Player Comments from
Weekly U-M Football Media Luncheon
11/8/1999 12:00:00 AM | Football
Steve Hutchinson | Tommy Hendricks | Aaron Shea
Senior Quarterback Tom Brady
On why the quarterback rotation was successful ... "I think we both approached the situation, one in which others thought it would be difficult, where Drew and I thought we both could succeed. I think we both handled it very maturely and I think we both gained a lot from that."
On the improvement of the offensive line ... "I think one thing that makes a line successful is that they need to know each other and how the players around them will react to a defensive change. That all comes from experience and playing together. It's difficult when players are hurt and one player is moving around to a couple of different positions. Until you can form that trust with the guys next to you, I don't think you can be successful. I think that has happened the last few weeks. We have had guys get healthy and have been able to practice. I think they've been able to come together and play the type of football that everyone knows they're capable of playing."
On the Penn State defense ... "This is definitely the best defense and defensive line that we've faced this year. Courtney Brown is an All-American and the linebackers -- LaVar Arrington, Brandon Short and Mac Morrison -- are all very athletic. We just need to play hard every down and every play. Each yard that is going to be gained this week is going to have to be earned."
On Penn State's demeanor after a loss ... "I know losing to Minnesota was very difficult for those guys. There is no doubt in my mind that they will be fired up to play. They still have an opportunity to go to the Rose Bowl, so we know we'll get their best game. Knowing that, we are going to play our best game as well."
On how the team steps up on the road or in big games ... "It's one thing a lot of the guys pride themselves on, playing big in the big games. One of the reasons you come to Michigan is to play in these big games. You love playing Michigan State, Penn State and Ohio State because you know that those guys are equally as talented. You know they're going to be ready to play. There's no doubt that this is going to be a tough, hard-nosed battle."
On if any of the mystique about the game is lost since Michigan has two losses and Penn State lost Saturday ... "I don't think so. The types of teams we have played have prepared us very well. And they (Penn State) are no different of a football team this week than they would have been if they won. It was kind of a fluke play that got Minnesota into field goal range on a fourth-and-16 or 17 play. Regardless of whether Penn State wins or loses a game, we still have to play this game. Unfortunately, a lot of the Big Ten teams are beating up on one another. This is going to be a game between two of the best teams in the country."
On Penn State's cornerbacks ... "They are both very good. David Macklin and Anthony King are both smaller cornerbacks but play big. They are very fast and have quick feet. They break on the ball very well and they are pretty physical. Our receivers are going to have their hands full so our guys are going to have to watch a lot of film and figure out what type of techniques will beat them."
Senior Linebacker James Hall
On the two-quarterback system at Penn State ... "They are two completely different quarterbacks and we are going to need to work hard and prepare for both. They both have their strong points and we need to be ready for both."
Did you hope that Penn State was undefeated when you played them ... "No, not really. Even if Penn State was undefeated or had more than one loss it would still be a big game. This will be a hard-fought game. Nothing has changed about this game. It's still a big rivalry, a big game and a game for national pride. This game will be televised nationally with two powerhouses of college football battling for a win."
On the Penn State tackles ... "There offensive front is very strong and powerful. I remember John Blick, and Kareem McKenzie is very strong player and we are going to need to do a very good job against them. It's going to be key for us to get off blocks."
On the balanced offense of Penn State and what Michigan's strategy will be ... "The Penn State offense has changed a great deal since last year. As a linebacker and defensive lineman, every time you go into a game, your main priority is to stop the run but we need to get pressure on the quarterback as well."
Where is Penn State better offensively ... "They are more wide open compared to last season. I see a more balanced offensive attack that forces you to be on guard at all times."
On preparing for both quarterbacks and their differing styles ... "You need to be prepared and know what to expect when each is in the game. Each quarterback has his strong points and you need to be prepared for both situations."
Do you draw a mental picture in your mind about the outcome and scenario of a game beforehand ... "You always visualize making plays and picture the things you want to do out on the field. That's all part of preparation that I go through on a weekly basis. It plays a big part in my performance."
What would be your perfect defensive scenario for the Penn State game ... "I think going into the fourth quarter with this being a tight game with it coming down to a field goal or touchdown. Then getting on the field defensively and having to win the game."
On setting the tone defensively ... "Defensively, we always want to set the tone for a game. This will be a hard-fought, physical game. If we can go out and play our type of physical, hard-hitting defensive game, it will carry over to the rest of the team."
Senior Nose Tackle Rob Renes
On containing Penn State running back Eric McCoo ... "He is a tremendous running back. For us to contain him it is going to have to start up front. If we can perform our assignments up front and bust up their plays, we should have some success in containing McCoo and the Penn State running game. Penn State has a lot of balance this season and they have a very good passing game. With their two-quarterback system, both guys have a lot of strengths and very few weaknesses between them. The two quarterbacks are very solid and that's why this Penn State offensive team is solid. They have a lot of talent."
