Michigan State 25, Wisconsin 24
11/1/2008 12:00:00 AM | Football
Nov. 1, 2008
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MichiganStateHead Coach Mark Dantonio
Opening Statement...
Well, looking at these statistics, they aren't too good, but you just keep playing and something good is going to happen. Our team did that. I thought that there were a couple guys on that football field that played outstanding. I thought (senior quarterback) Brian Hoyer answered the bell. You measure a quarterback by wins and losses, and with 1:17 left to go on the 17-yard line, he brought us back a couple times in that football game with throws in our two-minute offense. There was one in the first half and one in the second half randomly just to try to move some things and get some things going and I thought he played outstanding. Brett Swenson had a tough game last week and he comes back and goes 4-for-4. Kicked a 50-yarder with whatever time was left, and it was huge for him to come back and seal it with a 44-yarder. It was a great, great job. He's maybe one of the greatest kickers that's ever gone through here with the ability to focus like that and kick it up there. It's exciting for us. I can't say it was a pretty game, but we just kept hanging around. We regained our composure; we gained a little bit of momentum and some emotion there in the fourth quarter. But give credit to Wisconsin; they're a good football team, they ran the ball effectively, but it just shows you that you just need to keep playing. I'm very, very happy for our football team, and our entire fan base and this state. We're 8-2 and we have Purdue this week, so it'll be an exciting week for us. All of our goals are in front of us, I think, and that's what's exciting.
On getting off to a slow start...
I think a lot of that had to do with Wisconsin. They played very well, Javon (Ringer) was sick a lot of the week - he actually lost 10 pounds - he hung in there and ran the football, but he was 192 rather than 205. But give credit to Wisconsin. They came to play. They played very well on defense. They played very well on offense. They ran the ball effectively. But at the end of the day, we were able to come up with just one more point, and that's all you need.
On Brett Swenson's game-winning kick...
Well I was OK because I knew that (Alex) Shackleton was going to snap the ball on time, Aaron Bates was going to get it down, and we had one last week that was a bad snap, and when we get it down, he's been kicking the ball very well all week. He was re-focused. Last week, maybe his body rhythms were off, but I knew he would kick it. I knew he would get it up, I knew he was focused, and I knew that he would just do his job.
On winning close games...
I hope this serves as an example for our football team to just keep playing regardless of whether we were down by 11 points with six or seven minutes. We managed to score pretty quickly, they took three minutes off the clock, and it didn't look good. But we hung in and our fans hung in, and there were a lot of people that stayed. I think we've got good senior leadership, I think we've come through some tough times in terms of playing some close games - look at the Iowa game. We're figuring out ways to win close games, and I think that can become a confidence boost for us.
On the team's goals at this point in the season...
Like I said, every time we stick our hand in the middle of a crowd, whether it's winter workouts, summer conditioning or summer camp, the words `Big Ten Champs' come out of that crowd. The reality is if we win the last two games, we are at the very least co-Big Ten champs. Not many people can say that right now in this country in terms of their conference. That's what's exciting for our football team right now. But the focus has to be on Purdue, and the focus has to be on re-charging and getting our emotions in check, and re-focusing tomorrow.
MichiganStateOffensive Coordinator Don Treadwell
Opening comments...
It's hard to catch your breath, let me tell you. There is a great celebration going on in that locker room. We are so proud of our kids. They kept hanging and believing. I will tell you what, when we get that ball in the red zone, (Brett) Swenson is just unbelievable. He came back from some of the disappointment I'm sure he felt at Michigan and was in shining form. It was great to give him an opportunity to redeem himself.
On opening up the offense...
We wanted to continue to try to establish balance as best we could. You're always going to try and give Javon Ringer the football. Coach Dantonio said we should open it up a bit more and interject some two-minute stuff off-and-on throughout the game, as opposed to waiting until the last two minutes. It gave us a little bit of life. A lot of credit to our guys, as you probably saw, we had a great variety of guys coming out at the receiver position. We had some guys who maybe even played for the first time, in (Chris D.) Rucker and (Deon) Curry, who hadn't been out there a lot and then all of a sudden he was out there in the heat of the battle. It was a well-rounded thing in that regard.
On sophomore Mark Dell's injury...
He possibly could have gone, but we didn't want to put him in a situation where he wouldn't be able to perform in a way we wanted him to perform. We were more or less counting on the guys that were getting the reps.
On junior Blair White...
Blair White had a tremendous week of practice, so we felt that he could pick up the slack there and he was able to do that. He just happened to be in the right place at the right time. He plays with so much confidence, especially after last week's game. He is just continuing to play with confidence and it's nice to establish that back-to-back.
