Post-Game Quotes
10/11/2008 12:00:00 AM | Football
Oct. 11, 2008
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MSU head coach Mark Dantonio
Opening statement...
I'm very proud of our football team. Mentally we were prepared, and that was basically the focus. We knew it would be a tough football game. A lot of credit to Northwestern, they played extremely hard and there is no quit in Northwestern ever. And that's what we saw last year and that's what I've seen in watching them, really since coach Fitzgerald has come back and everything. We felt like what we had to do was be able to respond to things with that force. We had to mentally stay on top of things. What ever happened, our offense was going to have to respond and our special teams were going to have to respond.
On injuries entering the game...
We were going to have to play a lot of players, we had some guys that were hurt. We knew that they would play some but we didn't know if they would be able to play the entire game, so all 12 of them needed to make sure we out played them mentally first and then the physical part tends to take care of itself. And I think that is what we did.
On five more minutes of possession time but NU ran 30 more plays...
Our offense, every time we need them to respond they responded. I think the last drive when they kicked the field goal took five minutes off (the clock), but you know there was great play-calling by Coach (Don) Treadwell. The guys just kept making plays. The guys just kept responding. That's what we felt like we had to do. We had to respond mentally before we could respond physically. You have to respond mentally.
Senior Quarterback Brian Hoyer
On the success of the day...
I felt that I played well and Javon [Ringer] was getting a big workload. They were bringing a lot of guys up, so we had to take advantage of it. That's how this offense is. We came out, got hot quick, and we were able to move the ball. I think what really helped us out were the turnovers. We had great field position all day. Glenn Winston did a great job returning that kick. I felt comfortable out there, and we came in knowing they would try to take away Javon, so there were some holes there for us to hit.
On finding a balance on offense...
I think it kind of started at Indiana, and it has just been carrying on. Whether it's me making a pass play or Javon running the ball for some first downs, it starts with the guys up front. They've been doing a great job. The difference between this year and last year is people are making plays when they have to. When we have to convert a third down pass, we do. When Javon needs to pound the ball at the end, we do. When the defense makes a stop, they did a great job. I think we are coming together as a whole.
On adjusting to Northwestern's pass rush...
For their pass rush, they were getting their ends real wide and high, and then up the field very fast. We tried to step up, but couldn't always get a clean shot. We were able to move the pocket a little bit, and even then with [Corey] Wootton at 6-9, having to throw over his hands. But I think we did a good job in the second half adjusting and going to some more secure protections where they couldn't rush as wide up the field."
Senior Running Back Javon Ringer
On overcoming a solid Northwestern defense...
First off, Northwestern has definitely been playing tremendous defense this year. They have been playing with a lot of energy and a lot of enthusiasm. My offensive line and I knew we had our work cut out for us, and knew they would bring a lot of guys into the box. All the credit goes to my offensive line, they were able to continue to produce and created the holes I needed to keep moving the ball down the field.
On becoming bowl eligible...
It means a lot; it is definitely a big step for our program and our team. We see how things are falling into place on how our season is going thus far. We aren't complacent; we aren't settling or relaxing at all because we are bowl eligible. We know we have some big tests left throughout the season. Now we are really going to start testing the team we have, but we are expecting big things.
