Capital One Bowl Media Day - Pt. 1
12/16/2008 12:00:00 AM | Football
Dec. 16, 2008
Michigan State Offensive Coordinator Don Treadwell
On enjoying the moment rather than thinking about the near misses this season...
That is a tough thing to do and it's almost like a double-edged sword, because as coaches and players we are always looking to improve and unfortunately many times the negative things are what stick out to you. But those are the things along the way that you have to fight through and because we have such great leadership and because Coach Dantiono helps to remind us, as I have said many times before, to always appreciate and enjoy the journey. I think we try to do that within reason from week to week, but you are still in that sort of tunnel vision until the final game of the season is done, and for us that is Georgia.
On being a teacher...
I certainly think that with the young men we have out there we can bring them in and kind of give them a base and a foundation and show them how to build and to enhance their performance. That is really what we are all trying to get at.
On the hardest part between the end of the season and the bowl game...
Part of it is time management because recruiting never stops. There is no period where you are not talking about it, and even in dead periods you are always thinking about it as a staff. So you really have to manage that part of it and get together with all the assistant coaches on the staff that is kind of in and out because we have excellent recruiters. So there are certain things you can get done individually and then when we are all there together we can kind of pick up the pieces and together evaluate all things.
On how fast Georgia looks on defense...
I think fast is a good word for their team and I'm sure you could probably put a few more verbs there to talk about them because they have excellent team speed at every position. Sometimes you can point to a position where they are a little bit faster here or there, but they have it all across the board. By in large we just have to make sure we are working at the different angles of the game, but speed is speed, that's for sure.
On playing physically tough...
I think one of the things we always work toward with our young men is being a physically and mentally tough football team. That has not been a surprise to anyone. That's how we prepare, because that has kind of been the theme of our team from the time we came in. So that's the starting point and everything else develops from there.
On approaching the season ending and the start of spring ball...
It's always an ongoing thing. There's not really a phase where we are going to shut down one area and move on to the next. We are always doing the recruiting thing and at the same time looking at the personnel and the turnover you are going to have. You are looking at who's playing well and where they are going to be. There are a lot of challenges that we are going to be facing when we are done with the bowl and as we move into winter conditioning and then into spring ball.
Senior running back Javon Ringer
On how excited he is to play on Jan. 1...
I'm very excited. It's the first time that I've ever been able to experience something like this. I'm really thankful that in the end, my senior year, we're blessed to go to a January 1st bowl game and to be able to play an opponent like Georgia that was ranked No. 1 early in the year. It's a tremendous feeling and a great honor to be able to participate in an event like this.
On overcoming adversity during his career...
We've overcome a lot. Especially with my first couple of years as they were rough years. Then in my second year I got hurt, had to sit out, and we still lost when I came back. Just going through that whole process, then with the coaching changes, and then from the things we did last year, even in the close games we lost, to being able to win those close games this year. Beating Michigan and being blessed to go to a January 1st bowl game, we have overcome so much. I know I can speak for all of the seniors when I say that this is a great honor for us. We feel like we're very privileged and blessed just to be in this situation.
On playing in the same location as last year's bowl game...
It helps because we're used to the environment, the atmosphere, the field we'll be playing on. Being able to play their last year, and going back to it this year, it's like another home game. We're used to everything around us so there won't be any surprises. We won't be overwhelmed by how the stadium looks, being in awe of everything, etc. It will be kind of like a redemption game for us, to do what we didn't do last year.
On playing in Orlando last year...
Speaking for myself, it wasn't overwhelming at all. I was happy with everything. I wasn't in awe of everything. I wanted to have fun, but also get ready for the game. It was different, because usually around that time last year we were at home watching other people play. We appreciated it a lot more because we were finally able to participate in something we had to watch the past couple of years. Nobody was really overwhelmed last year, we all felt pretty comfortable. Now we're blessed in going back to the same location; it's just a benefit for us.
On how much practice he wants before taking on Georgia...
These past couple of practices I've done a lot. I want to practice as much as we need to, because preparing for Georgia - I don't think we can't over-practice. They have a tremendous defense, from the d-line to the linebackers to the secondary. We have to practice. I want to get hit because I don't want to go a whole month without being tackled, then the first time I get hit come against Georgia. I feel like it's something we need to be able to do, we don't want to be rusty with it. Our coaches will take care of us, give us the rest we need and get us mentally and physically prepared.
