Press Conference Comments from Michigan Players
9/20/2004 12:00:00 AM | Football
Player Comments from
Weekly U-M Football Media Luncheon
Previewing Iowa (Sept. 25); Reviewing San Diego State (Sept. 18)
Fifth-Year Senior Left Guard David Baas
On what he remembers from the past two years against Iowa ... "Basically, the bitter taste in our mouths and just not performing or not getting it done. I hate to lose, especially two years in a row. They are going to come in here and try and make it three and we have to do out best to not let that happen."
On the last two years as motivation ... "When you lose to a team, especially two years in a row, it's self-motivation. You're just ready to play. It is a big game, but you know they aren't just going to lay down because they won two years in a row."
On the running game ... "I think we did get a little better. We took a step forward. I think Mike Hart stepped up. He has to continue to bring his emotion to the huddle and on the field. We just need people to perform and be accountable. He just has to continue to do that and realize that even though he is young, if he is going to fill the shoes, he needs to step up now. The Big Ten is a good conference and it is going to be hard defending it. We are going to need someone back there that is willing to do their job and we need people on the line. I think we made an improvement, but we still have a ways to go."
On if having played in close games this season will help ... "In a way. Everybody wants to have some sort of breathing room when they play. The main concept, whether the score is tight or not, is that the team Saturday kept fighting. That is an important key for this Big Ten race. No matter who we face, we are just going to keep fighting and try and get the win no matter what the score is. I don't think it would be a factor that we had some close games earlier. I think the fact that we kept fighting will help us down the road."
On his talk with Jon Jansen ... "I talked to him a little on Friday. He just said the same things I was expecting to hear, but it was reassuring to hear them. It was just the normal stuff like what Michigan means and the tradition and what the Michigan offensive line is. I understood it and we just have to make sure everybody else understands it too. You always listen to someone who has been a part of the Michigan tradition and what they have to say."
On the pass protection ... "We have made mistakes. I think that also needs to be improved. Our emphasis for Saturday was to run the ball. If you don't protect the passer, or course he is going to get sacked, which he did a couple of times. We have to clean up mistakes and as a unit we just have to play better in both aspects of the game."
Senior Cornerback Marlin Jackson
On the defense ... "We have a couple issues with discipline, blowing some coverages and things like that, but we're almost right there where we need to be going into the Big Ten season. Everybody is going to have to do their assignments a lot better than they're doing right now, so we can eliminate the mistakes that make us give up the big plays. It's always good to have some close games, so when you get into one, you know how to handle yourself."
On last season's loss to Iowa ... "It just hurt to go out there and lose a game that we felt we should have won. To go out there, fight hard and make a couple mistakes in the second half and end up losing the game. It was much more emotional (than the 2002 home loss), because we had obviously lost to them in the previous year. We really wanted to come out and get a victory that day, but we didn't and it hurt."
On preparing to play Iowa ... "I have tried to forget about it. I'm just ready to go out there and face this Iowa team that they will put on the field, not the team from one year or two years ago. We're obviously aware of it, but we've got to go out there and get ready to face this team that we'll face this week. We've been looking forward to this game just like every other game. They're great competitors and we love to play against teams that like to compete. They're going to come out on Saturday and play one of they're best games of the season. They play a physical game. They play good defense and have a good running game, and they hit you with some big plays."
On the defense leading the nation in turnovers ... "Since I've been here, I have wanted to be first in at least one defensive category in the country. It's great to lead in turnovers and take-aways; we're getting the ball back for our offense."
On the defensive line ... "They're playing well, especially this past weekend, they put a lot of pressure on the quarterback. They worked all off-season on techniques and coverages, and they've been playing well."
Senior Right Guard Matt Lentz
On Iowa's defense ... "They're a tough, physical defense. Playing them the past two years, we know they're a tough defense and they're physical and quick. I expect that it's going to be a hard hitting game."
Whether the Iowa game has become a rivalry ... "Iowa is the opener for us and we did lose to them the last two years, but this is a new team and we'll have to see what happens this year."
On whether Iowa plays the same style as Michigan does ... "In general, I think they do. Like I said, they're tough and physical. That's what we pride ourselves on also. That's why it has been a hard hitting game the past two years."
On the offensive performance against San Diego State ... "We definitely took a step in the right direction as an offense, having Mike (Hart) back there or Jerome Jackson. Mike was pretty fired up in the huddle and it was nice seeing that fire. When he was in there, he made great cuts and he read the blocks right. For a young back, he did a great job."
On Jake Long ... "Jake has a relaxed and 'having fun out there' feeling. He's always smiling on the sidelines. He played pretty well. Coming in the first time he started, you could see that he was a little laid back on the first play. But he came out and got the jitters out and played pretty well."
On the start of the Big Ten season ... "You start to feel like the Big Ten is a whole new season for us now. We had the non-conference season and now we're going into the Big Ten. This is where the race actually starts for the Big Ten championship. We're all pretty excited right now."
Whether the offensive line is satisfied with its level of play ... "Like I said, I think we took a step in the right direction on Saturday. We definitely left some plays out there that could have been better. We looked at the tape and we need to make some corrections on some things. We just need to go back to doing the little things correct. We definitely took a step in the right direction."
On the troubles of the running game the first two weeks ... "As an offensive line, we were not happy with our results the first two games. We pride ourselves in the rushing game, and when that's not going, we take a hard hit as an offensive line. It's primarily our fault when we don't rush the ball. We basically went back to doing the little things right and having that aggressiveness that we need."