On the defensive philosophy in this game ... "I think we have based our defensive philosophy -- granted it has changed a little bit -- around having the best game that we can. We don't want to give up any big plays and if we can do that and it comes down to the last drive of the game or last play and we can continue to limit the big plays, then we've played the type of game that we want. Whether we are out on the field or Tommy (Brady) and the offense is out there, this is a game where both teams are going to be fired up and ready to go. We have the strongest faith in our offense and they have faith in us, so that should give us confidence."
On getting up to play in big games ... "I think every week, every team we play wants to have its best game against us. That's the reason why you take pride in coming to Michigan. You can throw out the record books when you play against Penn State, Ohio State and Michigan State -- regardless of who's playing well and who's not -- because you need to play the game like it's the last contest of the year. When you do that, the great games usually come down to a special teams play or a turnover. I expect this to a great game between us and Penn State. Unfortunately, we haven't played our best defensively in every game. This game is for national pride and it's on national television, so both teams will come out and play their best."
On the Penn State offensive line ... "They have mixed some things up along the offensive line. They have a young center but I think he has played very well this season. He has done a great job holding his own, but what makes him even stronger up front is how well the guards have played. They tandem block very well. Kareem McKenzie and John Blick are older guys and Eric Cole is now a guard after playing some center, so they have some experience up front. With the balanced attack, they have opened some holes on the run and given the quarterback excellent time to throw and make big plays. They are helping the offense make big plays when they need them. For us to be a dominating front this week, we are going to have to watch a lot of film, have three great practices and be as focused as we've been all season."
On the importance of the final two games ... "I think as a fifth-year senior you tend to meet a lot more during the season then you ever did as underclassmen. You talk a lot about the direction that the team is taking and this year there have been a few disappointments, but we feel very confident about the last two weeks. We know that we can pull together these last two weeks and have the type of season that we all envisioned. Any time you have the opportunity to win 10 games in a season, that's a tremendous opportunity. If we were to win out, that's the type of season that we could have, but we need to take care of today. We have learned through our past success and failures that unless we take care of today, Monday, tomorrow, Tuesday, and the rest of the week, we aren't going to have that. In order for us to be happy and successful in the last couple of weeks, it all lies in today. We need to take care of our individual assignments and bring them collectively to the team during meetings, practice and film study."
On Penn State's loss last week to Minnesota ... "I think any time you play at program like Michigan and Penn State, you take great pride in winning at home. There is great pride and advantages to playing in your home stadium. You have a lot of success at home and any time you have a team come in and beat you on your home turf, it's a disappointment. I am sure that Penn State was disappointed. When you walk out of Michigan Stadium with a loss, it's something you take to heart. It's definitely harder to lose at home than on the road because you're playing in front of the home fans, the men that wore the maize and blue before you and the future of Michigan football. You have recruits and your family at home. There is so much wrapped up into the home football game and it's something that just doesn't stick with you to the next week, it sticks in your memory with everything else."
Do you think the team is heading in the right direction going into this week ... Yes, I think the guys are extremely excited about this week. The focus is getting narrowed down already. We understand this is now or never from the standpoint that if we don't take care of today, we'll be sitting there wondering why again. That's a feeling we want to get over. We made some mistakes earlier in the season and I think we have overcome them and are looking forward to the stretch run. I hope it will show up in the last two weeks."
Senior Offensive Lineman Steve Hutchinson
On the improvement of the offensive line ... "The offensive line is five guys -- six guys with the tight end -- and everybody has to be on the same page for every play to work. We started off early in the season doing an average job, maybe a little bit better than average job, then we kind of fell into a slump there where we couldn't run the ball. These past couple games we've picked it up and we're averaging almost 200 yards a game and that's what we want to do -- we want to be able run the ball. And the offensive line is coming together and injuries and things like that have caused the line to be shuffled around, guys playing different positions and the last couple games it's been a solid lineup, the same guys and that's always good for the offensive line to jell."
On the strength of the Big Ten this year ... "The thing about the Big Ten is anybody can come in on any given Saturday and beat another team in the Big Ten. We don't have any lightweights on our schedule. Northwestern, they're as tough a football team as you're going to get in the Big Ten. They come out and they fight for everything they've done. Teams like Indiana, with an explosive offense and a pretty good defense, we knew we couldn't just show up and win, they weren't going to give us the win and we weren't playing our best football either. We wanted to take those next couple games and really get back on track. We have to continue to get better this week in practice. This Penn State team is unbelievable and the Ohio State team is a great team, too. We're going to have to come in and we're going to have to play our best football this weekend and these two next weeks to end up 9-2."
