Post-Game Quotes: Penn State
11/28/2015 12:00:00 AM | Football
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Michigan State head coach Mark Dantonio
Opening statement...
There are a lot of happy people in our locker room. This is what we've sort of shot for, to win the East. That was our first goal that we had to accomplish before we could go on to do anything else. I'm so, so proud of our football team. I'm so happy for them and what they've accomplished. The 42 wins that our senior class now has, tying the record of the 2013, 2014 class. When you look back, these seniors have experienced it all. They've been to a Rose Bowl, they've been to a Cotton Bowl, they've been to one Big Ten Championship and now they have an opportunity to go to another Big Ten Championship game. Credit to their chemistry, to their leadership, again, to their playmaking ability.
As far as the game, I thought Connor Cook came out and played extremely well for a guy that really hadn't practiced, but really, he practiced on Thursday for the first time in two weeks. I thought he excelled and played tremendously. Big catches down the field. [Aaron] Burbridge's catch, spectacular, I would say. Good running from our running backs. Our offensive line protected the quarterback, no sacks - really didn't get hit, and this is from a team that leads the nation in sacks, so that was big.
Obviously the big news of the day is zero turnovers for our offense and four turnovers that we were able to come up with. Arjen Colquhoun's interception in the first series turns away at least a field goal attempt, and, obviously a big play that flips the field with Demetrious Cox scoops it for the score, I think it was 70 yards-plus. I'm not sure. A long way, though. And then I believe [Malik] McDowell's interception in the second half and a fumble on the kickoff return and Jack Allen's touchdown. All the sudden it goes from a 16-point game or 18-point game to more, to a lot more. The wheels sort of fell off a little bit. So, just an outstanding job and we just sort of willed our way to it.
If you look at the statistics, Penn State has a good football team. They're a 7-5 football team, but they've been in every football game. So, a good football team. I think [Christian] Hackenberg is a good football player. Just so happy to be going back to Indy. Step one accomplished. I thought we reached a little higher this year. We're 11-1 right now, so we'll put ourselves in a position to play for a Big Ten Championship, and that's step number two.
On whether or not the winner of the Big Ten Championship should be in the college football playoff...
I would think that's the way it looks right now, I would think the winner of this football game goes to the College Football Playoffs. I would think - 11-1 team playing, the No. 5 last week and the No. 4 team playing. We play an extra game, so we play 13 games, so there's an added risk to all of this for us in this conference. I think we represent a lot of great football teams in this conference. If you look at this conference top-down right now, you've got quite a few teams in the Top 20.
On Connor Cook...
I talked to him on Thursday before practice and I said, `Hey, you've got to show. You've got to show that you've got zip on the ball, got velocity on it. You got to show that you can step in there an play.' He demonstrated that on Thursday and then the next step was he had to be able to get hit. You can't play scared. You got to be able to play through this because there's going to always be a little bit of a concern when you step back out there. He did that today, and I left it up to him how he wanted to play this thing out. He told me before the game, right before the game, as we were coming off the field, `Let's go, I'm ready to go.' And that's when the decision got made that we would go in that direction. Tyler O'Connor and Damion Terry did a tremendous job last week, especially Tyler. They had great practices this week, so, again, that experience only makes this football team stronger. You saw the strength in our running back position as well, so we've got good players and we need to use all of those strengths.
On the biggest change in the defense...
Well, we're getting guys back. Especially in the secondary, we got some guys back. I think Arjen Colquhoun has played very well, and I think Darian Hicks is playing very well at the corner position. They tackle, they play the ball down the field, they cut off people down the field, so that's a big part of it, I think. Just everybody is playing better. It's a game-to-game thing all the time. We gave up some plays out there, but we kept playing. It really felt like when they got inside our 5-yard line, we played extremely well. Even if they scored, it took about 10 plays to do it. I thought we played extremely well.
On the difference this year to other Big Ten Championship years...
