Video: Badger defense talks Hurricanes
December 26, 2009 | Football
Wisconsin Football
Champs Sports Bowl Post-Practice Quotes
Dec. 26, 2009
Watch video of Borland, Maragos and McFadden's comments here
Freshman LB Chris Borland
On Saturday’s practice:
“I thought it was a very clean practice. We went shortly than we usually do, kept it clean and had a good tempo throughout, so I think it was a good practice.”
On the team’s approach through the first two days of practice:
“We had a little adversity yesterday with the downpour, but we just practiced through it and remained sharp and executed well, so I think it shows that this team is focused in on what we have to do.”
On making his first bowl trip:
“It’s been great. Florida’s a nice getaway and the roller coasters have been fun, but this is a business trip. Overall it’s been a great experience, but it will be better if we can win.”
On the Badgers’ defense matching up with Miami’s offense:
“It will be a challenge. They definitely have athletes, but we both pride ourselves on stopping the run. That’s what they like to do and are persistent about it, so being able to stop the run in this game will be a key for us.”
Senior DB Chris Maragos
On Saturday’s practice:
“It was actually kind of cold, so it felt like we were back home. We brought a little bit of that cold weather with us. We would have liked to have it a little warmer out here just to simulate game day, but it was good and we’re getting good work in. We’re getting used to the turf out here, it’s grass so it’s a little different than back home, but we’re getting good work in and we’re ready to play.”
On how the team has responded to the first two bowl practices:
“Everybody’s focused. The first couple of days we were here, we were able to go see the theme parks and all that, and now we’re getting really focused in and tuned up for getting ready to roll against Miami.”
On matching up against Miami quarterback Jacory Harris:
“The biggest thing is the D-line is going to be huge in getting pressure on him. I think the thing is, anytime your D-line can get pressure on a quarterback like that who’s athletic and mobile and can throw, it really flusters him. He obviously has a tremendous amount of skill around him, so anytime you can really limit a guy that can get the ball to playmakers, that’s going to be huge.”
Senior LB Jaevery McFadden
On Saturday's practice:
“Today’s practice was pretty good. We want to stay physical and get the tempo going against the offense to get ready for Miami.”
On the team's focus:
“We’re pretty focused right now, as we get closer and closer to game day. Right now it’s time to lock in for sure, and I don’t have to say anything to anybody, even the young guys. We had our fun the last couple of days at the theme parks, but now it’s that time where you start to lock in and focus.”
On the way the coaches have tried to simulate a normal game week:
“We feel like the coaches have done a wonderful job of going through the game plan, going through the film and making this an easy defensive game plan for us to go by.
On the defense’s keys to slowing down Miami’s offense:
“First of all, you have to stop the run. Miami is just like our offense, they’re very dedicated to the run and they like to run the ball, so if you can stop and contain the run, that would be the first thing. The second would be trying to harass the quarterback. Jacory (Harris) is a pretty good quarterback and when he has time to find receivers he’s a very good quarterback. We’re going to try to get some pressure, and our D-line has been doing a good job all year of getting pressure on the quarterback, and use some linebacker blitzes to try to get to the quarterback.”
On playing in his home state of Florida:
“I think I speak for all the Florida boys on the team when I say it’s been good to be back home in our home state. I can’t ask for any more.”
