Head Coach Will Healy
Opening statement…
“It seemed like any time we got a little momentum going, they took it away from us. We did not execute very well. We did some things that didn’t help ourselves with some turnovers and some penalties and we didn’t tackle very well. That’s a really good football team in Buffalo and when you do those things this is probably the result you are going to get every time. Congratulations to Lance [Leipold] on his program’s first bowl victory. He’s a really good coach, did a really good job and I enjoyed getting to know him. I have a lot of respect for their program and they got after us today.”
On how he characterizes this season…
“A movie. I told the guys in the locker room that today was not the outcome I expected or wanted. But these guys need to realize what they accomplished this year. Talk about a group that sat in the locker room the last time this happened, when we were 2-5 at Western Kentucky and we were wondering if you find a way to win another one. Not five in a row, just one. Next thing you know these guys responded and they led us to play in an unbelievable bowl game in the Bahamas. I can’t say enough about the hospitality that was shown all week long. This game is first-class. They do it the right way with really good people. I would have loved to play better on national television in our first-ever bowl game. But we didn’t and I need to go back and figure out what I need to do to make sure our team is more prepared the next time this happens.”
On what the message was to the team on how they fought back…
“I love them. So proud of them. Now is the first time we have been able to look back on what they have accomplished. It is a special group. I can’t thank them enough for buying into our culture and our staff and believing in us enough to respond the way they did. These guys have learned a lot about themselves – things that will help them far beyond football because of the way they handled the adversity this year and the way they were able to come out on the other side. I got choked up a bunch over the last two days. With the pep rally. With the tailgate. With the fans that we had in the stands that came all of the way to the Bahamas. Football is important at Charlotte. This has been an unbelievable ride with a great group of young men. We are not even close to where we are going to be. Very proud of the way they handled themselves all week long.”
On the effects of Buffalo’s defensive pressure…
“They are a great defense – very physical. They run to the ball very well. But we had some self-inflicted wounds. When you do that against a good team like this it’s only going to hurt you.”
On where the program is headed…
“We are losing a bunch of great leaders in Jeff Gemmell, Cam Clark, Benny LeMay and Alex Highsmith so we are going to have to step up in our leadership roles. We are going to be hungry. This is not how we wanted the season to end. We are going to work harder that we have ever worked before.”
On what factor the wind played…
“I did not think about it much to be honest. We practiced in worse conditions on Friday. I felt comfortable out there. I don’t think the other guys were too worried about it.”
Redshirt Senior Linebacker Jeff Gemmell
On his best memory of his four-year career at Charlotte…
“This trip will be hard to beat. I won’t have another chance to be at the beach, with my team again. Those guys are my family. I appreciate each and every one of them. And I’m just grateful. I am thankful for the bonds and the brotherhood that have been formed this year.”
On choosing to play at Charlotte and what it means to play football for the 49ers…
“Freshman year we knew the Bahamas Bowl was out there and that is what we were shooting for. It finally happened this year and I’m just thankful for it.”
On playing against running back Jaret Patterson…
“He’s a good back – top five in the nation in rushing. There were some times we had him but he is a slippery back and got away.”
