News From The Lockerroom
10/14/2000 12:00:00 AM | Football
Oct. 14, 2000
EAST LANSING, Mich. -
MICHIGAN STATE HEAD COACH BOBBY WILLIAMS
"This was a very tough loss for our football team. Both teams showed tremendous effort, and unfortunately they came out on top. I really feel bad for the team.
"We just need to tell the guys to hang in there. We'll get over this, and we'll be ready for next week. We just need to take one game at a time.
"I thought both quarterbacks (Ryan Van Dyke and Jeff Smoker) did a good job, however, they also made some mistakes. We need to re-evaluate the situation, and take it game-by-game. Ryan is the starter, but Jeff also needed to get some playing time."
(On Smoker Fourth Quarter Interception)
"(Mike) Echols just made a great defensive play. Jeff (Smoker) needed a little bit more on the pass, but overall, it was just a great play."
(On Michael Bennett)
"I thought our defense prepared well for Bennett. We had a good defensive game plan, but he still played very well, and he hit the holes when he needed too."
(On game-winning touchdown)
"I was actually very shocked on the play call (45-yard touchdown pass). I was not expecting that play."
MICHIGAN STATE PLAYER QUOTES
MICHIGAN STATE CORNERBACK SAFETY RICHARD NEWSOME:
"We came in knowing they were a tough, physical team. We knew we had to play hard to win. It hurts to lose when you play that well. We made some mistakes today but we made up for some too."
"We have a hard-nose team, we now just have to correct the things we did wrong and come out ready to play next week."
MICHIGAN STATE WIDE RECEIVER LAVAILE RICHARDSON:
"We aren't down at all, we played the best game we could today. Next week we are going to have to play hard, re-group in practice this week and come out next week ready for Michigan."
MICHIGAN STATE TAILBACK TYRELL DORTCH:
"I felt good today and I had a lot more confidence. My ankle felt the best it has felt in a long time. I tried my hardest today. With T.J. not feeling his best today, it was up to Little John Flowers and I to step up and perform. We played hard today, the way we practiced all week."
MICHIGAN STATE TAIL BACK T.J. DUCKETT:
"We have to get ready for next week now, it's back to work. We have to start putting points on the board and making things happen. I think its going to take a little extra effort and a few more yards. Its just a matter of getting in the end zone."