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University of Minnesota Athletics
Postgame Quotes
11/8/2008 12:00:00 AM | Football
Minnesota Head Coach Tim Brewster
Opening Statement
“We just didn’t play well at all. We never really got anything going on offense the entire game and I’m very disappointed in our performance. We did a nice job on defense, forcing them to kick field goals but it was cancelled by our offense never finding their rhythm. We didn’t have any runs that we could hang our hats on, we didn’t have anything in the passing game, and didn’t really protect the passer. It’s evident we’ve made improvements but we’ve got a ways to go yet. We have to continue to improve and look where we are vulnerable and focus on those. We have two huge games left and we’re not going to wallow in self pity. We’re going to improve as a team and get ready to play for Paul Bunyan’s Axe at Wisconsin. We’re a young team but we have no excuses. Michigan played better than us today.”
On Eric Decker’s Injury
"With our offense we have to have the next man up ready and we have no excuse. Michigan simply played better than us and they get to keep the Little Brown Jug, which is a tough pill to swallow. Decker wasn’t even 100 percent heading into the game and he was playing purely on guts and determination. He got banged around in the game and it was best for him to sit the rest of the game out. Decker is extremely talented and when he is not on the field we miss him. But the other ten guys have to do their part two. We need to do a better job protecting Adam and giving ourselves a better chance of winning.”
On how to bounce back
“On our team, we’re very close. We’re 7-3 because we’re a close team and we’re not going to finger point. We know what we have to do to improve now it’s just a matter of doing it. Offensive consistency is huge. Just staying ahead of the chains is important. Right now we’re behind the chains and not running the ball with any consistency and our confidence is not where it needs to be at all.”
On getting the team ready for next week
"I don’t want to diminish the significance of the improvement. We’re not where we need to be but we’ve gotten better. We need to keep this going and keep improving each week. We’ll go to work tomorrow and next Saturday we have an opportunity to go get the Axe at Wisconsin. We’re going to get our guys excited for next week. As tough as it is, we have to be ready to take on Wisconsin next week.”
On Troy Stoudermire running the ball on offense
"Troy is an important guy and we want the ball in his hands. He’s a playmaker and is dynamic with the ball, something we lack. We need more guys that are dynamic with the ball."
Minnesota Player Quotes
Freshman WR Brandon Green
On the team's first half performance
“We came out sluggish. We wanted to run the ball to start the game to open up the pass, but we got off to a bad start.”
On second half adjustments
“I don’t think Coach Brewster needed to make any adjustments, he just tried to get us fired up in the locker room. We came out flying around, but the improvement just didn’t happen. ”
Senior DE Willie VanDeSteeg
On the loss today
“It’s hard for the young guys to realize how important these games really are. It’s a tough loss to take. ”
On the Michigan-Minnesota rivalry
“Obviously the record lately is in their favor. We have won only two times in the last 31 years now. They are still undefeated in the Metrodome and they made a pretty big statement today.”
Senior TE Jack Simmons
On the loss today
“We are definitely still in control of what bowl game we will be playing in this year. We’re excited to be a 7-3 football team. We have made a noticeable change from last year and these last two games have been tough to swallow. ”
On the Gophers’ offense
“I thought Brandon Green has done a nice job stepping up for us. I think we also need to run the ball better, take care of Adam Weber, and allow our other receivers get open. Eric is definitely our big play threat and hopefully he gets healthy quickly.”
Michigan Head Coach Rich Rodriguez
On winning the football game
“It’s really nice to come to the locker room and see smiling faces. I have been saying it all year that if you work hard, and have good weeks, victories will come. We have had great weeks and seem to come up short, but today we put it all together and played an all around good game. ”
On the improvement of the defense
“Today our defense came out and really seemed to play with a sense of urgency. We were getting off blocks well, and we were tackling well. It was the best we’ve done all year getting off blocks, and overall we were really just breaking on the ball better than we have all year. We just have to keep working and not push the panic button, and wins like this will come more often.”
On what this win means for the football team
“I mean this is only one win, but this was a big game for us to get a win. We can take away many good things from this game and try to build off what went well today. It is especially important for our seniors and how much they want to show that we are a better team than we have shown this season. ”
On Nick Sheridan’s play
“Nick played a good game today. He may have had a couple of plays that he wants to take back, but he threw some good balls and played well. He managed the game well and made some nice throws early in the game which was great for his confidence. Nick is a real tough guy and he took some shots today, whether he was bleeding from his nose or face he just kept going. Nick is a tough individual, and showed that he deserves playing time. ”
Michigan Player Quotes
Sophomore QB Nick Sheridan
On starting against Minnesota
“I felt pretty good. To be honest with you, I always go out every week prepared to be a starter. Nothing changed as far as my preparation.”
On Michigan’s Offensive Performance
“It felt good to go out there and do well but we still have some work to do. We kicked five field goals or something like that and it would be nice to punch those in.”
Junior DE Brandon Graham
On preparation for today’s game
“Coach said to not worry about mistakes and just go out there and play, and that’s what we did. We kept the energy up the whole game and came out with a win.”
On when the team knew it was going to be a good game for Michigan
“On the first three and out. We’re like okay, we have to keep the energy up. The first hit let me know right then that we were ready.”
On whether the team has learned to carry success to the final two games of the season
“I like how we started and I like how we finished. We have to keep talking on the sidelines how we have to go out with intensity every play.”
Senior CB Morgan Trent
On playing against Eric Decker
“It felt great. He’s a great player, and I know he was a little banged up coming into the game. Obviously we came out and tried to stop the offense, so you know, you can’t take anything away from him.”
On what the defense did differently this week
“Not much, we actually executed really well. We played efficient defense, had fun and played together, all things that we’ve seen glimpses of all year.
