1998 FBL vs. Michigan State -- postgame quotes
9/26/1998 12:00:00 AM | Football
On victory over Michigan State
"I can't remember ever wanting to win a game so bad. I am extremely proud of this football team. To start the season with two losses, this team showed a lot of resolve and heart today. This team reached down and played hard. We are not a good football team and we can get much better, but I would rather try to get better with a win. We have a lot of work to do."
On overcoming mistakes
"This group really came together and played hard as a team. When we do that we have a chance."
On a better running game
"We tried to run the ball today. Anthony Thomas got us back into the game with his big run at the beginning of the game. Those are the kind of plays we need to constantly have. We still have a long way to go. We are a better football team than we were three weeks ago. We are not dominating anybody. We are only going to get better as the season progresses."
On the fumble at the end of the half
"The momentum swung their way after that play going into the locker room. James Whitley is a young player and he is going to get better. He also came up with some big plays for us as well today."
On the defense
"I thought they did a better job today. Nate Miller really stepped up today and had a career day. There have been some guys playing not to lose and today they were not afraid. They did a much better job today."
Junior QB Tom Brady
On the win over MSU
"To come out against Michigan State and get a big win was key. It is good to get a jump-start on the Big Ten season with a win. This is always a big game and it springboards you into the conference season. It is easier to practice next week with a win.
On the offense mixing things up
"We mixed up our offense much better today. It was a total team effort. The defense really stepped up today. With the run Thomas made today, it does not get much better than that. When you see Tuman out there and open, you just have to get the ball to him. He is going to make the catch."
On opening the Big Ten season with a win and his performance
"This was a big game at home and to get a win is key. I gave up a turnover on the first drive and I am constantly learning. I learned a lot today. The line played better today. I hardly got hit all day. The line did a heck of a job."
Sophomore FS DeWayne Patmon
On stripping the ball and recovering the fumble
"We knew all game that he (Michigan State SE Plaxico Burress) didn't know all of the tradition surrounding the game -- I don't either, but I am learning every year -- and he was talking trash at the beginning of the week and we (the defense) took it personally. So we were trying to hit him every time he was in the middle.
"What happened on that play was that he was hit and rattled and then I came in and made the strip and then held on to the ball for dear life."
On the defense coming together this week
"The defense is coming together every week. We are a lot better team than we were against Notre Dame and Syracuse. It's good because we are going to be rolling when we get into the bigger games at the end of the season."
On the MSU trick plays
"We read our keys and it wasn't that bad. It was a great boost knowing that they had to resort to trickery to get big plays like they did last year."
Senior TB Clarence Williams
On the game
"MSU is always the biggest game on the schedule. They played a good game, but despite all our turnovers, we played better. We knocked them off the ball all four quarters. We passed on first down a lot and I think that was key."
MSU Head Coach Nick Saban
On the game overall
"We lost to a good football team, but I am disappointed in our execution. We struggled with our field goal game and we did not take advantage of good field position in the second half offensively."
On Michigan's defense
"Michigan's defense played well. They frustrated Bill Burke in the second half with their pass rush. We were not able to run the ball and they were a big reason for that. When you can't run the ball offensively, it is hard to play well as an offense."
On Michigan State's miscues
"We shot ourselves in the foot with a lot of penalties. Particularly in the third quarter with about six or seven penalties, including a couple false starts and an illegal substitution. We have to eliminate those type of mistakes."
On Michigan State's running game
"We were unable to run the football. When you do not run the football real well, it is hard to get the ball down field in terms our your passing game."
Senior FB Garrett Gould
On going to a bowl game
"The loss is disappointing. We have a good team and are looking forward to October. We feel we should win at least six of the last eight games. We need to dedicate ourselves to November and get ready for the second season."
Senior OC Jason Strayhorn
On the game
"We didn't execute today. Coach Saban talked to us after the game and he was very positive. He told us not to hang our heads. It is a long season."
On the offensive execution
"We had some drives going today, but we got killed with penalties. We need to eliminate the mistakes."
Junior TB Sedric Irvin
On the game
"No one wants to lose. It hurts, but we can't get it back and we have to move forward. We are looking forward to October."
On Michigan State's performance
"We just did not make plays and execute to our potential. We got outplayed. We didn't play the way we can. They played well, but it's not that they played that much better, it's what we didn't do. We've got to regroup and get on the right track. My goal for the team is to play on January 1. It's do or die now."