On whether he has had to teach Jake Long the ropes ... "Jake knows what to do. He knows all the plays and we expect him to play like anybody else would. If he's out there, then he knows what he's doing."
Fifth-Year Senior Outside Linebacker Roy Manning
On whether he thinks about last year's loss to Iowa ... "Going into this year's game, I think a little bit about last year's Iowa game. We felt that we could have came out there with a victory, but we didnt' do that. I'm definitely excited to play them this week."
On the loss at home to Iowa two years ago ... "I was actually was hurt that season, but I was here at the game. I didn't enjoy that game either and I keep it in the back of my mind."
On whether the team gets hyped up more for conference games ... "We're excited every week to play each opponent we face, no matter what conference they're from. We treat every opponent the same and prepare the same way."
On the start of Big Ten play ... "It is kind of like a second part of the season. You have your non-conference games and then your conference play. It's definitely kind of like a new season now for us."
On playing a tightly-contested game against San Diego State ... "I don't think it does anything but help. I don' think anyone can expect to just blow every team out, especially in the Big Ten Conference because it's a great conference. I think having close games can only help us."
Whether the defensive line was satisfied after the SDSU game ... "We're never satisfied and still feel that there is room for improvement. I think we did a better job last game. Everybody executed a little bit better. That was the focus from the previous game, so we wanted to a better job on Saturday."
On the defense creating turnovers and scoring points ... "On the defensive side, we want to score too, just like the offensive side. We know that it kills offenses when the defense can stop them and get a score. It's just as good as our offense driving 80 yards or something like that. We want to do the same thing on defense."
On the importance of the game against Iowa ... "It's a big game. We'll let last year be last year. We're just worried about this season and the teams we play. Iowa is a new team this year and we're a new team this year. We're just going to go in there and prepare and try to come out with a victory."
On Iowa's loss to Arizona State last weekend ... "I didn't get a chance to catch the game. I saw the score but I don't know exactly what happened there. Like I said, going into our game it doesn't really matter. Whether they're 0-2 or 1-2, they're going to come in here and play their hardest game of the season."
Senior Tight End Tim Massaquoi
On if the team tries to forget losses or if they use it as motivation ... "Naturally you try to forget about any game you lose. Sometimes games like that will stick out in your mind if it is a really bad loss. Honestly, we try to prepare more for this game. If we go into this game thinking about Iowa from two years ago, we won't be ready to play. I think the focus of this team is not to worry about two years ago or even last year. It is a different team and we aren't the same team as two years ago, or even last year's team. We just have to prepare for this game. We can talk about Iowa last year and two years ago, but that's not going to help us prepare to win this weekend."
On the conference ... "All the Big Ten teams look pretty good. They all have winning records going into the Big Ten schedule. I think this year's schedule is going to be real tough. I've seen Michigan State play in that Notre Dame game. I think they looked real good in the second half. I haven't really seen too many other games, but everybody is going into the Big Ten season with a winning record. It is going to be hard. It is going to be a tough Big Ten schedule this year, but it is going to be exciting."
On the importance of beating San Diego State ... "I think it was real important for us to step into the Big Ten with a winning record. Not only for motivation, but for the standings and helping us win the Big Ten. It is now going to be easy. This year it seems like every team in the Big Ten is a lot better than they were last year."
On the passing game ... "I think we can get better. We hit a big play on the first play of the game and that was really good to get the offense off. I think each week we get better with our passing game. I think Chad (Henne) is getting more comfortable and more consistent with his throws. Every game, there are just a couple of things that go wrong. It could be a receiver falling down or a ball hitting off a guy's hands that causes an interception. I think we are getting better. I think the quarterback is getting more comfortable in the system."
Senior Defensive End Pat Massey
On Michigan's 2002 home loss to Iowa ... "I was a redshirt freshman, and I just remember what a physical game it was, especially up front. Anytime you lose at home, it's definitely going to stick out in your mind. We need to worry about this year's team and focus on the game ahead. It certainly is something that sticks with you, but you just need to concentrate on this year's Michigan team and Iowa team."
About the play of the defensive line ... "We've got a couple guys who are just playing outstanding; they've really improved from last year and are still improving every, single game. Guys like Larry Harrison, Alex Ofili and Gabe (Watson) really stick out in my mind as players who are getting better every game, and I expect them to keep doing that the rest of the season. Those guys will play really well (against Iowa)."
On the close game against San Diego State ... "It's good for us; it keeps us playing all four quarters. It's a sign of things to come, the good competition of the Big Ten. Every game is going to be a close game, just based on the competition and the number of high-caliber teams out there."
On the defensive line ... "Our group's been forming since spring ball. We went through all of the spring and winter conditioning; this has been an ongoing process for a while, not just the last three games. I think as of right now, I've got a really close group, on and off the field. I think it's hard to define how our defensive line plays, but when we're out there, we're playing for each other. We don't want to let the other guys down. You don't want to miss an assignment, because you might let the other guys on the defense and the rest of the line down. So, it's a real group effort."
On the success of the defense ... "If you look at the interceptions alone, that says enough. It can attributed to the linebackers, sticking on coverage and getting to the quarterback, or the defensive line getting to the quarterback. If you look at the turnovers we've had, it can attributed to just about every group on the defense."
Media Contacts: David Ablauf, Jim Schneider (734) 763-4423
