Photo by: Matthew Mitchell/MSU Athletic Communications
Post-Game Quotes: Washington
9/18/2022 4:20:00 PM | Football
Michigan State Head Coach Mel Tucker
Opening statement…
We had a lot of support out here today and we really appreciate that. It's just a shame that we weren't able to come out here and play well today. There are no excuses or no explanations. We give Washington credit. They're very well coached and they outplayed us today in all three phases. We're going to learn a lot from it. We're going to show up tomorrow ready to work and we're going to have a better response next weekend.
What did you see with what Penix was doing through the air?
We had a matchup issue that they took advantage of. It was obvious, it showed up early in the game. We knew that it was going to be a game of explosives. Every time, if you look at their drives in the first two games, almost all of their scoring drives included explosive gains. We knew that we needed to eliminate explosive gains and we weren't able to do that. It was a deal where it was too easy to score and we gave up big chunks. I have to look at the film to see exactly what we need to do to fix it but we had some issues with some matchups.
How difficult was it to contain Washington's passing attack?
It was difficult. We weren't able to hit the quarterback enough and we weren't able to put enough pressure on him. We also really didn't stop their run like we needed to on early downs. (Penix is) a good player. Like I said during the week, he's one of the best players in the country, we think. We weren't really able to do anything to get him out of rhythm and we let them off the hook with some big plays.
Michigan State redshirt sophomore linebacker Cal Haladay
How early did you know that there was a matchup problem and how do you counter something like that?
I think we just need to get to practice next week and figure some stuff out. That's going to be a big thing next week. We've got to learn from this, see what we can do, go watch the tape and get to practice next week.
What's the mindset as a defense facing such a large early deficit?
We've just got to get the offense back on the field. We need to do better at that.
Michigan State redshirt junior quarterback Payton Thorne
What was going through your mind early down a couple of scores?
Just execute. That's all that we had on our mind. Go out there, execute and do what we can to get the ball in the end zone. That's all that we were talking about.
What's the domino effect when you aren't able to run the ball effectively?
There are two parts to the offense, the run game and the pass game, and those intertwine. It all works together. We've just got to find a way to get the ball down the field and into the end zone.
How affected were you by the Washington pass rush?
They've got good players. They brought a couple of things that we didn't see on film and they played hard. They did a good job and like I said, they've got good players and good coaches over there too.
Washington Head Coach Kalen DeBoer
Opening statement…
Well, that was fun. I couldn't be more proud of these guys, the team, the coaches. They are having a lot of fun in that locker room right now. We are going to continue to get better every day. Show how much they want it and building that confidence and energy. It showed in how we came out of the locker room. We stuck to the game plan. We did a great job stopping the run. Offensively, we continued to stay efficient and make the plays that these guys are capable of making.
Super proud of the way that we started. I know that they got some touchdowns at the end, that's part of learning how to win. I think it could have been an even bigger game for us if we make a couple of fourth down stops or score a couple of 1-yard touchdowns in tight territories in the red zone.
Fired up for these guys. We just got even more to build off of in the belief and trust and understanding of what we are capable of doing. This journey we are on, we've got a fired up locker room.
On Michael Penix Jr…
He is just putting the ball where it need to go. He's seeing the field and the line is giving him time. He isn't taking sacks - even when it does break down. He's got confidence in taking care of the football. I know that we have to get some first downs in the end and we see it putting it up in the air and didn't get the completions that we wanted. You got trust in, you've got a guy that you can win football games with and not just manage a game. He's got belief by his teammates and he's just so calm and collected. Mentally he's been in these positions and in so many close games over the years. He just goes about his business and believes in himself. He's got a great supporting cast around him that makes the plays as well.
On momentum going forward...
There is no question about it. We just beat a really good football team, in my mind. To get this win now is just going to continue to put this belief in our guys. It's only going to get better every day get better for us as we go to work and practice. I just think the things that we've implemented every week after every game where we came up short is good. On Saturdays, we've improved on those areas. We are becoming more of a well-rounded team. We were better against the run, we tackled better and so I see all of those things. I thought we took another step forward today. I'm excited about this team. We are getting the stops when we need them. We didn't turn the ball over, we got a big pick to set up the field goal to make it a four score game.
On defense…
There is no doubt that I am proud of what we are doing defensively. Just short-handed there a little bit. Guys stepped up and going out there and making plays. Even at the end of the game when we were subbing for the sub. Defensively, special teams with the onside kick when guys were going down, we had to call a timeout. I really don't feel like it's fazing us when someone goes down. Our team is like 'oh it is this guys turn.' Hopefully we kind of start working it the other way where more of our guys are coming back and now building the depth chart, that might be wishful thinking. That could be the direction that we are going here in a couple of weeks ahead.