That remains to be seen. It was pretty gratifying in 2013 as well, and in 2011 as well. Those were great football teams and they accomplished a lot. Very close to all of those players. I think the ride to these moments are special. There are a lot of special moments with all of our players. Regardless of the year, as we come into it, there are a lot of big wins, there's big road wins, there's big home wins. Great crowd out there tonight. Tremendous crowd out there on Thanksgiving weekend. I want to thank Spartan Nation for showing up loud, excited. Everyone goes home happy, so that's great for everybody. Everybody goes home an East champion, not just our players, but our fans do as well.
On handling adversity...
You know, our message was that you've got to hold on to what we came in with. The hold. Understand that there are going to be adversities, but we've got to hold in terms of keeping our mental toughness right here. We've been saying you've got to be mentally tough four times more than you are physically tough. And that's a part of it. Handling adversity. So, we had to hold and we had to work some things out. Get in the edge a little big on bubble screens and things of that nature. We missed some tackles on defense, but then we'd come up with a play. I thought our offense played very well in the first half, and then we responded in the second half and went down the field and scored. It went from 20-10 to 27-10 right off the bat. It made us a little more comfortable, but it was a football game. As you would expect.
On the confidence the Spartans are playing with...
We're playing our best football down the stretch. If you compare us with last year's Big Ten Champion, that's what they were able to do. We were in control of the situation. Even though we had lost to Nebraska, we knew we still were in control and we knew we had to win it. If we were going to win it, it wasn't going to be given to us. We had to play this football game and take it as opposed to playing cautious and standing back and saying, `I just hope we don't lose.' We had to play this game to win, and I think that's the mentality our guys went out with. Our whole football team, all 115 players that were out there dressed, felt that energy. That is, that creates even more energy, and that's what we have right now. We have that energy, and we'll play a good Iowa team that has that same type of energy.
On Jack Allen's touchdown...
Well, first of all, we're going to use all of our weapons. We recognize the athletic ability and we're going to make sure we use up every bit of that. We've done that in the past on senior day, but Jack [Allen] is a talented player. He could be in there and doing some of those types of things. I'm just happy for him. I knew his offensive line was going to block for him, that was a given.
On similarities with Iowa...
I've watched them on film when they've played some of the common opponents that we've had, which aren't too many. I've watched a little bit on TV, but Coach Ferentz does an outstanding job, he's a tremendous coach and they've won their way to the top. They're 12-0 right now, so we'll have an opportunity to play. We've had great games with Iowa in past years.
On the significance of this win...
It's significant to me what we're doing here. Trying to concern ourselves with what is going on here. Every now and then I get caught and go off on a tangent, but I try not to. I'll concern myself with what we do and how we do it. Really, how we play after or how we react after. When we walk out of there tonight, a champion, East side, how we react on the streets of East Lansing is just as important. How we come to work tomorrow is just as important. Those are life lessons and we need to understand those things. With success comes even more responsibility. That's what we have right now; we have success. I'd say pretty great success, but with that comes even more responsibility in how we show up to play, how we prepare, what we do as people as well.
On the performance of the offensive line's performance in light of Connor Cook's recent return...
Connor told me that at the end of the game, he never got touched, never got knocked down. Our guys protect. We've played a lot of different guys up there. Now we're back in sync and again, we've gotten stronger. Across the board, we've got guys that we've put in the game, regardless of whether it's at secondary, linebacker, defensive line, offensive line or running back, we've had it at quarterback, we've had injuries that we work through. Because of that, there's more of an emphasis for them in practice, they know that they're going to have an opportunity to play in practice. You get ready to play. There's more preparation, there's more competition and there's more confidence. They are more at ease when they go in the game. They did a great job. We have a great offensive line. I think we've given up 15 sacks all year. We were able to sack the quarterback tonight, pressure him as well and come up with four turnovers. We were plus four in the turnover margin for the year. I think for the year, we're plus 14 which is pretty good, probably leads the conference.
On the memory-making aspect of this experience...
