Michigan State University Athletics
Q & A With Bill Burke
8/11/1999 12:00:00 AM | Football
Aug. 11, 1999
EAST LANSING, Mich. -
What are your expectations heading into the 1999 season?
We want to continue to build upon the team chemistry that developed in the spring. We want to build our offense around solid fundamentals. Everybody is excited about the potential this team has and what it can accomplish this season.
How are things different for you heading into your second season as the starting quarterback?
I'm more confident now and I recognize my role as a leader. I want to bring the entire offensive unit together so that we have a chance to be very productive. My teammates have faith in what I can do. My goal is to have the offense work as a unit and display the balance we need to be successful.
What is it like to work with two of the finest receivers in the Big Ten, in Gari Scott and Plaxico Burress?
It certainly works to my advantage that we don't have one go-to guy. We've worked extremely hard all summer on getting our timing down. We had some competitive seven-on-seven workouts and that's just another example of how badly this team wants to succeed.
With the loss of 1,000-yard rusher Sedrick Irvin are you concerned about the running game?
I know it's a concern to our fans. We don't necessarily have a proven tailback but we have more than one capable runner. If one guy doesn't step forward and claim the position, it might take a combination of backs to get the job done. We will have an improved running game one way or another.
The line play was inconsistent last year. How do you assess that area heading into preseason camp?
I'm more confident in the offensive line. A lot of young players needed to get experience under their belts and they got their baptism by fire last year. I think that experience will pay great dividends this season. I also think our depth has improved along the offensive line.
Have you set any personal goals for the 1999 season?
There are some things I'd like to do but I don't think that it's important for me to spell those things out. The most important thing is to win football games. If we're successful as a team, there will be plenty of praise handed down to the players. All I want to do is do what I can to help us win every game. If we take care of business, all of the other things will fall into place.
Michigan State finished 6-6 last season and failed to qualify for a bowl game. Is there a sense of urgency heading into this season?
There is a sense of hunger. We lost three games in the fourth quarter last year. If we had won those games and finished 9-3, we would have played in a major bowl game. The potential is there for us to have an outstanding season. Our goal is to be in the hunt for the Big Ten title and to play in a New Year's Day bowl. Failure is not an option this season.
