Michigan State University Athletics
Player Analysis: Montana State
9/2/2009 12:00:00 AM | Football
Sept. 2, 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 season opener against Montana State. The Spartans and Bobcats will meet Saturday at noon in Spartan Stadium. The game will be televised on the Big Ten Network.
Kirk Cousins, sophomore quarterback
On getting confidence from playing in games last season...
It is a definite confidence builder. After the Penn State and Georgia games it definitely gives you confidence and a belief in yourself that you can go out and do it. I'm glad I was able to get in last year and get the opportunities that I did. I feel good about those opportunities and how I played. Saturday is just one more opportunity where I have to come to play and it's nothing new for me. It's a situation I've had to face since I've been here, nothing has really changed - I have to make good on that opportunity on Saturday.
On how familiar they are with Montana State...
We know a great deal about them. Obviously, we've watched some film on them over the summer. We've been watching them in depth since the middle of last week and trying to understand what they do. Obviously, we don't have any tape on them from this year so, it's all based off of last season and what we've found through their spring practices and in the summer. They are a great football team that is going to come in here and play a heck of a game.
Greg Jones, junior linebacker
On Montana State...
Montana State is going to be a good team. They are going to give us their best shot and we're going to treat them like they're Ohio State and it's a Big Ten game. It's the first game of the year and always the most important.
On being done with camp and preparing for Montana State...
Going through camp we really just wanted to be focused and now we want to be ready for Montana State. They are going to be a good team and we just want to be ready for them.
Ishmyl Johnson, sophomore nose tackle
On looking forward to the first game...
I'm very excited. We've been banging on each other for a long time now - about a month - so we are ready to go after some other people.
On the difference in practice being a game week...
Camp was rough, it was intense. We got after each other and now we are ready to go at Montana State. We've been working on our techniques and everything else we have to do. Coach Gill and Coach D emphasize toughness and technique, so we've been drilling on those things.
Brendon Moss, senior offensive tackle
On being done with camp and preparing for Montana State this week...
There are obviously more distractions now on campus. It is definitely less work than camp but it is more focused and you are able to get your legs back and get more in tune with what is going on.
On the excitement for Saturday's game...
I'm really excited. It will be my first start, so I get goose bumps every time I come out here (to the practice field) and think about it. The real battle is going to start when I get out there and have to start making plays. I'm back at the bottom of the ladder again. Even though I'm starting, I could still be booted out so I have to fight my tail off to keep playing.
Chris Norman, freshman linebacker
On how excited he is to play in his first game...
I'm very excited. I can't wait to get into the stadium and be in front of 75,000 people and play in front of them. I'm really excited.
On preparing for Montana State...
We've been game planning and trying to work out all the mental reps and what we have to take on when we play them. We're just trying to prepare for Saturday as best we can.
On the difference between camp and game-week practice...
It's all the same to me. Camp was extremely physical and this (practice) is still physical. You have to go out there and go hard every day - unless the coach tells you not to, of course. In a game week it is a lot more mental as well. I like both camp and game-weeks the same.
Larry Caper, freshman tailback
On Caulton Ray starting...
I don't think it is too much of a surprise. Caulton has worked hard and all of the running backs have worked hard. It just so happens to be that he is the No. 1 starter and Edwin (Baker) and I are in the two-deep. The starting job is for the coaches to decide, we just have to come out here and play.
On what he thinks he has been doing well in practice...
I've been picking up well on what the coaches have been telling us on the field and in film. I remember things well, I'm a smart player, I think, and I'm tough. If you can have a good combination of those things, I think you can succeed.
Edwin Baker, freshman tailback
On if he is nervous about playing in his first college game...
I'm not nervous yet but I'm pretty sure that an hour before kickoff I'm going to have butterflies in my stomach - not because I'm nervous but because I'm excited. I'm just going to go out there and have fun.
On preparing for Montana State this week...
We need to play to a higher level. We are going to step it up a notch like we are playing Penn State and that is what we plan on doing.
