Post-Game Quotes
10/29/2005 12:00:00 AM | Football
Oct. 29, 2005
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MSU head coach John L. Smith:
Opening Statement...
"I just have to compliment our kids - they came out, played well, and showed good character - that's what it's all about. They're a fun group to be around. I enjoy working with them. They went to the field this week and said `don't worry, coach, we're going to buckle down, work hard and execute'. And they did.
"We got off to a good start. We challenged the special teams - Coach Mac went up and challenged them last night in our meeting - every place we've been we've led the country in some of the categories, and we're not doing that now. One, being kickoff returns and we emphasized that. I was very displeased with our protection on punts - we've got to do a better job there. I thought overall defensively - I was pleased we got some turnovers. Overall it was a team effort - I'm proud of the kids, proud of the coaches. Now we have to get back to work tomorrow. Going to Purdue is going to be tough."
On the defense...
"We turned it up a little bit on the defensive side of the ball. We felt we could cover them for the most part - we knew there was a little bit of a miss-match with the (James) Hardy kid physically, but for the most part we thought we could lock up and we could challenge him a little bit more, and we could gamble a little bit more, which we did. We changed it up - but we tried to emphasize getting up the field, and getting some pressure on him, not allowing Blake (Powers) to just stand back and throw it at will. I like that kid."
On the special teams...
"We tried to tell Demond `they're short on this corner, and if you lay out, you'll get around because the corner is short.' We emphasized last night our goals, and where we are and what we've done. Look in the mirror - we haven't done the job that we need to do on the special teams. We can still improve on some things, but Coach Mac called the special teams out and it was good to see. I think this game will be good for them to look at and to build on."
On the importance of this game...
"It's just a matter of getting better all the time and getting the nasty taste out of our mouths. The kids don't like it - they want to play well. The captains came to me and said `let's change it up'...in this league, you have to go to the field, get a break or two, and win."
MSU PLAYERS
Drew Stanton, Jr., QB
On getting the win...
"It's really nice to get back in the win column. It's a rivalry game for us, so we came ready to play. I think we prepared real well this week and today we played with a lot of emotion."
On Special Teams...
"Getting that opening kickoff was really a lift for us. Special teams played great today. You can see how special teams can really help you and really hurt you."
On the running game...
"I thought we ran the ball well today. Our blocking was good and all three running backs did a great job again today. Because of the looks they were giving us, we were able to do some things through the air, and that opens up the run, and vice versa."
On rolling out...
"When I roll out, it moves the pocket. They were trying to go man to man on us on the outsides and when I got out there, it opened some things up. That allows us to throw lots of different things at them and then it opens up different rush lanes for our backs."
Ashton Watson, Sr., CB
On his 2-point conversion...
"I saw the bounce and my eyes lit up. All week we had been saying that Demond (Williams) was going to block it and I was going to scoop it and score it, so when it happened it was kind of like riding a bike. I just saw it bounce, picked it up, then I almost got caught, but I changed my angle and took it all the way."
On the defense...
"It feels good to get back on track after last week. We had a good game plan and just came out and played hard. They had a great receiver and I was on him. We were just trying to prevent big plays and I think we did a good job. Last week, we took a tough punch in the mouth. But this was a good win and a great confidence builder for us."
Demond Williams, Jr., DB
On the kickoff return...
"At first I just started out and saw a lane, then I looked right up at the student section and thought `here I come.' I felt good as soon as I caught it. Then I saw there was no one near me and I was in the clear. There was great blocking, everyone was accountable and had someone and that was it."
On the blocked extra point...
"It was something we worked on in practice, and I turned around and said to David Herron `I'm going to get this one' and I just went for it. I got a good jump on the snap, and we were working all week on just selling out for the ball and I got back there and just put my body out. Special things happened on that play. Everyone was working hard."
Terry Love, So., WR
On the win...
"It feels real good, I think it's going to build some confidence and character going into new week on the road. Hopefully, we can get back to the pace we had at the beginning of the season."
On getting laid out after not fair catching a punt...
"I didn't mind getting hit, I told everybody I was fine. Coach was just like hang in there, because he thought I was banged up."
On Drew Stanton's play...
"He relied on us a lot today to make plays, which is something that is probably going to happen more. We're just going to continue to make plays out there."
SirDarean Adams, So., BANDIT
On getting back on the winning track...
"It feels great. Our goal for our seniors is to leave here as winners. We're playing a four game season, right now we've got one out of four, so we have try and win three more."
On their defensive performance...
"We didn't give up. We took one play at a time. Before the game we said we wanted to reach all of our goals this game, which were don't give up the big play, no long drives, and try to stop them on third down. Today I think we reached almost all of our goals."
Eric Smith, Sr., S
On the opening kickoff return...
"It helped our confidence quite a bit. We seemed a little flat when we went out, but soon as Demond (Williams) ran it back, there was no doubt that everybody was ready to play."
