Inside The Lockerroom
10/16/2004 12:00:00 AM | Football
Oct. 16, 2004
Recap | Final Stats | Notes | Photo Gallery
EAST LANSING, Mich. -
Michigan State vs. Minnesota
October 16, 2004 - East Lansing, Mich.
Post-Game Quotes
Michigan State Head Coach John L. Smith
Opening Statement...
"All you can do is pat those guys on the back and give them credit of which they deserve. They were not going to be denied today. Spirits were good and they went out with the attitude that we're going to get it done today, we're going to win this ball game. We started off fast and they played hard the entire game. Good things happen when you play hard. If we look at it, it's a big offensive day for us no doubt. A couple mistakes in there when we threw it to the wrong color. We need to make sure that we throw it to the guys wearing green and not the other color. Overall, it was a big day offensively. I think we threw the ball well and we continue to get better. That's the most positive thing about it. We can't lose sight of what gets us that because we go to the practice field and work hard. If we continue to do that then we'll continue to become a better football team.
"I was proud of our defense. They played well. They played hard all game, they tackled well but again we can't make anything easy. We gave up a couple of bonehead plays where we put it up and the wrong guys caught it at least the wrong guys for us. There are some things there that we still need to work on. For the most part special teams was good. I've been on those guys all week long that no matter what you do, field the ball. With Kyle (Brown) on that one punt, he was just doing what coach told him to do, which was field the ball. He'll learn from that and we'll learn. It was a great outing. Give those kids credit and give those coaches credit. It was a great win. Now we get a little time off to get healthy and get ready for Michigan."
On Drew setting a record for combined yardage (passing and rushing)...
"I keep harping on this, and each week, I sound like a broken record but if you're on the defensive side and as hard as we throw it, it's tough enough to defend. Then you add an extra running back in the backfield with his presence and ability to run it, now it makes it real tough on the defensive side. I'm not overly surprised. He had a great day and played his tail off. It was great to see. He made a couple mistakes; he's going to kick himself in the tail about and he could have even done better. He's gelling and I like that we're starting to develop around that ability as an offense."
On the team's development halfway through the season...
"We're starting to get there. We're starting to get confidence in ourselves and what we're doing. We need a little bit more on the defensive side of the ball because we can't give up the big plays that are still kind of haunting us. But we are getting better. If we can stay healthy and right now we're fairly healthy except for some bumps and bruises, you have a chance. They are approaching the season the right way. Go to the practice field and get better, better, better each week and the past four weeks, I think we've done that."
On the defense shutting down Minnesota's running attack...
"It's magic. (Laughs). No, the coaches did a good job getting enough guys on the line. The coaches put some things in that they thought were going to work, kind of a wide tackle look is what I call it but they don't call it that anymore I'm so old. I think that kind of helped out a bit. The credit goes to the kids though. We had to stack them on the line of scrimmage and force them to throw the football, and our kids tackled well. I thought they controlled the line well."
Minnesota Head Coach Glen Mason
Opening Statement...
"I don't know where to begin. The first thing that comes to my mind is that this is the worst loss we have endured in the seven years plus since I have been here. The big question is why? I'm really not sure. I don't have the answers and really didn't see it coming. It's what you should expect with poor offensive and defensive performances.
"We had a breakdown in the opening kickoff. And we played very poorly and the whole team played very poorly. It's my fault. I'll take the responsibility. It's my job to."
On the team's frustrations...
"It's very frustrating because I know how much they care and how important it is to these guys. I know the way they work, prepare and stay together. When you're not getting the results, it's hard. I'm frustrated for them."
On how better tackling could have affected the game...
"You can't go full-tacking during practice, at least not during the Big Ten season. If you do something poorly, you can't go back. At this level, you just have to tackle better."
On the poor weather conditions effect on the outcome of the game...
"We practice outside like Michigan State. The weather had no effect on the outcome of this game. It rained on both sides of the field."
On what Minnesota can do from here...
"Where do we go from here? I have always been one of those guys that if it isn't broke don't fix it. If it is, then try anything to fix it. In some regards, we are broken, and I am going to try and do my best to fix it."
On how Michigan State earned the victory...
"We are not a group that typically panics. We didn't panic. I credit Michigan State. They are a good rushing team and we are supposedly a good one. It's a tough way going. After awhile, it takes you out of the game, being down too many points to count. Anything that I can say, we take can't take anything away from Michigan State."
Michigan State players
Drew Stanton, QB, So.
On preparing for Minnesota in practice...
"The coaching staff is well prepared during practices and they know what's going on. They have five guys working on the line helping to communicate to me on what's going on the field. The first thing part is recognizing things on the field and then the guys communicate."
On turnovers in the first half...
