Michigan State University Athletics
Postgame Press Conference
6/21/1999 12:00:00 AM | Football
October 24, 1998
Michigan State Head Coach Nick Saban:
"We had all the opportunities in the world to win in the last three-and-a-half minutes of the game, and we simply didn't make any plays. We had a chance to kick a field goal to go up 21-10. We had a chance to make a first down and run out the clock. And we had an opportunity to stop Minnesota in a two-minute situation. It's disappointing the way we finished the game.
"We didn't finish the game very well and all we can do now is learn from it and try to get better. Hopefully, we'll have an opportunity to win the next one.
"We played pretty well on defense all day but on the second to last drive, we didn't play very well at all and let Minnesota back into the game.
"Minnesota's team deserves a lot of credit to come back and win the game and make the plays to do it. Billy Cockerham did a good job when he came in late. He's a scrambler. He came in at the end and sparked the team.
"We weren't able to run the ball at all against Minnesota. We had far too many negative plays on offense."
Minnesota Head Coach Glen Mason:
"Obviously, we're ecstatic. We've been struggling this year, but we've stuck with it. This week, we concentrated on attitude and without it today, we couldn't have done it.
"The biggest mistake is to get too high on the highs and too low on the lows. We're very, very excited. The streak is gone 17 games thats a long time.
"I thought our defense played really well. We are what we are. We need to play it like it is.
On the late on-side kick
"I thought Adam Bailey didn't kick it far enough, but then on the second bounce it was just like we coach it. Craig Scruggs was there and I think we played it exactly right."
