Swinney, Napier and Steele post game comments

by TigerNet Staff - Fri Dec 31 16:34:08 GMT-04:00 2010

Dabo Swinney press conference (WMA Format)

Kevin Steele post-game audio (MP3 Format)

RE: Opening Statement

First of all, I’d just like to congratulate South Florida, they were well prepared and played well. They took advantage of some turnovers and capitalized well and you have to give them all the credit. The only thing really positive to say on our end is that we didn’t quit. They kept battling and kept competing until the end. We were half yard short of coming up with the other onside kick and who knows what would have happened. I’m proud of those guys for their “never quit” attitude, that’s a great quality and I told them that after the game. I appreciate our seniors and all those guys who will be moving on in different directions, I appreciate their contributions. We’re going to miss those guys. Obviously we’re very disappointed with the outcome of the game and the way we played but it’s about moving forward for me. I’m going to do everything within my power to make sure that I get us better as a football team and that this never happens again. We have to live with it and it’s nobody’s responsibility buy mine. We’re going to move forward from this point.

RE: USF’s ability to avoid Clemson’s pass rush

They got rid of it quick with a lot of screens and mixed in a little bit and went to the screens as well and had some success there especially early in the game. They didn’t hold the ball very long as well.

RE: USF’s ability to stop the run

Yeah, we couldn’t run the ball and that was disappointing. They were really good at the point of attack. We thought we got ourselves into a little rhythm there late in the second quarter, but it just never materialized. The interception that went for another score kind of changed the game and the style of play. It just wasn’t our day from that stand point. Again though, we did some good things, made some plays and gave ourselves a chance right there at the end.

RE: Kyle Parker’s injury

He was injured on the first and goal on the two. It’s worse than the Auburn game, they’re broken.

RE: Upset fans

I don’t blame them for being upset, they should be upset, I’m upset and it’s nobody’s fault but mine. If I was in the fans’ shoes, I would be questioning me and doubting me too. We lost our confidence somewhere along the way and it’s been a tough year, but it’s going to be a new year starting tomorrow and I’m going to do everything I can to make sure that this never happens again. This is just a valley that we can all look back on and remember one day but we can come out of it and grow from it. I don’t blame the fans one bit for being ticked off, they should be ticked off. I’m going to do everything I can to get us better.

RE: B.J. Daniels performance

He’s a good player, he’s a runner and he did a lot of good things with his legs today. We were getting outside the containment a few times and he ran out a good draw play. On the first touchdown, he scrambled around and we came out of coverage and he found the receiver. That’s kind of his style and what he does best. I watched him in high school do that. He was a big difference for them today.

RE: Possible coaching changes next year

As I said earlier, I’m going to do everything I can to make this program better. That includes anything and everything within my power. I’ll speak any further on that at a later date.