Player Comments from Weekly Press Conference
10/6/1998 12:00:00 AM | Football
Weekly U-M Football Media Luncheon
Senior Offensive Tackle Jon Jansen
On Michigan's overall play vs. Iowa
"We are happy to come out of Iowa with a win. Anytime you can go into an environment like that and come out with a victory, it is a positive. Not to make excuses, but it was the first time we have gone into an environment like that since Notre Dame. I think we can play a lot better than that, but I think it says a lot about this football team when we can come out with a tough win and not play our best football."
On the expectations of the rest of the season
"I think we can be a very good team by the end of the season. As an offense, we made a lot of mistakes and mental errors, and if we get the offense playing well, we can be a great team. We have not played our best football yet, but I think we will by the end of the season. We have a lot of good athletes who work hard in practice. It's just a matter of time before we come together."
On the speculation Michigan was not called for numerous holding violations
"I don't think we got away with a lot of holding. In the beginning of the year, we have officials come in and tell us what is legal and what is not. If you have your hands between the numbers and don't get them outside the frame of the body, it is legal. The defense has the same leeway. Of course I may be a bit biased, but I think we saw enough yellow (penalty flags) Saturday."
On his leadership role during the Iowa game
"We got all of the fifth-year guys together and decided it was time to make something happen (referring to the late touchdown drive). We knew it was then or never. During the entire game we kept saying 'we need to make it happen now' and when it didn't happen, we knew we were down to our last chance. We knew it was then or never."
Senior Tight End Jerame Tuman
On the last two drives of the game
"I think it was the true character of the team coming out. We didn't display a lot of that during the game -- we made a lot of mistakes -- but I think the big thing the game did for us was it brought out the leadership. The seniors stepped forward and did what they needed to do. There were times during the game when the seniors were going up and down the sidelines saying we have to get this thing going. Eventually, we knew if we didn't get something going, it was going to be over for us."
On whether or not he thinks he is getting the ball enough
"I've never really been the type of guy who really looks at those types of things. I enjoy putting someone on his back just as much as catching the football. It's a great thing catching the football and I can't say I don't like it but if I'm not catching it, it means someone else is. Someone has to get the football."
On the difference between this year's team and last year's
"Each team is different. This year, we are starting to get comfortable playing together, but each year is like a changing of the guard. We did have a lot of people come back, but we still have to go through that phase where we mold as a team and I think the Iowa game really helped us do that. I think we played poorly. It took a group effort and we had to dig down deep to get a victory, but I think this team is just finding its niche and coming together."
On the Iowa game as a turning point in the season
"I think both years this has been a key game for us. Last year I really think that the Iowa game was key to our success and hopefully that will hold true for this year as well."
On last year's team compared to this year's team
"I think this team is similar to last year's. We have a lot of explosive players on offense. We are young in some spots. It is just a factor that we lost some key guys that were big leaders for us last year. It is tough to say what our niche is yet."
On the future of the team for the remainder of the season
"We definitely have not played our best game yet, which I feel is a positive. When you can go on the road and still win a game with that many turnovers and penalties, it just shows a lot of character in this team."
Sophomore Defensive End Jake Frysinger
On how he feels his game is progressing
"I am beginning to feel comfortable on the field and more a part of the team. The more comfortable you feel, the better you play. I'm starting to have fun out there."
On how the pass rushing has improved over the last two games
"The first two games we were playing real tentatively and worried about not making mistakes against the option. Now guys are just flying around on the field and having a good time. We are just going out there and getting after it."
On how the defense feels when the offense turns the ball over
"We're not happy about it but it fires us up. Anytime our offense turns the ball over we just want to get out there and get it back. We just simply want to stop their offense and get the ball back in our offense's hands."
On coming out of high school and feeling a need to prove himself
"Every young player feels a need to prove himself to the team. Every day you are competing for a spot, so you have to be ready to compete. Guys are trying to move ahead of you on the depth charts every day in practice."
On being able to be more aggressive on the defensive line
"I feel more comfortable being down on the line. Playing linebacker at this level requires an extremely tough guy because of the collisions you have with fullbacks. On the other hand, defensive linemen get to wrestle a little, which is more my style."
On the transition of playing linebacker in high school to defensive end in college
"It takes a lot longer than a year and a half to learn the 3-point stance, especially since I never used it in high school. It helps to have a coach like Brady Hoke, who is a big help. One thing I do know is I have a lot more to learn and improve on."
Contact: David Ablauf, Jim Schneider (734) 763-4423
