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University of Minnesota Athletics
Postgame Quotes
9/6/2014 12:00:00 AM | Football
Minnesota 35, Middle Tennessee 24
Postgame Quotes
Jerry Kill, Minnesota Head Coach
On David Cobb…
"He's a good football player. We played the other backs some, but it's hard to take him off the field when he gets hot. He ran very well today. …He had an excellent game, and we need him to continue to do that."
On the second half …
"It was a tough second half, but a good first half. The second half got off to a slow start, but we won the game. That's the bottom line, we're 2-0."
"Coming out in the second half, being up like we were, we just didn't come out with a lot of zip and they found momentum."
"Part of it is we were playing seven freshmen on defense, and when you're playing freshmen it's a learning experience. The good thing is we are learning and we are winning."
"There are a lot of positives. Our biggest concern is injuries…. We are playing so many young players - but better to play them now, to get them ready for the Big Ten."
"We'll enjoy this day, getting the win, but we'll go to work tomorrow."
David Cobb, Minnesota Senior Running Back
On his career day…
"It was pretty good…The receivers, tight ends, and everyone was coming in and throwing the edge in for a block-and not just one, but getting two and three downfield. When they do it like that, the holes open up and everything's easy."
On Minnesota's second half…
"We have to come out (in the second half) how we came in (to start the game). We got a little confident on both sides of the ball, including special teams. It's one of those things where you want to start fast and finish faster, so we'll go back to the drawing board and we'll watch film. We're happy with the wins, but we definitely have a lot of corrections to make."
On whether he realized he surpassed 200 rushing yards…
"During the game, you really don't think about it. All I see is the scoreboard and I hear the next play. You can kind of tell if you're in the rhythm if you're having a good day or a bad day, but as far as keeping track of yards and average and touchdowns, we don't worry about that."
Damien Wilson, Minnesota Senior Linebacker
On his overall takeaway from the game…
"We were ready in the first half, but obviously we have to keep up the pressure through all four quarters. We have a couple corrections to make, but you can't argue with a win"
On his interception…
"I saw (Theiren Cockran) get some good pressure up the middle. He swatted the ball and I was just in the right spot at the right time and I took advantage of it."
On his increased role in the defense from a year ago…
"This year I know the defense a little better and the coaches have a little more confidence in me, so I'm able to get my number called a little more often."
Maxx Williams, Minnesota Redshirt Sophomore Tight End
On Middle Tennessee's coverage of him…
"I had my opportunity when I had it. Other than that, I didn't really have an opportunity. I just go out there and do what the coaches ask me and that's all I can do."
On the effect a good run game has on the passing game…
"I think when you develop the run game and when you have a good day running like (David) Cobb did today, it does help open up that play-action pass, which helps us get in a rhythm, too-it gets the defense to really button down on the play-action, which opens us up. I was lucky enough today to get that touchdown when no one was there."
Rick Stockstill, Middle Tennessee Head Coach
On Minnesota as a team…
"I give Minnesota a lot of credit. Coach Kill has done a nice job and he got us pretty good here today; my hat's off to them. I'm proud of our team."
On the game overall…
"I told our team at half time that we'd find out what kind of team we're going to be by how we responded in the second half. We're going to have us a dang good football team. We were outmatched, out-manned a little bit from a size standpoint."
On game changers…
"They were able to run the ball effectively, especially the first half. Part of it was them, part of it was us missing tackles. We had a couple unfortunate breaks in the first half. Going across the route in man coverage and the umpire runs into our guy and knocks him down and their guy is there to make an easy interception for a touchdown. Then the next possession, Austin gets hit upon throwing the ball and it floats in the air; and then they get picked there on the short field. I was really proud of our team."
On Middle Tennessee as a team…
"I was proud of our team and how we competed and how we fought the second half. I thought we tackled better in the second half than what we did in the first half. We didn't give up. I think we gave up one big play in the second half on the long run there. I'm really proud of our team and the competitive spirit they played with; they never gave up."
On what made Cobb effective…
"He's a big back, he runs behind his pads and runs behind some really big guys too. He's a hard back to tackle. He's a good player."
Reggie Whatley, Middle Tennesee Running Back
What changed about the running game/offense in the second half?
"We just came out kind of slow. We got away from the run game, kind of came back to it the second half. It was working for us so we stuck with it."
Austin Grammer, Middle Tennessee Quarterback
Did your comfort level change during the game?
"It definitely got easier as it went on, credit the O-linemen for that. I feel like they played well, which helped me get comfortable. Really those guys and me throwing to the guys like Ed and Marcus. You know they make unbelievable catches so I definitely feel like I settled in there in the second half."
Growing more each game?
"Absolutely, I feel like just like you said… getting comfortable, I think every play, every snap. It gets easier and easier, so I love this team and they make it easy for me."
Ed'Marques Batties, Middle Tennessee Wide Receiver
Is this the start that you expected for the first two games?
"Well, I expected a lot out of the team period -- out of the offense because we worked hard in spring camp."
