News From the Locker Room
10/29/2000 12:00:00 AM | Football
Oct. 29, 2000
MSU Head Coach Bobby Williams
"Well guys, it feels great to get a win after a month. We made some adjustments at the half to get us going in the running game. Our defense hung in there and stuck together and kept them out of the endzone. I felt that Jeff Smoker did a tremendous job in relief, and he really made some big plays to lead us to a win."
"I had four ugly losses, so this is a win, and it's something that we really needed. I wouldn't care if the score was 3-0, 2-0 or 1-0. I wouldn't feel any different. A win is a win. I've seen what it was like the last four weeks and I don't want to go back there."
(On Van Dyke)
"I really thought that Ryan was struggling. We had some protection problems, but I thought he was struggling and that it was necessary to make the change."
(On quarterback situation)
"Well it's hard to say right now. We have to evaluate the situation and look at the film and make the decision that is best for our football team. Both of the quarterbacks bring something to the table. Ryan has been around, he has some experience and Jeff has shown that he has a lot of ability and can make big plays."
(Filling T.J.'s shoes)
"I thought all five of them did a tremendous job. I was really proud of Little John Flowers because he is always kind of the last guy and he really stepped up and played very, very well. I though (Dawan) Moss, (Tyrell) Dortch and Travis Wilson also did a very good job."
(On Duckett's injury)
"He wanted to see if he could play. He really didn't set himself back, he just came out of the game and said he would rather sit out. I think by him not getting hit today really speeds things up and he should be ready to go next week."
MSU ASSISTANT AD/ATHLETICS TRAINER JEFF MONROE
(Duckett's Injury Report)
"T.J. Duckett's rehab is going well. He was very close to being ready to go today so he wanted to give it a try. T.J. carried the ball once and he just didn't feel right. He felt unsure so Coach Williams held him out the rest of the game."
"I except continued improvement and he should be ready to go next week."
Player Quotes
FB Dawan Moss: "It was a total team effort today. T.J. Duckett is one of the best running backs around so we knew that with him out of the lineup, we all would get some chances. I just tried to put my head down and run hard into the holes. I think all five backs helped contribute to the win.
"The offensive line really dominated the line of scrimmage in the first quarter but unfortunately, we only scored seven points."
CB Renaldo Hill: "Today we were trying for the "goose egg." We knew that our offense was struggling a bit. We also knew that if we played well on defense and they didn't score than they couldn't win. The defense did a good job today."
On his interception: " It was blitz coverage so I knew it was going to be a quick pass. He cut in and I knew I was in good position to make a play on the ball.
TE Chris Baker: "I don't feel that our offense really broke out today. We put points on the board, and it was enough to win. However, I still don't think we broke out. Today's win definitely gave us more confidence heading into to next week. We had a good week of practice
QB Jeff Smoker: "It feels good to get the win today. We have been practicing hard the last few weeks. We have been close the last few weeks but haven't been able to get it done. It took a while to get going, once I got in because you see different things once you get in the game that you can't see from the sidelines. As the game goes on, you gain more and more confidence."
"We worked hard today and all came together, the line, the receivers and the offense as a whole."