Post-Game Quotes: Wisconsin

Michigan State Head Coach Mark Dantonio

Opening statement...
17 to nothing at half, we came out in the third quarter and tried to rally back. We had a fake punt, probably our biggest play of the game, but we didn't do anything with it. Very disappointing day, I take responsibility as the head football coach.

I thought we would be able to run a little more effectively — also thought we'd be able to throw a little more effectively. You go into a game with a plan and figure something's going to work, but you have to execute those plans, too. I thought we came up here emotionally ready. We talked about how you can't play this game without emotion, it's very difficult … something good has to happen that springs you forward a little bit, and nothing really did for us.

On what Wisconsin's defense did to be so effective...
Well, I suppose what they've been doing all year, it's their fourth shutout. They do a good job in terms of giving you different looks, they have good players coming off the edge and overload you with some different types of blitzes … they get on you. They've been playing well all year and you saw the effect of it today.

On limiting Jonathan Taylor to 80 yards rushing...
Coming into the football game, we knew that if we were going to win we were going to have to stop him. He might have only gotten those yards, but I thought he ran effectively, he surged forward and got the tough yards. They were long drives, long possessions.

Wisconsin Head Coach Paul Chryst

Opening statement...
Certainly proud of the group today. Appreciate how they worked all week and came out today. Took a lot of guys to make it happen; appreciate that. Obviously as you go back and think about key points in the game, there are a number of guys that are part of that. Big one was coming out the second half and defense gets a stop, then they get the fake punt and then come back and two sacks, and then end up getting the ball. I think it was on the 8 and offense put together a drive. Good mix. I thought offensively there was a good mix of running pass that helped and to be able to get that was big.

But appreciate what the guys did, coaches, players. Gave us a chance and guys went out and played today. It was fun to watch.

On protection for Jack Coan, and what was able to do with that and find his receivers...
Yeah, we were kind of prodding at the end of the first half. We took a sack. I thought all in all, protection was good. I thought Jack was seeing things well, was in rhythm, and kind of worked through — he had some where he had to work through it, and I thought he was on. I thought the fourth down was a quick read and saw what was happening, and had another big one kind of end up hitting Ferg (Jake Ferguson) on a corner route. He kind of worked through that one nicely. I thought he was good. Gave guys a chance to make plays, and that was big.

On building first half leads...
Well, I mean, you hope it's all the above, right? You know, I think they certainly have been doing a good job during the week of preparing and kind of knowing what's coming and getting ready to go. You know, you never take it for granted, but this group likes playing, so when you get an opportunity to play, they're going to be ready. You appreciate it, right, because it's not easy.

On four-down plays...
Yeah, I think it's not just in Jack, but I think it's confidence in your group. You know, whether it's — you don't know, right? You don't know if it's going to work or not, but you trust in each other, the defense, the guys around it. This group cares about each other. Everyone knows what it takes. You've got to put yourself out there at times. I think they appreciate that and they're going to have each other's backs. Each week you get tested differently, and yet I think if you can kind of keep building on that throughout it it's pretty good.

Michigan State University Athletics

Michigan State Head Coach Mark Dantonio

Wisconsin Head Coach Paul Chryst

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