.png&width=42&height=42&type=webp)
University of Minnesota Athletics
Gopher Player Comments from Penn State Press Conference
10/3/2006 12:00:00 AM | Football
Quarterback Bryan Cupito
On Penn State’s lineup this season:
“They lost a lot of their really good linebackers and a lot of their defense linemen, they all got drafted. They are a really good team; they have a lot of big guys up front and some new defensive backs. They had a big win last week so it will be a good game.”
“Linebacker Paul Posluszny is a great player and they have two other big linebackers. They have a great defense and they beat us pretty good last year so it should be a good game for us.”
On Minnesota’s running game last year vs. Penn State:
“We had trouble doing everything last year. We got beat pretty good. They lost a lot of talent, but they still have a lot of great players. We are just going to try to run our offense and hope it works a little better this year. We have to play well to win this game; I think it is a huge game for us to stay in the running. We are 2-3 and a big win would help us get back on the winning track.”
On the play of Logan Payne:
“He has had a great season. Every time I give him the ball, he seems to be making plays. I think he decided this year that he was going to step up and make plays, after we have lost great wide receivers over the years. He has given us a threat in a receiver.”
“I think the game last year at Iowa really gave him a lot of confidence in the off-season and that definitely carried into this season. He has taken the leadership role as receiver and every game he has gotten a lot better and we expect him to keep getting better.”
On the Michigan game:
“We always play Michigan hard, win or lose. It seems like other games we don’t play as well versus teams we should beat. Penn State beat us last year so we know we have to get back on the winning track. We cannot drop our level of play on Saturday.”
Wide Receiver Logan Payne
On last year’s breakout game vs. Iowa:
“It was finally great to get a breakout game, statistics wise, but we lost and that is all that mattered in that game.”
On losing a number of big playmakers:
“Every time you lose players at the caliber of Maroney and Russell and a couple more All-Americans on the offensive line you aren’t going to be as good as you were. Amir Pinnix is playing really well right now and getting it done and we have a couple of young guys that have stepped up on offensive line. We are not off the beat that much, just a couple of places here and there. We are still putting up the numbers.”
“This year we have Cupito as a fifth year senior, myself being a senior, and Ernie Wheelwright being a junior, we are capable of making plays. With our offense those plays are going to be there and we have to make them.”
On the play of quarterback Bryan Cupito:
“Our passing game started coming together last season. We continued that over the summer and put in a lot of hard work. The more time I spend with him and the more time he spends with me, our relationship is just going to get better. It is going well right now, it just needs to be better so we can get some wins.”
On last year’s game vs. Penn State:
“Last year they had a great team and we went into their house and they took it to us. We are looking to bounce back this year, they have a great squad, but I think it is must-win for us.”
“We have to challenge ourselves to stay at our top level of play. I think we showed that we are capable of playing with the top teams in the Big Ten and we just need to come out and be consistent.”
Linebacker Mike Sherels
On Penn State’s offense:
“(QB Mike) Robinson was a tremendous athlete last year. Robinson was just in his own class and we knew that going into the game last year, he basically had his way with us.”
“Their line is all back, [Tony] Hunt is back, and they have great receivers that are young still. Anytime you have a lot of talent on a team it is a lot to prepare for.”
On maintaining a solid performance after the Michigan game:
“The goal for the defense is to get better every game. When we turn it up and play good against a great team like Michigan we have to realize that from there we are capable of playing at that level. Now the challenge is turning it up from there and that’s what we are trying to do this weekend.”
“We will watch film from last year’s game, but we won’t dwell on it. It is not going to be a big motivational tool. It is a big rivalry game; we are going to be up for the game as are they, so there isn’t a need for extra motivation.”
On Penn State’s lineup this season:
“They lost a lot of their really good linebackers and a lot of their defense linemen, they all got drafted. They are a really good team; they have a lot of big guys up front and some new defensive backs. They had a big win last week so it will be a good game.”
“Linebacker Paul Posluszny is a great player and they have two other big linebackers. They have a great defense and they beat us pretty good last year so it should be a good game for us.”
On Minnesota’s running game last year vs. Penn State:
“We had trouble doing everything last year. We got beat pretty good. They lost a lot of talent, but they still have a lot of great players. We are just going to try to run our offense and hope it works a little better this year. We have to play well to win this game; I think it is a huge game for us to stay in the running. We are 2-3 and a big win would help us get back on the winning track.”
On the play of Logan Payne:
“He has had a great season. Every time I give him the ball, he seems to be making plays. I think he decided this year that he was going to step up and make plays, after we have lost great wide receivers over the years. He has given us a threat in a receiver.”
“I think the game last year at Iowa really gave him a lot of confidence in the off-season and that definitely carried into this season. He has taken the leadership role as receiver and every game he has gotten a lot better and we expect him to keep getting better.”
On the Michigan game:
“We always play Michigan hard, win or lose. It seems like other games we don’t play as well versus teams we should beat. Penn State beat us last year so we know we have to get back on the winning track. We cannot drop our level of play on Saturday.”
Wide Receiver Logan Payne
On last year’s breakout game vs. Iowa:
“It was finally great to get a breakout game, statistics wise, but we lost and that is all that mattered in that game.”
On losing a number of big playmakers:
“Every time you lose players at the caliber of Maroney and Russell and a couple more All-Americans on the offensive line you aren’t going to be as good as you were. Amir Pinnix is playing really well right now and getting it done and we have a couple of young guys that have stepped up on offensive line. We are not off the beat that much, just a couple of places here and there. We are still putting up the numbers.”
“This year we have Cupito as a fifth year senior, myself being a senior, and Ernie Wheelwright being a junior, we are capable of making plays. With our offense those plays are going to be there and we have to make them.”
On the play of quarterback Bryan Cupito:
“Our passing game started coming together last season. We continued that over the summer and put in a lot of hard work. The more time I spend with him and the more time he spends with me, our relationship is just going to get better. It is going well right now, it just needs to be better so we can get some wins.”
On last year’s game vs. Penn State:
“Last year they had a great team and we went into their house and they took it to us. We are looking to bounce back this year, they have a great squad, but I think it is must-win for us.”
“We have to challenge ourselves to stay at our top level of play. I think we showed that we are capable of playing with the top teams in the Big Ten and we just need to come out and be consistent.”
Linebacker Mike Sherels
On Penn State’s offense:
“(QB Mike) Robinson was a tremendous athlete last year. Robinson was just in his own class and we knew that going into the game last year, he basically had his way with us.”
“Their line is all back, [Tony] Hunt is back, and they have great receivers that are young still. Anytime you have a lot of talent on a team it is a lot to prepare for.”
On maintaining a solid performance after the Michigan game:
“The goal for the defense is to get better every game. When we turn it up and play good against a great team like Michigan we have to realize that from there we are capable of playing at that level. Now the challenge is turning it up from there and that’s what we are trying to do this weekend.”
“We will watch film from last year’s game, but we won’t dwell on it. It is not going to be a big motivational tool. It is a big rivalry game; we are going to be up for the game as are they, so there isn’t a need for extra motivation.”
Players Mentioned
QB
/ FootballWR
/ FootballRB
/ Football
LB
/ FootballWR
/ FootballGopher Football at the Barn
Wednesday, February 18
Speed is Strength | Winter Workouts
Tuesday, February 17
Winter Workouts Week Two
Monday, February 09
Winter Workouts Begin
Monday, February 02