It's unfortunate [for Trevon Pendleton]. I don't know what the extent is to that, so I don't think it will alter next week, but we'll see.
For Connor, we tried to put him in for the last play and fumbled the ball. So, I guess we were four and one on the [turnovers]. That's alright, four-to-one is good. He didn't get to go out there to make that last play, but he's had a tremendous game, I think, and we're so happy for him to be able to finish at Spartan Stadium.
Michigan State Co-Defensive Coordinator Mike Tressel
On coming back from a loss at Nebraska...
You go back to the Nebraska game and the loss there. Shilique (Calhoun) was one of the first players I went up to after in the locker room and asked if he was all right. He was a little teary eyed, but he said that it was one of the best things that could've happened to our team. I might've mentioned it before to the media, but that was a mature answer. Then a whole switch changed. The guys changed from thinking we were going to be the best defense in the country because everybody was going to do their job to decide that we're going to be the best defense in the country because we're going to dominate people's tail. That loss might've been huge for the defense, but we did see a mentality change. That was the biggest difference. There were tweaks in defense, no doubt. But the mentality change was the biggest difference.
Michigan State senior quarterback Connor Cook
On coming back from injury...
Obviously sitting out some. I've played a lot of football games here, and obviously, I've been very fortunate by playing a lot of games and not having to sit out a lot. That was a reality check, and it made me appreciate it just that much more. Then to win the way we did. Day-Day scored a touchdown. Malik (McDowell) and Jack (Allen). Whoever would've thought that all three of those guys were going to score. The amount of fun we had on the sideline (and) on the field today was great. The atmosphere was great.
On how he prepared for Penn State coming off injury...
A little more each and every day. Tuesday, I did a little bit. On Wednesday I did a little bit more. Thursday was a loose practice, so I did everything. I was going to give it a go on Thursday to see how I felt, and go from there. That was the day I was going to go or not. I felt good.
On finishing his home career with a win...
I know for me, and for all the other guys, the other seniors, when we're one win away, and I don't think our backs were against the wall, but when we're in a situation like this, when it's win or go home, we're going to come out and play. We're going to play and we're not going to be denied. We're not going to let someone come in here and take away what we won.
On his offensive line protection...
Nope, I didn't get touched once. This (offensive) line did a great job. When you're going into a game, we knew they had a very, very talented (defensive) line. They led the nation in sacks. (Carl) Nassib led the nation in individual sacks with 14.5, and watched a lot of film on their (defensive) line and how they play. I thought our (offensive) line play their best game today. (They) kept me well protected, and blocked very well, and in the run game as well. When I can stand back there with time, and feel safe, it's a pretty good situation.
On resting his shoulder...
Resting it for the entire week against Ohio State there was no zip. I had no strength and there was some pain when I threw. So if I went out there, I would've been useless in the pass game. When I heard it was a two to three week deal, I came back in two weeks, and it felt good out there today. A whole another week of treatment and a little bit of rest should be great.
On coming back from a loss at Nebraska...
When you have someone take it away from you, you kind of sit back and re-evaluate yourself. Recheck yourself, and we did that. We know what it feels like to lose, and it's the worst feeling in the entire world, so we don't ever want to feel like that again. There's extra motivation for us to come out and play because that feeling when you lose is kind of indescribable. It puts you in a place that you don't want to be, so we play and go out there to win each and every game, and then I think, now, our whole (offensive) line was out there. Our offensive line is healthy, our backs are healthy. We've got Madre (London) back, and our receivers are healthy and our tight ends. I think it's more of us just working together, and not having, knock on wood, not having people get hurt, and having to sit out.
On handling adversity throughout the season...
The guys on this team are just so mentally tough and mentally strong. The adversity we've had to go through with guys going down, it's not like how we envisioned it, but it goes to show the chemistry we have. I think that's one of the reasons why we've been so successful, why we've had success in the past. Coach D has talked about it. It's the chemistry we have with our teammates and our coaches. I can speak for myself, and I don't think teams are as close as we are, and there's not one guy on this football team that I don't like. When you have 100 guys on a football team that love each other, that have each other's backs, that will go to war with each other, you can do great things, even when the top guys go down. Credit to our guys and our coaches for putting us in the right situations. But ultimately us just having great chemistry.
