MSU Cotton Bowl Classic Media Day: Offense
12/16/2014 12:00:00 AM | Football
Cotton Bowl Media Day Coverage:
Dantonio | Defense
EAST LANSING, Mich. - Michigan State co-offensive coordinators Jim Bollman and Dave Warner answered questions from reporters at MSU's Cotton Bowl Media Day about playing No. 5 Baylor. Ten starters from MSU's offense also met with the media and previewed the game against the Bears.
The No. 8 Spartans (10-2, 7-1 Big Ten) will take on the Big 12 Champion Bears (11-1, 8-1) Thursday, Jan. 1 in the 79th Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, beginning at 12:30 p.m. EST.
The following is a complete transcript from Bollman and Warner's press conference:
Q. Can you give us some quick impressions of Baylor's defense and what you've seen on film.
COACH WARNER: Obviously, everyone talks about Baylor's offense, but you look at them defensively, and they're a very good defense. They're led up front by (Shawn) Oakman, who is about 6'9", 280 I think he's listed as. A very good player, reminds you of a couple of defensive ends we played against Oregon a few months ago.
They're not complicated by what they do, but at the same time, they're very good at what they do. They're a team that's done blitz a lot, but, again, they're very detailed, they're very disciplined in what they do defensively and they're good. It's going to be a challenge for us bottom line.
Q. Coach Bollman, this one's for you: The last time you had a Big Ten Bowl game like this, you played a team, different offense but as explosive, was Miami in the National Championship Game. How key is it going to be to establish the run simply from the standpoint of giving your defense a break because of their high up tempo offense?
COACH BOLLMAN: I think that these people put some pressure on you to be consistent on offense and to stay on the field. I don't necessarily think that the run is the only way to do it; there has to be balance. But when you go to pass, you better be consistent in the pass. I think if you went with the approach that you're just going to run the ball down these guys' throats, I don't think it's going to work. As we've talked about, before, there better be a threat of balance to make both aspects of the game work or it's too easy to get shut down.
Q. How do you guys make sure you guys can steal the attention if the two powers can cancel each other out?
COACH WARNER: I guess, I don't know. I'm not sure it's any different than a lot of games we play. We sort of did our thing all year long. Just a matter of us going out and showing them what we can do on the field. That's what it comes down to. Our defense played excellent. Heard Pat talking about this year, they're a very good defense this year, our defense was. Obviously excellent last year. So our defense deserves all the credit.
Baylor's the No. 1 offense coming into the game, so they deserve a lot of recognition as well. We just sort of go about our business, I guess. We use it as motivation to our guys to just, you know, they've got to make some noise and make a name for themselves. That's sort of how we approach every week, so I don't think it's any different, probably, other than the fact that we are going against the No. 1 offense in the nation.
Q. With the success you've had in these bowls in the last couple of years, can you pinpoint anything that's that you've done to prepare that's allowing you to do that?
COACH WARNER: Couple years back, we've sort of gone to not installing an entire game plan right away. Like you're going through a normal game week, we try to get something in on Tuesday and finish the game plan on Wednesday, and sort of polish it on Thursday, and we've sort of gone a couple weeks back or a couple years back, I should say, of being a little bit slower and installing things. So by the time you actually get to your bowl site and have four or five more practices or whatever it is, it's not old, stale stuff that we've been doing forever. So we try to put it in as pieces. We think it's helped keep guys fresh and more locked in over the years.
Q. Dave, I was wondering if you could evaluate Connor Cook's season to this point. How much has he grown from last year to this year? And how much more does he still have to do?
COACH WARNER: Well, I think his growth from last year to this year has been very good, very strong. I mean, he's come along as a leader. He's come along as a game manager knowing our offense and being able to execute our offense. So I think he's grown leaps and bounds throughout the course of the year. I mean, it's been up and down, like every quarterback throughout the course of the year. Up and down like every offense throughout the course of the year. But I think overall he's executed and had a lot of big plays for us.
Where he has to go from here, I think he's got a big upside. I think that just from a read progression type deal that's going to lead to everybody talking during the season about his footwork and so forth, and I think that all relates back to his progression and his pass game progression, because I think as he's comfortable with that, his feet can sort of follow suit. So I think if he makes that improvement, or that is the biggest thing he can improve on, if he makes that, he's going to be much better off.
