University of Massachusets Athletics
Postgame Quotes: UMass 10, James Madison 7
October 15, 2005 | Football
Oct. 15, 2005
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Coach Don Brown
On today's game:
"Obviously this was a huge game for us. When you have the defending National Champion come to town on homecoming, we really circled the wagons Sunday. We had a tremendous week of practice and our guys just stepped up. Obviously we faced adversity early with the interception being returned for a touchdown. We were down at the half but we came out and really handled the elements well in the second half."
"Tim Day, since being removed as the starting Quarterback, only wants to win, whether it's helping Armando with the kicking game, or jumping in at as Wide Receiver, and again today stepping in after Liam Coen's concussion. I thought he threw the ball as well as you could throw a ball in this kind of environment."
"Brandon London was absolutely huge today. Sean Smalls gave us life."
"We haven't lost confidence in Armando Cuko. He continues to work hard and he told me before he kicked that ball that he could make the field goal. I was happy it was on our left hash, on the right hash I would have been concerned. With the timeout being called, he had some time to pat the ground down and then he just stepped up and drilled it. I couldn't be happier for him or for our football team."
"I don't know what's going to happen the rest of the year but we're going to continue to work hard and be focused. This was a big football game for us and our guys refused to come off the field without a win."
On the decision to kick the field goal"
"I said screw it. We needed to give us a chance to score points and win the game"
On the elements:
"I thought our guys did a great job getting the field ready for today and obviously it was difficult."
"I thought it was an even-steven game. That's why you call it home field and why you go on the road. No one felt sorry for us when we were on the turf last year and six of our defensive players went down."
On Christian Koegel:
"I think he just did a great job and we feel like we've got the best punter in the country and this isn't the first time he's bailed us out."
Armando Cuko
His thoughts on the game:
"I'm really excited for the team right now. I know I won't be able to make everything but I want to do everything I can to win."
On kicking the field goal:
"I didn't even look up until the ball was on the ground and Tim Day told me I made it and I felt good."
"I was feeling good during the day. I knew if I hit it like I can we had a chance."
Christian Koegel
On the field goal:
"I couldn't be happier for Armando Cuko. I knew he'd come out of his shell eventually and there isn't a bigger game he could have done it in. He's here for a reason and today he showed why"
Tim Day
On Liam Coen's injury:
"I just wanted to know that he's alright and I was praying for his health. He's the quarterback of this team and we all know it. We wanted to go out there and get a victory for him. I just wanted to help out any way I can."
Coach Mickey Matthews General Reaction to the game:
They (UMass) made a lot of plays in the fourth quarter. Their punter out punted our punter. We fumble the ball. We finally made them make a mistake and then gave it right back to them. The over riding thing was that we couldn't block them. With 150 yards offense, you're not going to win any games.
Coach Matthews on the field conditions:
It wasn't my decision, but I asked them to consider it. I think it's really sad we played on that field. These are two football teams, but I've been here on a beautiful day and it's still wet. They need to take up a collection and get a new field. That did not help, but they beat us in the fourth quarter.
Matthews on getting away from the passing game:
The thing that was hurting us offensively was that we couldn't stay on the field to try anything. We didn't throw it very much because we didn't run it very much because we kept running in to 3-and-out. I think they are very good on defense and Donny (Brown) does a great job with those guys. We just couldn't block.
Matthews on the Minutemen's decision to send Armando Cuko out for the game winning field goal:
You never know. It's a 50-50 deal. I wasn't surprised, but I knew it was a hard call. If you're in my position or Coach Brown's position it's that one shot or go to overtime. It was a good kick by the kid and he made it when it counted.
James Madison Quarterback Justin Rascati on getting away from the passing game in the second half:
I'm not sure, but the field conditions probably had something to do with it. Our defense played great. We didn't play well at all on offense. That loss is all on us. You can't play like that and win games in the Atlantic 10, especially against UMass
Free Safety Tony LeZotte on the affects of the field conditions:
It was tough to play out there, especially in the middle of the field. They had to play on the same field as we did. Conditions aren't an excuse. I don't know as if you're that fatigued (from playing on a sloppy field) I know it's hard to get your footing, but again they had to play on the same field as we did.
LeZotte's assessment of the Minutemen:
They're a good team, no doubt about it. I don't know how to compare them to other teams because of the field conditions. They came out, and flat out beat us.
Linebacker Akeem Jordan on his interception return for a touchdown:
Coach called a bluff on that play and I think the quarterback thought I was coming. I dropped back and he threw it right to me. I expected it to come to me.