On redshirt freshman B.J. Cunningham coming back into the game and making a big catch on the final drive...
He probably willed himself back out there. In that type of situation, there is a whole lot of screaming and yelling going on, so you're not really hearing who is in and who is out. We were just trying to put ourselves in a decent position. It would have been the same call had it not been B.J. It wasn't like we saw him go in, we were just trying to do something in the middle the best we could. It just timed out right.
On employing a hurry-up offense...
Coach Dantonio always makes sure that's a part of what we do weekly and we do a lot of that in the off-season. It's nothing foreign to our guys.
On whether or not he watched Swenson's final field goal...
Oh, absolutely. There's a lot good praying as you're watching the kicker.
MichiganStateDefensive Coordinator Pat Narduzzi
Opening comments...
It was a heck of a win and I'm really proud of our kids. I don't know if it was the best effort we've had this season defensively, and I give Wisconsin's offense a lot of credit on how they ran the ball today. But, great teams find a way to win and that's what our kids did...I got down there in the fourth quarter, and those kids kind of look at you like, `Coach, what's happening,' and I just said `keep believing.' We played a lot of base in the fourth quarter and our kids really got it done.
On the defense's tackling...
I don't think we tackled very well. That's one of the things I said at halftime. I said, `guys, we're kind of sitting back and waiting to see what happens and we need to go and tackle the guy.' It seemed like there were a lot of tentative times. I thought we tackled okay.
On the defensive injuries...
We had a lot of corners in and out. We had Rucker go down again, and I'm not sure what his deal is...He's a tough kid and he'll be back. We had guys in and out, and it was just about rotating different guys at different positions which is tough sometimes, but Coach Barnett did a good job getting the right guys in there at the right times.
On the physicality of the game...
I haven't been in a game that's soft, and that's a physical football team out there. They are huge and they like to run the ball, so it was a physical football game.
MichiganStateJunior Kicker Brett Swenson
On his feelings going into the final field goal attempt...
I wasn't even really expecting for me to go out there for the field goal, I thought on fourth down we were going to go for it, but I rushed out there real quick and tried to relax a little a little bit. That was actually the same spot where I kicked from last weekend and I was coming up short. I made sure I stayed relaxed and down on the ball, but I couldn't have done it without the help of everyone else. We had great blocking, snaps and holds through out the entire game and all the confidence the coaches and my teammate have in me helps too.
On Wisconsin calling the first timeout before the final field goal attempt...
I was actually kind of excited when they called that time out because it gave me a chance to relax. To be honest we were rushing around and I was hoping everyone was set while trying to look at the clock at the same time. The time out let me take a deep breath and Coach Dantonio gave me a little smile and told me I could do it. The blocking, the snap and the hold were all great and I knew I had to get myself back from having a down game last weekend so it was nice to get a good kick off and for us to comeback as a team and get a victory today.
On Wisconsin calling the second time out in a row before his final field goal attempt...
I started to smile I guess because that was just a way to help me relax. During practice on Thursday, the coaches cleaned the sidelines and surrounded me for my last kick of practice. Everyone was cracking jokes, calling me names and making fun of me to try and break my focus. But I hit that kick, and it is funny that today's game came down to a final kick as well, but it was nice being in our home stadium where everyone was quiet during the kick.
On his feelings after he made the field goal...
That was the one of the best kicks I have had in a long time. I came off my foot real well and it had good weight and power even when it hit the net I think, but I turned away halfway because it felt so good and I was so excited. I guess I never saw it go through, but it felt good and that's a credit to my teammates who were blocking, and getting a good snap and hold off. It is an unreal feeling being carried on my teammate's shoulders, and I'm glad I was able to do my part today and get the win.
MichiganStateJunior Wide Receiver Blair White
On the last drive...
We practice the two-minute offensive drill all the time in practice, so it was fitting we had to use it out there today. We did well with it, and things went our way towards the end and it feels great to get the win today.
On what was going through his head in the final moments of the game...
You know I don't need to say much about Swenson. He's a great player and really came through for us today. We trust that he is going to make it, and we all have confidence in each other when the game comes down to the final seconds. I think that helped us get the win today, and that is an area that is important for a team to be strong in.
On the injuries during the game...
There were a couple of us that went down today in the game either with a new injury or one that flared back up. But all that means is other players have to step up and make plays out there. (Brian) Hoyer delivered like he always does so that was really good for us and kept us in the game. Now the focus goes next week and getting some players healthy.
