Capital One Bowl Media Day - Pt. 2
12/16/2008 12:00:00 AM | Football
Dec. 16, 2008
Michigan State Defensive Coordinator Pat Narduzzi
On playing multiple players this season...
It is obviously beneficial because you have enough guys that can go out there and get the job done. You are not getting a bunch of guys at this point that are not ready or who are totally inexperienced. We are continually trying to make everyone better as we go through these practices leading up to the bowl game, and I think they have gotten better.
On the confidence factor...
It's hard to say because confidence can be such a crazy thing and I think it will be something we can start to see once we are down to Orlando. For these kids I think this game is so far off, because we are not in that mood yet. But when we get down there the excitement will start to go and they will start to feel confident with what we are doing, but right now they are just trying to get through a day of practice and watch tape.
On making sure the team is ready mentally for the bowl game...
There is obviously going to be a point where it is business and then where the kids will have a chance to go and have some fun. For the coaches there is obviously going to be a little less fun, but we are going to do what we do, and I don't think these kids are going to need help getting excited for this game because it is so important to them.
On what part of their team defense needs to make the biggest strides before the game...
I think our defensive line is a spot that needs to be improved upon. I feel pretty solid on our secondary, and our linebackers are probably going to be the strength of our team next year. We are going to lose a couple of our defensive linemen and that is a position we need to get better at.
On what it takes to make a good defensive line...
The position is about getting vertical; it's about speed and getting people off of you. It really is the hardest position to recruit, and it's the hardest position to get guys to make plays. You have two guys blocking you that are each 320 pounds and you want you get around them. You really have to find some different animals there to play that position.
On Georgia's young team...
You know they may be young, but they are big and athletic. After you play 10 or 11 games in a season you are not young anymore. That's what we tell our kids, you are not a freshman anymore now that we are going into your 13th game of the season. By no means do Georgia's players know it all, they are still learning like our players are, but they are a very good team and they are going to match well with us.
Senior safety Otis Wiley
On being in the Capital One Bowl game...
We're blessed to be in this position. With big shoes comes big territory so you have to zone up, be responsible and do what it takes to get the job done.
On a point in his career when he realized his potential...
I think personally during my sophomore year when I led the team in tackles, as a sophomore safety, I realized I could play with these guys. I could compete so it gave me a boost of confidence.
On Georgia's speed...
I can't compare it to anything. I just know they attack and they're fast. Especially on film. I know its cutouts, but every time they run the rout or they block for a run, they're a fast team. So we need to play with our feet on the ground, have fun and tackle. I think that's who wins the game - whoever tackles the best.
On Georgia being similar to Penn State, the Spartans' last opponent...
It kind of helps because we didn't play to the best of our ability in the Penn State game. We know that we can play better. With our secondary, it's a challenge for us. They have two top receivers and they're big, but we're a big secondary as well. They're versatile as well, so it helps us to watch film and get prepared for the game.
On the hype around campus for the game...
We got to our goal that we made last year. Of course we wanted to get a bowl game last year and we did that. Then we wanted to get a New Year's bowl game, and were in that position now. Right now, everybody's going out of town and waiting on this game while we're working hard. Nobody's around anymore, so it gives us a lot of time to lay low and study our opponent. We don't have school, so there's more time to get prepared for football.
On the key to this year's success...
I think the key for us is playing each down one at a time. Last year we lost a lot of close games. This year, we won the games we were supposed to win. We didn't win the big games, so we still have to grow in that aspect. We have another big game coming up New Year's, so we have the chance to prove to ourselves and to the nation that we can compete.
Sophomore cornerback Chris L. Rucker
On his rehab from an elbow injury...
I feel like I am almost back to normal. My elbow is healing up and I am starting to not need the brace. I am lifting without the brace as well, so my arm is starting to feel very strong again. After the Penn State game, and when we got back from Thanksgiving break, I started working out more without it and I was able to do more without it. That's how I knew my arm was getting back to where it should be.
On what he has done in the extra bowl practices...
Basically, I have just been working on my technique. Also, I have been trying to do all of the things that will help me stay in shape. I am just making sure that I can still do all of the things that I was doing before I got hurt. I need to make sure that I can tackle, stay in coverage and make plays that will help us win. So far, it has been going well and I should be ready come game time.
