Michigan State University Athletics
MSU vs. Notre Dame Quotes
6/21/1999 12:00:00 AM | Football
Wide Receiver Gari Scott
"The difference between this week and the other games is confidence. Burke had a good week in practice. There was a lot of negativity about him going around, but today he was getting us pumped up. Burke is usually the quiet type, but he came out today fired up and it showed in the first half."
(On Amp Campbells Presence)
"It was an emotional thing for us. We wanted to win for Amp, so we went out with a lot of emotion and won this game for Amp. We werent going to settle for anything but a win today, and with Amp out there it got a lot of the guys riled up. Even myself, I almost cried."
(On a big victory)
"We wanted to jump on them early and we did. We werent going to give them a chance in the game. We didnt play as good in the second half as we did the first half, but we jumped on them early and it paid off."
Defensive Tackle Robert Newkirk
"This is a positive. Its a plus. We feel great going into our next week. In our off week, we can build on the positive things."
"Amps presence was a force that was unexplainable. His jersey was hanging up and all the guys smacked his jersey before they went out. It gaves us the extra boost. We dedicated the game to him and gave him the game ball. It was great."
NOTRE DAME COACH: Bob Davie
I talked to our players and I said that I take responsibility for this. When you play that poorly, on special teams, when you play that poorly on offense and defense, the responsibility falls on the head coach. I think our players wanted to win, there is no question about their effort, but if you cant execute any better than we executed, you wont ever give yourself an opportunity to even play.
I have to give a lot of credit to our players. They came back and played hard the second half and tried to finish the game. I have to give a lot of credit to Michigan State. They came in at 0-2 and we came in knowing that something would happen early, but we had no idea that the floodgates would open like they did. Im embarrassed and this football team is embarrassed.
We came in here expecting to play well, we didnt, and that is why I take the responsibility. They prepared like I wanted them to prepare, like I wanted them to practice, but we got into the stadium and we didnt execute and we just didnt perform. We had no chance because of our lack of execution.
In all honesty, we got behind again and we had to throw the football almost from the beginning. They were able to do the things they are able to do. Theyre impressive. I mean, they were able to rush the passer and they do have quickness. I was impressed with their defensive line.
It doesnt matter what punt team you are going against, if he can go in there and block a punt and the guy goes untouched....it doesnt matter what secondary you play against, if you can run by them and throw the ball over their head, one for an 86-yard touchdown...we just didnt play and we didnt execute. That is one thing that I told my players: you can lift all the weights you want to and have all the chemistry, but it is a game of execution.
