Valero Alamo Bowl Media Center: Tuesday
12/29/2009 12:00:00 AM | Football
Dec. 29, 2009
Videos:
Practice Highlights - Day 3 | Team Fiesta
Podcasts:
Brett | Jerel
Photos:
Photo Galleries - Practice and Team Fiesta
SAN ANTONIO, Texas - The Michigan State football team practiced inside the Alamodome Tuesday morning as rain showers forced the Spartans indoors for their third bowl practice. In the afternoon, several players met with the media at the team hotel to talk about the upcoming Valero Alamo Bowl against Texas Tech on Saturday, Jan. 2 at 9 p.m. EST.
Although the team's trip to Sea World scheduled for the afternoon was postponed due to the inclement weather, the Spartans still gathered at Sea World in the evening, along with Texas Tech, for the Team Fiesta. Following dinner, players from both teams participated in a game show and then performed on stage for the talent show. John Stipek played electric guitar for MSU, while Jon Misch played piano.
Senior kicker Brett Swenson
On the first few days in San Antonio...
"I think everything has been going good. It's been a little colder than we expected, but we've been checking out the city a little bit and have been walking around, getting different types of food. It's a great location - everything is pretty close. Collectively, we've had a good time so far."
On getting a chance to kick in the Alamodome at today's practice...
"I was definitely excited to go in there. I was planning on kicking a little more than I have been just to get a feel for it, (rather than) being outside. The ball was traveling true, which is always good. It's a nice dome and hopefully everything plays out well. I'm excited."
On his schedule over the holiday break...
"In practice, I've been keeping my same routine. But during the week off, basically I was just stretching and staying loose, working on some fundamental things. Now I've been getting back into it and have been kicking a little more than I would in a usual pre-week preparation just because we had a little bit of a hiatus, but everything is going good, I'm hitting the ball well, so I'll rest tomorrow, and kick a little bit the following day."
On playing in his last game for MSU on Saturday...
"It hit me a little bit when I was leaving East Lansing. I was packing my locker and I had to pull my name tag off, so No. 14 is no longer my number, really, after this game. But I'm excited about it, I'm going out there with a lot of my best friends and teammates, so hopefully we can come away with a win. I'm always going to remember this game no matter what, so hopefully it works out well."
Red-shirt freshman Jerel Worthy
On playing in the bowl game this year compared to sitting out last season as a redshirt...
"It was a little different mindset last year going into the bowl game, I was just trying to get guys better, guys like Roland (Martin) and Jesse (Miller). I was just playing my role on the team. Now I have a little bit bigger role, and I'm just looking for the opportunity to go out there and have fun. I want to bring my leadership to the table and just enjoy myself."
On the mindset of the defensive line going against Texas Tech...
"It's the same mindset we have going into every game. We want to play fast and have fun. (Defensive line) Coach (Ted) Gill doesn't put a lot of pressure on us. He knows what we're capable of. He lets us have a lot of freedom and just go out there and make plays."
On his growth this year as a player in his first year starting...
"I've grown a lot. Every game for me this year has been a new experience. I've taken a lot from each and every game, whether we won or lost. I've been getting guidance from some of the older guys, like Oren (Wilson), Trevor (Anderson) and Colin (Neely), and I'm trying to use that for the near future.
"I do need to be more consistent. There are times where I make plays, and then...I don't want to be the guy that disappears for five or six plays, and then comes back and makes another one. I try to be consistent in my game and try to take the right steps to put me in a better position."
On the Spartan defense...
"We came out and played a good half of football against Penn State. This game, we want to come out and play 60 minutes and show we're a good defense. We're pretty good against the run and we can be pretty good against the pass. Starting up front and going back to the DB's, we all just want to do our part."
Freshman running back Edwin Baker
On being in San Antonio...
"Back home, it just felt like normal practices, but now that we're down here, it feels like game week. There's definitely more excitement and more energy. It's been a great experience so far."
On practicing inside the Alamodome...
"That was exciting, just to hear how loud the stadium is going to be (with the crowd noise being played at practice). To see the banners and all of the decorations, it's going to be a real good experience."
On playing in a bowl game as a true freshman along with Larry Caper...
"I take a lot of pride in that. The coaches have tremendous trust in us. They believe in us and feel we can get the job done and help us win this football game."
Freshman running back Larry Caper
On getting ready to start in his first bowl game as a true freshman...
Before, a lot of this was a dream, but now it's reality. I'm actually living out my dream.
On the running attack...
We have to win the battle of time possession. That means we have to be able to run the ball and pass the ball; basically, whatever we have to do to hold onto the ball.
On his relationship with fellow true freshman Edwin Baker...
Through the process, we have gotten closer. It's just me and him now, and we know that, so we're going to carry the ball together.
On practicing inside the Alamodome...
It was pretty fun. When you put 65,000 people in there, it's going to be hectic.