Q. Do you think he's ready for the NFL if he decided to leave early right now?
COACH WARNER: I think that's a decision for the experts to make, the NFL experts. I'm just a college football coach. They can make that decision. But I think he's a very good quarterback, and I think he's got some improvement that he can make in front of him.
Q. I asked Pat a similar question: What have you seen from your younger offensive guys and current guys when you have to simulate these up tempo offenses? There have been a few of them this year. What have you seen from those guys on your side of the ball? What do you see is that in terms of the offense in the future for Michigan State?
COACH BOLLMAN: I think one of the things that may help us is we're not one of the rest of the guys. We're not one of the spread out crews. We're one of the old fashioned crews, so that everyone has to prepare for us a little bit differently than they do other people all week. I think that's a benefit for us.
I think that another thing we've done a good job of is to have a great variety in all the different things that we do, and the types of runs that we do, and the types of passes that we do. I think that puts some pressure on the defense preparing all week for things that we do.
So there are benefits to the up tempo type of things. I understand that. There might be more benefits to it when it's a changing tempo as opposed to being one steady pace the whole time. So we kind of are who we are right now and haven't really talked much about the future.
Q. That being said, is there a team they've faced that they might say, this team emulates Michigan State in some of the things they do? As you mentioned, the change of pace, is this a team that they're not necessarily familiar to seeing?
COACH WARNER: I don't think they've faced a team this year like us. Some teams maybe resemble certain parts of what we do, but again, that's not unique. Every game we go throughout the course of the season, we always look that here's a team we want to break down, here's a team. And it's hard to find those teams that actually play with the quarterback under center or the fullback behind them. Which might be a little bit of a dinosaur, but it's worked okay for us.
Q. Not everybody does co coordinators. Michigan State is one of them. How have each of you impacted each other? How has Dave impacted you, Jim, and how has Jim impacted you, Dave? Because obviously, it's working.
COACH BOLLMAN: Oh, you know, as I said at the banquet, I'm kind of the old new guy or the new old guy. And it's a great thing to be here. There was a lot of camaraderie with the staff that I had before I got here and know these guys a little bit and some of them I worked with. For me, it's been a lot easier this year than last year because there was a degree of learning. There was a degree of fitting in. There was a degree of trying to employ some of the things I've done in the past to try to help, which is the bottom line to try to help. Because the wheel wasn't broken, that's for sure. The thing was to try to see how you can add to the picture.
So it's certainly been a lot of fun. It's been rewarding. They've done a great job leading the show, and it's fun for me just to be in the role of trying to assist however I can.
COACH WARNER: I'll start up by saying one of the things that Bolls did not bring with him, and that is an ego. That is something that we've always tried to in our staff room, we're always trying to take everybody's ideas and toss it around and see what sticks. Throw out the ones that don't stick. And Bolls from one day showed up, and as he said, wanted to help. That was important to be able to fit into what we've done here and what we want to continue to do.
At the same time, I think you've guys have seen it and asked me over and over again about some of the different things, unique things. You go back two years ago and said we wanted to tweak some things, incorporate some new ideas, and a lot of that was Bolls, bringing those ideas to fruition. It's all us putting our minds together. But Bolls had experience with some of the things we've done, and I think what he's been able to add to our offense has been obvious to you guys. And a lot of it is credit to him.
Q. Wanted to ask you about the offensive line: You've dealt with various injuries at different spots throughout the year. You have one of the better running backs and give up very few sacks. Talk about the way that unit has played all year and how they've progressed throughout the season.
COACH BOLLMAN: Well, a big reason of the way they played is because of the way Mark Staten coaches them. He does a great job with that, no question about it. And we've been very fortunate that some of the injuries that you speak of have been rather timely. Where we've been able to shift a guy over and make up for the loss for that moment, and maybe it changes a few weeks later. I think it was a big benefit for us to get Connor Kruse back, when he was out the first month or two of the season. That was a big aspect to be back.
But the way Mark coaches those guys, they're flexible up front from position to position, side to side. And when you do that, you learn a lot more about the entire football game and the whys and the wheres of what's going on. They've done a really good job in that regard, and they've done a great job of pass protection.