MichiganStateSophomore Tight End Charlie Gantt
On his feelings leading up to Swenson's final kick...
When Wisconsin called those timeouts, you know they are just trying to get into (Brett Swenson's) head, but I knew he was going to make it. He was been making them in practice all week and I think everyone had a lot of confidence that he was going to make it.
On the team's demeanor during the final minutes of the game...
(Brian) Hoyer definitely took charge, with the young guys we had it there and with Javon (Ringer) being sick, we had to make sure we were all on the same page and all know what was going on out there. After something goes wrong for him and we go back in the huddle, he also tries to stay together and keep the huddle together and get everybody focused for the next play.
On being down for most of the game...
We just had to keep on believing in ourselves. We knew we just had to believe that we could come back and just keep going at their guys. We kept pushing the ball offensively and then on defense we were doing all we could to stop them. I give credit to (Brian) Hoyer for the last drives where we picked up some yards and of course to (Brett) Swenson for putting the game away. We had a great week of practice coming into the game and we all believed we were going to win and kept believing even when we were down.
MichiganStateJunior Defensive End Trevor Anderson
On how physical the game was...
This wasn't the most physical game. Iowa was the most physical game we've played all year. The running style was the same, but as far as finishing blocks and everything like that, Iowa was definitely better. But [Wisconsin] were overall really great blockers, you can't take anything away from them.
On the keys to winning this game...
Winter conditioning. We go through a lot of situations like this, one example is we're supposed to run twenty "gassers" but we'll run 35 or forty just to play with our heads for games like this. When they scored and made it 24-13, a lot of people had their heads down, but the majority people were real leaders, they stepped up and said "We're not going to lose this game." For the most part that was the seniors, a lot of the younger guys are stepping up too, that's a big thing.
On Wisconsin's touchdown with nine minutes left in the fourth quarter...
We're still going to win the game, there was nine minutes left. This is college football; crazier things have happened.
I really can't speak on the past and how they did things in the past, but this is a good Spartan team. We're going to fight until the end. You're not going to come in here and get something easy. And that's the type of attitude we have, and that comes from coaches and goes all the way down to the training staff.
MichiganStateSenior Defensive Tackle Justin Kershaw
On the game winning kick...
I knew (Brett) Swenson was going to make it. I saw it in his eyes, we didn't know whether to say anything to him or not, but I don't think it matters because the guy has got ice-water in his veins. It's good to win a game that you didn't particularly play that well, so, I'm just happy we got the win. The kick was great we were all happy for the team and that (Swenson) came through.
On finishing the game strong...
For myself, the defense, we didn't play that well, they were running the ball on us, they probably have better stats than us the entire game. I didn't play that well of a game, so its nice just to win and fight through with your teammates. The most impressive thing is Swenson, he didn't play his best game last week and he could have gotten down on himself, but he was 4-for-4 today. Guys were just stepping up whenever you needed them to. Even Chris D. Rucker, he came in the game on offense, got a couple pass interferences, guys are just stepping it up around here.
On the last three weeks of play...
Obviously the OSU game was a disappointment to all of us, but we got over the hump and came and played very well against Michigan as a group. And today Wisconsin came to play, and we didn't play our best game, but it just shows the fight that this team has, the desire we have, and it feels great to get the eighth win.
On the depth of the team...
You got guys like Marcus Hyde and Danny Fortener that come in every day, Michael Jordan, Antonio Jeremiah and Harvey Anderson. I think guys are hungry to just continue to play, get better where their number is called and just step up. Guys like Jeremy Ware, who nobody knew about before the season. Even Ashton Leggett came in there today. And you look back at the Ohio State game and we have another quarterback who can play. Guys are just stepping it up. We say it every week, this is a special team and we can't let anything slip by us, we couldn't let this one slip by us even though we almost did. Now we've got Purdue coming up.
On the multiple injuries the Spartan's had throughout the game...
I think that happens with every football team. I just think this is a different group of guys, and football is about toughness. Every team has good players and a good scheme, but what it comes down to is toughness. Toughness is guys getting their name called and playing when you're hurt. I know Otis [Wiley] was hurting today, I mean you can go down the list, BJ Cunningham was hurting today, I was hurting today. Guys were just stepping it up and being tough, and that's what gets us over the hump. I'm really glad we won.
Senior Quarterback Brian Hoyer
On watching the game winning kick...
