From The Locker Room
8/31/2002 12:00:00 AM | Football
Aug. 31, 2002
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Head Coach Bobby Williams
On today's game:
"We got off to a real good start in this first ball game. We were happy that we got the chance to play a lot of players. We got a chance to play a lot of freshman and a lot of guys in the second unit. It was really good that we gave those guys some experience."
"I think that we really got some questions answered, but we've still got a long ways to go as a football team. We were a bit sluggish at the beginning of the game, before we finally got into a rhythm. We went in at halftime and asked them to put these guys away. Then in the second half, we got a big kickoff return and punched it in for a touchdown. So, there was some good things and definitely things that we can build off from and get back to work. This is a 12 game season."
"We had some questions about the running game and how well we could run the ball. I was happy with the way the offensive line was able to establish the line of scrimmage and the way Dawan Moss ran. He made a lot of big plays, even though he didn't have a lot of carries. This is more than he's been accustomed to."
On the play of the special teams:
"I don't think we really got challenged in the punt rush today. Daily did a really good job and tried to down the ball within the 10-yard line. We got the ball in there a little bit. We did really good on kick coverage. We had a pretty good kick-off return to open up the second half. Our punt return game showed some things today too. It's good things to build on."
QB Jeff Smoker:
On the victory:
"It feels great. That is the most we have scored since I have been here. It was good to see that our offense has the capability of scoring that many points. It is always important to start off the season with a bang and that is what we did today. That should give us a lot of confidence heading into next week."
On the running game
"The offensive line did a great job getting the running game going. The running backs ran great today too. But, you have to give credot to the offensive line for opening those huge holes."
TE Eric Knott:
On his first touchdown:
"On the first touchdown, Jeff (Smoker) was scrambling and I was just trying to get open. They were playing the run really hard and I just leaked out into the flat and was wide open."
On the offense:
"Today's game says a lot for our offense. We are trying to do big things this year; we are trying to get to the Rose Bowl. We just have to take it step by step. Right now we have a 24 hour period to relax and celebrate, and Sunday it is back to work."
LB Mike Labinjo:
"We came into the game trying to prove a couple of things. We wanted to see where this team was. We had no idea what the offense or defense was capable of doing.
On the defensive performance"
"We did a great job against the run. We forced them (Eastern Michigan) out of their game. We caused them to pass a lot, which allowed us to stay off the field, and allowed our offense to score some points.
"I was surprised by the play of our defensive line. It seemed as if they were in the backfield all day making tackles. It made the linebackers' job pretty easy. We are going to take build on this game and continue to improve."
TB Dawan Moss
On his first game as the featured tailback:
"I have to first give credit to my linemen: center Brian Ottney, right guard William Whitticker, right tackle Steve Stewart, left guard Joe Tate, Paul Harker, Ulish Booker and Stefon Wheeler."
On his 50-yard touchdown run:
"It felt great. I was just thinking about running and getting into the end zone."
On the performance of the freshmen running backs:
"I'm real proud of them. They did a great job coming in there for the first time. They ran hard. They had some great runs."
On taking the freshman running backs under his wing:
"I try to make them feel comfortable coming to me with anything they have. When I see something they need to know, I try to tell them about it."
TB David Richard
On his collegiate debut:
"I was really pleased with the way things went this afternoon. When given an opportunity, I just wanted to run hard, take advantage of my blocking and punish any tacklers. I have a lot of confidence in my ability as a runner. I pictured having a big game today and scoring on a long run. I thank God for giving me the opportunity to play to my ability."
On his 38-yard touchdown run:
"It was an isolation play designed to go up the middle but the hole was clogged, so I bumped the play to the outside. The safety was there on the outside so I just lowered my shoulder and ran through the tackle. I had to stiff-arm another defender and then I used my speed to get into the end zone."
On the production of the running game:
"All of the tailbacks practice hard. Coach (Reggie) Mitchell rotates all of us through the various drills. We want to push each other because the competition brings out the best in each runner. Today, we just wanted to prove to the doubters that Michigan State still has a running game."
