Redbox Bowl Press Conference Coverage
12/6/2018 11:47:00 PM | Football
Michigan State head coach Mark Dantonio and Oregon head coach Mario Cristobal
SAN FRANCISCO -- Michigan State head coach Mark Dantonio and Oregon head coach Mario Cristobal held a press conference Thursday afternoon in San Francisco, previewing the Redbox Bowl between the Spartans and Ducks on Monday, Dec. 31 at 12 p.m. PT/3 p.m. ET in Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California. The game will be nationally televised on FOX.Â
The Spartans finished the regular season with a 7-5 overall record (5-4 Big Ten) and are looking to win their second straight bowl game, while Oregon went 8-4 overall and placed fourth in the Pac-12 North Division with a 5-4 conference mark. It will be first-ever matchup between the two schools in a bowl game.
The Redbox Bowl marks the 11th bowl bid in 12 seasons under MSU head coach Mark Dantonio, who owns a 107-50 record at the helm of the Spartans. MSU has won five of its last six bowl games.
Dantonio already owns school records for most bowl wins (five) and bowl appearances (11), including a school-record four-game bowl winning streak with victories in the 2011 Outback Bowl vs. No. 18 Georgia, 2012 Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl over TCU, 2014 Rose Bowl against No. 5 Stanford, and 2015 Cotton Bowl vs. No. 4 Baylor. The Spartans defeated No. 18 Washington State, 42-17, in the 2017 Holiday Bowl.
The following is a complete transcript from Thursday's press conference:
On being in the Redbox Bowl…
Michigan State head coach Mark Dantonio: It's a great opportunity for our football program. We're very excited to come to the San Francisco area and play a quality opponent. I think both programs have a national brand. We played in 2014 and 2015 and had great football games. The winner of those games went on to the playoff and it was an exciting time for both programs. We're excited about the opportunities and our guys are very excited about coming out here and being a part of this. We're going to compete. Â Â
Oregon head coach Mario Cristobal: It's a tremendous honor and privilege to be here. I know our players are extremely excited for not only the opportunity that's been granted for us after the season that we had, which we're really proud of, but the opportunity to play such a great program like Michigan State University. We're appreciative and looking forward to all the main things that come with a bowl game, and counting the days until we get there.Â
On senior running back LJ Scott's announcement that he's leaving for NFL but will play in Redbox Bowl game…
Dantonio: I think it makes a statement first of all, in terms of how he feels about our football team. I had conversations with him throughout, he played in only four games so he could redshirt. It fluctuated back and forth in terms of what he was going to do, but he decided he's going to play. He'll bring something, he's been a guy that's been out most of the season, so we'll look forward to his progress and returning, but it's been positive talk throughout the entire year. Â
On playing on the West Coast and expanding the footprint and getting exposure in the area…
Dantonio: We have a big alumni base and large contingent in Southern California and the San Francisco bay area as well. We're excited to get out here and be around those Spartans as well. As far as recruiting it's sort of one and done when you get out here, it's a long way to go. We're very excited about coming out here. We've played in some great venues and this city looks like one of them.Â
Cristobal: Without a doubt this is great for us, we kinda consider it the state of Oregon because of the proximity. So much of our roster has been built up through California recruiting, northern and southern. We're excited for the families to come on out and have them support us, it's a really big deal. Our alumni base here is tremendous and they're very large, so we expect a strong support showing by our people. We know the amount of pride that they carry and the amount of pride we have for them and of them. Again, for us, obviously a tremendous opportunity.Â
On the Oregon offensive line after Jacob Capra's transfer…
Cristobal: We certainly want guys to pursue opportunities somewhere else if it doesn't quite work out for them at our place. With us, Penei Sewell and Steven Jones getting healthy again, Alex Forsyth doing the great job he did in our last game and the way Alex has come on and gotten healthy, we feel really strong about our offensive line. Â
On what about the other team has stood out…