I knew it was going to go in, I knew we were going to win. I asked Swenson before the drive `What yard line do you need?' And he said `the 33.' After that pass I threw to [Blair White] I looked down and I saw we were on the 30, and I told myself `Just don't mess it up, I know Swenson will make it.'
On leading the fourth quarter comeback...
It's special and I know Coach [Dantonio] comments all the time that that's where quarterbacks are judged. And the biggest stat in my book is wins and losses so the stats from today might not look pretty, but we're 8-2. And to take the team down and give them the opportunity to win, that's my job and that's what I expect of myself. And we practice it all the time. In camp and in spring ball we used to end every practice with a two-minute drill. And I guess the hard work paid off.
On the closeness of the team...
We always talk, us as seniors, we tell the guys we've got something special here. We're a very close knit group, we care for each other, we play for each other and everybody is stepping up and making plays. I'm sure some of those receivers out there you guys didn't even know who they were. When people need to step up, they step up and make plays. It's all about playing for each other and when you do that you give yourself an opportunity to win every time.
On the team's hard work and preparation...
I've never seen so many people in getting extra work during the week. Monday's we have off, but you walk in that building and you see everyone on the team in there doing extra things. And you realize that it's the little things that really matter. The extra preparation allows you to get rid of some of those mental mistakes and just go out and play.
On having confidence after having so many of his passes dropped...
I know that those guys have caught balls in practice a hundred times. It's a tough situation but you've got to keep your composure, and keep you faith in those guys and if I had to I'd go throw it to them 44 times and throw to the same guys. And when we've got guys like we do we're going to come up with the big play. You just have got to go out and keep making plays and keep going for the balls. I know our guys are talented enough to do it, they just have to focus and you just have to support them.
MichiganStateJunior Linebacker Adam Decker
On whether he watched the game-winning kick...
Absolutely, I was kneeling down with everyone. (Brett Swenson) has been coming through for us all year and so we just kind of knew that if we got it to within 40 or 45 yards that he was going to put it through. He did a great job.
On practicing field goals in practice...
We try to make a little noise and simulate a game. He is so focused and so good at what he does - that stuff doesn't bother him.
On what the team was saying on the drive...
We told them to keep pushing through and to keep grinding and to stay at it because you never know what is going to happen. You can't think about how much time is left on the clock, you just have to keep pushing.
MichiganState Junior CenterJoel Nitchman
On his feelings during the game-winning field goal...
It was the most exciting feeling of my life. It keeps getting better, last week we beat Michigan and this week we end up beating Wisconsin.
On carrying Brett Swenson on his shoulders...
It was pretty easy, he is pretty light. He's got ice in his veins. We all knew he was going to make it so it was great.
On Brian Hoyer's play...
He has come such a long way in this past year. He led us to victory over Penn State last year, he's been consistent this year and he stepped up and did his thing today. We're really proud of him.
Michigan State Senior Defensive End Dwayne Holmes
On how it feels to win a game in the last seconds...
It feels wonderful. This is my last go-around and I want to go out on top. We have something special going on and we have the opportunity to finish out this year strong.
On improving their run defense...
We have to take care of our mistakes, go watch the film and make whatever corrections need to be done.
Michigan State Senior Safety Otis Wiley
On the Wisconsin offense...
We knew they were physical and knew it would be a physical game. We went into halftime and realized we had to step up in the second half if we were going to win this game. We gave up a lot of runs between the tackles and that played a factor.
On the win...
We just give all glory to God. To have this win in front of our fans, in our stadium - it shows a lot for our program and how it has turned around. We have a lot of momentum going into next week.
Wisconsin Head Coach Bret Bielema
Opening Statement...
I told our guys in the locker room that, for whatever reason, they are being tested the most they will ever be in their life from a football standpoint. We had a certain message going into this game about being able to persevere and respond and what this team has been through obviously put them in a very difficult spot. I thought our guys kept competing and kept fighting. Obviously the outcome wasn't what we wanted. Our offense went out with the mentality to get a couple of first downs and eventually a win. Ultimately we gave up the winning field goal at the end. I apologized for getting a 15-yard penalty myself and we did certain things during the game that we just couldn't overcome. Obviously, that begins with the attitude I took to get that personal foul. It was just a difficult day to swallow. But, I will stand by our guys and fight for them because we are all in this together. I told them, coming into this stadium, nobody is going to give them any favors. It's a hostile environment. They kept fighting and responding. Unfortunately, we weren't able to get the win but for whatever reason I hope that is something that they can take forward. It will put them in a better position for when the opportunity comes their way again.
On the Wisconsin running game...
