Football Postgame quotes: Tyson Helton and players

[Sean_Williams]

Helton postgame with Randy Lee and Leo Peckenpaugh:

- Did what they wanted to do offensively, but left some points off the board.
- Got the ground game going in the second half when they put more points on the board and the defense was rolling.
- Talks about having a great staff on both sides of the ball.
- Says they spied DeAngelo Malone a lot on ODU's quarterback
- Says they still have a lot to improve on and want to continue to have that underdog mentality
- Thought LB's did a great job, played with an edge, and shut down the run game
- Thought Storey managed the game well and understood what they wanted to do in terms of managing the clock in the second half. Said last throw he made to Josh Simon was outstanding
- Expects fans to be out again next weekend for Army

 

[Sean_Williams]

Helton postgame media:

- Opening Statement:

“Again just outstanding by the defense, I mean I can’t say enough about it. Really was a great team win, to be quite honest with you. The offense did some really good things overall. We struggled in the first half, not necessarily moving the ball but just doing the right things. We came out in the second half and I thought offensively really answered the call. Had a long drive for over seven minutes when we needed to get it. So I was really proud of the offense and how they responded. But again, defense was outstanding, can’t say enough about them.”

- On how the defense has been able to be so successful:

“First off they’re well-coached, the defensive staff does a great job. They’re playing with a lot of confidence and they believe in each other, they believe in this team. I’ve been on a lot of football teams, but never one this close, that believes they can go out there and accomplish a lot of things. Very, very proud to be their head football coach.”

- On offensive balance and success in the second half:

“It was very good balance tonight. I thought we controlled the ball well, I thought the offensive line did a great job in the run game and Gaej [Walker] ran hard against a really good defense. I thought we had control of the drives for the most part, we allowed our guys to be in good positions [to be successful]. Those two drives that hurt us, we just have to finish them.”

 

[Sean_Williams]

Junior defensive end DeAngelo Malone

On if it was one of their better defensive performances of the season:

”Every week we’re just getting better and better. We’ve looked very good defensively – I’m excited for our future.”

On how it feels to be 3-0 in conference play:

“It’s just a blessing, but we can’t be dependent on that record. We’ve just got to keep working and getting better each week.”

Freshman tight end Joshua Simon

On being undefeated in conference play:

“It feels pretty good knowing we’re 3-0, we had a lot of outside doubt coming into this season. But,we’ve got to continue to work – it doesn’t end here. In about 48 hours this win won’t mean anything, we’ve got to get ready for the next one.”

On his touchdown catch:

“I knew I had to make a play there, with the missed touchdown earlier – I had an opportunity to make a play and was just off a little bit. So, when I got that next opportunity I made the best of it.”

Graduate senior quarterback Ty Storey

On the final touchdown drive putting the game away:

“That drive was big. After that drive we definitely felt better about it. But, it was one of those nights where we shot ourselves in the foot a little too much – it seemed like we were driving and then there’d be a mistake. But we showed promise, if we can clean that stuff up we can get where we want to. With our defense and the way they’re playing, if we can get where we want to offensively we’re going to be a
good team.”

On being able to lean on the defense while the offense is working to find a rhythm:

“Knowing you have a defense like we do is definitely a really good feeling. We still have to go out there and put up points, but those guys having our back is big-time. Like I said, if we keep working and getting this offense rolling – and we’ve shown at times where it is like that – we’ve just got to get more consistent about it.”

Redshirt senior nickelback Ta’Corian Darden

On why the defense has been playing so well:

“There’s been great leadership and everybody on our defense knows that they have to do their job. We have a motto; whatever it takes. Do whatever it takes to get the win. That’s what every single position is doing and we’re coming together as a team and making plays and just having fun out there.”

On his interception:

“The receiver came to my zone, which was the flats, and I just shot it. Right before I made the tackle I knew that he’d tipped it and I saw the ball and I just put my hands out for the ball and kind of hit him also – so it was kind of two things there. I just tried to hold on to the ball and my teammates came and helped me get out of the pile and we just celebrated from there."