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Opening statement…
We had a lot of support out here today and we really appreciate that. It's just a shame that we weren't able to come out here and play well today. There are no excuses or no explanations. We give Washington credit. They're very well coached and they outplayed us today in all three phases. We're going to learn a lot from it. We're going to show up tomorrow ready to work and we're going to have a better response next weekend.
What did you see with what Penix was doing through the air?
We had a matchup issue that they took advantage of. It was obvious, it showed up early in the game. We knew that it was going to be a game of explosives. Every time, if you look at their drives in the first two games, almost all of their scoring drives included explosive gains. We knew that we needed to eliminate explosive gains and we weren't able to do that. It was a deal where it was too easy to score and we gave up big chunks. I have to look at the film to see exactly what we need to do to fix it but we had some issues with some matchups.
How difficult was it to contain Washington's passing attack?
It was difficult. We weren't able to hit the quarterback enough and we weren't able to put enough pressure on him. We also really didn't stop their run like we needed to on early downs. (Penix is) a good player. Like I said during the week, he's one of the best players in the country, we think. We weren't really able to do anything to get him out of rhythm and we let them off the hook with some big plays.
Michigan State redshirt sophomore linebacker Cal Haladay
How early did you know that there was a matchup problem and how do you counter something like that?
I think we just need to get to practice next week and figure some stuff out. That's going to be a big thing next week. We've got to learn from this, see what we can do, go watch the tape and get to practice next week.
What's the mindset as a defense facing such a large early deficit?
We've just got to get the offense back on the field. We need to do better at that.
Michigan State redshirt junior quarterback Payton Thorne
What was going through your mind early down a couple of scores?
Just execute. That's all that we had on our mind. Go out there, execute and do what we can to get the ball in the end zone. That's all that we were talking about.
What's the domino effect when you aren't able to run the ball effectively?
There are two parts to the offense, the run game and the pass game, and those intertwine. It all works together. We've just got to find a way to get the ball down the field and into the end zone.
How affected were you by the Washington pass rush?
They've got good players. They brought a couple of things that we didn't see on film and they played hard. They did a good job and like I said, they've got good players and good coaches over there too.
Washington Head Coach Kalen DeBoer
Opening statement…
Well, that was fun. I couldn't be more proud of these guys, the team, the coaches. They are having a lot of fun in that locker room right now. We are going to continue to get better every day. Show how much they want it and building that confidence and energy. It showed in how we came out of the locker room. We stuck to the game plan. We did a great job stopping the run. Offensively, we continued to stay efficient and make the plays that these guys are capable of making.
Super proud of the way that we started. I know that they got some touchdowns at the end, that's part of learning how to win. I think it could have been an even bigger game for us if we make a couple of fourth down stops or score a couple of 1-yard touchdowns in tight territories in the red zone.
Fired up for these guys. We just got even more to build off of in the belief and trust and understanding of what we are capable of doing. This journey we are on, we've got a fired up locker room.
On Michael Penix Jr…
He is just putting the ball where it need to go. He's seeing the field and the line is giving him time. He isn't taking sacks - even when it does break down. He's got confidence in taking care of the football. I know that we have to get some first downs in the end and we see it putting it up in the air and didn't get the completions that we wanted. You got trust in, you've got a guy that you can win football games with and not just manage a game. He's got belief by his teammates and he's just so calm and collected. Mentally he's been in these positions and in so many close games over the years. He just goes about his business and believes in himself. He's got a great supporting cast around him that makes the plays as well.
On momentum going forward...
There is no question about it. We just beat a really good football team, in my mind. To get this win now is just going to continue to put this belief in our guys. It's only going to get better every day get better for us as we go to work and practice. I just think the things that we've implemented every week after every game where we came up short is good. On Saturdays, we've improved on those areas. We are becoming more of a well-rounded team. We were better against the run, we tackled better and so I see all of those things. I thought we took another step forward today. I'm excited about this team. We are getting the stops when we need them. We didn't turn the ball over, we got a big pick to set up the field goal to make it a four score game.
On defense…
There is no doubt that I am proud of what we are doing defensively. Just short-handed there a little bit. Guys stepped up and going out there and making plays. Even at the end of the game when we were subbing for the sub. Defensively, special teams with the onside kick when guys were going down, we had to call a timeout. I really don't feel like it's fazing us when someone goes down. Our team is like 'oh it is this guys turn.' Hopefully we kind of start working it the other way where more of our guys are coming back and now building the depth chart, that might be wishful thinking. That could be the direction that we are going here in a couple of weeks ahead.
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