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University of Minnesota Athletics
Minnesota Postgame Quotes
9/26/2009 12:00:00 AM | Football
Sept. 26, 2009
Evanston, Ill. - Ryan Field
Postgame Quotes
Minnesota Head Coach Tim Brewster
Opening Statement...
"It was a very satisfying win, a very satisfying victory. I feel really good about our football team and how we did."
On running the ball and defensive stops...
"We do the things that good teams do. We have a good football team and we are committed to running the football and we ran the football very well today. We did a lot of things very well today. I am really, really proud of our defense and the way that they hung in there, fought, competed, and made two huge plays at the end of the ballgame. Like I said, a very satisfying victory. I thought that Jedd Fisch just did an outstanding job calling the game today. Did a lot of things offensively, kept them off balance most of the afternoon. The physicality was outstanding. It was very pleasing to watch."
On keeping poise against NU's offense...
"It just takes discipline and focus. They are an awfully good offensive team. They have an outstanding quarterback. Mike Kafka is really good. We knew that we were going to have our hands full today and that it was going to be a 60-minute fight and our football team fought for 60 minutes. And I could not be more proud of their efforts."
On the late turnovers...
"The game was on the line and our defense showed up big. We had some great pass rushes that obviously knocked the ball loose, force two huge turnovers at the end of the ball game. I thought that the really positive thing about us offensively was just capitalizing and monopolizing the ball, moving the ball on the ground, and knocking the ball in the end zone and the red zone. I think we are still perfect in the red zone and we scored touchdowns in the red zone. And that is what good football teams do."
On Brandon Green's play...
"Brandon keeps doing really good things. He is a clutch guy. I am happy for Brandon. He is at home in Chicago, played in front of his fans here. He is a good player."
On MarQueis Gray and Kevin Whaley sparking the game...
"I think that all those running backs ran hard and ran well, but it was the offensive line play that allowed them to do the things that they did. My hat is off to our offensive line. There are a lot of people that said this that and another about our offensive line and you know what, they played damn good today."
On last week's game with Cal preparing them for today...
"I think our schedule is very positive for our football team. We are a very battle tested football team at this point and I think it certainly helps. We you are in a battle like we were in today and to have been in that fight before is very positive."
Minnesota QB Adam Weber
On the magnitude of opening each half with a touchdown...
"Very, very big. Football is all a game of momentum, especially when you're on the road. Anytime you can quiet the crowd and put up points, it's huge. It was a tough game. We made a lot of mistakes but we made the big plays when it counted. Our defense there at the end made some big plays for us and we were able to close it out."
On the play of WR Brandon Green...
"We've got to find out a way to get him the ball more. He comes up big for us, especially on third downs. That one to keep the ball going on our 30-or so was a big, big catch. Huge. It kept that drive going and he just comes up clutch when we need him. But again, we've go to find ways to get him involved more because he just does the job."
Minnesota WR Eric Decker
On whether the running helped the passing game...
"Definitely. I thought that once we established the running game, obviously it brought the safeties down, put more guys in the box, and just opened up more plays for us in the passing game. We took advantage of it and we did a good job of executing."
On the offense's continued progress this season...
"We're getting a lot better week to week. We're moving the ball. We're able to put drives together in the first half now and finish in the second half. For a football team to win a Big Ten Championship, you've got to do that consistently on offense and that's what we're striving for. We're getting there."
Minnesota LB Nate Triplett
On the two forced fumbles at the end of the game...
"The defensive line really came up big in those last two drives and got some turnovers for us. We made some little adjustments and that really helped too. Our coverage got better. We kept the ball in [Mike Kafka]'s hands longer and they were able to get the ball. That's what we practice every day."
On the offense staying on the field...
"The offense staying on the field was great today. They put together some long drives and kept us off the field. [Northwestern] was doing some quick things, as far as their offense goes, and you get tired off that; if you're going 19 plays in the first drive and your offense isn't staying on the field, you get tired. So our offense staying on the field was big in this game."
On the overall performance of the defense...
"As far as our defense, we're doing a pretty good job of staying in our lanes and doing our responsibilities. We didn't tackle extremely well today, but we made plays when we needed to at the end of the game. The defensive line came up big, got some fumble recoveries and made the big plays when we needed it.
