Michigan State - Missouri Post Game Quotes
12/1/2001 12:00:00 AM | Football
Dec. 1, 2001
Recap?|? Final Stats?|? Notes
Michigan State Head Coach Bobby Williams:
"That was a pretty good win. I was very proud of the way these guys really came out and played this football game today. I knew after that pre-game warm-up that these guys were ready to play. It was the first time probably all year long that we played a really good football game as a team. The offense played very well, the defense played well, the kicking game - just an overall great team effort. My hat goes off to the Missouri team to stay in there and fight. I give credit to our seniors, the leadership they have given this program and what they've given this team this year and the way this young football team responded to make sure they sent these guys out in the right way.
"I am very optimistic that we will get a bowl bid. We probably won't know definitely until tomorrow, maybe late tonight.
"The only statement that we want to make is we want to make sure that our team understands that we can play football. We're not trying to impress anyone on the outside. This was a statement that we wanted to make for our team."
On win today affecting overall view of season:
"This win was significant because I talk about this program moving in the right direction and despite all the things that have gone against us, the adversity that this team has faced this year we were able to move this program forward. That's where we are right now, that gives us momentum going into recruiting and into the off-season."
Missouri Head Coach Gary Pinkel:
"MSU played an exceptional game. I was very disappointed in our performance. We got outcoached, outplayed and out every-thinged in that game."
"I am disappointed that my seniors would have to have that be their last game wearing a Missouri uniform. We'll just get ready and get working and when we get on the bus we'll start working on next year."
"They executed and made some plays and got some things going. We made some errors and it just started snowballing and it's really disappointing."
MICHIGAN STATE PLAYER QUOTES
LB Josh Thornhill:
"It doesn't even feel like my last home game now. I'm sure it is going to hit me later tonight. The four years just went so fast, I love all these guys, I love playing for Michigan State. To me, there is no better place in the world to play. I love everything here and the tradition behind the program. I'm just proud to say I played for the Spartans."
"We said last night in our meetings that we were at a crossroads. We could set the stage for next year and go out on top with the seniors. The seniors got together and we all told the other guys what this game meant to us and told them we would lay it on the line so they could have success in the future."
WR Herb Haygood:
"I think we finally put everything together and to finally do that in my last home game, it feels good."
"I'm looking forward to a bowl game, that was our goal at the beginning of the season, so we are all looking forward to going to a bowl game."
QB Jeff Smoker:
"If feels great to put it all together. This is what we have been trying to do all season. Today, we put it all together, offense and defense."
"Now we want to rest our bodies, get our injuries healed and prepare for who ever we have coming up."
WR Charles Rogers:
"Everybody came to play today. We didn't have just 10 guys play, all 11 played well. Everybody bought their game and it turned into a big victory for us."
"They were playing about 10 or 15 yards off in coverage so, I felt like they were scared of our wide receiver's speed and we just took advantage of it."
TB Little John Flowers:
"It feels good. We've been struggling all year trying to put together a whole game. Finally, our last home game, my last game here, we finally did it. I'm so proud of everybody. I wanted to get this game for coach Williams. I really think that these seniors going out have started something special, a work ethic."
TE Chris Baker:
On his final home game- "It's tough. After being here for five years, I still can't believe it is over (home games). I'd rather be no other place than here right now."
"It is something special to build on. We haven't played like ourselves the last couple weeks. We finally got it back and put all together: offense, defense and special teams."
"It is a blessing. We got a big win and it feels good. All the seniors said they wanted to make their last game their best game."
TB T.J. Duckett:
"It was something that the coaches had done all week. All year we haven't put a whole game together, we haven't all clicked together. We finally put it all together and made plays."
"The offensive line blocked real well today. I mean they were just great. Dawan Moss blocked great at fullback. Everybody on offense blocked outstanding and gave us plenty of opportunity to run and you can't ask for anything better."