Matayo Uiagalelei Talks Defense in Win Over Idaho
Oregon defensive end Matayo Uiagalelei had himself a big day on Saturday, recording a pair of sacks in a 24-14 win over the Idaho Vandals. The defense did their job on an otherwise relatively quiet day from Oregon’s offense.
Uiagalelei met with reporters in Eugene following the win.
Question: Did the game being that close kind of open your guys’ eyes that you can’t take any opponent lightly?
Uiagalelei: “Honestly, as a defense I don’t feel like we took ’em lightly. There’s definitely plays we could take back like the trick plays. There’s a play I gave up a touchdown, quarterback ran it in. Just can’t take anybody lightly. We just gotta learn from our mistakes. We got next week.”
Question: What’s the vibe of this team right now?
Uiagalelei: “First things first, Coach Lanning says we always gotta go to the doctor. So tomorrow we got meetings, some other stuff, lift. We’re gonna see the doctor. Even though we won there’s a lot of stuff we could have done better.”
Question: What’s one thing you’re going to be focused on this week heading into next week?
Uiagelelei: “For me, I know I mentioned that the quarterback ran it in. That play was designed for me to make that play and I missed it. Just doing my job to my best.”
Question: What was the mood in the locker room after this game?
Uigalelei: “Win is a win but definitely at the same time, Coach Lanning always use to say we had the result we wanted but the process wasn’t the one we wanted. We want to get the result and the process. And when it’s not the process, just gotta fix it.”
Question: Boise State’s running back is one of the better ones in the country. He had over 250 yards rushing and six touchdowns today. Just what that challenge might look like for you guys next week?
Uigalelei: “I haven’t looked at Boise State. I’ve heard of the running back. But we’re playing us every week. We feel like if we play to our standard I don’t think we can lose a game. If he is good, we’ll have to top him.”