Dantonio: I'm very impressed with what I've seen in terms of their skill players, they always good skill out there. Outstanding quarterback. Defensively they're going to play extremely hard out of a 3-4 front. Outstanding football team and they're right there much like our football team. You can look at the games that they've played and they had an opportunity to win every one of them. Should be a great game and a great matchup.Â
Cristobal: Michigan State plays a physical and aggressive brand of football. Very disciplined with explosive players at the playmaking positions. We understand the challenges ahead of us. In terms of scheme and matchups, it would take another week until we get back in the office and analyze it, but we certainly recognize and respect our opponent.Â
On both coaching in the Nick Saban coaching tree and the (Oregon special teams coordinator) Bobby Williams connection…
Dantonio: I was Saban's defensive backs coach for five years and the basis of what I know defensively really comes from all the coaches I've worked with, but I think he's had the most dramatic impact on me as a defensive coach. I worked for Bobby as well when he became the head coach and worked with him throughout. I actually coached Bobby at Purdue when he was a player and I was a GA there. Our relationship goes way back. He's an outstanding coach, recruiter and person, so it'll be great to see him as well.Â
Cristobal: I think the parallels in programs run by guys that worked for him under that tree have a lot of similarities. I played for a coach in Jimmy Johnson and Dennis Erickson that shared the same type of philosophies and values in terms of the offseason programs and blueprint. I think you're seeing how that blueprint carried over to different places with little tweaks here and there. It has stood the test of time for many decades and is something a lot of guys have invested time into. It's certainly something we've carried over to the University of Oregon. Â Â
On Calvin Throckmorton and others not being selected First-Team All-Pac-12…
Cristobal: We were certainly surprised by it. I think we all know the caliber of player that Calvin is and a couple of the other guys are. I think the focus has to be on that the next opportunity you leave no doubt instead of focusing on the fact it wasn't recognized in that respect. It's been recognized in many other ways and he's certainly a guy we value as much as anybody else. Super proud of him and what he's accomplished so far. I think his best football is still ahead of him and we'll see a lot of it. Â Â
On Urban Meyer announcing his retirement this week and looking back on coaching against him and being the only Big Ten coach to beat him twice…
Dantonio: Seeing how he's been there seven years that sort of says it all. He's an outstanding football coach and I think people need to recognize that coaching at this level is very difficult and it wears on you at some point. I want to first of all congratulate him on the success that he's had and wish him the best in his future endeavors. It's an outstanding program and they've had tremendous success. When you can name the games they've lost on two hands that's unbelievable. He's had tremendous success there and I want to congratulate him on that.
On going into second go-round with the early signing period and dealing with recruiting while getting ready for bowl game...
Dantonio: It puts an emphasis on this time of year that's for sure, there's no question about that. It was very smooth for us last year and I expect the same to be true this year. Recruiting has become very accelerated so most of our players have been committed for a very long time. I expect for all of them to sign on the 19th. It's been a good thing for us and allows them to move on to the next phase of their life.
On Arizona State serving as a reference point since they're the only common opponent between Michigan State and Oregon…
Dantonio: I think first of all we have a deep respect for everyone they're playing, we understand the quality of football that's played in the Pac-12. Every single football team they've played, we'll look at extensively. A lot of it will be teams you look at that are kind of similar to you in some degree and format different ideas from there. When you look at Arizona State, what when on in our game relative to what went on in their game, both very close football games. Coach has done an outstanding job down there. Â
On the playoffs affecting the rest of the bowl games…
Dantonio: First of all, there's only four teams who can get there. While most of the United States of America feels like that's all there is to it, there's a lot of other good football teams out there who are very excited to go play in other venues. I think bowl games are about life experiences and about challenges in trying to move your program forward for the next phase, the next year. Our guys are very excited to come and play. It'll be a great challenge and we're looking forward to the competition.
