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Villanova head coach Andy Talley...

Opening statement: The game presented everything to us that we thought Liberty would bring to the game. They are a champion and they played that way. They were everything we thought they would be on both sides of the ball. They have some powerful weapons.

I feel that throughout the game, there was so much ebb and flow that a seasoned team, like we are, that have been to the playoffs before and have been in a couple of critical games this year. Syracuse, which we felt like we won. The William & Mary game; came back on the last drive and won. Delaware game we came back on the last drive and won.

We have been bred for a competitive game for 60 minutes and we talked about that as a football team all week. Having been in the playoffs as many times as we've been, you know that the team you are going to play is going to be there. They're going to be there a lot and you just have to make sure you can come up with the plays you need to make in the critical parts of the game, but especially in the last quarter.

Obviously we turned the ball over uncharacteristically. I was really disappointed that we turned the ball over like we did. But you have to really be special to overcome that kind of turnover situation. And then we had the punt that hit Jason [Ceneus] which was very disappointing as well. A lot of negatives can take a team down during a game.

This is a team that really has carried us through the rough spots when you come up against a team like Liberty, who is as good of a team as we have played this year, sincerely. I thought by looking at the scores against Coastal Carolina, then beating James Madison last week; got my attention. They beat Appalachian State. They were in the game with North Carolina. So they're a very good football team. Extremely well coached and very smart. They did a fantastic job against us to hold us to the limited amount of points that we had. It was a war out there.

On his most special teams: We've had six 10-win seasons in my time here. That national championships team; pretty special in 2009. The one thing I will say is that the national championship team is much more talented than this group. We have one superstar in John Robertson. Other than that, we have a lot of team guys that play together. It's not as talented as a group as we've had but they've got it. They've got it.

On running the ball 18 times on the final game-winning drive: We did it at Syracuse. We did it at William and Mary. We did it at Delaware. So we've had three repetitions of doing it. And I think that at this point in the season it becomes part of your DNA. At some point in time your luck is going to run out. But tonight, it didn't. We have made enough mistakes that the law of averages went back our way. Six fumbles and we lost four of them. To still win a game against a good team like that. That's what made me nervous about Liberty because they turned the ball over four times against JMU and still won the game.

On the character of the team on big drives: We have some quiet leadership on the team. They have a lot of meetings that I'm not involved in. So they must be drinking the kool-aid or pounding the good book because they are together.

On going for it over kicking a field goal on the final drive: My heart has been broken enough this year to know that there is no way I would have kicked a field goal. It's John Robertson or field goal. John Robertson, field goal. I'm going with John Robertson. And I have made my mind up going into the game and I reinforced it to our staff by telling [offensive coordinator] Sam Venuto, "we're going for it on fourth down." Liberty has one of the best kickers in the country and I didn't like our chances in overtime because of the field goal situations. We would have been in trouble in overtime.

On keeping the team under control with turnovers and big plays: We have good senior leadership and a long-standing coaching staff that doesn't panic. If you can keep a game close, then you've got a good chance to win at the end. That's the mentality of any program that has been good for a while.

Junior quarterback John Robertson...

On final game-winning drive: It reminded me of the William & Mary game last year it was like a seven minute drive where we ran it the whole time. It was awesome watching our offensive line throw those guys around. They really stepped it up for us. They were all designed runs. I knew we were playing for a touchdown, our offense always has a four down mode mentality.

On defense holding Liberty to field goals instead of touchdowns: That's huge for us. We always say three points is not seven points. We may get put in bad situations but we bend and don't break. Our confidence really helped us.

On whether the ball was tough to grip: I think it may have been tough to catch it. I was telling my receivers that I couldn't really loft passes in this weather so I was throwing it pretty hard to them to get it out. It was tough and there were a few drops but we were able to overcome it.

On similarities in weather today and in Richmond game: It was really windier against Richmond. That's when it really makes a difference. I think it was just an overall great team win and we just pulled through.

On using running backs as blockers: We always put in plays that are designed keepers. One play I looked at Kevin and asked if he had my back on this and he said yes just follow me.

On comeback wins: I think we're a really mature group. When I fumbled the ball nobody put their heads down. We just thought that if we did what we needed to do it would all work out.

Junior wide receiver Kevin Gulyas...

