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University of Minnesota Athletics
Minnesota-Florida Atlantic Quotes
9/20/2008 12:00:00 AM | Football
Minnesota Postgame Quotes
Minnesota Head Coach Tim Brewster
On what Brewster told his players in the locker room after the game:
“This was a great win for the Golden Gopher football team as well as the state of Minnesota. We decided before the game to dedicate this one to our 16 seniors from last year we wanted to get some revenge [for their 2007 loss] and show that last year was not in vain. Our kids played hard and played with a lot of heart, and that was a big reason why we won this game.”
On what the key factors were in Saturday’s victory:
“Big plays were the difference here today runs over eight yards and passes over 12, and the turnovers were really big too. We did a nice job of getting some pressure on Rusty Smith, and he was never able to get his feet set in the pocket. We’re doing the things that good football teams do to win, and we’re getting better every game. We didn’t play perfect, but the heart, character and determination that our football team showed out there is going to carry us a long way.”
On the Gophers’ defense against Florida Atlantic on third downs:
“Holding them to just three-for-14 on third downs was outstanding. I give a lot of credit to [defensive coordinator] Ted Roof and the rest of our defensive staff. Our guys were enthusiastic from the very first play they had a gleam in their eyes and a pep in their step. Just a great effort overall by our defense.”
On starting to build a winning program:
“It’s all about guys looking out for each other. When you have an “all in” attitude and work together, it’s amazing all that you can accomplish.”
On overcoming the injuries Minnesota has sustained this season:
“The story of this team is youth. To do the things that we are doing with so many young kids, with so much youth, is amazing.”
Minnesota Players
Senior Defensive End Willie VanDeSteeg
On this year’s game compared to last year’s against Florida Atlantic:
“We are going out there, playing football and trying to deal with the present game. You try and forget about last year, but it’s always in the back of your mind the feeling that you had after that loss and use that as motivation for playing today.”
On the defensive backs:
“We have a bunch of young guys who are full of speed and just make plays, which makes our job on the line better when the offensive isn’t just worried about one part of our defense.”
On the different looks that Florida Atlantic gave them:
“They gave us some looks that we weren’t expecting and we did a great job changing on the fly and covering what they were showing. After the first half we came out and settled down and just played fundamental football.
Sophomore Defensive Back Kyle Theret
On the biggest difference in the defensive backs this year:
“We are making good plays and have the guys to do it, but it’s not just what we are doing because the defensive line is causing us to be able to make plays.”
On the difference between this year and last year:
“Last year we allowed too many yards and scores. You always have in the back of your head last year, but just try and play for today. Last year weren’t making the big plays, but this year we are making those plays that we were missing last year.”
Sophomore Quarterback Adam Weber
On Minnesota’s overall game:
“The offense and defense feed off each other’s energy, so when I see the defense make plays, it makes you excited to go back out there. When you are struggling in one aspect of the game it will stress both sides of the ball. When we saw them play so well against Florida Atlantic the first couple of drives it carried over to the offensive side of the ball.”
On Minnesota’s upcoming schedule:
“I feel very excited going into the Big Ten season. Obviously we have a big challenge ahead of us, but right now it’s all about this victory. We will enjoy this win and the improvements we made during the game
Junior Defensive End Lee Campbell
On Minnesota’s defense:
"It felt great to cause turnovers and that just shows how great of a job the coaches did in preparing us for the game. The biggest difference this year from last is that we are running fast, coached well and we are playing to win. Today’s victory really shows how everyone is working hard.”
On Minnesota’s confidence:
“We are playing with a lot more confidence this season. We go out there in any situation and come back from adversities like offsides to cause three-and-outs. We need to do things like this in order to be successful.”
Junior Linebacker Simoni Lawrence
On Minnesota’s defense:
"The coaches are always saying that turnovers are the key to the game. So, the defensive backs practiced all the time on causing takeaways. Overall, the defensive backs have improved a lot and this game shows our improvement."
On going into the Big Ten season undefeated:
“I came to the University of Minnesota because I wanted to play in the Big Ten. I can’t wait to start playing some conference games. We will practice hard and get ready for Ohio State next week.”
On his interception:
“Coaches are always saying that we need to get into position in order to make big plays. I was able to get into position by reading the quarterback and I made the play. My heart was pumping and it felt so good to score a touchdown.”
On the defensive scheme:
“Minnesota has a great defensive scheme. We go through everything thoroughly to make sure that we are prepared every week. We are told to work on reading the quarterback and makes big plays, which I was able to do today.”
Florida Atlantic Postgame Quotes
Florida Atlantic Head Coach Howard Schnellenberger
On the Owls’ 37-3 loss to Minnesota:
“They’re a pretty good football team and they outplayed us in every aspect of the game. We were outplayed by a team that was on a mission to reestablish themselves as a big time football team. [Minnesota] is certainly going in the right direction. We were no match in any regard, not to say that we didn’t have our moments, but it just didn’t work out for us today. There were a lot of coulda-beens’ for us today. For them, there were no coulda-beens,’ there were only just dids.’
“We are going to go back and correct some errors and get ready for our conference. It was a disappointment across the board, but they were more consistent. Their consistency led to our downfall. I’ll be going to the film room as soon as we get back to get a handle on this.”
On pinpointing individual FAU players for blame:
“I don’t think it would be appropriate; Minnesota had enough on offense, defense and special teams to make this an entire team issue for us. We’ll go back and look at this game from an overall standpoint and we won’t put the blame on any one player. We’ll retool ourselves.”
On FAU’s offense generating just three points over its past two games:
“Sure I’m concerned about the offense, but I’m also concerned about the defense and the special teams. It was my judgment that our team was ready to come in here and compete and have a chance to win but that’s only happened once so far this year in the game against Alabama-Birmingham. So far, I think we’re an underachieving team. ”
On confidence level going into next game:
“It has been a rough couple weeks, but I know this time off will get our confidence back up. There are going to be more smiles on our faces after practice next week and we know what our real goal is, a conference championship (Sun Belt). We are going to put this game behind us and focus on conference play.”
Florida Atlantic Players
Quarterback Rusty Smith
On today’s game:
“Minnesota came out today and played very good football. We expected them to be better than they were last year. We just didn’t execute.
On moving forward after this game:
“We need to rededicate ourselves starting with me. I had four interceptions today and I did not get rushed at all today. It was just bad decision making, bad poise in the pocket, and bad mechanics. I need to be a better leader for the team. I need to make better decisions and forget about things that happened on the field and continue to move forward and move the ball. We are going to come back tomorrow and get ready for our next game, but it all starts with me.
“We were very surprised that we couldn’t put points on the board today. We stood confident in our offense and our ability to move the ball to the end zone so it was really disappointing that we were not able to do that today. We are going to have to rededicate, starting tomorrow. We are going to have to do something different and come out with a different attitude.”
Middle Linebacker Frantz Joseph
Talk about the improvement of Minnesota compared to last year:
“Yes they had a couple of better players. I heard that they got some junior college players that have helped them out this year. But for the most part, it was the same team from last year.
What is the solution to move on from today:
“The solution to that is to re-focus. We have to come back together as a team. We have a week to practice and a bye week after that. We have extra days to practice so it is about going hard. We have to leave it on the practice field and not leave until our legs are tired. It is more of a mental aspect than a physical aspect. We have to prepare ourselves better to play football games to win. It starts at practice and going hard everyday.
