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Princeton University Athletics
Quotes From Wednesday's Football Press Conference
October 16, 2002 | Football
Oct. 16, 2002
Princeton head coach Roger Hughes:
It's very exciting to be in the position that we're in. But this is a new week. We're back in the league, and like it or not, everyone seems to play harder in league games. They are a very smart team, and they run a lot of different offensive plays. Their skill players are very good and dangerous.
Our special teams need to step things up. They have been getting better, but against an opponent like this, they'll need to be better.
Our defense will also have to step it up. Brown has the top offense in the country and we need to be ready for it.
Our skill will play out over the next six weeks. We've done a lot of good things over the past few weeks and we need to keep building on that. I hope we're progressing to being harder to defend and less predictable.
Brown is a much better team than their statistics show defensively. If you look at their opponents, you see why the numbers aren't great, but when you look at the tape, they are talented. They have a tendency to bend a little and then hope that their offense can outscore the opponent. We weren't consistent enough last week and we have to improve for this week, and I think we will. I feel confident that if we have to outscore them, we can. In our past games, when we needed to score late, either to take a lead or put a game out of reach, we have. Offense is about confidence, and I think the guys have it.
Brown head coach Phil Estes:
It's been a tough season so far for us. We started out with a lot of injuries and have struggled to overcome it. We have a lot of new players playing in new places and it's taken time to come together. The team has a positive outlook, we have good players and we will play hard for the rest of our league schedule.
Princeton has good weapons on both sides of the ball. They have so many returnees. [Princeton quarterback Dave] Splithoff is very talented and he makes things happen. They can move the ball on the pass and on the run. The defense is strong to. Their linebackers are playing great and their defensive line is putting great pressure on opposing quarterbacks.