Week 2 Soundbites: Chris Petersen Media Availability
September 05, 2019 | Football
SEATTLE – Washington football head coach Chris Petersen met with the media Thursday morning ahead of the Huskies' Pac-12 Conference opener against California Saturday night. Read some of what he had to say:
(On what makes California's secondary so good) "I think you have to start with good players. You can have all the experience you want… These guys have played for a while, they are talented guys, athletic guys. And now they've been coached by the same crew for three years, and that makes a big difference. You couple that with their front seven, that's a good combination. Everybody wants to talk about their secondary, which they are good, but their front seven – you're not holding that ball against those guys at all. It's a nice combination. They are all redshirt seniors and redshirt juniors. It's kind of what you'd like your roster to look like."
(On his evaluation of Washington's special teams play last Saturday) "I thought it was a solid start, but I do think that Cal is really good on special teams, as well. I'm anxious to see what we'll have this week."
(On the next step for Jacob Eason's progression) "Things are going to happen a little bit faster [this Saturday], a little bit more physical. There is probably a little more defense coming at him, all those things. This will be a good challenge."
(On California quarterback Chase Garbers and his growth from last season) "You never like going against those athletic quarterbacks. We had one [last week], and we have one [this week]… You can cover everything just right and then all of a sudden, those guys hurt you when they take off. He's really, really good at that. He's a fast runner, he's a physical player. That's part of his game. This is year three for him in that system, as well. That makes all the difference…"
(On having to prepare for the crowd noise at Husky Stadium) "[We have to plan for it] every week. And we hope we really have to make that a concern on the defensive side. It was awesome because the crowd was awesome right from the first snap last week. The first play, [Eastern Washington] jumped offsides. That makes a big difference – third downs, in the red zone, and just as the game goes on. There's no better place. I know it's a comfort zone when school starts and we get all the students back, but we don't have them right now. Husky Nation – let's go."
(On what makes California's secondary so good) "I think you have to start with good players. You can have all the experience you want… These guys have played for a while, they are talented guys, athletic guys. And now they've been coached by the same crew for three years, and that makes a big difference. You couple that with their front seven, that's a good combination. Everybody wants to talk about their secondary, which they are good, but their front seven – you're not holding that ball against those guys at all. It's a nice combination. They are all redshirt seniors and redshirt juniors. It's kind of what you'd like your roster to look like."
(On his evaluation of Washington's special teams play last Saturday) "I thought it was a solid start, but I do think that Cal is really good on special teams, as well. I'm anxious to see what we'll have this week."
(On the next step for Jacob Eason's progression) "Things are going to happen a little bit faster [this Saturday], a little bit more physical. There is probably a little more defense coming at him, all those things. This will be a good challenge."
(On California quarterback Chase Garbers and his growth from last season) "You never like going against those athletic quarterbacks. We had one [last week], and we have one [this week]… You can cover everything just right and then all of a sudden, those guys hurt you when they take off. He's really, really good at that. He's a fast runner, he's a physical player. That's part of his game. This is year three for him in that system, as well. That makes all the difference…"
(On having to prepare for the crowd noise at Husky Stadium) "[We have to plan for it] every week. And we hope we really have to make that a concern on the defensive side. It was awesome because the crowd was awesome right from the first snap last week. The first play, [Eastern Washington] jumped offsides. That makes a big difference – third downs, in the red zone, and just as the game goes on. There's no better place. I know it's a comfort zone when school starts and we get all the students back, but we don't have them right now. Husky Nation – let's go."
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