Cristobal: I couldn't agree more with Coach. I think if we played football 365 days a year, everyone would be watching as it is. I know it's a four-team playoff, but the way the bowls and particularly the Redbox Bowl have been created, I think there are some incredible football games and some great matchups to be watching. It's going to provide everyone throughout the holiday season some tremendous opportunities to watch great football. I know we're excited about it and we're going to bring a lot of excitement to the area and the game itself, so I'm all about it.
Â
The Spartans finished the regular season with a 7-5 overall record (5-4 Big Ten) and are looking to win their second straight bowl game, while Oregon went 8-4 overall and placed fourth in the Pac-12 North Division with a 5-4 conference mark. It will be first-ever matchup between the two schools in a bowl game.
The Redbox Bowl marks the 11th bowl bid in 12 seasons under MSU head coach Mark Dantonio, who owns a 107-50 record at the helm of the Spartans. MSU has won five of its last six bowl games.
Dantonio already owns school records for most bowl wins (five) and bowl appearances (11), including a school-record four-game bowl winning streak with victories in the 2011 Outback Bowl vs. No. 18 Georgia, 2012 Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl over TCU, 2014 Rose Bowl against No. 5 Stanford, and 2015 Cotton Bowl vs. No. 4 Baylor. The Spartans defeated No. 18 Washington State, 42-17, in the 2017 Holiday Bowl.
The following is a complete transcript from Thursday's press conference:
On being in the Redbox Bowl…
Michigan State head coach Mark Dantonio: It's a great opportunity for our football program. We're very excited to come to the San Francisco area and play a quality opponent. I think both programs have a national brand. We played in 2014 and 2015 and had great football games. The winner of those games went on to the playoff and it was an exciting time for both programs. We're excited about the opportunities and our guys are very excited about coming out here and being a part of this. We're going to compete. Â Â
Oregon head coach Mario Cristobal: It's a tremendous honor and privilege to be here. I know our players are extremely excited for not only the opportunity that's been granted for us after the season that we had, which we're really proud of, but the opportunity to play such a great program like Michigan State University. We're appreciative and looking forward to all the main things that come with a bowl game, and counting the days until we get there.Â
On senior running back LJ Scott's announcement that he's leaving for NFL but will play in Redbox Bowl game…
Dantonio: I think it makes a statement first of all, in terms of how he feels about our football team. I had conversations with him throughout, he played in only four games so he could redshirt. It fluctuated back and forth in terms of what he was going to do, but he decided he's going to play. He'll bring something, he's been a guy that's been out most of the season, so we'll look forward to his progress and returning, but it's been positive talk throughout the entire year. Â
On playing on the West Coast and expanding the footprint and getting exposure in the area…
Dantonio: We have a big alumni base and large contingent in Southern California and the San Francisco bay area as well. We're excited to get out here and be around those Spartans as well. As far as recruiting it's sort of one and done when you get out here, it's a long way to go. We're very excited about coming out here. We've played in some great venues and this city looks like one of them.Â
Cristobal: Without a doubt this is great for us, we kinda consider it the state of Oregon because of the proximity. So much of our roster has been built up through California recruiting, northern and southern. We're excited for the families to come on out and have them support us, it's a really big deal. Our alumni base here is tremendous and they're very large, so we expect a strong support showing by our people. We know the amount of pride that they carry and the amount of pride we have for them and of them. Again, for us, obviously a tremendous opportunity.Â
On the Oregon offensive line after Jacob Capra's transfer…
Cristobal: We certainly want guys to pursue opportunities somewhere else if it doesn't quite work out for them at our place. With us, Penei Sewell and Steven Jones getting healthy again, Alex Forsyth doing the great job he did in our last game and the way Alex has come on and gotten healthy, we feel really strong about our offensive line. Â
On what about the other team has stood out…
Dantonio: I'm very impressed with what I've seen in terms of their skill players, they always good skill out there. Outstanding quarterback. Defensively they're going to play extremely hard out of a 3-4 front. Outstanding football team and they're right there much like our football team. You can look at the games that they've played and they had an opportunity to win every one of them. Should be a great game and a great matchup.Â
