I think our receivers did a really good job. Obviously Joshua [Kelley] is getting more comfortable the more he plays.โ
ย
ON IMPROVEMENT OF DORIAN THOMPSON-ROBINSON
โI think Dorian [Thompson-Robinson] has gotten better every week. Thatโs what I love about him. You canโt manufacture every situation heโs going to be in. I think every time heโs in something, he learns from it. Heโs a lot of fun to coach. He sees things. The more experience, the better heโs going to be. But I think each week heโs gotten better.โ
ย
ON CATEGORIZING THE OUTCOME OF THE GAME
โI donโt categorize. At the end of the day, youโre judged by winning and losing. There are positives in every game. Weโre very analytical in terms of what weโre looking for. There are certain things we did better, and we need to build upon those. And there are other things that we need to clean up.โ
ย
ON PROGRESS IN UCLAโS OVERALL PERFROMANCE
โThatโs what you hope for every week. We have another big challenge next week [at California]. I know winning on the road is very difficult.โ
ย
ON PENALTIES THAT EXTENDED WASHINGTON DRIVES
โI think the penalties that extended the first down, we came back from. Those werenโt the things that ended the drives, but itโs good to see that we could overcome them. Not only is it the penalty, but youโre response after the penalty. We had the one roughing the passer penalty that extended the drive, and [Washington] scored on it, but that penalty didnโt give them the touchdown. We still need to bear down after those situations. You canโt give [Washington quarterback] Jake Browning 15 extra yards. I know heโs the all-time leading passer in Washington history, and there have been some really good quarterbacks [at Washington]. You canโt give him extra snaps, and thatโs what we did in the first half. We were down, and we got a chance to get back into the game, but I think we gave them too much in the first half.โ
ย
ON CONSISTENCY OF JOSHUA KELLEY
โI think [his improvement] is a great example of Joshua [Kelley] and his positive attitude. He didnโt sulk and pout when he didnโt play much against Fresno [State]. He just went to work and continues to [improve]. He was the best player in training sessions in getting ready to play Washington this week and showed it in this game. Hopefully he continues to build and understands the time he has invested.โ
ย
ON PLAY OF CALEB WILSON
โI think some of the things [Washington] does coverage-wise allows you to work the middle of the field. That was the plan for us going into the game. I think [Demetric] Felton did the same thing. Some of the plays we got were because we were working the middle of the field. But I was really happy with how Caleb [Wilson] played tonight.โ
ย
ON TONIGHTโS PERFORMANCE BEING TURNING POINT FOR TEAM
โYou have to win. Weโre not into moral victories. We donโt go in and high-five each other and say โthat was close.โ Thereโs a winner and a loser. If you win, youโre excited for about six hours. If you lose, youโre not excited. We all have to come back tomorrow morning, and no matter what happened, our focus is on California.โ
ย
UCLA Defensive Lineman Osa Odighizuwa
โI think it was a huge step up. Shout out to the offense; they did their job, they extended plays. Itโs just tightening up the little things and making sure our execution is proper. Our effort was never a question, it was just our execution, and it will continue to improve.โ
UCLA Linebacker Krys Barnes
ย โThe offense was doing great moving the ball. The defense was flying around today. Whatever we do on defense weโve got to do it well - fly around and make tackles. Once we figure out all three phases weโre going to be good.โ
ON PRACTICING AGAINST JOSHUA KELLEY EVERY DAY
โSince the first day he got here, he has been great. He falls forward and runs hard. He gives his best effort; every day he goes 110%. What he does on practice shows up on gameday.โ
ON WATCHING UCLAโs OFFENSE SUSTAIN DRIVES
โIt was good to see. It was good to see them thrive. Whatever they are doing, we are going to be behind them. I was happy today that they got stuff done. We are starting to come together.โ
UCLA Running Back Joshua Kelley
ON THE TEAMโS IMPROVED RUSHING ATTACK
โIt doesnโt mean that much since we are not winning. ย I want to give a shout out to the offensive line. They blocked hard. I appreciate them each and every day.โ
ON WHAT HAS CLICKED FOR HIM