On when it would mean to end with a 10-win season...
It would mean a lot. It's been a long time since Michigan State has had a 10 win season. To be able to have our destiny in our hands, right there in front of us, is a tremendous blessing. It's a big honor to be able to achieve a goal like this. It would be tremendous for the program as it would help with recruiting, and just help the program to keep taking steps forward.
On what it was like his first two years around this time...
Usually around that time I was still trying to lift weights, just try to keep my body in condition. After my freshman year, I thought, okay I've got three more years left. Then sophomore year came, and I focused on having two more years ahead of me. I just tried to stay as positive as I could since things weren't looking so good. Around those times I would try to avoid watching too much football because I didn't want to think about it and be depressed so I just took it day by day.
On himself going against Georgia running back Knowshon Moreno...
It's the competitiveness in me. I had the opportunity to talk to Knowshon [Moreno] when we were down in Orlando for the awards and he's a really cool guy. But the competitiveness in me kicks in. Whatever he does out there on the field, I want to top. I could also speak to him - we're both going to try and do our best when we get the ball. But it's about how our guys up front do. I can't do anything without people blocking for me, and he can't do anything without his line blocking for him. It's really a battle between our offensive line vs. their defensive line, and their offensive line against our defense. The game will be won up front. Whoever can establish dominance up front I feel will have the most success as a team and also for me and him individually.
On talking to Knowshon Moreno at the College Football Awards Show...
We didn't talk about the game at all, not one time. We all went out down there, had a good time, and didn't talk about football at all. We just casually had nice conversation, and nothing about the game between us was ever mentioned.
On comparing Georgia's defense to a Big Ten opponent...
I can't compare them to any team that we've played in the Big Ten. They are their own team, just like every other team in the Big Ten, with different individuals. Their defensive schemes are similar to some extent. I think they just have a completely different team and you can't compare them to any other defense in the Big Ten.
On how far the program has come during his time here...
What I thought when we got the new coaching staff was that I'd do anything to help make the changes and help the program take steps forward. To just help bring a winning program back to Michigan State, it's a great honor for me. From last year, to be able to develop the first building block to help get the program up, to this year and taking another step forward. To be one of the first people to help start this new direction is important to me.
Senior quarterback Brian Hoyer
On this being his final game for MSU...
For me, I will leave here in a couple weeks and know that I have helped lay a solid foundation for this program. I will know that we have taken two steps forward while I have been the quarterback here and that is something that I will always remember. To be part of team that has dealt with as much as we have, to have a season like this for our final year is great.
On being familiar with the activities during a bowl week...
I think this year, we know what kind of experiences we are going to have and you know it's going to be a great time. But having done all of the other things last year, like going to Universal Studios and Disney World, for me I just think that it will be nice to focus on just the football aspect of it. That is something that I am really looking forward to and I think our team is looking forward to. We want to go out there and play our best game of the season, and having been through all of the other things, it will be nice to focus a little more on football rather than the other half.
On being familiar with Orlando and the stadium...
I guess there is a comfort level. We will be playing in the same stadium. We know the area, we know the activities we will be participating in, so there will be some familiarity. I don't know if that will help come gametime, but it will definitely make the week a lot more enjoyable for all of us.
On overcoming the team's performance at the Champs Sports Bowl last season...
I think this game will be huge. Coach Dantonio said before that this is not only a huge game for the team, but for myself as well. I really would like to overcome what happened last year on that field. Obviously, it was really bad performance, but to get a chance to go out and play in the better of the two bowl games played on that field is huge. If I can go out and play well, and leave with a good performance and a win, that will really help my legacy here, if you want to call it that.
On what it would mean to the seniors to close the season with a win...
It will be nice for all of the seniors and the guys like Otis (Wiley), who came in the year after I did. We will leave here knowing that when we first came in it wasn't too good, but Coach Dantonio came and we turned things around. I really feel like we have set a foundation for the younger guys to come in every year and expect to win a Big Ten championship.
On Georgia's defense...
