News From The Locker Room
11/16/2002 12:00:00 AM | Football
Nov. 16, 2002
Recap?|? Final Stats?|? Notes
Michigan State Interim Head Coach Morris Watts:
On the game:
"We didn't always play smart. We made a few key mistakes, but the one thing that we did was compete through four quarters. During the course of the game I think our young men fought back and gave themselves a chance to win, even to the end when Damon scrambled on the fourth down play trying to get to the first down marker. I'm happy with the effort. I told the young men that, but I also told them not to be happy with the results."
On the missed extra point and two point conversions:
"I don't know if it (missed extra point) affected the outcome of the game. We lost a two-point conversion. Charles (Rogers) was down. He was being taken care of at the other end of the bench so we had to run Kyle (Brown) in real quick and we ended up with an illegal formation. We didn't have enough men on the line of scrimmage when we completed the two-point play. Whether or not that was the difference in the game, I wouldn't say that, but you can never afford to lose points. The one time we elected to go for one, I should have known in the back of my mind when you're down by two, you go for two. We should have gone for two."
On keeping the team motivated for the last game of the season:
"Well, I've been concerned since we took over. With all the adversity, and with us coaching, those situations aren't easy and they won't get any easier when we go back to work on Monday. All we can do is to say things that appeal to their pride. When you strap the chinstrap and you're truly a competitor then you go play the game like it's supposed to be played. I won't change the approach that we've taken. I think there are a lot of prideful young men in that dressing room who don't want this (losing) to continue."
Purdue Head Coach Joe Tiller:
On the end of the game:
"It was really nice for us to experience our own football team making a play at the end of the game. We've had so many games this year where we haven't made a play. It was great to make a play by a guy coming off the bench."
About the game:
"I was disappointed with our third quarter but I liked the way we played in the first half. I can't believe we fumbled the ball on a quarterback-center exchange on the goal line like we did. So obviously there were enough things about this game that we'll go ahead and practice all week long."
On the defense:
"I thought our defense played well. Our defense got a couple of turnovers and I thought they (MSU) did a good job. Actually, didn't they score twice on defense? So this might be my second game ever as a coach ... when the defense has scored twice and they didn't win the game."
Michigan State player quotes:
QB Damon Dowdell:
"I struggled in the first half with my footing. Their defense played pretty well today. They brought a lot of pressure and we just came out on the short end of the stick."
On the back and forth game...
"It was probably fun to watch. We went out there and played hard."
On not going to a bowl game...
"It is hard. That is what you work for all off-season - to get to a bowl game. It is just hard right now."
OL Paul Harker:
On senior day...
"It was real nice to be able to walk out there with my mom and dad. I had a video camera so I got to videotape the crowd when I was walking out. It is definitely something I will replay over and over and over in my mind as well to just think about all of the good times I have had here."
TB David Richard:
"Every player should walk with their heads high. No one should have any regrets. We just left it all out on the field.
"This was our last home game of the year and we wanted to play this for the fans. Unfortunately, we didn't come out with a victory but we just wanted to play our hardest."
On his TD run...
"It was a third-down play and I was determined to get the first down. I made contact with someone and I saw another opening so I just took it to the outside and went in the end zone."
WR Charles Rogers:
"There was a lot of excitement out there. We fought hard and had a lot of fun with it."
On his second touchdown pass...
"I caught it over the middle and I saw some lanes for me to run. B.J. Lovett called my name to grab my attention. I had a blocker on the left end and I just used that block. He made a great block."
CB DeMario Suggs:
"This is a special place and a special touchdown for me. I thought I knew the play was coming. They had run it a couple of times before and I was expecting it. Coach called my number for a blitz. I read the quarterback and after his third step, I timed my jump and the ball landed in my hands. It was kind of an early Christmas present for me.
"We didn't come out with a W, but I'm proud of this team. They fought today. We battled and I'm glad the fans were behind us. They stuck with us the whole time."
SS Thomas Wright:
"My last game at home. We didn't win it, but it still felt good that everybody came out and we didn't lay down. Everybody played hard to the last minute. As far as the touchdown, I've been wanting one of those for a long time and I finally got one."
On his touchdown return...
"It was man-to-man coverage. He crossed the middle and he batted the ball and we both swung around. The next thing I know I stuck my hands out. It hit me in the hands, I grabbed it and ran as fast as I could."
