Maryland Head Coach Randy Edsall
Opening Statement:
"Not the outcome that we were looking for. Team loss today; offense, defense, special teams, and coaching all contributed to it. What we have to do is watch the film and come back better next week."
On Bowling Green quarterback Matt Johnson:
"They hit some short passes. We did a pretty good job of making some plays in the first half. In the second half we just didn't make any plays. We had opportunities, we had them in long situations to do that and we didn't get it done."
On if the weather break impacted the team’s performance:
"No, both teams had to go through the same situation. They came out and hit a tunnel screen on us for a big play. We didn't use our eyes well on defense today. Our guys have to continue to be more disciplined."
On the quarterback situation:
"We'll sit down and watch the film and have a discussion about what we’re going to do moving forward."
On Bowling Green's defense:
"They ended up moving the front a little bit with things that we saw. We just weren't able to sustain some blocks and do some things that we wanted to do. We knew that they would try to do that and that we'd have to be able to throw the ball a little bit today."
Junior Quarterback Perry Hills
Opening Statement:
“We played a tough opponent. They did some really good things and we just didn’t execute the way we should have.”
On the losing the second game after winning big last week:
“It’s always tough taking a loss because you don’t play the game to lose. It really hurts, especially because I hate losing. We have to watch the tape, forget about it and get ready for the next game.”
Junior Defensive Lineman Yannick Ngakoue
On conditioning for Bowling Green’s fast-paced offense:
“Of course you’re going to be tired being out there for so long, but we still have to fight and push. That’s what practice is for. We push hard in practice because we have to be prepared for stuff like that in the game … It all starts in practice. When you have a great practice, you’re more prepared to win.”
Senior Offensive Lineman Andrew Zeller
On the game:
“We have to get in and watch the film and correct the little things. We knew coming into this game that they had an offense that was able to put up points real fast. Unfortunately, we were not able to put up more points than they were. Our only job was to score more points.”
On this loss compared to others:
“The loss hurts but we have to get back out and grade the film. We have to come back out this week and have a great week and prepare for South Florida. It hurts because we definitely could have beaten that team, but every loss hurts. Every loss is the same feeling.”
Bowling Green Head Coach Dino Babers
On the emotion of the team after the win:
“I was really happy for the guys. I told them that coaches have been in games, upset wins against number one ranked teams. When I was at UCLA, USC, and all the great wins that we’ve had. I really wanted these guys to have a win like that. We really wanted to see what we could do at Tennessee, but they are really good and to get a team like that in the opener where you don’t have that growth between the first and the second game. I really felt that there was a huge improvement.”
On the team’s improvement from the opener to this game:
“You look at the defense. For us to have two or three backs go for over 100 yards at Tennessee and fir no backs to go over 100 yards in this game. Also, when you give our offense turnovers, you’re playing with dynamite. When you give us short fields, that’s not good for the other team. I was happy for the defensive kids, I was happy for the defensive coaches. I was happy for our football team.”
On their offense’s fourth quarter success:
“The thing about our offense is that we are always searching. We never look at the end. We’re totally locked in on task when we’re in a game. We saw something and we went after it, that’ what we do. Sometimes it works out and sometimes it doesn’t, but we are never going to play us.”
On the team’s missed chances in the half:
“I mean we’re going to fake things, that’s what we do. The way we look at points is that we are going to fake things early and we’re going to figure out things later on. We really want to keep the pressure on the defensive coordinator and keep the pressure on the defense.”
Bowling Quarterback Matt Johnson
On the low scoring first half:
“Same thing from last week, we were able to move the ball from the 20 to the 20. A lot of things went wrong from a lot of different players. We were able to regain our focus in the second half and come out making plays.”
On winning the game:
“The feeling is unbelievable. Personally its my first big win against a Power 5 school. It feels great because things were not going our way in the first half and we were able to respond on offense and defense in the second half. Defensively you get three turnovers in the second half and shorten the field for us. We were able to capitalize on it. Those are the keys to success.”
Bowling Green Wide Receiver Roger Lewis
On the gameplan:
“Last week I dealt with a hamstring injury but I was able to stick in the game today with my brothers. The game plan was just to come out and play. Our quarterback is a special player. We were able to make changes in the second half that turned into big plays.”
On gaining 200+ receiving yards:
“I haven’t had a game like this since high school. Its not even about me. I have to give it all to my teammates, the guys that get me through the hot summer days grinding at 6am. Matt Johnson was able to spread the love around. They came out and performed.”
Bowling Green Cornerback Alfonso Mack
On defense last week vs. this week:
“After last week everyone on the defense agreed that we were better than how we played. We decided this game we weren’t holding back. Our coordinator was able to get our minds right this week. Football games are long. We know that things can happen early in the game but its all about how you finish.”
On winning:
“I was thankful that the coaches had faith in me to put me out there. I could here all my coaches and teammates saying keep going you’re doing great out there. From were I’ve been in my career its awesome to hear. Our line was getting a lot of pressure and linebackers were able to fill. We all did our jobs and everything fell into place. This was my first time playing in a game with meaningful minutes.
Being a redshirt junior from small South Bend, Indiana, especially as a walk on, it means a lot and I really was just thanking God the whole time.”