Anytime you have a superior offense, your defense may not be talked about too much and I think that is the case for Georgia. They are very athletic and they are very fast and they run hard to the ball. I don't think that you become a preseason No. 1 without having a solid defense to go along with a great offense. With how good their offense is, their defense may not get the respect that it deserves. But they have a lot of athletes and they play hard. It will be a challenge for us. When you play in a January bowl game, you expect to play a really good team and that is what we can expect from Georgia.
Junior wide receiver Blair White
On Georgia's schemes in the secondary...
They play a little more man coverage because they have so much athleticism. They have really good speed, especially the safeties. They are really fast, faster than what you may see in the Big Ten. Their overall athletic ability may be superior to any team that we have seen this season. We need to take that and exploit other areas of their defense that we may see.
On the importance of execution for their game plan...
That is the main thing that you need to focus on while preparing for a game like this. Execution is so important, especially against a group from the SEC where they are very athletic. They have great speed, so executing our offense will be a key for us to win the game.
On the experience of playing in a bowl last season...
I think it was important. Last year, I got in and came up short on a few plays, so that has been motivating me this season. The overall experience of knowing how it feels to play in a bowl game and match up against a team from a different conference, that is a great experience and that really can help you. It helps your confidence level when you go at it again the next season.
On keeping their high level of play through the bowl game...
I think it is important for us to not drop off, and for me to not drop off in the bowl game. We need to keep our performance up there where we have been and even elevate it for the bowl game. It has been nice to progress the way that I have and the way that the team has, but it is not over yet and we need to play through the bowl game.
On the confidence that the team has gained throughout 2008...
One of the most important things at this level is to not only have talent, but to have confidence. A lot of our guys have stepped in and played well. When you have success on the field like we have had all season, you develop that confidence. I know all of our guys have gained that confidence this season and that will be important heading into the bowl game.
Junior center Joel Nitchman
On what impresses him about Georgia's defense...
Definitely the way that they move up front. Their defensive line is very athletic. Their entire team has great athleticism and they rank right up there with teams that we have played like Penn State and Ohio State, so all of that definitely impresses me a lot. I think that we need to be ready for that if we are going to win.
On what it means to the program to play in a New Year's Day bowl...
It means a lot. We are building like Coach Dantonio keeps talking about. This is just another step for us and we need to make a statement that says we are building and that we are ready to take that next step. A win in the bowl game would mean a whole lot to the program, but just getting a bid says a lot about how far we have come as well.
On what the offense needs to do to move the ball against the Georgia defense...
We need to play our game and be the toughest, most physical team on the field. We need to come to practice everyday and work hard if we are going to do that. Like I said, they are very athletic, so if we can be physical, we have a chance to play our game. Physicality is huge; the team with the most yards on the ground is usually very successful, so we need to establish that early.
Senior right guard Roland Martin
On the success this season...
I think it probably won't sink in until we get the chance to go down to Orlando. I know we played a lot of good games and came away with good victories, as our record shows. It's something you don't think about all the time. After some games, you think - yeah, we won that game and we did pretty well, but I think it will sink in when we get to Florida and get prepared.
On helping Javon to have a big last game...
I don't look at things like that, as in Javon [Ringer] vs. Knowshon [Moreno], because it's really not. It's us [the Michigan State offensive line] against their defense. As a whole, I want to see our team be better against them, as in our defense vs. their offense, and so on. Of course I want Javon to go out and have a good day. It looks good for him as it does on us [the offensive line] if he goes out, rushes over 100 yards and has a successful game.
On ending his career with a New Year's Day bowl game...
It feels good. We want Spartan nation to see that we came a long way to who we are today. I was excited about just coming to Michigan State when John L [Smith] was here, and being able to become a Spartan. Now we're on the up rise. Coach D came in, we have much better records and we showed better things. We happened to do good this year and be quite successful.
Sophomore tight end Charlie Gantt
On playing in a New Year's Day bowl game...
This is something we've wanted to accomplish this season. We wanted to play in a January bowl game so we are really excited. With all the close games, this has been one of the most exciting years I have ever had. There were a couple of games where we should have played better but we managed to get nine wins.
On playing Georgia...
They are fast and big. They have a lot of speed at linebacker and are really good at pursuit. They have a great secondary and their safeties are almost as fast as their cornerbacks. It's going to be a challenge but we'll be ready for it.
