The last thing we can afford right now is to make excuses. We're inexperienced at some spots, that's the way it is. We have injuries, so does everyone, that's the way it is.

Our returning players learned so much from our seniors last year and they have been quick to demonstrate the right way to do things to our newcomers. We don't believe in the moniker of defending national champions, because when a team wins a championship it's theirs forever. But this group wants to emerge from the shadow of last year's team and create it's own identity. In a lot of ways the lead-up to the 2006 season is more exciting because there is an element of the unknown.

It's a matter of can he do everything and get into full contact. We'll evaluate him this week in terms of what he's able to do. In the next week or so, if he's not able to contribute or compete, that's when we have to address it.

I am not upset with this outcome. We got a good lead and they battled back. It was good for us to have to respond to that and we did.

They gave us what I would call an old-fashioned rear-end kicking.

I don't think people should expect us to blow people out. We are not like that right now. We played against a very good team. I'm just excited that we got a win over a playoff team.