ย โI think itโs just me trusting my coaching and reads.ย The offensive line has been great all year. Iโve just got to execute and practice better.ย I have to do the little things right. Coach Foster has spent a lot of time with me and has really helped me improve.โ
UCLA Tight End Caleb Wilson
ON GAINING MOMENTUM ON THIRD DOWNS
โI saw a lot of improvement. Guys made the plays when their number was called. It means stepping up and making the plays.โ
ON THE BALL CONTROL BY THE OFFENSE
โI think we trusted Josh [Kelley] and some of the running backs and just gave them the rock. Those are the long drives we need throughout the season to hold the ball and keep our defense off the field. That is what we need for the rest of the season.ย Being able to run it and pass it against one of the best defenses boosts our confidence.โ
UCLA Quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson
ON WHAT IS STARTING TO CLICK FOR HIM
ย โIโm trusting in my O-Line more. The guards have given me more time and I feel comfortable back there. Having a good week of practice and sticking to the game plan has helped.โ
On the excitement level of possibly winning this game
ย โI think it was very close. I think it was an onside away from us being right back in it and potentially winning the game. We know we are close to getting over hump.โ
On Joshua Kelleyโs personality
โHe is the most energetic most positive guy on the team. He is always bringing that energy all the time.ย Energy is a choice and he definitely brings that so itโs fun.โ
On confidence he feels from Coach Kelly
โWhen coach believes in you itโs a major confidence booster.ย The quarterback coach believes in me and the team believes in me so I really feel that.โ
ย
Washington Head Coach Chris Peterson
On Washingtonโs defensive performance in the second half
โI think this a great game to put on and say, โWe can play betterโ. I think we played hard, we made plays when we needed to but I think we can play cleaner. So this is a good tape to put on.โ
On UCLAโs record and how they performed better than a 0-4 team is expected
โWeโve been saying it all week. We know the kids they have on their team. We watched a lot of them and recruited some of them, and Iโm so glad we got out of this one. Now we can go home and do better.โ
On what UCLAโs offense did to cause problems for Washingtonโs defense
โFrom what I could see on the sidelines, it was nothing that they didnโt show on tape. We blitzed them and he got the ball out of his hands quickly. They kind of dinked & dunked, then hit us a little bit down field, mixed that up. They got third & short and went under center and came up with first downs. They did a nice job of running the clock, hanging on to it and shortening the game up as they got back into it. When you get the ball one time in a quarter and donโt do anything with it, thatโs not a good feeling.โ
On what made the quarterback sneak calls so successful
โWell I think we learned a hard lesson early in the year. We got stopped on fourth down and that should have never happened. So we actually worked on it quite a bit and those guys take great pride trying to move guys in front of them and get the inches to move the sticks.โ
On how many times Jake Browning ran the ball for first downs
โThatโs his game, I say it every week. As long as heโs move up in the pocket and keeping his eyes downfield, we want him to run. Heโs got a good feel for it. Heโs slippery and heโs crafty when he runs, and we really want that to be a part of his game.โ
On the opportunities both his running backs were given to help advance the ball throughout the game
โWeโve been saying this. Miles [Gaskin] is getting a lot of the carries but Sean [McGrew] and Salvon [Ahmed], those guys are good players. Their time will come. Itโs a tough position those guys play and when they have to step up, they do. Sean [McGrew] didnโt miss a beat, he has really good vision, heโs slippery and itโs hard to tackle him. He does a really nice job. We do a nice job of rotating those guys, but Miles [Gaskin] had a lot carries. Heโs tough sweating out there and heโs the best option so far.โ
ย
Washington 31, UCLA 24
Pasadena, Calif. (Rose Bowl)
October 6, 2018
ย
UCLA Head Coach Chip Kelly
ON RUNNING THE BALL MORE IN THE SECOND HALF