That goes into a lot of different things though. That goes into Connor getting rid of the ball. That goes into running backs protecting. That goes into guys running good routes. That's just the overall aspect of the football game. But their part of the game, they've done very well and adjusted very well to things that they've been seeing. As you can see, they've done a good job in the running game. Part of it, the variety of different ways that we run the ball helps us.
FastScripts by ASAP Sports
Junior quarterback Connor Cook
On the team's reaction to the Cotton Bowl invitation...
We're super excited no matter what bowl game we're in. The Cotton Bowl is great. We heard the hospitality is great and everything that you do outside of the game. It's going to be a great experience and we're looking forward to it. Dallas is a great city. You dream about playing in great stadiums and we're going to be playing in the Dallas Cowboys stadium. It's going to be awesome.
On going up against No. 5 Baylor
They're a great team, they're ranked fifth in the country. You want to play the best and we feel like they are one of the best teams in the country with their offense and their defense. The way they played throughout this year and last year, they're an elite program. They've made a name for themselves over the past few years. Like Coach D says, they parallel us in a way with success and how they've been over the last few years.
On the opportunity for the MSU offense to have a breakout game...
I feel like we've been great all year. Statistically you look at us, we have 200 yards a game on the ground, 200-plus yards each game through the air. We're pretty balanced. I think I would consider us an elite offense. You have the spread teams that air it out, but I don't think you see a more balanced team in the country than us with how we run and pass. I don't know if it's going to be a coming out. I feel like we've been successful all year.
On the expectations and accomplishments of this season
I would say it's difficult being that team with a target on your back, but it's been fun. Obviously last year, we had the season we did and won the Big Ten and the Rose Bowl. Expectations were super high. We would have liked to beat Ohio State and play in the Big Ten Championship. But, look at the positives. We won 10 games. Four out of the last five years we've had double-digit wins. We have the chance to send our senior class on a very high note as the winningest class in Michigan State history.
Junior center Jack Allen
On the matchup with Baylor
It's definitely going to be a challenge. I'm really excited to be at the Cotton Bowl. It's going to be a challenge for our whole offense and defense. It's going to be fun.
On being named an All-American
It was surreal really. I've always looked at stuff like that at the end of the year and always tried to watch those guys play throughout the season if they're on those lists. It's hard to believe that my name's on there.
Senior wide receiver Keith Mumphery
On his thoughts about closing out his career at Michigan State...
It means a lot just to see yourself and your teammates grow along with the opportunity to be a part of something so successful. It really warms my heart knowing that if I wasn't here, who knows what I would be doing. I would probably be in school but not having the time of my life like I am having right now.
On what people are missing about non-playoff bowls...
This is another opportunity for us to go out and do what we do best. For us seniors, we all want that extra opportunity to fulfill our dreams and know that we did our best.
On if this is different than going to the Rose Bowl last year...
It is kind of similar. With it being the 100th Rose Bowl and first one in 26 years, that made it a really special. Any time that you go to any bowl game, it is special. You know that you get an extra opportunity to play again, so there has to be something special about you and your team.
On how emotional it will be to play his last game...
It is going to be really emotional knowing that I have played five years here and it is all coming to an end.
Sophomore tight end Josiah Price
On whether or not there is a letdown being in the Cotton Bowl...
The Cotton Bowl is a great bowl and Baylor is a great program, while Michigan State is an elite program as well. It is another opportunity to play a top-10 matchup and I think that is enough motivation for anybody. You have to make the most of your opportunities and know that you can't control everything. The key is to focus on what you can control and make the most of it.
On chemistry between him and Connor Cook...
I think obviously last year is when all of this started when I started getting playing time and so did he. I think we grew a lot last year. I think this year the chemistry has grown, not only with Connor and me, but with Connor and all of the receivers. Our offense line with Langford and our whole offense has grown, and our entire offense success is a result of that chemistry. We have put in a lot of long hours and hours after practice and in the summer.
On the biggest difference he has seen in Connor Cook...
His overall confidence coming out of the huddle. He walks in there and knows he can do great things and this offense can do great things, and we expect that. Confidence is huge with him. All of his fundamentals he has worked on and gotten better at, but overall, it is his confidence and his leadership and the way he carries himself that we know he is going to lead us.