On the coverage on his big catches: The way they play cover 4, it's basically a matchup zone on the outside. Their safeties fly down when motions come. We faked the handoff and that allowed a one-on-one opportunity.

On working the middle: It was basically one-on-one when their safeties flew down to stop the run. John threw a great pass, it was almost like catching a punt and I just wanted to secure both catches and I did.

Junior linebacker Don Cherry...

On shutting down Liberty in second half: Our defensive line stepped up so big. Liberty is a two dimensional team so they can run, they can pass, they are so dynamic with all those playmakers. Our secondary really stepped up as our defensive line played huge.

On watching the offense on the late game winning drive: You know we love it. I think it's a testament to our training. Our strength coach has us in great shape. So when it comes down to the fourth quarter or overtime like in Syracuse we're always ready to play and it feels like the first quarter for us.

Liberty head coach Turner Gill...

Opening statement: To God be the glory, I appreciate the opportunities he has given us each and every day. I am proud of our football team because they played really hard and did a lot of good things this season. I am very proud of them. I give credit to Villanova, they are a very good football team. I give credit to Coach Talley and their whole football team and hope them the best. This is just hurtful for our football team and our fans. I want to thank our fans, a tremendous, tremendous thanks to the fans. It was a great deal to make the six hour drive and show their support for us. I love them, I thank them, I am grateful for them and on behalf of our whole team and the staff we want them to know we are going to come back next year and give them a great football team. Once again, thank you to all our fans.

On registering their lowest output of the season: Their guys beat us up on the front. They were better than us. As far as their D-line and linebackers, we were not able to ever gain a great advantage over them during the game. So great job to them. We always talk about how our O-line and D-line have to win the battle and unfortunately in the fourth quarter that did not happen to us.

On not converting in the red zone: That was a big factor in the ball game. It made a whole lot of difference in the game and I think things would have played a little bit different if there had been a four point margin instead of three. Things would have been a bit different as far as decisions being made. Hindsight is always 20/20 on things and maybe I should have went for it on that fourth and one, but again, got to give a lot of credit to Villanova because they did a great job.

On his words to the team after the game: I told them that I was proud of them and I appreciate all of the things they have done this whole football season. A lot of great things have been accomplished. We have high expectations here and we are not satisfied with the way things ended. I am proud of them and we will learn from this and keep moving forward. This team has set a great standard here for the future of the program.

On postseason play: I think that it made us relevant in the FCS, people recognize Liberty's football program as one that is very good and can play with anyone in the country. We showed them that we have talent, a great fan base and great leadership within the program and the university.

ââ'¬Æ' On giving up the lead: When you lose you lose, whether it is by one point or thirty. I give a lot of credit to Villanova. We didn't play as well but a lot of it had to do with them (Villanova). We will learn, move forward and become better because of the situation that occurred here. We have a lot to be proud of. We aren't going to hang our heads and be disappointed in the loss because of what we have accomplished this football season.

Senior defensive lineman Dominique Davis...

On 18-play game winning drive by Villanova: We just have to give them credit for what they did. They just came out in the second half and wanted to run the ball and chew up time off the clock as well. They were able to do that and we just weren't able to stop them. Games are won and lost in the trenches and their offensive line is stopping us than they're going to win the ball game. If we're stopping them, we are able to give our team a chance to win the ball game. They executed what they wanted to do very well.

On Villanova quarterback John Robertson: He's very good, one of the best we've seen. He was similar to Alex Ross from Coastal Carolina and Vad Lee from JMU. They are all dual threat quarterbacks who can throw the ball very well and can also run. They can make you miss and create something out of nothing. I think we did a good job containing him more than other teams have, especially in the first half. But in the second half he was able to make plays and extend drives. There were certain situations where we weren't able to get him on the ground and tackle him. He's really good and he'll probably have a future after he's done playing here at Villanova so we just have to give him credit for what he did.

Junior quarterback Josh Woodrum...

On Gabe Henderson's lack of production after having two big games in a row: We didn't execute very well on third down. 5-17 isn't very good at all. Weather may or may not have been a factor. He's usually a good third down guy for us but tonight we just didn't execute very well on third down."

On only scoring three points in the second half: Mental mistakes really. We were running the ball a lot better in the first half than we did in the second half. We created a lot of third and long plays so they knew we were going to throw it so they went back to basic coverage. We didn't do well enough on first and second down. They did a great job of making adjustments.