Michigan State senior center Jack Allen
On the play call that led to his rushing touchdown...
(The play was in our playbook) for about five minutes. Credit to the offensive coaches and the offensive linemen, they got it done. I got lucky.
On a healthy offensive line performing well...
Definitely, I'd say we're peaking at the right time. We've had guys go down, and people have had to play different positions. I think everybody stepped up on the offensive line, and on the offense kind of helped balance things out. We're starting to gel a little more up front and get used to working next to each other like we're normally with, but I think it's all coming together.
Michigan State senior defensive end Shilique Calhoun
On the defense's performance...
I think we've done a lot better in the past few weeks, definitely picking it up. Trying to put the game on us. Put it on the defense, even though the offense has been doing a great job, too, the past couple of weeks also, and throughout the season. We've definitely allowed our (defensive) tackles to score a lot more, so we've been putting them in great position for them to catch the ball and run it in. I could've caught that ball, but I thought about it and thought it would be more priceless if I gave it to Malik (McDowell). I think we've gotten a lot better, and we stepped up to the challenge. The coaches challenge us each and every day at practice, and we challenged ourselves to be a better defense, because, of course, we want to be No. 1. We're not there yet, but we're making progress toward that way.
On focusing on the next game...
We tried to not get too high off a win, and too low off a loss, and we felt we needed to come and see how this game was going play out. We understood that Penn State wasn't just going to let us take the win, but the biggest thing was that he said we always need to compete. That's the thing, we just came out and compete like we do each and every game. Same old Spartans, that's not us, and I've never heard of that. I felt we bounce back each and every loss and every win, and we try to compete at a high level each and every game.
On how the team has handled adversity throughout the season...
I think it's just the image of the Spartan Dawg. A lot of guys are going to go down. Things are going to happen, but the biggest thing is how you handle adversity, and I think this team has done a great job through our games by handling adversity. Like Coach Tressel said, even after a big loss, being able to handle adversity and come back and still compete on a high level, it's really just about the fight in us. We constantly have that fight in us and that drive. A lot of people say that chip on our shoulder, and that's what we constantly have to be successful. We're constantly doing whatever we can and fight for our brothers is the most important thing. Fight for each other, because you're not only fighting for yourself, you're playing for your family and the man next to you.
Michigan State Co-Offensive Coordinator Dave Warner
On game planning...
We went through the game plan this week, and basically, it wasn't going to change depending on who the quarterback was. Play calling might have been a little bit different with Connor (Cook) in there, maybe getting the ball out a little quicker. First, I saw the protection hold up very, very well, but I also Connor with a lot of confidence sitting in there. There were times in there, on critical third downs where he went to his second, third progression and did so with a lot of confidence and steadiness in his feet. Credit to the offensive line, but Connor did a good job staying in there, too, and having confidence in the protection.
On the offensive line clicking as a unit...
Obviously, it's a great weapon. It's a great feeling to have and to know when we're calling the run plays, we're running the ball efficiently, and at the same time, it makes our pass game that much better. Whether it's play-action pass or drop back pass. It's really easy to play call because of what these guys are doing. They're making everything, not easy, but they're making it look easy sometimes.
Michigan State junior wide receiver R.J. Shelton
On peaking at the right time of the year...
Right now we are actually playing our best football. You have to play your best ball in November and leading into December and then on after that. We are just playing with a chip on our shoulder like we always do and playing Spartan football.
On Connor Cook...
He was ready to go. You know Connor Cook, he is always ready to go. You know he is going to give it his all, you know he is going to be confident. You saw it today. We were excited when we found out he was going to come back. We just knew it. It was the same old Connor Cook. The same guy who will lead us in the right direction, get us to score points faster and easier. He did his thing today. It was his last game here at Spartan Stadium and any senior would have wanted to come back to win this game, especially in the situation we were in.