Cristobal: Michigan State plays a physical and aggressive brand of football. Very disciplined with explosive players at the playmaking positions. We understand the challenges ahead of us. In terms of scheme and matchups, it would take another week until we get back in the office and analyze it, but we certainly recognize and respect our opponent.Â
On both coaching in the Nick Saban coaching tree and the (Oregon special teams coordinator) Bobby Williams connection…
Dantonio: I was Saban's defensive backs coach for five years and the basis of what I know defensively really comes from all the coaches I've worked with, but I think he's had the most dramatic impact on me as a defensive coach. I worked for Bobby as well when he became the head coach and worked with him throughout. I actually coached Bobby at Purdue when he was a player and I was a GA there. Our relationship goes way back. He's an outstanding coach, recruiter and person, so it'll be great to see him as well.Â
Cristobal: I think the parallels in programs run by guys that worked for him under that tree have a lot of similarities. I played for a coach in Jimmy Johnson and Dennis Erickson that shared the same type of philosophies and values in terms of the offseason programs and blueprint. I think you're seeing how that blueprint carried over to different places with little tweaks here and there. It has stood the test of time for many decades and is something a lot of guys have invested time into. It's certainly something we've carried over to the University of Oregon. Â Â
On Calvin Throckmorton and others not being selected First-Team All-Pac-12…
Cristobal: We were certainly surprised by it. I think we all know the caliber of player that Calvin is and a couple of the other guys are. I think the focus has to be on that the next opportunity you leave no doubt instead of focusing on the fact it wasn't recognized in that respect. It's been recognized in many other ways and he's certainly a guy we value as much as anybody else. Super proud of him and what he's accomplished so far. I think his best football is still ahead of him and we'll see a lot of it. Â Â
On Urban Meyer announcing his retirement this week and looking back on coaching against him and being the only Big Ten coach to beat him twice…
Dantonio: Seeing how he's been there seven years that sort of says it all. He's an outstanding football coach and I think people need to recognize that coaching at this level is very difficult and it wears on you at some point. I want to first of all congratulate him on the success that he's had and wish him the best in his future endeavors. It's an outstanding program and they've had tremendous success. When you can name the games they've lost on two hands that's unbelievable. He's had tremendous success there and I want to congratulate him on that.
On going into second go-round with the early signing period and dealing with recruiting while getting ready for bowl game...
Dantonio: It puts an emphasis on this time of year that's for sure, there's no question about that. It was very smooth for us last year and I expect the same to be true this year. Recruiting has become very accelerated so most of our players have been committed for a very long time. I expect for all of them to sign on the 19th. It's been a good thing for us and allows them to move on to the next phase of their life.
On Arizona State serving as a reference point since they're the only common opponent between Michigan State and Oregon…
Dantonio: I think first of all we have a deep respect for everyone they're playing, we understand the quality of football that's played in the Pac-12. Every single football team they've played, we'll look at extensively. A lot of it will be teams you look at that are kind of similar to you in some degree and format different ideas from there. When you look at Arizona State, what when on in our game relative to what went on in their game, both very close football games. Coach has done an outstanding job down there. Â
On the playoffs affecting the rest of the bowl games…
Dantonio: First of all, there's only four teams who can get there. While most of the United States of America feels like that's all there is to it, there's a lot of other good football teams out there who are very excited to go play in other venues. I think bowl games are about life experiences and about challenges in trying to move your program forward for the next phase, the next year. Our guys are very excited to come and play. It'll be a great challenge and we're looking forward to the competition.
Cristobal: I couldn't agree more with Coach. I think if we played football 365 days a year, everyone would be watching as it is. I know it's a four-team playoff, but the way the bowls and particularly the Redbox Bowl have been created, I think there are some incredible football games and some great matchups to be watching. It's going to provide everyone throughout the holiday season some tremendous opportunities to watch great football. I know we're excited about it and we're going to bring a lot of excitement to the area and the game itself, so I'm all about it.
Â
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