Postgame Quotes
January 03, 2010 | Football
Jan. 3, 2010
Recap | Final Stats | AP Photo Gallery 
Quarterback Steven Sheffield:
Opening Statement:
Why is everyone always so serious in here all the time? Why is that? I'm not going to be that serious. I don't want to answer any questions about Coach Leach and Adam James. We can talk about the game.
On going for it on the two fourth down plays in the fourth quarter:
We executed them and I'm glad we went for it. There was kind of a debate on the second one about whether we would go for a field goal or go for it. We're close so we might as well go for it.
On how he felt to get on the field in the game:
I was excited. I've been excited to redeem myself since Oklahoma State. I played a horrible game but my foot has been getting better. I've wanted to be on the field since day one. Things have been going so well. The practices have been good and me and Potts are both throwing well. In my mind I wanted to start and I wanted to play every down but I was excited to go in.
On whether he expected to play:
Lincoln Riley came up to me and asked me to warm up. I was (a little caught off guard) but I'm glad he came up to me. We needed to win and I was trying to win. It's fun when you get to win. You can go in there and over think things or hesitate or you can go in and know you're going to win and just win.
On overcoming adversity:
I was telling a lot of guys on the field that we had a lot of adversity all week and we talked about overcoming it. This whole week wasn't really about the team. We're were on the news here and the news here and this and that so I think it was real special for the team to come together and the coaches to come together. Especially Coach Ruff (McNeill) steeping in for the head job and getting this win. I'm proud of everyone.
On how he felt to provide a spark to the offense:
Not starting the game (it felt good) coming in and getting my team a spark. Whatever it takes to get a win.
Running Back Barron Batch:
On how the team feels about Interim Head Coach Ruffin McNeill:
Speaking for everyone we all want Coach Ruff to be the next head coach. That was kind of us just showing that. There's no divisiveness amongst the team or players or anything for that matter. We fully support Coach Ruff and we're ready to run through a brick wall for him.
On what he would say to Coach Leach is he spoke to him:
I think the best thing for Tech and for Tech fans right now is just to move on. I looked up in the stands and I saw `Team Leach' and `Bring Back Leach' (signs) and Leach ain't coming back. That's how it is. We got what we got. We got the coaches we've got. We got the players we've got. The best thing right now is to move on and understand we're still a very good football team with good players and good coaches.
Acting Offensive Coordinator Lincoln Riley
On Taylor Potts' performance in the Valero Alamo Bowl:
Potts played well. The biggest things about make that decision at the end of the game was going back to Oklahoma State and after we looked at that film we saw that he didn't play and the guys around him did not play as well. Sometimes in this offense because we've got so much on the quarterback, if it's not working you immediately want to say it's the quarterback and that wasn't the case there. He moved the ball well and got us going early. That first touchdown was a real momentum boost. He got dinged up a little but. It was a call that wasn't definitive about whether or not he could play but I went with my guy on it. Part of that had to do with him (Potts) and part of it was that this guy right here (Sheffield) has ice water in his veins. I knew putting him in a pressure situation that he'd get it done. Both touchdown drives and the fourth downs were big.
On whether he was nervous in the game:
I felt good. I was a little nervous going in but after that first play I was ready to roll. It was the longest day ever with that 8 o' clock kick. But the players made it easy for me. They're the ones that executed. I think our tempo really bothered them. You saw their guys cramping up, especially their (defensive) line. You saw them leaning over with their hands on their hips. We talked all week about playing fast and our big guys up front played well, they dominated the football game from beginning to end.
On why he pulled Potts for Sheffield:
I wasn't as much for the spark but it happened that way. But I wouldn't have pulled him (Potts) if not for the injury. It was nothing to serious but something enough that I thought it might hurt his performance.
On how satisfying it was to see Potts play well:
It's good because he's had a lot of doubters. This goes back to how we play as an offense. We talk about problems when we're still in the Top 10 in the country in offense. Some of the problems we've had this year, stuff has been put on them maybe in the media and by people who do not what we do offensively. It hasn't all been him so it's good to see him do well. I told him after the game he deserves that MVP award.
On the conversation that led to Tech going for a first down on fourth-and-14:
We communicated with Ruff. He was going to make the decision. That had already been decided coming into the game. He asked me if I had something that we liked and if I felt good about it and I said `yes, if it's up to me I want to go for it' and he did too. You could see it in his eyes. He wanted to go for it just like everybody on our team.
On the uncertainty going forward as a program:
It's tough. We've got to control what we can control. We needed to come out and play well tonight and we did that. We beat a good football team out there. If you can name another situation where another university handled adversity in that short of a time, I'd love to hear. We came through. We proved this team in capable hands. It was tonight and hopefully it will be in the future.
Offensive Lineman Brandon Carter
On the emotion of the team this week:
It was difficult just because of the situation and we had no idea we were going to be faced with this. We arrived at the hotel and 30 minutes before our meeting we were made aware of the situation. I think the team did great looking past. Even in that practice every one was like let's move on and let's go practice. I think the coaches did a great job of keeping our focus on the game and not in the media and the distractions. We all came together as a family and pushed through.
Cornerback Jamar Wall
On who he would like to be the next head coach:
I'd like Ruff to be the coach for everyone's sake. New coaches mean you have to bring in new staff and everything changes. A lot of guys are well know to our system and our defense so I think if he (Ruffin McNeill) stays in the system nothing will happen but us getting better.
On what he would to Coach Leach if he spoke to him:
That I'm sorry that it happened. It's part of coaching. You can be here today and gone tomorrow. No days are ever promised. I'm sure he won't have any problems finding jobs. Maybe now because all the jobs are taken but next year he'll definitely find a job somewhere.
On the state of Tech football:
We stay together as a family. I mean Adam James, it wasn't all him that did it, there were things leading up to it and we're going to stick behind him 100 percent. As long as we're together and we're still winning we should have our fan base.
Defensive End Brandon Sharpe:
On who he would like to be the next head coach:
I think it would be the best decision. Ruffin is a great guy, a motivator. It would be a great idea to keep him here. Everyone loves him.
Interim Head Coach Ruffin McNeill
On the state of Tech football:
I know that in Red Raider Nation that there's feelings both ways but I have faith in our fan base, faith in our alums and faith in Red Raider Nation that they will unite just like tonight. It felt like Jones (AT&T Stadium).
On how he feels after winning his first game as head coach:
This was the most challenging week I've had in my 29 years of coaching. It was a fun challenge though and this is the most rewarding night I've had in my coaching career. I love those players.
On his team rallying late to win:
We've been there before. It's not the first time we've been behind. It's not the first time we've had adversity. The main thing I had to do was get them settled down. They were so hyped I was having to do them down yesterday and then today I got a little hyped at the hotel and in the locker room it was really intense. Asked them to play hard was not the problem. Getting them to settle down and do the little things (was the challenge).