On covering the Georgia wide receivers...
From what I have watched on film, they are big guys, they're quick and they have good hands. It is going to be a challenge to play my game and do what I can do to help us win. Shutting down those guys down is really important. They like to spread the field and take shots downfield, so I just need to stop them from making big plays and if I do that, hopefully we can be successful.
On using the Champs Sports Bowl loss as motivation this season...
We can always look at it and know we can improve. Since we have been through it before it helps us. We know what to expect and that will help us adjust to their passing style.
On comparisons between Boston College QB Matt Ryan and Georgia QB Matt Stafford...
They are both very accurate and they both use the tools around them. They are both great in the pocket and they make plays. Offensively, they have great skill guys. It is a January bowl game, so you know that you will be playing against good talent and a team that has great skill guys at every position. It is going to be a challenge for everyone on our defense to do everything we can to contain them.
Sophomore linebacker Greg Jones
On Georgia's offense...
Their O-line is good - they get off the ball well and climb to the linebackers fast which makes it tough to make plays. Knowshon Moreno is a great player and is very athletic and is able to make plays out of bad situations. He can cut it back on you so we have to make sure we are ready for him. Matthew Stafford could be a No. 1 pick so he is going to be a load to handle also. We have to get pressure on him. A quarterback like that, you can't just let him sit back and have it be seven-on-seven.
On the challenge of playing against great players...
I look forward to challenges all the time. I love it. As a defense, we are always ready for a challenge.
On playing in the Capital One Bowl...
It feels really good. I'm excited for our seniors, it means a lot for those guys. It's important for those guys to go out winners.
Sophomore linebacker Eric Gordon
On the challenge of playing against Georgia's offense...
It is always fun to go against a good team and a lot of good players. Last year, it was fun to go against Matt Ryan and this year we'll be going against more good players. Our two big losses in the Big Ten were against good teams and we failed to perform against them. It is important to finish off our season strong and this is going to be a good challenge for us.
On playing in a New Year's Day game for the first time in his career...
It means a lot. Being a Spartan fan growing up, watching them play in bowl games was fun - the New Year's Day games, especially. With this being our second-straight bowl game and New Year's Day game, it feels pretty good and we're all really excited.
On the opportunity to play a great team...
We have the chance to play a great Georgia team. The Ohio State and Penn State games were big losses and this is our opportunity to prove to everyone that we are not just going to lose the big games. It means a lot for the program too because we are still kind of a young team. It will help with recruits and get everyone more excited about MSU.
Senior defensive tackle Justin Kershaw
On the challenge of playing against Georgia's offense...
I think it is a great opportunity. When we played the two best teams on our schedule, we fell short. It's a great opportunity to show ourselves we are capable of. You also want to play against the best talent possible and Georgia is one of the best teams in the country.
On what it means to play in a New Year's Day bowl game as a senior...
It feels great. I've been blessed to have great teammates and great coaches in Coach Dantonio and Coach Narduzzi and Coach Gill. I just really feel fortunate. There have been a lot of people that have played here the past few years that haven't had the opportunity to play in a bowl game so I'm just happy to do it.
On what the bowl game means to the senior class...
It is special for all of the seniors. We've been through a lot together as a unit and I feel we've really come together. We've done a good job so this is really special.
Senior defensive end Brandon Long
On the program...
Coach Dantonio and the new coaching staff came in and really rejuvenated the program, and we are now on our way up. It's sad because you are a part something great, and then you realize that your time is running out. But, it's extremely exciting to be a part of this as far as something new and just starting and to know I was a part of this tradition.
On the match-up against Georgia...
Since there is not just a week to prepare like we normally have, we have a month to prepare for this game, so we are watching a lot of film. We are really breaking down film at a different level and looking at the offensive-line as far as tendencies and just little things we are going to see. They are a good football team, especially up front. I think the game will be a hard fought battle.
On the first bowl preparation practices...
We are working on getting back to basics. You work so hard at the beginning of the season and get yourself right where you want to be, but as the season goes on you get a bump here or a bruise there and then you change a few things in your technique. Toward the end of the year you realize the little things are not the same as they were at the beginning of the year, so you try and get yourself back to where they were. You get your mind leveled and you just really focus on the little things.
