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University of Minnesota Athletics
Postgame Quotes
11/19/2016 12:00:00 AM | Football
Recap | Final Stats | Notes
Nov. 19, 2016
TCF Bank Stadium
Northwestern at Minnesota
Tracy Claeys, Minnesota Head Coach
On what this senior class means to the program…
"When they said they were going to come play at the University of Minnesota, we weren't doing things real well, football-wise or off of the field. They had a big part in believing in what we wanted to do. They established that culture and have kept it going. This senior class has worked harder than any of them. Before the season, the times they got together with the kids, all the extra things they've had. They really worked hard at having a good year this year. We are all disappointed to come out short in three ball games, but we've had our chances. To get a win at home in the last game at TCF, it means a lot to these players, but it'll mean a lot to those kids for how much they have put into it."
On success containing Justin Jackson…
"We really did do a good job. They got a couple passes to him but besides that in the running game we were really able to keep them one-handed. It lets us put a lot of speed on the field when you do that. I think they were 2-of-15 on third downs and 1-of-4 on fourth downs. It was important to get the lead, which we did, and then from there we handled him. He's the guy that makes them go, not that the receivers don't make a lot of good plays. It's always easier to defend one way or the other. Our defensive staff has done a tremendous job of handling what they do on offense. Northwestern is playing better and better. They've scored points. They've gotten better as the year went on. It was a great job by the defense."
On the big drive after Northwestern scored…
"I just thought Shannon Brooks did a great job. He got every yard and fought. He moved the chains and caught a big pass. In the end, Mitch [Leidner] had the big throw to Drew [Wolitarsky] on the play action. We reacted when we needed to. You always celebrate those. We have to be more consistent. We went through a stretch there where we really struggled. We are beat up up front and all that. Still, it's all excuses and we are better than that. Our kids know that and those two running backs are better than that. We just got away from the fundamental things and when you do that against good ball teams you'll be in trouble. Northwestern defensively just gets better and better as the year goes on. We have to be more consistent."
Mitch Leidner, Minnesota Quarterback
On the game…
"That was huge. Really tough opponent, really well coached football team. We have a lot of respect for Coach Fitzgerald and their program. We had a lot of good battles with them throughout the years so to come out with a win tonight means a lot to us"
On the walking off the field after four years…
"I was really excited. Like I said, I didn't want to do any of the TV interviews out there because it was just an unbelievable moment. Especially getting that last snap with my brother [Matt Leidner] out there. It's something we have always wanted to do together. I couldn't wait to get in that locker room and celebrate with the guys."
On winning eight games in three of his four years…
"It means a lot. At the same time, we are not finished yet. We are really looking forward to going out to Wisconsin next weekend and doing everything we can to prepare this week to make this a great football game."
Jack Lynn, Minnesota Linebacker
On Duke McGhee's targeting call situation…
"You know they (Northwestern) were talking a lot. I just wanted to get Duke out of the situation, that was my number one goal. I was just trying to break up the situation. Emotions were really high, but we are a level-headed team so we won't let that affect us."
On reaching another eight-win plateau…
"We are being very consistent and steady. The motto was brick by brick and I think we have already built that foundation. So now we just keep building from there."
Steven Richardson, Minnesota Defensive Tackle
On being a "Chicago guy" and facing school near his hometown…
"It definitely brought a lot of motivation. I was really low-recruited based on my height. I saw a guy come to my high school coach's office and just looked me up and down as if I was too short to play the game. It was really nice to play one of these types of games right in front of him because he doubted you."
On the significance of the final fourth down stop for the defense…
"They were trying to get those eight points to try to win, but being able to stop them and that talented running back defines who our defense is. We will not give up those eight points lightly."
Pat Fitzgerald, Northwestern Head Coach
Opening statement...
"We're disappointed in the result, obviously. Didn't give ourselves a whole lot of opportunity today offensively because we beat ourselves first. And I don't want to discredit Minnesota's effort. I thought they did a great job. But a lot of one-man breakdowns up front that lead to, obviously, poor timing, inability to be consistent, and no balance, especially running the ball. We had seams, we had plays that were there and we had one-man breakdowns, so we got to get to work on that, very quickly, to get it fixed and find a way to get ourselves into the postseason. But I credit Minnesota, they did a great job."
On only getting two touchdowns…
"Again, it looked like we had a lot of one man breakdowns, that's what it looked like to me. And I'll give credit to Minnesota. Obviously, they out-schemed us. ...We were calling the pressures as coaches, so we obviously didn't do a good enough job coaching it and teaching it this week. So, it's our responsibility, and the only way we're going to get it fixed is on us. We put our backs against the wall. We expect our guys to respond."
On the huddle after targeting call…
"I wanted to address to make sure we continued to play with discipline, be poised, make sure we kept our focus. When something like that happens, we've got a chance to get in a position that I don't believe is the right way to play the game, the right sportsmanship in the game, and I wanted to make sure we didn't do that. I reminded them again at the start of the fourth quarter."
On the success of Minnesota's defensive line…
"Like I said, I think I was calling the pressures out of the boundaries, so I'm not sure it was a whole lot of new stuff. So, you got to credit their kids for executing. It looked like they just wanted it more. Looking at one of the last plays, I think it was (Blake) Cashman, he beats our center, then beats our back-up running back, and hits Clayton (Thorson). Obviously, they wanted it more than we did and that's disappointing to be quite honest with you. I thought we had a really good week of prep. I thought the guys were focused. I thought they came in ready to go. And we've typically gone where our offensive line has taken us, and we have six defeats, and I'm not trying to put it squarely on their shoulders. But we've been pretty inconsistent up there, and today was one of our most inconsistent games of the year. So I'm going to give credit where credit is due, and I'm going to give it to Minnesota first, to their kids and to their staff for the job that they did."
Flynn Nagel, Northwestern Wide Receiver
On the Minnesota defense…
"They did mix it up. I think they played a good game, so we have got to give them credit. But we definitely have to get after it this week and learn from our mistakes, correct each other and have the coaches correct us and move on to Illinois."
On the offense struggling with Thorson being brought down seven times…
"It's something we talked about all week, being efficient, getting in and out of our breaks, and just being quick with our routes in general. So I think it's something we emphasized this week, and it happens, but it's part of football so we just have to learn from it."
Andrew Scanlon, Northwestern Wide Receiver
On the team huddle…
"He pretty much just said we have to increase our intensity and get ready to go because it was getting more physical as the game went on. I mean, it's a Big Ten game, so hits are going to come, but as far as what Coach Fitz said, he just rallied the team together and told them to get ready for a physical fourth quarter."
On not being able to convert in Minnesota territory…
"That's on us as an offense. Coach is going to come in here and say they have to coach us better, but at the end of the day, we're the ones on the field. We're the ones that have to execute and we just didn't get it done, in their half of the field especially. We're driving the ball, and we get down to the other side. It's been the story of the year, not just today. But we'll get it together, we'll pick it up."
