1999 FBL vs. Ohio State -- quotes
11/20/1999 12:00:00 AM | Football
On the game ... "My hat's off to an Ohio State team that played very hard. It was a typical Michigan-Ohio State game. Obviously, there were a lot of mistakes. If you were down on the field, you know how hard everyone played on both teams. I am very happy for this Michigan team, particularly for our seniors. I am very happy they found a way to win their last game of the season. They have tremendous leadership. A lot of these kids played important roles on the 1997 (national championship) team. To be able to come in to their senior season with the leadership, toughness and poise to get through the tough spots when you consider this is the toughest schedule in the country, you know why I am proud of this team. When you finish a season playing Penn State and Ohio State back to back and you find a way to win, you know how hard the guys fought."
On the closeness of Michigan's games ... "I am tired of [the close games]. I am exhausted and I didn't even do anything on the field. This team never quit. Look at the schedule. Win or lose this team laid it out there. They were able to hang together when things got difficult.
On quarterback Tom Brady's leadership ... "I'll tell you this story. When we went into Syracuse to play, in the second half, I decided to go with Drew Henson. Finally, late in the game we won. After the game the captains say a few words and lead the team in 'Hail to the Victors.' There was not a tougher time for [Brady] to not have played and to make himself stand up and tell his teammates how great they played without him. He's a special guy."
Quarterback Tom Brady
On the winning drive ... "Ohio State played extremely hard. I knew we were in for a dogfight. The offensive line gave me time to stand up in the pocket and deliver the ball."
On their attitude while trailing during the game ... "There's a lot of belief in this locker room. We believe in one another and feel we can accomplish a lot. You can say the pressure is too much or tell yourself no more mistakes and just go out there and play."
On the team's lackluster passing effort ... "I was just barely missing, maybe pushing it a little too much and overthrowing by a step."
On the team effort ... "I'm just proud of the guys in the locker room. We came together and played a great game. You have to give credit to Ohio State, they never gave in."
On Ohio State's defense on winning touchdown ... "I saw they were coming with a blitz, and I saw Marquise (Walker) open so I tried not to look at him until the right time and then threw it to him."
Inside Linebacker Ian Gold
On his interception ... "I dropped back and Coach (Jim) Herrmann schooled me on that all year. I looked up, saw the ball and caught it. My teammates blocked for me; it felt kind of old school, like high school."
On Ohio State's offense ... "They ran some plays we weren't ready for and they used some schemes that we hadn't seen on film. They caught us off-guard a little bit but you expect Ohio State to do that, that's the kind of team they are."
On playing his last home game ... "What better way to end my senior season I'm so happy and proud for my teammates. I couldn't imagine going out my senior season with a loss against Ohio State in the Big House."
Head Coach John Cooper
On the role of this year's seniors ... "I am very proud of my senior class. They are a group of kids who will be missed. Today, they played hard and put a lot of effort into this game. I am very pleased with how well they have done during their four years."
On today's game ... "It was the best we have ran all year. It was the turnovers and the penalties that really did us in. We didn't give the effort that was needed to win against a good team. Michigan did a good job with outside pressure and they forced us to run. At critical times, we held the ball too long. We didn't get rid of it when we should. But I can say that we lost a good game today."
On quarterback Steve Bellisari ... "I think that he played good. He did a good job when he needed to. He's still growing, but he will mature into a good quarterback. Michigan was quite on the defense to him, so we were forced to run the ball more."
Linebacker Na'il Diggs
On the defensive performance ... "We did everything we could to stop Michigan. Most of the game we were successful. We made too many crucial mistakes and that is what cost us."
On the tough loss ... "It's mind-boggling, I can't say what went wrong. We went into halftime with the lead. We knew what they were going to run and felt confident with the situation."
Defensive Back Ahmed Plummer
On the game ... "It's a big-time game, even though it didn't turn out the way we would have liked. I'm proud of my teammates. They hung in there and gave it their best shot."
On the difference in the game ... "If you look at the total offense, we had more yards than they did. They had a couple of big plays that went their way and gave them momentum to put points on the board."
Running Back Michael Wiley
On the running game ... "It was frustrating. They made some plays against us. You win some, you lose some, but the effort on the team was great today."
On suffering a tough defeat ... "Of course we would like to win, but the underclassmen came out and put it on the line today. That's all we can ask from them. Our defense played well, but the turnovers hurt us. If we didn't have the turnovers, I think we would have won."
