UVA players Taquan Mizzell, Kurt Benkert, Eric Smith and Quin Blanding talk with reporters after the Cavs’ 45-31 loss to Pitt on Saturday.
Senior Tailback Taquan Mizzell
On the change of momentum in the second half: “It was just us. There were plays that were open and we just missed opportunities.”
On the feeling of the first half: “From the offensive side it was a great feeling. Sometimes the defense or the special teams might give up points and the offense has to pick them up, so there were a lot of guys out there who made some plays.”
On Kurt Benkert losing his rhythm: “I’m not sure if it was rhythm. He usually does a good job of having a short memory and getting back and making plays. I just give credit to Pitt for this one.”
On the inconsistency of the team: “I agree. We are inconsistent. The first half we had 28 points and the second half we had three. We need guys to make plays, it is as simple as that.”
On his long run in the first half: “You just have to make plays. If it is my turn I am going to make sure to finish it.”
Junior Quarterback Kurt Benkert
On differences in the second half: “They brought a lot more pressure in the second half and didn’t let me sit back there.”
On the last possession of the first half: “We knew that if we got past the 35 or 40 then we would try and keep it going, but we just got through and turned it over. It was just a miscommunication.”
On what changed in the second half: “They didn’t do anything different than what we expected in the second half. They just put on a lot more pressure so I didn’t have as much time to sit back there and take shots down the field. They did exactly what we thought they would do in the first half and made some adjustments in the second half.”
On the inconsistency of the team: “We have a big-play ability but we are just not putting together the routine plays back to back, and I think that is something we really need to work on going into the next week. We have to be mentally prepared and worry about the next play and doing exactly what you’re supposed to do. We have to have sustained focus.”
Senior Offensive Tackle Eric Smith
On the philosophy of trying to score before the end of the first half: “We’re taught to fight. Everything we’ve done from January to this point. We’ve just been taught to keep going, so I love when we do that. It just shows where our heart is.”
On giving up the sacks:
“They knew that during the first half we kind of beat them on all the blitzes they beat other teams with, so this just kind of duked us, show one guy and bring another. We didn’t have time to adjust right on the snap. That’s just something we have to prepare for again.”
Junior Safety Quin Blanding
On defensive success in the second half: “Our mindset. Our game plan stayed the same coming into the game and going into the second half. We just had a better mindset.”
On the change in momentum between halves: “You know it’s football. That’s the game. Things happen, but we just have to move forward. That’s the bottom line.”
Senior linebacker Zach Bradshaw
On the defensive mindset throughout the game: “Defensively, I think we stayed positive the whole game. We were thrown with a lot of bad situations: the pick six right before halftime and the kickoff returns. You play the hand your dealt and I thought we did a good job of not giving up.”
On the lack of forced turnovers: “We want to win the turnover battle every time and that was one of the things that contributed to us losing this game. You can be in the right places, but if the ball doesn’t bounce the right way, they won’t happen.”
On the lack of quarterback pressure: “Their offensive line is really good and he was getting the ball out quick. We’ll go in watch the film and see what changes we need to make.”
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