UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH FOOTBALL MEDIA CONFERENCE

September 17, 2026

Damon Ferguson Jr.

Press Conference

Pitt 27, Syracuse 13

Q: Over a hundred yards, what really got going for you guys that let you get comfortable in this game?

DAMON FERGUSON JR.: O-line. They was moving them off the ball creating big holes and Coach L. He did a great job at coaching me, getting me better, reading me things so I give shout out to them.

Q. (No microphone).

DAMON FERGUSON JR.: Once again, my O-line moved the guy off the ball, wide open hole, I said let's hit it. My receivers doing a great job blocking. Mason even helping out there with the block and you know, after that it was just God's work.

Q. Did the game slow down from you at all your first start last week to tonight?

DAMON FERGUSON JR.: Yes, sir, it did.

Q. What did you see more? You talked about the cuts and all that kind of stuff?

DAMON FERGUSON JR.: Just watching film, being able to understand it now. Understanding a lot more football than I used to. It's easier for me to see when the linebacker is flowing, and also being coached by Coach L.

Q. Getting into open space, you were able to show off that speed some tonight (indiscernible).

DAMON FERGUSON JR.: It felt amazing. It felt great.

Q. What's been the biggest adjustment for you as a true freshman going from the high school game to the college game?

DAMON FERGUSON JR.: One more time?

Q. What's been the difference for you going from the high school game to the college game? What's changed for you?

DAMON FERGUSON JR.: Really what's changed for me is I would say the speed of the game. Everybody is fast now. It's college, everybody was the best player on their team so I would say definitely the speed of the game.

Q. About what Bougie brings and how much you talk to him, but a guy like La'Vell who was out there tonight, was also productive, what is the relationship between you guys and how does that work?

DAMON FERGUSON JR.: I love La'Vell, man, just like I love everybody else in that running back room and everybody on the team. We call him Unc. Me and his relationship, it's a great relationship. We dance all the time, we're funny and we also have those serious moments. He's an older guy so he can teach me more than I know now because he's had the experience.

Q. Does he embrace that role, being the old guy, being called Unc or does he think you guys are messing with him?

DAMON FERGUSON JR.: I think he's embraced it now, he's accepting it.

Q. What does it say about the running back room that you guys had such a strong run performance tonight without (inaudible)?

DAMON FERGUSON JR.: I feel like we're all explosive in our own ways. Everybody in that running back room can do whatever they put their mind to. Coach L, once again, he coached us all to be very explosive, powerful backs and helping us with the reads and everything. I think we all are explosive.

Q. You talked about being more patient. What does it take to help you slow down and understand which keys to read, what things to focus on when things are moving fast and you're having to process so much?

DAMON FERGUSON JR.: Just meeting with coach. He helps me slow it down so when he slows down the tape and we watching it together, I can see, like, okay, this guy flows hard or this guy doesn't flow as well as the other guys. I can see those things.

Q. The defense has only given up four touchdowns this year, how much in training camp was that iron sharpening iron you going up against them?

DAMON FERGUSON JR.: It was great. Two great teams going back and forth at it each day. I think our defense is a great defense. Them boys, they get after that ball and they do a really good job at stopping the run game.

Q. How much do you feel like you have proven yourself as a college player over these last three weeks and how much trust do you feel like you have earned?

DAMON FERGUSON JR.: I feel like I improved myself. I feel like I've improved but there's still work to be done. Never good enough.

Q. You were able to lower your shoulder like you on that touchdown and a few other runs, is that a nice little exclamation point on those runs there for you?

DAMON FERGUSON JR.: Just doing what I'm really coached to do. That's all.