On how the team played...
We're just playing Spartan football. Our defense was making plays at the right time. Anyone who is called makes a play. From wide receivers to running backs, we all make plays. You just have to come out and play every game hard. You can't take anything for granted. Especially for the seniors today, we wanted to get the dub.
Michigan State sophomore running back Gerald Holmes
On going to Indy...
It feels good. It's going to be my first time playing in a championship game so I feel really good about.
On his play...
I've been trying to work on smaller things and being patient and using my vision and my strength. Every play counts. I just take it play by play and everything else will work out.
On the team...
We know how to endure. I feel like that's Spartan football. We are able to get beat down and then still stand up and fight through it. As players get hurt we have others players that can step up and make plays. Whoever is up, we give them then head nod, and they go out and make a play. It's important to start strong but I believe we really have been able to finish strong the past couple of weeks. It's big for the seniors. We want to go out with a big bang. The lost to Nebraska was a wake up call. It let everyone know that we really have to come out and play. All teams are going to come out and play Michigan State hard.
On Jack Allen's touchdown...
It was pretty good. He had that stiff arm at the end - that was pretty amazing. The stiff arm was pretty good but now he has to learn how to move.
Michigan State senior cornerback Arjen Colquhoun
On the performance of the team...
I saw this performance happening. We've had two big games, - the last two games we've played - Maryland and Ohio State - and I think our defense has kind of settled in now and the defense is doing their job and I think our team is headed in the right direction.
On how fun the game was today...
It was so fun. The atmosphere, the fans, senior day, saw my parents, everything. Everyone came to show love and I am so excited to go to the Big Ten championship. I was just glad I could make the play today to get our team going and put our best foot forward.
On the loss to Nebraska...
That game was definitely a wake-up call. We definitely got away throughout the season with little things and not doing the right things all the way. After that game the coaches, the players, everyone, it was attention to detail. Everyone was working hard and you can see it's paid off now.
On Jack Allen's touchdown...
Keep giving him the ball. I didn't even realize he was in the backfield until I saw him running. I saw a big guy running and all I thought was `Oh, no.' I thought for sure he was going to get tackled and then he stiff armed the guys and I was like `Oh my God, this guy just scored a touchdown.' Player of the game, Jack Allen.
Michigan State junior defensive back Demetrious Cox
On his touchdown...
I just picked up the ball, it was instinct really. I knew I wasn't going to run out of bounds or anything like that. I was just trying to do what I had to do to get in the end zone.
On defense after the Nebraska loss...
I feel like it was a motivator. It made the chip on our shoulder a little bigger again. It feels good when people doubt you and then you show them that you have something to come out and prove. These are all steps and goals that we had back in January. It was always win the East, win the Big Ten and then move on to the playoffs. We always had our eyes on winning this first and now we're just going to take it game by game.
On playing with Montae Nicholson...
From earlier in the season until now it's crazy to see how far he's come, mentally. He has taken his game to another level A lot of guys have been doing that. Darian Hicks has been playing really well, Arjen [Colquhoun], we just have to keep getting better and reach our full potential.
On everyone doing their job...
We have more trust in each other. I have a better connection with Montae [Nicholson] now. In the film room, I just look at him and we just have a connection. We just get stuff simultaneously.
Michigan State senior tight end Josiah Price
On the stakes of the game...
I think the demeanor of our team ever since the Ohio State game; we went in there with a whole other mindset and energy level and just focus. I think that carried over to this whole week in practice. I mean, we knew where the stakes were at. We work all year long through all our conditioning programs, workouts and lifts for these moments to win championships and go to Indy. Definitely, I think the stakes were a little higher and so were our focus and intensity. You could tell that coming in this game. I feel like we were ready to go.
