MSU Quotes
9/3/2005 12:00:00 AM | Football
Sept. 3, 2005
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MSU Head Coach John L. Smith
Opening Statement
"We played really good at times; I think at times we made some mistakes, we need to clean that up. For the most part, it was a really good first day, a good first outing. We had a lot of new guys out there. Did you guys know who most of those guys were - I know I didn't. But it was real good to see them out there, see their smiling faces. Overall, there's a lot of good things, a lot of things to build on, to work on, a lot of corrections and some things to clean up. Tomorrow, we're going to come in, we're going to run extra; we got a little sloppy at times. We didn't come out with quite the spark I would like in that second half, not quite the tempo I would have liked. Anyway, it was a good day, proud of our kids and proud of our coaches. On the defensive side of things, for the most part, we kept the ball in front of us, which was A+ +. We're there to make the play; we just need to make the play. We'll get better, that's one way to look at it; we'll just get better."
How does it feel for you to go out after last year?
"The kids, they work year round, to get another shot, to come out there and get that nasty taste out of their mouth. They were really anxious and I liked our preparation this week. These guys aren't quite like some of our teams in the past; they're a little more business-like, which I like. They were like that all week. They were like that in the hotel; there was no smiling. They were anxious to get out there. They're looking forward to Hawaii coming here next week, and get out on the field with those guys."
Do you attribute the attitude to the leadership of the team?
"I think it's kind of hard to point out what your temperament is, what your attitude is. That changes year to year, but I think that's part of it. It's part of what they've developed over the summer."
Your offensive line handled them up front, who do you attribute that to?
"I think for the most part, we controlled them at the line of scrimmage. I think on the offensive side, for the most part we can say all of those guys played pretty well. It was real good to see, I would hate to single any one of those guys out."
Did you know you had a school record for yardage, and lost it on those last couple of plays, and what does that mean to you?
"Records and all that stuff take care of themselves if we do what we are supposed to do. Really, I had no idea of the record, so I guess it hurts a little not to get it."
How nice was it to be able to get Brian Hoyer into the game?
"Yeah, I probably should have gotten him in there a little bit sooner, but you can never have enough points on the board. I'm a little conservative with that. But it was good to get him in there, and get him some time. We were able to get (Domenic) Natale in there in the end too."
What about Jehuu Caulcrick's game?
"Jehuu's game was real good; he had a really good day. That's the way he can be, he can't be a yo-yo like he was. He can't be a tough guy on some plays, and not on others. He needs to be a tough guy on every play. I was a little upset with him when he fumbled on the one, but we patted him on the tail and told him to get back in there and make up for that. And he did later in the game, and came over to the sidelines and said smart-alec - that was for you."
Kyle Brown, WR, Sr.
On today's performance...
"Drew (Stanton) was great. I just went out and ran the routes and he got the ball to me. All I had to do was catch it. He was making the right reads and he made it easy for me."
On the offensive chemistry...
"It was easier because it all came from the summer; we were out (practicing) every day and working hard. When we went to preseason camp I felt like we already had that connection. I feel like we've got our timing down."
On his improvement...
"I felt more comfortable on the field. I thought it was easier to focus. I was just thinking about running the route, catching the ball, and then I was able to focus on getting some (yards after the catch).
Jehuu Caulcrick, RB, So.
On the offense...
"I felt like everything was clicking today. The offensive line was great and that allowed all the backs to step in and contribute and make a difference. The holes were huge on a few of the touchdown runs, I didn't get touched until I was in the endzone."
On his improvements...
"I feel a lot more confident on the field. I think I just understand the system and the game better than last year. I am allowing the offensive line to really get out there and block for me. Having patience with that is probably the biggest thing."
On starting the year with a win...
"It's nice to start out with a win this season. Going into Rutgers last year and losing was a tough way to start out. I think it's important to get the first win under your belt just to boost the team's confidence. I feel pretty good about our game today."
David Herron, Jr., LB, Jr.
On the defensive performance...
"I feel good about the game today. We knew coming in we were going to have to play the pass more and we were ready for it. When we needed to we dropped back into the right coverages and had good communication."
On the play of SirDarean Adams...
"I was pleased with how (SirDarean) did today. It was his first start and I just told him not to hold back and go out there and play like he knows how. I told him to get a good week of practice in and he did, I'm sure he was glad to get through his first game."
On different defensive coverages...
"We knew that they were going to pass a lot, and we had a lot of looks for them. I got to be up on the line some and back in coverage some. It was good for everyone to get a little extra experience with moving around and putting on a pass rush."
QB Drew Stanton
How much better can the offense be?
"I think we can be a lot better. We did a lot of good things out there today but there were a couple times when we went three and out and didn't give our defense enough rest. We're at a good point where we're comfortable. Now it's just a matter of rhythm and being able to sustain drives."
On the turnovers...
"Unfortunately we had some miscommunication on the pick and roll play (with Matt Trannon) and then the fumbles too, so we have to cut down on those. We were lucky and fortunate to get away with it today but we can't have those in the future."
"We've seen what this offense can do when we get rolling. Being able to mix it up with the run and the pass is nice to keep people off balance."
On reviewing the game film...
"You go back and you break down some throws. I can remember some of the passes I threw that I would like to have back. It's just trying to figure out where people are on the field and it's hard to figure that in practice."
DT Clifton Ryan
"There are some things we have to work on, but I'm pleased we came out with a 49-14 win. You have to take the good with the bad, but we have to get better."
On the pass rush today...
"We have to put our noses to the grindstone. We have keep working hard and working on our techniques and our get-offs and hopefully improve against Hawaii."
On getting more of a pass rush and improving against the run...
"They didn't run the ball that much and when they did they didn't pick up many yards so we are satisfied with that. We have to get better against the run because we are going to be playing teams like Michigan and Minnesota who run the ball 35 or 40 times a game."
"As far as getting more sacks, we have to work on our technique in practice and carrying that over to the game. We have to keep doing one-on-one drills with our offensive lineman and working on technique drills with Coach Selman--if we keep progressing, we'll be alright."
