Nov. 14, 2009
Recap | Final Stats | Notes | Photo Gallery
Head Coach George O'Leary
On his team's performance:
"Well, it was a good game. Our game plan going in was being able to stop how explosive they are offensively. I thought we held on to the ball offensively very well, not being able to force a lot of turnovers. Defensively, we made a lot of great plays and forcing them into three and out situations. It was a great win for our players and being able to stay in the hunt. My hats off to the players for getting the win and becoming bowl eligible. The players and coaches alike are both ecstatic about the win."
On beating a ranked team:
"It is definitely a huge game, but it is even bigger because it was a conference game. We had the game plan going in to be able to stop their big, explosive plays, and force them to throw short passes underneath. It was important to be able to control the ball, and create turnovers on their part. I thought we would definitely have a shot if we could just control the clock and move the ball on them."
On being down at halftime and controlling their offensive:
"We held them to only four plays in the second quarter, and that is essential against a team that averages 100 or so plays a game. I do not think they had more than 60 or 65 plays in the game, and that is the key to contain them and get the ball back over to us."
On quarterback Brett Hodges and what he means to UCF:
"I think Brett is just a warrior out there. He makes good plays and he does a great job of being able to pick up the blitzes. He is a guy that cannot be fooled twice in the same game. I feel he makes great reads with the ball, and he made some key third down plays to keep the chains moving."
Senior Quarterback Brett Hodges
On beating a ranked team:
"It is huge for us now that we are bowl eligible and huge for us to keep our conference championship hopes alive. It really was a team effort today and a huge win."
On ball control (doubling Houston's time of possession):
"That was the plan going in, and it really just came down to execution. We controlled the ball because we executed."
On being the first QB to lead UCF to a victory over a ranked opponent:
"It feels good. I haven't really thought about it yet, we just won. It wasn't just me, our defense played a heck of a game and offense put some points on the board. Like I said, it was a team effort."
On converting third downs:
"Those were huge conversions. (Brian) Watters made a great catch on that one conversion. I believe both big conversions led to touchdowns later in the drive."
Defensive Coordinator Dave Huxtable
On the victory:
"This was a total team victory. Coach (Charlie) Taaffe, his staff and those offensive kids fought their butts off. Our special teams gave us great field position. This was just a total team victory and an amazing win for our program."
On beating a ranked team for the first time:
"Our kids just worked so hard. Coach O'Leary demands so much from them, and they come to work everyday. I think it is awesome to see our kids, who work their butts off, enjoy a win like this."