On the effect of the Nebraska game
I guess it kind of put us in reality a little bit and showed us we could lose. We've got to come out and finish every game. We've got to come out ready to play each and every game. I think it maybe did wake us up a little bit.
On the feeling of this moment...
It feels amazing. It's an amazing feeling to win championships. This is what we work for year round. We got step one done, but the job's not finished. We can't get too happy. We just won in the East, but we've got bigger goals ahead of us.
On having another scoring opportunity...
It felt pretty good to get back in the end zone.
On having Connor Cook back today...
He's such a great player and such a great leader. It meant a lot to us. It was great to have him back. He threw the ball pretty well today, I think. I don't know the stats, but I'd imagine he did pretty well. It was great to have him back - senior leader, senior night. It was special for him.
Michigan State junior linebacker Riley Bullough
On Arjen Colquhoun's interception...
I think it really was a big tone-setter. It's important early in the game just to get that statement that we're ready to play, we're here to play and we're going to go as hard as we can. It's important to do that in the beginning of the game. We did that, so it was good.
On having defensive scoring plays...
When something like that happens, it motivates not just the defense, but the whole team. The offense gets going from it. That's really what we try to do and that's really the only time where we're really motivating the offense. It's always good to get defensive scores, because it gets the defense and the offense pumped and sets the tone for the rest of the game.
On the adjustments of play...
When big plays happen, that doesn't get us down. It just motivates us more to do better and that was kind of how we looked at it at halftime. A few of them [the adjustments] were structural, but we got that fixed. Once we fixed that, you know? We've got the talent on defense if we go out each and every play [with the attitude] that we're going to be good.
On the effect of the Nebraska game...
I think it humbled us a little bit. I think in the end, it was good for us. We played our best ball since then. I feel like we had that chip back on our shoulder. I think it's great to see that we're playing our best ball towards the end of the season going into this championship game. That's what you want to do.
Michigan State sophomore safety Montae Nicholson
On getting a win against the team from his home state...
Maybe just a little bit [special.] Every game is important; every game is special to us. This one was really special, being that it was senior day and being that it was the game where our season was on the line, whether we were going to the Big Ten or not. So, it was just a special game for us all in all.
On the defensive scoring plays...
It definitely brings energy and confidence to our defense. Not only our defense, but our offense as well, it gives them an offensive spark. It gives them confidence. To give them that cushion as well, they can do what they want to do on offense and what they want to do with the ball.
On any doubts of winning...
It's always our goal to play like this. We believe that anybody can lose on any given day. We just wanted to send our seniors out the right way and we wanted to continue our season in the right way. In order to do that, we felt like we had to play like we did today.
On the difference since the Nebraska game...
A lot of attitude - everybody's attitudes changed. We felt like we needed that loss, to be honest, because we'd been playing with fire all season and it finally came back around. After that, we kind of switched our mindset to be dominant in all aspects of the game every down of the play. I feel like that's benefited us well lately.
Penn State Head Coach James Franklin
Opening Statement ...
First of all I want to give Michigan State and coach Dantonio credit. They're the No. 5 team in the country for a reason. They played very well today so I need to give them credit. For us, we didn't play good enough obviously to win. Defensively, not having (Garrett) Sickles and (Carl) Nassib affected us. We went up against a big physical offensive front. They were able to run the ball consistently against us today. Offensively we were able to move the ball. We made critical errors. We can't turn the ball over and make critical errors against a top team like that. Turnovers hurt us. We had turnovers early and turnovers late. Although we were able to move the ball, those things will make it difficult for you to be successful. They're a good football team, give them credit, but it's hard to take a whole lot of positives out of that.
On the inability to get pressure on Connor Cook ...
Yes, obviously he was comfortable in the pocket. Their offensive line and defensive lines are the strength of their team. We have been able to get pressure on everybody all year long but when you take away your starting defensive ends off of your unit that'll take an effect. We had to move [Anthony] Zettel out to defensive end, a spot where he hasn't played all year. You'd love for someone obviously to step up in that role but when you lose two out of your four starters it has a big effect.