It's hard to swallow. Obviously there are certain things we believe in. If you are able to run the football effectively, which we were able to do, and stay penalty- free you should be able to get the win. And obviously we weren't able to do that.
WisconsinJunior Quarterback Dustin Sherer
On the penalties...
I mean it killed us, but you can't blame it on that. You know I thought we ran the ball really well, but you know penalties are setbacks. The thing we were bad on was third down.
On getting John Clay and P.J. Hill back into the mix...
It was great to have all three of them. I mean obviously all three of them did a good job today. I thought we ran the ball well today. I didn't throw it that well, and they kind of countered it, which was good. But you know, you just got to play well.
On the motivation for the rest of the season...
You know the thing is we've been through this already, and I think everyone just has to keep their head up and fight. We have a tough group. We went into Illinois and answered before.
On his performance...
I didn't play well. I haven't played well on the road yet. So I have to break that, especially before I go home next week and play Indiana. So, just have to play better. It starts with me, if I'm accountable for myself then everyone else will be accountable.
WisconsinSophomore Wide Receiver David Gilreath
On running the football...
Yeah, I guess there is always something a little positive to take out of these things, but I mean it still hurts to lose like this.
On the penalties...
I guess we can fix it, but penalties are a part of the game. They'll get you beat, especially on third-and-3.
On Coach Bielema's penalty...
He apologized to us. We all made our mistakes out there. We're not going to get on Coach Bielema about it.
On the remainder of the season...
We are just trying to get to a bowl game. You don't want the season to go down the drain. You want something good to come out of it. I guess a bowl game would do that.
WisconsinSophomore Wide Receiver Nick Toon
On a tough loss...
You know, it's a tough loss but we came out to play today and we played our hearts out. All the credit to Michigan State, they have a great atmosphere in there, but I think we went in there and did what we could do.
On his comfort level with the offense...
The more I play the more comfortable I get. I feel like I have a pretty solid grasp of the material and the offense, so like I said, the more I play the more I learn and I'll keep going from there.
On where the team goes from here...
We just have to move forward. That's been one of our goals this season. If something happens you just need to forget about it and the next day have that mentality to move forward.
On his coach's un-sportsmanlike conduct...
I didn't see it and I didn't hear it but everyone makes mistakes. It's tough but it's no different than anybody else getting a penalty.
On the team's high amount of penalties...
I don't think it's a lack of focus. Obviously we can't control what penalties are thrown so we try not to worry about the things we can't control.
WisconsinSenior Defensive Line Mike Newkirk
On the environment in the locker room...
I think it is as expected, when you just lost a game. It's disappointing, it's heartbreaking but you know the biggest thing is you feel that way today and tomorrow you have to get ready for the next week. You have to put it behind you because it's not going to feel great going back home but it's something you have to be able to bounce back from.
On a rough last few games...
These are very trying times here. I'll tell you one thing I am not ashamed of this team and I'm not ashamed of this season. You know, I couldn't think of a better group of guys to go out there and play with and despite what it says on my tie right now there is a lot more to playing a game than just winning. It's how you play, who you play for and why you play. I think that we're all here and we're playing for the right reasons. Things aren't going our way and some of it is out of our control but a lot of it is just things we are doing to ourselves. It's something that I've never looked back on and you know, I've been part of a 12-1 season and at this point I'm a part of a 4-5 season and is still going to be the most memorable season for all the reasons I just mentioned.
WisconsinJunior Tight End Mickey Turner
On the outcome of the game ...
The great thing about our team is that we have a lot of older guys who have had experience in tough times before. We have to learn from it and move forward.
On the fouls ...
It's definitely not acceptable. We have to clean a lot of that up. We can't expect a good chance to win if we keep shooting ourselves in the foot. It's something to learn from.
On the way the season is turning out ...
I don't think any team goes into the season thinking it's going to turn out like this, but we still have three games left. There is no quitting.
On losing to both the University of Michigan and Michigan State ...
Our neighbor to the east there, it's not been a good time this year. We had the lead in both games. Right there at the end we kind of feel apart. The games were similar in some ways and different in some ways, it's hard to explain.
WisconsinRedshirt Freshman Running Back John Clay
On the offense...
It's good to get the offense going but a victory would have been better.
On the hold ...
I don't know what happened. I know we got a penalty. I think it was holding or something, but we can't go back on that.
On responding to the momentum of the game ...
I think we did well. It's always that one play away from the victory. When we got that penalty, it kind of shook us up.
On having P.J. Hill back healthy ...
It's good to have everybody back and healthy. It's good for our offense and defense.
