University of Minnesota Athletics
Minnesota - Ohio State Postgame Quotes
9/29/2007 12:00:00 AM | Football
Minnesota Head Coach Tim Brewster
Opening statement:
“The kids came out with tremendous determination and we were in this game to win this game. It was very disappointing the way the first half ended. There was about a ten point swing there, it could have been a 14-14 game or at worst a 14-10 game and it ends up a 20-7 game at the half. We didn't get as much done in the second half as we needed to.
“Our kids played their hearts out. We're going to work hard and get better. We were working against the #8-ranked football team in the country tonight in Ohio State University and we feel good about the progress that our kids made playing against a really good team.'
On the Gophers' performance:
“They're a heck of a defensive football team. The big thing for us was that we were only 3-of-16 on 3rd downs. We have to stay on the field better against a really good football team and keep their offense off the football field. They're very physical with their run game. They threw a couple of balls up and made a few plays in the passing game.
“I told our kids in the locker room after the game that we've got a plan in place, we're going to keep cutting wood, we just have to keep working every day. We feel good about what they did tonight against Ohio State.'
On the Gophers' gold on gold uniforms:
“That was exciting. I thought the gold on gold was great, its very special to the University of Minnesota. I thought it was a great opportunity tonight to do it.'
On the team's improvement:
“It's coming together. We just have to keep working; the preparation is so important. We just have to keep preparing to win football games. We're going to win our share of football games this season. As I've said, I really feel that we're going to be a very good football team before this season is finished.'
On Ohio State's defense:
“They were great, they're really fast to the football. You look at Gholston, you look at Laurinaitis; they're tremendous. I told Coach Tressel before the game I coached four years in the AFC West, and that's what I see in this defense; they could play in the AFC West.'
Ohio State Coach Jim Tressel
Opening Statement
“The second half was a game of field position. Our defense held them to under 80 yards for the second half. Our offense did a good job where if they didn't score they put the ball deep in their end, even inside the 15-yard line a couple times. All in all, we did what we had to do to get a Big Ten road win. We know we're going to have to do better than this though a week from now.'
On the score at the end of the half:
"We had the interception, and then unfortunately the penalty, and then the big run on third down, and then the big throw. All of a sudden we were 99 yards away and we score. So yeah, it was huge.'
On the upsets in the Top Ten throughout the day:
“We didn't really think about them at all. We just talked about how difficult it is to win on the road in the Big Ten. We've been talking about that all week, and that won't change.'
On the fake punt in the first quarter:
"I don't know if we planned it for the first punt coming in, but we had planned to do it and I asked Coach Fickell if he was going to get the courage to call it and he did. It was a message to us that we're going to do whatever we have to do and we aren't going to be afraid to go after this victory.'
Minnesota Quarterback Adam Weber
About interception before halftime:
“We were driving, we were moving the ball, it was open and I threw it behind the receiver. There was a touchdown to be had there, and we missed out on that opportunity.'
About Ohio State Defense:
“They have some great athletes on defense, that we may not see the rest of the year. I think we were ready today and played well. They were able to mix it up, hide their blitzes and they put a lot of pressure on us.'
About Minnesota's play tonight:
“We held our own, and I don't think the score is indication of the way the game was. We felt like we were in there and had a chance.'
Minnesota Running Back Duane Bennett
On Ohio State's Defense:
“Based on how they played and everything we saw, they play physical. The holes were there today, you have to hit them when you have a chance. We did not take advantage of the chances we had to make big plays today. They had a great defense, but I thought we had great plan offensively. We just missed on some good chances tonight.'
On 1967 Team:
“Coach Brewster always talks about the great tradition of our program to motivate us, and it does. However, going into today we mainly focused on the game plan to try to beat Ohio State.'
On end of first half:
“After the first half, we felt like we had a great chance. We thought we could capitalize in the second half and make some more big plays. We thought we had a great chance to make some big plays in the second half, but we came out a little flat. I thought the defense played well and made some stops to keep us on it, but we had a lot of missed opportunity.'
Minnesota Wide Receiver Ralph Spry
On his touchdown
“It was a side route. They had to cover the outside receiver and my man was coming in on a handle hook route and I was wide open in the end zone.'
On emotion of scoring first touchdown
“It felt good at the moment. It was my first touchdown; I hadn't scored one since high school. It feels good to finally get in the end zone.'
Minnesota Wide Receiver Ernie Wheelwright
On Indiana next week
“We are just going to go in and watch film. Coach McDonald, our receivers coach, Coach Dunbar, and Coach Brewster are all going to get the game film ready for the offense and we are just going to go to Indiana ready to play.'
On not taking deep throws down the field against Ohio State
“You always want to take shots down field just to test their defense. That comes along with rhythm. We didn't get a chance to take the shots down field that we wanted to.'
On Adam Webber's play
“Adam's confidence is really good. He is still a freshman and that is something you've got to think about. He's playing in the Big Ten at a big university as freshman. I think he's doing a great job, he's carrying this team on his back and he's willing to make plays and is looking at the playmakers to make plays as well.'
Dom Barber
Opening statement: Comment on the improvement of the defense the past couple of weeks
“You can tell tonight that we started out fast. We just have to make more plays, get off the field, and make some picks, but we are playing well and playing fast; you can see we are having fun out there.'
On what it is like to play a team like
“Well you have to bring it. They are a great team with a great offensive line and big backs. It's kind of like thunder and lightening. Unfortunately we didn't come out victorious, but I thought defensively we played well.'
On what the key is to take reach the next level on defense
“I think we need to make some more plays, get some interceptions, cause some more fumbles and get off the field on third down. We are playing fast and playing hard, and we can't ask for much more.
Willie VanDeSteeg
On: What it is like to go up against the #8 team in the nation:
“They are obviously going to be good.
On what the key was to making the overall stand the defense wanted to make tonight
“I think attitude. Obviously when you have a team like
On the feeling of playing for the seniors on the team:
“The seniors have done everything you could ask for. They have been great for us. I mean it's just good to see they are still positive. It would be hard to be a senior and still be positive at a point like this, but everyone is still really positive and really pushing us hard. We have to go out there and just keep playing.'
On how the defense can improve the pass rush:
“The whole defensive line needs to work, but we didn't get any sacks, which is what it's all about. We put pressure on the quarterback, but we need to finish it off.'