On being able to compete with the Big Ten East's best teams moving forward...
We are going to keep working, we are going to keep developing our players, we are going to keep killing it academically, and we are going to keep killing it in the community. Next year, starting in the bowl game, we are going to have an opportunity to get things cleaned up. We are going to get healthy and have a chance to get our whole roster back with and go on with the future. Next year will be our first opportunity to be back at full scholarships. We obviously have a lot of work to do, all of us. Good things are coming though, I feel very confident with that. We've shown it in flashes but whenever we've played the top-tier teams in this conference and in this country we just haven't been able to get it done yet. We improved on our conference record from last year but we still need to close the gap on the upper-tiered teams in this conference.
On when the process of evaluating personnel on the roster and the staff begin ...
We're evaluating every single day. The evaluation will happen between now and the bowl and after the bowl when the season is over.
The season is not over, but we will have some conversations with a number of guys and come up with a plan that makes sense for them and makes sense for Penn State and we look forward to doing that here in the next couple of weeks.
On Saquon Barkley going over 1,000 yards rushing this season ...
He's a talented guy. He's an example of a guy that came in here with the right attitude and tremendous ability and worked really hard. When his opportunity came available he took advantage. He has a lot of skills in terms of size speed and the ability to make people miss and break tackles. He has a bright future.
Penn State Player Quotes
Penn State junior quarterback Christian Hackenberg
On his first interception...
Yeah I just left it inside a little bit. Geno (Lewis) couldn't quite get back to it. So that was just, that was tough.
On what this game taught him about his team...
I mean we kept coming back. We did what we needed to do, we kept fighting. But (MSU) scored a lot of points. And that's a testament to how well they executed both offensively and defensively. They also took advantage of our mistakes. You can't do that against a good team, you can't make that many mistakes. We just have to learn from it and get better.
On if he thinks this team is far away from competing with teams like Michigan State
I couldn't say either way. I know that we're just working to get better each week.
Penn State freshman linebacker Troy Reeder
On the game in general...
I think they (MSU) came out with a really good game plan. They did the little things right all game long. Against a team of that caliber we can't make any mistakes, because they will capitalize.
On why things got out of hand in the second half...
I think some big plays happened in their favor on all sides of the ball. We lost momentum of the game, and they took advantage of it. That's something going forward that we need to do a better job of, regaining the momentum in a game. I think we were very comfortable at halftime with where we were, but like I said, footballs a game of momentum. When we don't have the momentum, we need to get it back.
On Penn State's struggles against MSU's offensive line...
We'll check it out on film, but I think we need to do a better job of seeing pullers and getting of blockers. It's a credit to them, they have a really good, talented, big offensive line.
Penn State senior safety Malik Golden
On the pressure of having to play a perfect game against Michigan State ...
We go and tell ourselves that we need to play a perfect game regardless of who we play. They were just another opponent that we had to come out and try and stop.
On which quarterback their defense prepared for all week ...
We prepared for everybody, because you never know who to expect. We know (Cook) didn't play in the previous game but we prepared for him.
On Michigan State's success through the air ...
No they were just moving the ball and making plays on first down and second down. Whenever the ball is thrown we just do what we need to do.
Penn State wide receiver Chris Goodwin
On his personal success today, making eight catches for 81 yards...
I just think it was our game plan. Our coach put us in a good position to be successful and unfortunately we just didn't execute well enough to come out with a victory. We need to go back and watch film and correct our mistakes.
On Penn State's tendency to go to him on one-on-one coverage today...
Yes, definitely. As a receiver that is something that you like seeing. When you come out and see one-on-one coverage you know you have to beat the man across from you. You trust the hard work that you put in in practice and throughout the season. You trust the fundamentals and come out of the one-on-one with a victory.
On whether it is frustrating that the team keeps making the same mistakes...
It's a little frustrating because we're not coming away with victories in tight situations. We need to figure out a way to execute so we can come away with victories against better opponents.
