Michigan State University Athletics
Grid Insider: Player One-on-Ones
9/12/2007 12:00:00 AM | Football
Sept. 12, 2007
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Hoyer Interview
Saint-Dic Interview
Martin Interview
EAST LANSING, Mich. - Junior quarterback Brian Hoyer met with the media Monday afternoon in the LaSalle Bank Club at Spartan Stadium, talking about the play of Devin Thomas, the team having the fewest penalties in the Big Ten and the job of the offensive line. After Tuesday's practice, msuspartans.com caught up with senior defensive lineman Jonal Saint-Dic and junior offensive lineman Roland Martin.
Junior quarterback Brian Hoyer
On having a guy like Devin Thomas to throw to...
It helps tremendously; the way he's been playing you build confidence in him. When you know that there is a guy that can make plays, it makes you feel a little more relaxed. He is just focused on getting better and better. His success so far has not surprised me.
On the improvement from the first week to the last week...
We got put in some tough situations (down 14-7) and we finally got the opportunity to handle a little bit of adversity. That was something we didn't get the first week. Coming out of that game that's the biggest thing (adversity) we took from it was handling that adversity and bouncing back.
On the offensive line...
They have done a great job, not only protecting but in the running game as well. I think we are fortunate enough to have an offensive line that was able to come from the spread where you mostly are in pass sets to getting a chance to fire off the ball and hit somebody. They've been excited about that. It helps me with my game when I don't feel like I have to worry about getting hit and I can just drop back and focus on the defense.
On Joel Nitchman...
I think he has done a great job. His first start was against UAB and for someone making their first start you would think they would be nervous. He was excited and ready to go. He came back and did great job against Bowling Green. We are fortunate to have someone like this behind John (Masters). Sometimes you worry about a drop off when you lose a guy like John. There hasn't been any drop off. Joel gets in there and makes calls.
On having the fewest penalties in the Big Ten right now...
That's a testament to Coach Dantonio and the staff. When he came in I think that was one of the biggest things he emphasized, that we were the most penalized team in the Big Ten. We have had the refs at every practice to ref our team periods like it is a game. It is something we have become more aware of. In fall camp if the defense jumped offsides, we would have to run after practice. People have started to realize that those kinds of mistakes will hurt us in the long run.