โWe were just trying to figure out what we could do to move. [Washington] is the No. 1 defense in the country, you just have to keep poking and figure out what works. You canโt just be one-dimensional. We have to be somewhat balanced so [that] we can run the ball and throw the ball. I thought our guys did a good job, especially with the way they competed to start the second half. We had the 12-play drive and then the 17-play drive. We just [came up] a little too short.โ
ย
ON IMPACT OF OFFENSIVE LINE & JOSHUA KELLEYย
โI think itโs a combination of everybody. I think our tight ends were involved in that. I think our receivers did a really good job. Obviously Joshua [Kelley] is getting more comfortable the more he plays.โ
ย
ON IMPROVEMENT OF DORIAN THOMPSON-ROBINSON
โI think Dorian [Thompson-Robinson] has gotten better every week. Thatโs what I love about him. You canโt manufacture every situation heโs going to be in. I think every time heโs in something, he learns from it. Heโs a lot of fun to coach. He sees things. The more experience, the better heโs going to be. But I think each week heโs gotten better.โ
ย
ON CATEGORIZING THE OUTCOME OF THE GAME
โI donโt categorize. At the end of the day, youโre judged by winning and losing. There are positives in every game. Weโre very analytical in terms of what weโre looking for. There are certain things we did better, and we need to build upon those. And there are other things that we need to clean up.โ
ย
ON PROGRESS IN UCLAโS OVERALL PERFROMANCE
โThatโs what you hope for every week. We have another big challenge next week [at California]. I know winning on the road is very difficult.โ
ย
ON PENALTIES THAT EXTENDED WASHINGTON DRIVES
โI think the penalties that extended the first down, we came back from. Those werenโt the things that ended the drives, but itโs good to see that we could overcome them. Not only is it the penalty, but youโre response after the penalty. We had the one roughing the passer penalty that extended the drive, and [Washington] scored on it, but that penalty didnโt give them the touchdown. We still need to bear down after those situations. You canโt give [Washington quarterback] Jake Browning 15 extra yards. I know heโs the all-time leading passer in Washington history, and there have been some really good quarterbacks [at Washington]. You canโt give him extra snaps, and thatโs what we did in the first half. We were down, and we got a chance to get back into the game, but I think we gave them too much in the first half.โ
ย
ON CONSISTENCY OF JOSHUA KELLEY
โI think [his improvement] is a great example of Joshua [Kelley] and his positive attitude. He didnโt sulk and pout when he didnโt play much against Fresno [State]. He just went to work and continues to [improve]. He was the best player in training sessions in getting ready to play Washington this week and showed it in this game. Hopefully he continues to build and understands the time he has invested.โ
ย
ON PLAY OF CALEB WILSON
โI think some of the things [Washington] does coverage-wise allows you to work the middle of the field. That was the plan for us going into the game. I think [Demetric] Felton did the same thing. Some of the plays we got were because we were working the middle of the field. But I was really happy with how Caleb [Wilson] played tonight.โ
ย
ON TONIGHTโS PERFORMANCE BEING TURNING POINT FOR TEAM
โYou have to win. Weโre not into moral victories. We donโt go in and high-five each other and say โthat was close.โ Thereโs a winner and a loser. If you win, youโre excited for about six hours. If you lose, youโre not excited. We all have to come back tomorrow morning, and no matter what happened, our focus is on California.โ
ย
UCLA Defensive Lineman Osa Odighizuwa
โI think it was a huge step up. Shout out to the offense; they did their job, they extended plays. Itโs just tightening up the little things and making sure our execution is proper. Our effort was never a question, it was just our execution, and it will continue to improve.โ
UCLA Linebacker Krys Barnes
ย โThe offense was doing great moving the ball. The defense was flying around today. Whatever we do on defense weโve got to do it well - fly around and make tackles. Once we figure out all three phases weโre going to be good.โ
ON PRACTICING AGAINST JOSHUA KELLEY EVERY DAY
โSince the first day he got here, he has been great. He falls forward and runs hard. He gives his best effort; every day he goes 110%. What he does on practice shows up on gameday.โ
ON WATCHING UCLAโs OFFENSE SUSTAIN DRIVES
โIt was good to see. It was good to see them thrive. Whatever they are doing, we are going to be behind them. I was happy today that they got stuff done. We are starting to come together.โ
