Player Comments from Weekly Press Conference
11/2/1998 12:00:00 AM | Football
Weekly U-M Football Media Luncheon
Senior Cornerback Andre Weathers
"One of our goals has been just to improve each week. We figure if we take care of that, eventually we'll become a good defense.
"We're all beginning to feel comfortable with each other. You need that in order to play. Because then you begin to realize each person's ability out there and feel comfortable.
"From the start, from the beginning, we have improved a lot. All we hope to do is improve a little bit more."
On where the defense can get better ...
"We have to tackle better. Just the fundamentals to begin with. And then once we get those fundamentals down pat, we'll be able to provide more pressure on the quarterback, stop the run that much better and stuff like that."
On the next three games ...
"We're coming up against three good offenses right now, especially a big potent offense in Penn State. We have to really stop that offense for us to have any chance. Because if they put up 38 points on us, then ...
"Of course we feel we're ready. But in the same light we know we have to improve, play a lot better than we have been."
On Penn State looking for revenge from last season ...
"This year their team is a lot better than their team was last year. Their defense is attacking and their offense is always moving the ball, as usual. Of course, we have to play good defense and offense. It has to be a total team effort in order for us to overcome what they felt last year."
On Penn State quarterback Kevin Thompson ...
"He's a better passer. He's able to actually get the ball to the receivers better than McQueary was last year. Any time you have a good quarterback, it's real difficult."
Senior Placekicker Jay Feely
"I'd like to see it come down to a win, first of all. Whether or not I kick a field goal or not doesn't matter. If it comes down to that, then great. But all I care about and all anyone on this team cares about is just winning the game. "The biggest thing is that we have been improving. It's frustrating when you don't put it all together, because you know how good you can play. And I think everyone on our team knows that if we put a game together, we can be a great team. And I think everybody really believes that too. I know they all believe that. That's frustrating, but we have been improving and we have been winning and that takes away from the frustration. "I don't think we are a frustrated team. I want to make that clear. It's frustrating to know that you can be better. We know we can be a better team. We've seen each other in practice. We know how we can click. We just haven't put a full game together and I think that's the biggest part we're looking for."
Senior Wideout Tai Streets
On Penn State ...
"They were a great team last year and they are probably a better team this year. They're well-coached. They are going to play hard. It's going to be a tough game for us. We have to try and play hard and hopefully win."
On the Penn State defense ...
"I know their defensive backs are pretty good. It's going to be tough. It's going to be a tough game for our offense. We are just going to have to come through, help our defense out."
On preparing for Penn State ...
"I'm just going to try and work my technique and get open as best I can. I can't say what the outcome is going to be. I'm just going to try and do what I can do to help this team win.
"I think we are going to be up for the Penn State game; that's all I'm looking at now is the Penn State game. We're going to try and have a great week of practice and try to improve every day in practice and watch as much film as we can and try to be ready for Penn State."
On the Michigan offense ...
"It goes back to concentration. You have to concentrate throughout the game. It's the little things that are keeping us from being a good offense. We have to correct them and we have to do it this week or we are going to be in for a long day."
On the Michigan offensive production ...
"It might look ugly, but we're winning somehow. I think we're going to get this running game together this week and get this passing game together also. We have to have a balance offensively and go from there. We have to to beat Penn State."
Contact: David Ablauf, Jim Schneider (734) 763-4423
