Universal Studios Press Conference in Orlando, Fla.
12/28/1998 12:00:00 AM | Football
Michigan Football Comments from
CompUSA Florida Citrus Bowl Trip
Universal Studios Press Conference in Orlando, Fla.
Head Coach Lloyd Carr
Opening Statement
"We have had an enjoyable time here in Orlando. We've been to Sea World, the Magic Kingdom, Disney Quest, and we fully expect to win this Universal Studios Citrus Bowl Squeeze-Off. I told (Jon) Jansen and (Juaquin) Feazell in front of the team that I expected to announce at tommorrow's practice that they gave us a victory against Arkansas in the Squeeze-Off. The pressure is on them and we'll see how they do.
"We have had very good workouts here in Orlando. I would like to thank the Orlando Police Department for a tremendous job in helping us get around what is an extremely business city. We had our last major practice of bowl preparations today. We will cut back tommorrow and the follow day so as to get mentally prepared to play and to rehearse everything that you need to do as a player to get prepared to step onto the field."
Are there any factors that are different in bowl games as compared to the regular season
"I think it is an excellent opportunity for your players to get time to spend together. They have a chance to see some things that they would not ordinarily get to see. I think there are a lot of wonderful things that go along with a bowl game. From a coach's standpoint, it is very different -- we are often very tunnel-visioned as our focus is squarely on the bowl game. I try to remind myself that for the players this is a reward for the season and the accomplishments of the season and that they will enjoy themselves. The thing you hope for as a coach is that the players have good balance and focus in practices and meetings."
On offensive tackle Jon Jansen looking to start in his 50th career game ...
"I think it is an extraordinary achievement at any position but particularly when this is the most demanding position on the football field. When you have a guy come in and do what Jon has, that says a lot about the qualities and type of person that he is. He is not only a great football player, he is tough, shows determination and demonstrates his love for the game. You don't start 50 games in a row and play it at the level that he has unless you love the game. There were probably games when players who didn't love the game wouldn't have played but he fought through some discomfort to play this game.
"Jon has not only been a great player at Michigan but also a leader. He is an Academic All-American at one of the finest institutions in the country. That tells you what kind of a competitor he is and where his priorities are. I am extremely proud that we have had the chance to coach him and we're proud that he is the type of leader that any program would like to have at the forefront."
On having officials at practice ...
"I am a very firm believer that penalties and mistakes play a major role in every game. If you have a championship team, you'll find that the least penalized in my judgment are the most successful. Teams that have a lot of penalties in my judgment are beating themselves. What we are trying to do is educate our players on the rules to make sure they are doing everything within the rules so that we don't get penalties. Penalties either stop your drives or aid the opponents. It is definitely an important part of the game."
On spending an hour on the kicking game in practice ...
"We have had problems in that area. It enables us to concentrate on that specific part of the game. It is an assignment thing, a review thing, it's about putting new things in that maybe Arkansas does differently than your other opponents have done. We did have some areas where we needed to improve upon."
On Arkansas ...
"When you look at Arkansas on film you see a very good team that plays with intensity and great quickness, especially on defense. They have as fine a defense as I've seen this year in terms of team speed and in terms of getting to the football. These guys play with aggressiveness and confidence that good defenses play with. Much of the success goes back to the way they play defense. Offensively, the thing that just amazes me is their yards per catch. I have to believe that is one of the highest in college football history. It speaks to the big-play potential of the quarterback, Clint Stoerner. He has made a lot of big plays and wide receiver Anthony Lucas is as good as any that we've played against. They are a very dangerous football team."
On what happened at the start of this season and the potential for a four-loss year ...
"I am interested in the present. I think the thing that we are focusing on is being the best team that we can possibly be. What we would like to do is finish this season in a way that we can be proud of what we've accomplished. This football team has won a Big Ten championship. They have done a lot of things to be proud of and yet any Michigan team wants to finish the season strong. That's exactly what we're trying to do right now."
On junior quarterback Tom Brady ...
"I think Tom Brady has done an outstanding job. I don't think he has had a poor game throughout the season. He has played with great poise and has improved as the course of the season progressed. He has gained confidence and is a good leader. Tom has thrown the ball very well."
On the difference in style of play between the two conferences ...
"I think in the south you see a more wide-open style of play. In the Big Ten, you get into November and the weather -- the wind, the snow, the rain and whatever else may come -- often affects the ability to throw the football. You need to have a solid running game."
On having closed practices ...
"I consider our practices to be much like what a classroom would be. We want concentration and focus on what we are doing. It makes it easier for us to concentrate the fewer people that are there."
Senior co-captain Jon Jansen
On a pride factor when the Big Ten and SEC face each other ...
"Anytime you match schools from different conferences, there will also be people talking about which conference is better than the other, even more so when you have teams from the North and teams from the South. There is always talk about the difference in style of play and which is better than the other. That's all part of the game and it will all be decided on Jan. 1."
On challenges Arkansas' scheme defenses present ...
"Well, upfront they do a lot of things involving movement. As an offensive line, we need to be able to adjust to those things when Arkansas begins shifting. They can do a lot blitz-wise and from a scheme standpoint that you need to make calls. We need to look around and be prepared to shift our calls as Arkansas changes alignments."
Senior co-captain Juaquin Feazell
On what will determine the outcome of the game ...
"I think it will come down to the team that is the most physical and makes the fewest mistakes. Turnovers and penalties will always alter the football game and normally the team with the least of those two categories turns out to be the winner."
On his confidence heading into the bowl game ...
"We are very confident as a team heading into the Citrus Bowl. We know that we must play our best game of the year because Arkansas is a very good team. Our goal is to go out and play hard on every single play."
Is the team disappointed about not being in a BCS bowl after winning a national title in 1997
"After starting the season with some unfortunate losses, we came together and finished the year strong. We won nine of our last 10 games and are in a position to win 10 games this year. We feel proud to have won back-to-back Big Ten titles, something that we can be proud of for the rest of our lives."
Defensive Coordinator Jim Herrmann
On Arkansas' offense ...
"They have some great personnel and I think quarterback Clint Stoerner is the glue that holds that and makes it a great offense. He plays quarterback like a linebacker -- he's tough, aggressive and makes plays. I think any time you have that, it gives great confidence to his wide receivers, Anthony Lucas and Michael Williams. Both of those guys can play and are a great tandem there. Same at their tailback spot when you have two guys who can run the ball as well as they do. They have an offensive line that has been together for a few years now and is one of the best that I've seen. They have a lot of weapons and we are going to have to be at the top of our game."
Offensive Coordinator Mike DeBord
On Arkansas' defense ...
"It's a different type of defense. They play an eight-man front with different alignments and blitzes. It's a very active defense and that creates some challenges."
Contact: David Ablauf, Jim Schneider (734) 763-4423