UCLA Running Back Joshua Kelley
ON THE TEAMโS IMPROVED RUSHING ATTACK
โIt doesnโt mean that much since we are not winning. ย I want to give a shout out to the offensive line. They blocked hard. I appreciate them each and every day.โ
ON WHAT HAS CLICKED FOR HIM
ย โI think itโs just me trusting my coaching and reads.ย The offensive line has been great all year. Iโve just got to execute and practice better.ย I have to do the little things right. Coach Foster has spent a lot of time with me and has really helped me improve.โ
UCLA Tight End Caleb Wilson
ON GAINING MOMENTUM ON THIRD DOWNS
โI saw a lot of improvement. Guys made the plays when their number was called. It means stepping up and making the plays.โ
ON THE BALL CONTROL BY THE OFFENSE
โI think we trusted Josh [Kelley] and some of the running backs and just gave them the rock. Those are the long drives we need throughout the season to hold the ball and keep our defense off the field. That is what we need for the rest of the season.ย Being able to run it and pass it against one of the best defenses boosts our confidence.โ
UCLA Quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson
ON WHAT IS STARTING TO CLICK FOR HIM
ย โIโm trusting in my O-Line more. The guards have given me more time and I feel comfortable back there. Having a good week of practice and sticking to the game plan has helped.โ
On the excitement level of possibly winning this game
ย โI think it was very close. I think it was an onside away from us being right back in it and potentially winning the game. We know we are close to getting over hump.โ
On Joshua Kelleyโs personality
โHe is the most energetic most positive guy on the team. He is always bringing that energy all the time.ย Energy is a choice and he definitely brings that so itโs fun.โ
On confidence he feels from Coach Kelly
โWhen coach believes in you itโs a major confidence booster.ย The quarterback coach believes in me and the team believes in me so I really feel that.โ
ย
Washington Head Coach Chris Peterson
On Washingtonโs defensive performance in the second half
โI think this a great game to put on and say, โWe can play betterโ. I think we played hard, we made plays when we needed to but I think we can play cleaner. So this is a good tape to put on.โ
On UCLAโs record and how they performed better than a 0-4 team is expected
โWeโve been saying it all week. We know the kids they have on their team. We watched a lot of them and recruited some of them, and Iโm so glad we got out of this one. Now we can go home and do better.โ
On what UCLAโs offense did to cause problems for Washingtonโs defense
โFrom what I could see on the sidelines, it was nothing that they didnโt show on tape. We blitzed them and he got the ball out of his hands quickly. They kind of dinked & dunked, then hit us a little bit down field, mixed that up. They got third & short and went under center and came up with first downs. They did a nice job of running the clock, hanging on to it and shortening the game up as they got back into it. When you get the ball one time in a quarter and donโt do anything with it, thatโs not a good feeling.โ
On what made the quarterback sneak calls so successful
โWell I think we learned a hard lesson early in the year. We got stopped on fourth down and that should have never happened. So we actually worked on it quite a bit and those guys take great pride trying to move guys in front of them and get the inches to move the sticks.โ
On how many times Jake Browning ran the ball for first downs
โThatโs his game, I say it every week. As long as heโs move up in the pocket and keeping his eyes downfield, we want him to run. Heโs got a good feel for it. Heโs slippery and heโs crafty when he runs, and we really want that to be a part of his game.โ
On the opportunities both his running backs were given to help advance the ball throughout the game
โWeโve been saying this. Miles [Gaskin] is getting a lot of the carries but Sean [McGrew] and Salvon [Ahmed], those guys are good players. Their time will come. Itโs a tough position those guys play and when they have to step up, they do. Sean [McGrew] didnโt miss a beat, he has really good vision, heโs slippery and itโs hard to tackle him. He does a really nice job. We do a nice job of rotating those guys, but Miles [Gaskin] had a lot carries. Heโs tough sweating out there and heโs the best option so far.โ
ย