FAU Head Coach Carl Pelini
On getting better as the season progresses: You know, our players, they just keep working. They keep getting better. We’re better week two, we’re better week three; and you know, it was a team win. It wasn’t perfect. We made some mistakes on both sides of the ball, but our defense played awfully well. Our offense is getting better. We played good on special teams, so I think our whole team should be proud of that effort.
On creating defensive turnovers: We really feel good about where our defense is going. Again, we made some mistakes, there were some open guys, we turned guys loose, but we came back and just kept fighting and played smart. The secondary for the most part played well and we got a good pass rush and defended the run. If you can defend the run against a [USF Head] Coach [Willie] Taggart team, then you got a chance.
On QB Jaquez Johnson: I thought he played well. I thought he managed the offense well. He ran the ball extremely hard and made some good moves, you know, got us some first downs when we really needed it and found the open guys for the most part. You know, he’ll keep getting better just like everybody else.
On DL Cory Henry’s fumble recovery for a touchdown: It was just really big and it was a good play, a good hit. I think it was DJ Smith who made the hit and strip and Cory taking advantage of the opportunity really gave us a boost. Truthfully, the players, they worked hard, they were engaged all week; but you know, after a tough start against a couple tough opponents just to get that boost of adrenaline early in the game is big and it ignited our sidelines a little bit.
DB D’Joun Smith
On how the defense performed and what was their strategy going into the game: Well first it came from practice. We practiced really hard and our preparation was probably the best we have had all season. We came in with the expectation that we needed to make plays. We wanted to win. We wanted to be the best defense in college football and the way you do that is turnovers and to capitalize when an opportunity is given.
On his sack/fumble: I was contemplating if I should go or not. I was going to send a safety, and he was like just go, so I went. I was anticipating the cut block but he tried to stand me up, I gave him a move inside, and was able to sack the quarterback and he fumbled.
On his interception: Thanks to my team mate Parm (S Damien Parms), he helped me up. I was falling and he kept me up and I gained my balance.
On how the secondary played; We just have been really focused, focused. We have been practicing really hard, because how you practice is how you play.
On getting their first win of the year against a BCS team: We just came out here and really showcased our talent. And we feel blessed. Everyone thought we were going to lose, but we knew what we were capable of, and we went out there and showed them what we can do.
DL Cory Henry
On his touchdown in the first quarter: Yes, my first college touchdown, Just scoop and score.
On how his touchdown happened: I did my assignment, came up the field and squeezed inside. The ball just popped out and all I thought was to scoop and score, not to fall on the ball. I wanted to put some points on the board. I was surprised with each step I got closer and was surprised I scored.
On how important it was that the defense stepped up: It was really important to get a turnover early in the game, to try to get the offense going. They had some trouble, but I think me scoring that touchdown gave us a little momentum, and helped them out a whole lot.
On the team creating turnovers on defense: It was very important. When the defense scores you win the game. It put us in a good position to win the game.
QB Jaquez Johnson
On earning his first start and playing the whole game: It wasn’t like that, everyone came out and executed, we played hard and never quit. That’s why we won.
On being comfortable and getting into a rhythm: It felt good, I didn’t start off strong, I still have some things to work on, need to come out focused and start off strong for the next game.
On the TD at the end of the first half: It was very important because we got some momentum going into halftime. It gave us some confidence and we came out strong in the second half.
On what he changed in his game this week: The preparation all week, watched a lot of film. I worked on a few of the small things, and worked on the coverages. Just try to get better every day.
On the defense contributing to the offense: It was very important. Our defense played great. We put them in some bad situations but they played very well and made some good stops.