"Unfortunately, I threw those two picks early which I think hurt us a lot because we could have scored more points. I felt that the offense was really rolling along until that happened."
On the recent offensive scoring production...
"With our balanced attack, we rushed and passed for over 300 yards today. Anytime you can be that effective running the ball or passing the ball, you are going to be successful."
William Whitticker, OG, Sr.
On how MSU's offensive line compares in the Big Ten...
"We're just as good as other teams after putting up 300 yards in rushing and passing. We are just putting up all these yards rushing, and we're second in the Big Ten in rushing. I really feel that we're good, too."
On playing with Drew Stanton...
"He's a confident player and brings us inspiration when he comes out on the field. That confidence spreads to the other guys on the team."
Chris Morris, C, Jr.
On playing with Drew Stanton...
"He has all the confidence in the world and we have the same in him on the field. Seeing him going out there and playing well today is a great feeling to us."
On the offensive line's production this season...
"We knew it was going to happen, but we just had to put it together. The defense was going to come earlier, but now we're jelling together and are playing well."
On Offensive Line coach Jeff Stoutland...
"He prepares us every day for endless hours in meetings and practice. I don't think he goes home at night and he just watches tapes of us. He does a great job with us and helps us with every play on the field."
Kevin Vickerson, DT, Sr.
On how the defense stopped Minnesota's rushing attack...
"Everybody had a big role today. It's a team game, and everyone came together and played together as a real team on offense and defense. We shut them down by having all 11 guys running to the ball; that's what it came down to and that's what we had to do, so that's what we did."
On using last year's game as motivation for this year...
"Last year is last year. A lot of the teams are going to go off of last year's stuff or what we did this year... What I'm saying is we're for real. We don't have the problems and the miscues that we've had on offense and defense. This is the real deal and I think we showed you all that, and I think we've got a lot more to show. We aren't doing anything but getting better, and right now our confidence is building up and we've got a tough game on the road next week. We've got to get it on and get ready to play ball."
Tyrell Dortch, Bandit, Sr.
On his performance during the game...
"We wanted to take away their energy early and go along with it. We knew that Minnesota was coming in with a great running game and we wanted to show the whole world that we are a great defense. I think we made our mark today but now we've got to study the system"
On shutting down the perimeter aspect of Minnesota's rushing offense...
"Minnesota is real confident in its run game. They know that they're going to run the ball and they know that everyone knows that they're going to run the ball. We did a great job of going over film, practicing hard this week and we went out there and showed what we can do. We have to keep this going. We've got the boys down the road in a couple weeks, so we just have to hopefully pull the next one out."
Jehuu Caulcrick, RB, R-Fr.
On the overall running game...
"We heard all about Minnesota's running game coming into today. We knew our running game was good and it motivated us to come out and show everyone. I think that sharing responsibilities with DeAndra (Cobb) and Jason (Teague) keeps me fresh. We think of ourselves as a unit. Whatever is working for the team at that time."
On the offensive line...
"The offensive line did a great job opening holes up for us today, that's all I can say. On my second score, I almost couldn't believe how big the hole was. I think we were all clicking today as a unit, and that's our goal."
On his rushing touchdowns...
"We put a lot of work this week into our running game. Our defense did a great job to shut their running game down, but we really picked it up in some areas that we had been lacking in. It feels good to get a win like this against a quality team like Minnesota."
Eric Knott, TE, Sr.
On today's performance...
"Today we really executed well as a team. I think the touchdowns came because of the execution. All I can do is get open and catch the ball when it's thrown to me. I think we have turned the corner as a team. What's in the past is in the past, for now we can just focus on Michigan."
On quarterback Drew Stanton...
"Drew has a lot of energy and a lot of fire in him. He really gets everyone else going, and we look to him as a leader. Everyone feeds of the energy Drew brings. He gives us confidence in the huddle and everyone trusts him."
On the win over Minnesota...
"Some people underestimated us because of our performance in our first few games. All we can do now is focus on what's ahead of us. Teams can't look past us. We work hard and practice and break teams down play by play and we are going to be ready. We showed today our offense brings a lot to the table."
David Herron Jr., LB, So.
On shutting down Minnesota's running game...
"We practiced hard all week and watched lots of film. I think we were just prepared for Minnesota's running game. We had a game plan and we stuck to it. If we read our keys and do what we've got to do, we are going to win."
On a fourth down stop...
"I just read my keys and flowed with the play and attacked. I think the guy who was supposed to block me couldn't find me, and I got on the running back real quick in the backfield. I think that was a key play because our defense got the momentum rolling for the offense. We made a statement that we were here to play."
On the difference between now and the beginning of the season...
"We are learning every week. We practice hard and it pays off on Saturdays. I think that this team gets better every week. I like the position we are in with two weeks to prepare for the Michigan game."
