UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH FOOTBALL MEDIA CONFERENCE

September 12, 2026

Damon Ferguson Jr.

Press Conference

Pitt - 12, UCF - 7

Q. When did you know you were getting the start today? And how did you carry yourself going into it?

DAMON FERGUSON JR.: I didn't have any idea that I was going to start today. It was a game-day decision by Coach. He called my name and I was just ready.

Q. Can you walk us through the touchdown? I mean you kind of barrelled through some guys to force you into the end zone and probably that last three, or four, if not more yards after contact forcing your way in. Just what did you see on that on your touchdown run?

DAMON FERGUSON JR.: It was my O line. Without them guys, without them giving me the extra push I wouldn't have been able to get in there. So I thank my O line for that one.

Q. What's been the biggest adjustment to college ball, and are you adjusting so far?

DAMON FERGUSON JR.: I would say the biggest adjustment to college football, to me, would probably be the speed and that's just because I'm coming in new, been here for a few months and it's different. Everybody here was the best player on their team in high school. So the speed. But it's slowing down for me a little bit.

Q. You've been here for three months or so. What does it say about you as a player that you've worked your way into a starting role in your second collegiate game?

DAMON FERGUSON JR.: I just do my job. That's all. Every time the coach calls my name, I do my job and let everything else fall where it have to.

Q. There's a lot reliance on the running backs today just because of the weather. In a moment like that, is there more pressure on you and La'Vell just knowing that you are going to have to run quite a bit?

DAMON FERGUSON JR.: No, it's not no more pressure because I know the guys up front gonna get the job done and they trust me just how I trust them.

Q. You said that you spend a lot of time with Boozie, you guys living in the same apartment. How much time do you spend with him, just extra film, extra work, things like that, because he said it's kind of a daily thing with you guys?

DAMON FERGUSON JR.: Every time I see Boozie, I just think he's a very great back. So I also think we have other great backs in the room -- La'Vell, Jabo, Justin, all them guys are good -- Synkwan.

But me and Boozie, I spent a lot of time with him, considering that he was a starting back, backing up Dez last year, but then he got the starter. So I spent a lot of time with him just to pick his brains you. So I probably would say like three times a week I would go meet Boozie.

Q. You go through a game like this and none of you guys fumble the ball in the backfield. You know, what can you say about the work you guys did to protect the football despite the crazy conditions you played in?

DAMON FERGUSON JR.: Coach prepared us for it. That's all I can say about that. Coach prepared us well for that.

Q. You said you came in prepared, that you work hard. Where does that mindset come from, especially as a first-year player?

DAMON FERGUSON JR.: That's just something I had growing up, being the youngest of five brothers. I always had to be tough. There was never a soft moment in that house, so I had to always be tough.

Q. What can you say just in general the play of defense today?

DAMON FERGUSON JR.: You know, defense did great. I trust them just like they trust the offense to do what we have to do.