George O'Leary Quotes 9/02/08
On USF defensive lineman George Selvie
“I think he is a very good pass rusher. I don't think you necessarily have to game plan him alone. In my experience when game planning for one player, I have found that there are three other guys who are causing problems. I always hope that our protections can take care of it, and that they are just aware of where he is.”
On continuing the series versus USF
“I think it is a natural game, but that is not my decision. I think that possibly once (conference) geography changes in a couple of years that it may be a game anyway. Right now, I am pushing for nine conference games. I really think that is the way you need to go, and that it is very difficult to find a fourth non-conference game. If you want to play a home-and-home series, then most teams want two for one, and we are not into that game anymore. People will have more interest in a conference game because more is on the line. You also have a chance to see more opponents within your conference.”
On the USF football program
“They are a good football team. I think Jim (Leavitt) has done a great job as far as getting them to play to the echo of the whistle. I thought we had not done that. We had an opportunity two years ago and fell short. It is a 60-minute game, and we have to sustain. I feel like it is a big attitude game, and that a lot of these kids have played against one another in high school.”
On the game against SC State
“The offensive line was putting their hats on people better than last year. Sometimes a running back can make an offensive line look better than they are, and they can also make them look more average. We had opportunities in the game, and we didn't take advantage of them.”
On non-conference games
“Those are the games that get you the respect that you want from the country. I have (imposed) that upon our players that we schedule non-conference games to go out and get decent wins. To achieve the recognition, you have to win those games. The conference will take care of itself.”
On USF quarterback Matt Grothe
“I think he is a very good football player, makes good decisions and has good control of what is going on out there. He has hurt us more on key downs running the ball, more so than passing. I think on long third downs he hurts teams more with his feet because everyone is covering and he finds the crease. The key is keeping him in check. Their team goes as he does, and if he struggles, so do they.”
