Michigan State University Athletics
Player Analysis: Northwestern
10/14/2009 12:00:00 AM | Football
Oct. 14, 2009
EAST LANSING, Mich. - Members of the Michigan State football team met with the media after Tuesday's practice to talk about this week's Homecoming game against Northwestern. The Spartans (3-3, 2-1 Big Ten) and Wildcats (4-2, 1-1) will meet Saturday at noon in Spartan Stadium; the game will be televised on ESPN2.
Sophomore quarterback Kirk Cousins
On how he feels going into this game...
I'm healthy and I'm ready. Sitting out this past Saturday was good for my ankle in the long run, because I didn't have to re-injure it. I felt really good at practice today getting back into it. It's getting better every day and I'll be confident on Saturday.
On why he looks forward to facing Northwestern...
Hopefully getting another Big Ten win is what I look forward to the most. We have two right now and we need to keep rolling. The last two times Northwestern has come here, we have lost so we have a challenge to face. When they come in here, we have to play our best game. I have a good friend (Josh Rooks) playing for Northwestern, so it will be fun to see him.
On how the past two games against Northwestern have been decided by seven points or less...
I think that is just a testament to how close these two teams are regarding talent, effort, and the way we play. It is going to take great focus and we can't beat ourselves. We are going to have to execute and take care of the football. If we do that, I think we have a good shot at winning this game.
On the keys to victory...
We cannot turn the ball over, we have to execute on offense and control the football. We need to keep their offense off the field and let our defense rest. If we do that I think our defense will get the job done and we will be just fine.
On what he looks forward to about Homecoming...
Homecoming brings a lot of excitement to the stadium and hopefully we will get a full crowd. There is a lot of enthusiasm and alumni coming back and I don't want to disappoint those fans or Spartan Nation. So we will come out there with a lot of effort, play hard and hopefully come out with a win.
Sophomore quarterback Keith Nichol
On how he feels going into this game...
I feel really good. My body is feeling all right, just a little sore, but the team is feeling good. I am happy with where the team is, it's really exciting right now.
On being able to play this weekend...
My body will be ready and I'm going to take care of it as much as possible. I will tell the coaches when I'm ready to play and I don't think they are going to try and force anything. I'll be ready to play on Saturday.
On Michigan State's control of possessions...
Possessions keep the defense and offensive playmakers fresh. Illinois had a lot of great offensive players, so keeping them off the field stops them from scoring points. The defense is playing really well too, they are part of the reason we have the ball so much. They are shutting our opponents out and that is a big key to victory, and has been a big role in our wins.
On Michigan State having the No. 1 passing attack in the Big Ten...
That is pretty exciting. I feel good about what I am doing and what the coaches are doing. It's fun to be a part of that, and we both feel like we have contributed. A lot of the credit should go to Coach Warner and Coach Treadwell because they are planning and coaching us well.
Freshman running back Larry Caper
On the mentality going into the Northwestern game...
We just have to come out hard, from start to finish. We also need to make sure that we have the same intensity in the second half that we have in the first half.
On what he looks forward to most about MSU's Homecoming...
I'm excited about the atmosphere. I haven't been here for Homecoming before; this is my first time playing on the field for Homecoming so I'm just going to take it all in.
On what will be the deciding factor in this game...
Us playing hard and having fun will be a big factor. It's Homecoming so we are going to have fun and put on a show.
Senior center Joel Nitchman
On Michigan State's 50th match-up against Northwestern...
It is a historic series. We both play each other pretty well at home, but we are looking to bring the victory back to Michigan State. We know they are a tough team though, so we are going to have to bring our best game out there.
On the team's leadership...
The leadership has been really good this year. The seniors have really stepped up and ran the ship. The juniors have been working hard and our captains have been great too.
On this game's deciding factor...
Both teams are going to have to come out and play hard...For us, we have to play fundamentally sound and bring our best effort out there.
Senior safety Danny Fortener
On the change in defense...
I think our attitude is one change. We really came out the last two weeks with a different attitude and took it on ourselves to play a lot harder than we had been.
On keeping the momentum going into the Northwestern game...
Attitude is huge. When the guys in front do well, the secondary does well because it keeps time off us.
On his favorite Spartan tradition...
The walk over to the stadium is always fun. I like to keep in touch with people on the walk.
Sophomore offensive guard Joel Foreman
On the team's leadership...
Our leadership is really good. I think our seniors are having their best year, and for a team to be good, the seniors need to have their best season. They are really taking the team under their wings and leading the way.