Senior wide receiver Tony Lippett
On winning the Big Ten Receiver of the Year Award...
I was just amazed and shocked. My feelings were indescribable. I called my mom and talked to her about it and she was enthusiastic about it. It was a great accomplishment that shows how hard I worked every single day to get better.
On how hungry the offense is to show what they have stacked up against Baylor's offense...
We are hungry and hyped up to go out there and compete against a tough team that is atop their division. We feel like we can put points on the board just as much as anyone can. The defense will do their job and we will go out there and have fun.
On Baylor's defense...
They look pretty good. They have some decent guys in the secondary and a decent defensive line with athletic guys who are going to get out there and compete. They feel like they can play with anyone and we feel the same way, so it will be a great matchup.
On whether he expects Baylor to be ticked off about not making the playoff...
I guess you could say that, yeah. They will be amped and hyped about the game because they got stepped over by Ohio State. They will come out ready to play and it will be a great scene.
On playing in Dallas...
I'm sure the stadium is going to be amazing and the fans will be enthusiastic. It is like a home game for them, because they are not that far from there. It is going to be loud out there. We are going to go out there and embrace it and have fun. Don't be afraid of the moment is something we are going to try and do. Don't pay attention to the stadium that much and go out there and play like we did when we were young, running around and making plays.
Sophomore wide receiver R.J. Shelton
On the MSU offense vs. Baylor's offense
We don't really need to prove anything. We're just going to come out and do what we normally do. Just play Michigan State football. We know what we can do. Baylor's a great team, they've got a great offense as well. We're excited to play them.
On the matchup with Baylor
They're No. 5 for a reason. They've got a good offense. Their defense is solid. We've got to bring our A-game. It's going to be a hyped game. They're going to bring everyone there. It's going to be exciting because Baylor's got a top program. They kind of started from the ground up just like here.
On finishing the year strong
You want to go out on a high note. You always want to win your bowl games and have the seniors go out right. We just want to go out on top.
Sophomore offensive tackle Jack Conklin
On the potential to expand the football playoff field...
I think that it probably will go to eight teams at some point, just because of all of the scrutiny and everyone is mad they got left out or who got in. I think at some point it will become a playoff, but I think they'll have to lose a couple of games in the season to make that possible because teams will end up playing 16 games.
On his attitude toward playing in a playoff environment...
I think the whole aspect of a playoff is fun. I see with March Madness how excited everyone gets. The aspect of having a playoff would be a very cool idea.
On his anticipation for the bowl...
It's huge. We're really excited to go down to Texas and play the No. 5 team in the nation. With not being in the playoff, this is the best possible game for us to be in. We get to play that next top team in the nation, so we're really excited to be able to go down and play in Cowboys Stadium, which is one of the premier stadiums in the country. It'll be really fun to be out on the national stage like that to play one of these elite teams.
On starting as a walk-on moving to playing in the bowl game...
Sometimes, you just have to look back and see where you came from. It's weird sometimes. You just go through the steps and forget where you're at. To look back and see, coming from a small town with no scholarship and then being able to play in the Rose Bowl and the Cotton Bowl, it's just amazing to look back and to even be in this situation.
Senior offensive lineman Travis Jackson
On the preparation for a bowl game...
You know, Coach D does a really good job with planning our practices, what we put into it and how we prepare. In 2011, he kind of set up a new kind of formula and we've been following that. They've been really good about breaking down film and making it toward the team we're playing that year. Going to bowl practices, the coaches do a great job of preparing us.
On potentially expanding the playoff...
I love the idea of a playoff and the idea of teams being able to play each other. As they go forward, I'm going to be a fan now, so I'd love to see an eight team playoff. I love seeing more games and top teams playing each other. I'd be very excited. You still go to bowl games to play these playoff games and those are really cool experiences. I think bowl games will always be around for college football. Playing in bowl games is an awesome experience.
On fan disappointment even in a 10-2 season...
We're kind of more focused on what happens inside. We're super excited about a 10-2 season and the opportunity to go to the Cotton Bowl and play Baylor. We're just more focused on that. If we beat them, it will have been a very successful season for us.
