Michigan State University Athletics
Practice Update: Assistant Coaches Quotes
9/28/2011 12:00:00 AM | Football
Sept. 28, 2011
EAST LANSING, Mich. - The Michigan State football team continued its preparation for Saturday's game at Ohio State with its second practice of the week on Wednesday.
In the afternoon, offensive line coach Mark Staten and linebackers coach Mike Tressel briefly met with reporters to discuss their position group and also the upcoming matchup against the Buckeyes.
The Spartans (3-1) and Buckeyes (3-1) will meet Saturday, Oct. 1 at 3:30 p.m. in Ohio Stadium; the game will be televised regionally on ABC (reverse mirror in outer markets on ESPN).
Offensive Line Coach Mark Staten
On if he senses around the football building that it's a big game...
"Absolutely. It's opening the Big Ten season. We haven't had recent success against the Buckeyes. They've been on top of the Big Ten for quite a few years, so the players and us as coaches know this is a big game."
On back-up left tackle Micajah Reynolds...
"Don't know what his role will be, we'll see how the game is going. He didn't lose a whole lot because he was with us for two-plus years. So he didn't lose a lot. He's an intelligent football player. He's focused. So we'll see where his role goes on how the game is going, but I'm very pleased with him."
On Travis Jackson's performance last week after missing the first three games with a sprained ankle...
"Once you sprain an ankle, that's a season-long injury; that thing is going to be tweaking here and there, probably for the whole year. He played hard (in the Central Michigan game), and probably your biggest improvement is from game one to game two. And with game two being down in his hometown, that will be exciting for him. He's a great leader for being such a young kid. In the huddle, once he gets in there, he changes, he has a lot of fun playing the game. He's able to make calls. I'm excited to watch him play this week."
On the left tackle position...
"I don't think it's a day-to-day competition, not by any means (between starter Dan France and Micajah Reynolds). (Micajah's) able to spell Dan, and a fresher Dan France is a better Dan France.
"Dan is improving day-to-day. He's been a tackle for ninth months, so we continue to learn things about him, and he learns things about playing the position. (We) keep coaching him, and keeping trying to day-by-day get him better."
On if the offensive line feels a challenge to have a breakout game...
"I feel challenged, I'll tell you that right now. You're dealing with a lot of young guys, a lot of guys new to the position. We've had to mix and match because of multiple injuries over the first four games. The nice thing is a lot of them have played a lot of different positions from the things we did in the spring, which has helped them. They've been able to communicate with each other things they've seen, and we're able to continue to move forward.
"When you're trying to be successful, you have to trust one another. `OK, I'm down, I can't go out there, but I'm going to help you, and watch and study film and communicate with you what I've seen.' The nice thing about these guys is when I come to the sidelines and talk to them, I hear them talking to each other. I hear a John Deyo say `I saw this, is this what happened out there?' to Joel, or I hear Joel talking to Chris McDonald. When another one is going in, they communicate before they go in, `hey, this is what I'm getting, this is what I'm seeing on the man I'm going against.'"
On Fou Fonoti...
"He's a tough son-of-a-gun. He's smart. I mean, you saw him in the Notre Dame game all week spending time at left tackle, and Skyler (Burkland) got hurt, and he jumped right in at right tackle. It was like he hadn't missed a beat from what he had practiced all two-a-days. I'm real excited about Fou and his progress. The more he knows and the more he understands our offense, the more aggressive he can be. You saw a lot of that in this last game. His job is to get one game better this week."
Linebackers Coach Mike Tressel
On the Spartans ranking No. 1 in total defense in the FBS through four games...
"I think if we keep playing this way, we'll end up with a good season. I really do. We have played well. I think our guys feel like we can only get better. Four games in, it doesn't mean a lot, but if we can have those types of stats at the end of the year, that means we had a good year."
On the challenges of facing a mobile quarterback in Braxton Miller...
"You can't let him (Braxton Miller) make things happen in broken plays. First of all, it's a challenge for the linebackers regardless of who's at quarterback because their offensive line and their fullback and their tailback, those are good football players. So the linebackers have big challenge as it is. Now, add on a guy that can make something happen on broken plays...we can't let that happen.
"We're prepared for some option stuff, but I don't think they'll make that their living. I don't think with a freshman quarterback in his second start you want to put him in too many situations where you have him making decisions like that with the ball in the air, but there might be some, and certainly if you're looking at third down and mediums or something like that, yeah, we have to be ready for that."
On the speed of MSU's linebackers...
"You have to be able to run down whoever it is that has the ball in his hands. Miller can run, there's no doubt about it, he can run, but I do feel like our speed is upgraded."
On the special teams breakdowns...
"It's always a concern because special teams are critical. As you get into the Big Ten year, a big play for us, or a big play against us, that could be the difference in the ballgame. I think we've stressed that to our kids, and our kids understand it. It's a matter of focus. But I have no question the focus will be there in a game like this."
On the play of the starting linebackers...
"I think we need to step it up. I think it's been solid, our defense has been solid, so I think it's been pretty good. But I think this is the time right now where you say inexperience is over. (Sophomore) Max Bullough, (sophomore) Denicos Allen, inexperience is over. I expect them to step up right now for the Big Ten."
