Alamo Bowl Press Conference Transcript
12/27/2003 12:00:00 AM | Football
Dec. 26, 2003
Michigan State defensive line coach Steve Stripling:
"It is a pleasure and exciting to be here in San Antonio. We've had a fun week so far, with a lot of activities. I think the guys are tired, it's been wearing them out a bit. We're looking forward to the game on Monday against a great opponent in Nebraska. Defensively, we are going to try to do the best that we can do.
"We came down on Monday (Dec. 22). Coach Smith's plan is that we pretty much work out every day. Some days are a little light and some days are heavy. We had a quick workout Sunday and had Sunday afternoon off for Christmas shopping. Then we left on Monday morning, had a light workout on Monday, followed by two heavy workouts on Tuesday and Wednesday. We actually had a light workout on Christmas day. We have been working hard the last couple of days.
"Part of defending a great option team is the pursuit, keeping leverage on (Jammal) Lord and not letting him out.
"Size-wise, Nebraska has a Big Ten offensive line, averaging 300-315 pounds, so there is a challenge there. Having known Nebraska teams from the past as a former player and coach at Colorado, this team is more physical up front, bigger and stronger."
Linebacker Mike Labinjo:
What responsibilities to you have in defending the option . . .
"Well, it depends on what type of formation they have. Most of the time, I have either the quarterback or the pitch player. We'll try to give them different looks. We want to try and keep the ball out of the quarterback's hands because he is a great athlete and he has been killing teams when he has the ball in his hand."
On the turmoil surrounding Nebraska's program with the coaching change . . .
"We know their players, especially their seniors, will keep their focus and realize they have a game to play - a very big game."
Strong Safety Jason Harmon:
On defending the option . . .
"As a safety, you want to counteract what the linebackers do. If they have quarterback responsibilities, then we have the pitch and if we have the quarterback, then they have the pitch. We want to get the ball out of Jammal's (Lord) hands."
On switching from free safety to strong safety after Eric Smith's season-ending injury . . .
"As far as the switch goes, I just had to take a little bit more responsibility on my shoulders and learn the strong safety position. I had to get in my playbook a little bit more. As far as the physicality, I have to be more physical because I get down in the box more. I've also taken on more responsibility as a leader back there."
On defending the play-action pass . . .
"That is a play they can get us on. They are a good running team, especially a good option team, so when they get you concentrating on that, then they get you off-balance with the play-action pass."
Defensive tackle Kyle Rasmussen:
On defending the option . . .
"Being a defensive tackle inside, we try and get extra guys swarming to the ball and extra pursuit to the ball carrier."
On the importance of winning his last game . . .
"You always want to go out winning your last game. This will be the last game of my career here. They're a good team and we're going to go out and play hard."
Defensive end Greg Taplin:
On the importance of ending his college career with a win . . .
"This is going to be big for us. We've worked hard all year. The coaches came in and brought a new attitude to the program. This is a big game for us - it means a lot. Nebraska has a lot of tradition and so do we. We need to finish out this year with a win."
On the importance of playing well defensively vs. Penn State after struggling against Wisconsin:
"After the Wisconsin game, we had a defensive meeting and the coaches stood in front and went over our defensive goals. We noticed that we had gotten away from our goals and what we were trying to do. In the Penn State game, we came out and played Spartan football. We played with toughness and got a big win. Hopefully, that is how we will play on Dec. 29."
