ATLANTIC COAST CONFERENCE FOOTBALL KICKOFF

July 23, 2024

Craig Woodson

Cal Bears

Press Conference

THE MODERATOR: Questions for Craig.

Q. You obviously played some great offenses last year in the Pac-12. Obviously they tab this conference as the conference of quarterbacks. What have you seen from some of the offenses in the ACC? How are you looking forward to the challenge of playing in the ACC?

CRAIG WOODSON: Yeah, I mean, I really haven't had the chance to actually, like, scout the offenses in the ACC, not yet. But I'm excited to play these guys.

I have a lot of experience playing great quarterbacks, like playing Caleb Williams, Bo Nix, all those guys last year. Already know, like, what I'm looking forward to when it comes to those game days.

Also, a lot of talk about people being bigger in the ACC. Man, I'm ready to play that tough football, so... I'm down for whatever.

Q. I believe you led the conference in interceptions last year. Probably gave up more yards than you wanted. Looking at the team this spring, transfer portal guys, what do you expect out of backfield this year?

CRAIG WOODSON: Man, I just expect us to make a lot of plays on the ball. Do it again. We led the nation in takeaways, but we got a lot more to show this year. Going to be a lot more aggressive on defense this year, a lot of pressure. But also having the guys in the back end that are going to be able to handle those receivers we're going to be seeing this year. I'm ready for the challenge.

Q. Those of us from this part of the world know about the great rivalries in this part of the world. What about Cal and Stanford, your feelings about those guys? How deep is the rivalry?

CRAIG WOODSON: With both teams, I mean, when it comes to our schedule coming out each year, we see Stanford on the schedule, I mean, we ready to go, man. When it comes to that game, the preparation, the intensity of it is just crazy. Everybody is dialed in. Everybody is going to sleep early. Everybody is staying extra for film, doing extra after practice because we have to dominate those guys across the bay.

For everybody who don't really know about the rivalry, I would say just watch the game. Tune in this year and you going to see what it's all about.

Q. Talk to us a little bit more about the chemistry in the secondary.

CRAIG WOODSON: Yeah, man, we're just a bunch of guys who like to compete, a bunch of guys who like to push each other every day. This off-season workouts, conditioning, the weight room, we're competing and pushing each other to be better.

When it comes to being on the field, we have a lot of chemistry. We hang out outside of football. We're all really close. I think we just know what to expect with each other. We know we got each other's back. That translates to being on the field and making plays.