FBL vs. Penn State
10/12/2002 12:00:00 AM | Football
Penn State Head Coach Joe Paterno
On the game ... "It was close. We played a tough football game, Michigan played a tough game. I don't think there was a turnover, I don't think there were 10 penalties called in the game. It was a tough football game. My team played hard, Michigan played hard. It's as simple as that."
On quarterback Zack Mills ... "Early in the game, I was afraid to use him too much, because he's not 100 percent. That's why Michael Robinson was in there. And Larry Johnson wasn't 100 percent."
Michigan Head Coach Lloyd Carr
On Zia Combs' injury ..."At first he was scared so I was scared. The longer we stayed out there he began to regain feeling. It's a great game but it is a dangerous game. Your worst fear is that any player on the field has an injury that changes his life. The preliminary report is that the X-rays were negative, but he will remain in the hospital tonight for observations. Right now everything we have heard is positive."
On the game ... "I take my hat off to PSU. They came off two tough games and they played another one today. I am sorry that they lost because every player on the field played a great game."
On quarterback John Navarre ... "John was tremendous. He made big throws and some big plays to help us win the game. The touchdown to Braylon (Edwards) was his third read so he stuck in the pocket great today and played a tremendous game all-around."
On the team's focus ... "I told the team at the hotel that they just have to keep playing because this was a game that was going to go down to the wire. Ours guys came back every time we needed them to today."
On the game going into overtime ... "Let's face it, I did not want to go to OT. I would prefer to kick the ball off. In college football the advantage goes to the team that kicks field goals better than we do. But our offense put a great 25-yard drive together to win it."
On beating PSU for a sixth straight time ... "Any time you beat Penn State it is a tremendous victory. In terms of purity of the game, with big plays on both sides and as few penalties as we had, this was certainly the best played game."
On playing the game after the bye week ... "I was very concerned. Coming off a bye week you never know what is going to happen. We made some changes in the week. Penn State is certainly in the top two or three teams in the conference. I am sure they would have played better if they weren't so banged up."
On having a decision to make at the end of regulation ... "No, I didn't have a decision to make. Anyone who knows the game knows there was no decision to make. It wasn't even considered to do anything else but kneel on the ball. The greatest team in history wouldn't have gone for it."
U-M Senior/Junior Quarterback John Navarre
On the offense responding to Penn State's score ... "That was big. We stalled in the beginning. We knew once we got started we were going to pull it out. We knew whoever was going to score last was the team that was going to win the game. We got the chance and we converted."
On his slow start ... "Once you get past the first couple of drives you get into the groove of the game. That is the sign of the game, once you get your confidence you are going to win the game."
On the touchdown to Braylon Edwards ... "He was the third read on the play. The first two options were covered and Braylon kept his route going and made a great catch."
On the overtime period ... "It was exciting. I was glad that we were on offense second. I told the team before we took the field that we were going to finish the game because they hadn't stopped us during the second half. I told them that this was just a practice with 100,000 people."
U-M Sophomore Cornerback Marlin Jackson
On the overtime breakup on third-and-goal ... "It was man coverage on the goal line. I had been beat a few times during the game and I wanted to get my revenge. I got my hand in and made a play that helped our team win the game."
On taking the field after Zia Combs went down ..."That was very hard. To see a player on the ground like that is every player's worst nightmare. Coach (Lloyd Carr) told us that he is okay and that was great news to hear in the locker room."
On holding Penn State to a field goal in overtime ... "I had confidence in the offense. Chris (Perry) was running great and John (Navarre) was on today. So I had all the confidence that we were going to win."
On his performance today ... "I am going to put it behind me and learn from it."
U-M Junior Tailback Chris Perry
On the injury to Zia Combs ... "It is a part of the game. I hate to see it happen to a guy like Zia because he is so enthusiastic, but it is a chance that every football player takes every time he takes the field. I said a prayer and went back to the game. Coach (Carr) told us he is okay."
On the emotion of the game ... "Next to Washington that was the most emotional game I have played in. Penn State is great team and we were glad to get out of this game with a victory.
On winning the game on the last possession ... "That was one of the things that we talked about when we started two-a-days -- that we need to finish games. We have done it twice so far this year and we have to continue to execute if we want to continue to win."
On the being on the bottom of the pile after the final touchdown ... "It was a great feeling to lay at the bottom of the huddle after scoring that touchdown."
On jumping into the student section ... "It was nice to run into the student section. It doesn't happen much around here so it was great to get the chance to do it today."
