2000 FBL vs. Michigan State -- quotes
10/21/2000 12:00:00 AM | Football
On the game overall ... "It was a great win for us. The team played hard the entire game and obviously our defense played outstanding."
On shutting out Big Ten opponents in consecutive games ... "In this day and age it's an outstanding achievement to have back-to-back shutouts. You have to give credit our coaching staff -- Jim Herrmann, Teryl Austin, Brady Hoke, Mike Elston and the rest of the staff -- who laid out an excellent game plan."
On Larry Foote keeping the ball inbounds on Michigan State's decisive fumble ... "That was an incredible play. I couldn't believe he kept the ball inbounds; it was some kind of effort."
On Michigan State ... "They played well enough defensively to win this game. I told our team before the game that they (Michigan State) had the best defense in the conference."
Junior Inside Linebacker Larry Foote
On the shutout ... "No, I didn't expect that we would shut them (Michigan State) out during the week. We turned it into a passing game. It was good to come out with a win."
On the turnover he kept inbounds ... "I saw the ball pop loose and just tried my best to keep it inbounds."
On if there was a technical difference in the defense this week ... "No there wasn't a technical difference. We just played with a lot of emotion and we really got after it in practice last week."
On stopping Michigan State on the goal line ... "Anytime you stop a team on the goal line it changes the momentum. Our offense did a great job of going down and putting it in after the stop."
Junior Quarterback Drew Henson
On the opening touchdown ... "We've been able to come out and score on our first drive, and that's important to get that initial lead and start with some confidence."
On Michigan scoring off an MSU turnover ... "Momentum can swing so much because of turnovers. They were down and getting ready to tie the game, and then our defense made a great play to get the ball back. We knew even though we had to go 90 yards that we did have the momentum and we were able to execute and get the ball down the field quickly."
On running back Anthony Thomas ... "He's unbelievable. That last touchdown run, I saw the whole thing from behind. I couldn't believe how many guys he was making miss. He just has a natural [ability] around the goal line."
On the physical play of MSU's defense ... "This game brings out the best in everybody, especially the defenses. You saw how well ours played today, and I think theirs probably played their most effective game of the year."
Michigan State Head Coach Bobby Williams
On the game overall ... "I was very disappointed that we didn't get any point production. We moved the ball well. We were successful in all three phases of the game. We didn't get any breaks throughout the game."
"The defense played fairly well. They have been keeping us in games all year."
On the key fumble ... "To me, the play was a fumble that was not recovered. He didn't seem to have possession of the ball before it went out of bounds."
"Afterwards they went the length of the field and scored. We didn't score and it seemed to take the air out of us."
On MSU quarterback Ryan Van Dyke ... "It was his game. We did not win the game. He is our quarterback."
On T.J. Duckett ... "T.J.'s shoulder was injured. He could not go back in the game. I have no idea if he'll be out for long."
Senior Cornerback Renaldo Hill
On the defense ... "We tried to make something happen. We want to get points on the board, but we defensively we still have to stop them."
On the Spartans ... "We're getting hungrier and it's going to turn around for us soon. When we're in the red zone, you're hoping to score. We didn't do a real good job on that series. Defensively we've got to make some plays and make things happen."
"I can't question anybody's game play. They're going to give more. We've got to dig deeper. We played tough and nobody laid down. There's a lot of fight in these guys."
On Michigan ... "That's a good Michigan football team. No one was intimidated, but we put a lot of pressure on ourselves to make big plays. Special teams need to make the plays."
Sophomore Tailback T.J. Duckett
On being denied a touchdown ... "I thought I was in. I thought the ball broke the plane of the goal line but I guess not. The refs made the call so I've got to live with it."
On the crucial fumble ... "I just lost it. I didn't get control of the ball. It was a option pitch that I wish I could have back. It's kind of frustrating because I wasn't able to redeem myself after that play because I got hurt and wasn't able to get back in and make a play."
On team morale ... "Right now it's a little low. But we need to keep our head up because there is a lot of Big Ten football left to be played. We just need to regroup as a team because except for the Northwestern game we have been in all the games. Just got to try and turn rest of season around."
Senior Left Guard Dave Sucura
On the crucial fumble ... "The ball looked like it was out of bounds before anyone got to it. But the refs made a call and you just have to roll with the call they make. But it did look like it was out of bounds."
On Duckett's close call with the end zone ... "Duckett looked like he was in. A guy hit him and the ball broke the plane of the end zone. That would have been a huge play for our team if that play wasn't called back."
On the rest of season ... "We have to keep our heads up and not point fingers at guys on the team. We need to stay together as a team. We are still looking for our first Big Ten win and so we need to regroup as a team and look at this game and see where we need to improve."
