University of Massachusets Athletics
Villanova Post Game Conference
October 13, 2007 | Football
Oct. 13, 2007
AMHERST, MASS. - Coach Andy Talley opening statement:
Obviously this was an outstanding game. Our team played great. I was really happy with our team. As hard as we could play and as good as an effort we could give. True freshmen quarterback--three days to get ready to play for a runner up national champ and did his job. Matt [Whitney] had a great day running the ball and trying to take time off the clock, keep it out of their hands, slow it down. You're playing against a team that gives up 90 yards a game on the ground. It was a tough game to break a freshman quarterback in with UMass. The blitz that they use so much is tough on any quarterback, let alone a guy who hasn't been in the mix before. I thought UMass would be a little sluggish in the first half coming off a layover, which I think had happened. It gave us an opportunity. They came out of the box a little slow, which you need to beat a team that's a little more talented in spots than you are. You try to keep it close in the 4th quarter and hope you can win it in the end and I wasn't counting on three overtimes.
Coach Talley on Freshman Quarterback Chris Whitney:
Chris is phenomenal. In Pennsylvania, they have a big 33 game which is against Ohio and he played in that game and he played in the All-American game in high school and he played in a big time program so he stepped in and acted like he'd been here for a couple years. I'm very proud of him.
Matt Dicken on Quarterback Chris Whitney:
He is a true freshman out there, but he didn't play like it today. I was still jumping around and he's lining me up in the right spots and stuff. He was definitely a leader out there today. He played with a lot of composure.
Quarterback Chris Whitney on the final play of the game:
I think they came with just a second in coverage. As it rolled out I saw Antwon [Young] and I just threw it a little too high. He was wide open.
Quarterback Chris Whitney on preparing for the start:
As soon as I found out that I was going to be playing, I was real excited right away. I just knew I had to get down to business. There was a week to prepare. I'd been ready all year if they need me and I finally got the call.