On the effect of Penn State coming off a loss ... "I don't think that loss makes much of a difference. If they win out, they go to the Rose Bowl with one loss. So their season is still pretty much in their hands. It would be different if that loss screwed up their season where they can't become champs. It gave us life, too. Wisconsin's still got another team to play. If we win out, that's what we want to do is win out and see where it puts us. But we can't control what happens to Wisconsin, but we know Penn State's going to come in playing their best game. We're going to come in hopefully playing our best game and it's going to be an exciting game and that's what Big Ten football's all about."
On his injuries this year ... "I've had a couple injuries this year, I've missed a couple games, and any time you do that and miss practice, it throws you off, throws off your timing. But I've been back playing since the Michigan State game and it took me a couple games to get me back up to where I should be playing, and these past couple game I've been doing better, as well as the offensive line. The whole offensive line has been kind of banged up this year and everybody's starting to get healthy again."
On the importance of the offensive line in the Penn State game ... "We know if we play as we're capable, if we can play a game like last year where we come out and do the things we do in practice, play up to our goals that we've set, there should be no reason why we shouldn't give Penn State a good game, and there's no reason why we shouldn't win. We feel as though if we play our best game, we're going to win this game. They've got a great defense, they've got a lot of guys that came back from last year. We just want to do the things that we worked on this week in practice and key our assignments and make sure we're doing everything right."
On Penn State's pass defense ... "Last year, the coaches had a great game plan for our passing attack and pass blocking and it worked out. That's what we want to do again this year, watch film -- that's the key to it all -- watch film, see what kind of blitzes they're running and make sure we get enough guys up there to pick it all up, and I think if we do all that, that's going to give us a great advantage."
On Penn State's linebackers ... "They're big players, they're good players, they're experienced, they're going to get pressure. I've seen some film. They get in there to the quarterback, they stop the inside run. Their whole defense is sound but their linebacking core is definitely their leaders of that defense, but they are a sound defense and they've had 37 sacks or something this year so they must be doing something right."
On defending LaVar Arrington ... "I don't think you can do that. I know you can get on him and block him -- he's not very big -- but he's one of the quickest guys I've seen at the linebacker position. He's going to make plays, he just has good athleticism. But we want to get on him, we want to block him and keep him away from the ball carrier."
On the consistency of the offensive line ... "If you've got a guy backing up a tackle one week and then he's coming in, with injuries, he has to start at guard the next week, that's going to obviously screw it up a little bit. He's not taking as many reps as he needed to at that one position that he's going to be playing. When you get a chance to have five guys play five positions week in and week out that's a great advantage, and we haven't been able to do that since early in the season. Guys have been shuffled around, but it's starting to come together."
Senior Strong Safety Tommy Hendricks
On Penn State's offense ... "Definitely, they have some deep threats on that offensive team, so they're definitely going to try to get some shots in on us."
On the importance of the defense in the Penn State game ... "That's definitely going to be important in this game. When that defense goes out, we have to let that offense know that we came to play."
On Penn State's two quarterbacks ... "They both have things that they do better. With Rashard (Casey), you worry about him scrambling out of the pocket. With (Kevin) Thompson, you worry about him having a lot of time back there to set his feet and look down the field. They definitely have different things that they do well, and as a defense we have to learn what those things are that they do well."
On the use of different cornerbacks ... "Those guys have practiced at that position, and when they are out there, the safeties are there talking to them. We have confidence that those guys when they come over are going to do their job. They've been there in practice and if they do have questions, I'm definitely talking to them and I'm obviously out there with them and so I have confidence in those guys that they're going to do their job."
On the last two games against Penn State ... "We've played great defense in those games that we've played. I can remember both times, we were very enthusiastic, we showed a lot of emotion, which you have to do against a team like Penn State. This is a different Penn State team than those two previous teams. I think this team has more big-play ability than they've had in the previous years. As a defense we have to continue to play with a lot of emotion against this team and we have to play sound defense. We have to play sound football and not give up a lot of big plays."
Senior Fullback Aaron Shea
On the improvement of the offensive line ... "I think our offensive line is as healthy as it's been all year. Finally they've had a chance to practice with each other during each week. They've gotten better and more cohesive as a unit. I think that's why our running game has gone the way it has the last few weeks."
On the importance of the offensive line ... "I definitely think when our line comes out and plays well, we really step it up as an offense. They're really the key to an offensive team because they set the tempo. It just helps when those guys are blocking, it's easier for me and it's easier for Anthony (Thomas) to run the ball."
On the confidence of the offensive line ... "I think they're more confident now than they were in the beginning of the season. They were banged up, a little something here, a little something there. Now, (Steve) Hutchinson is healthy and he's the leader of that offensive line, him and (Jeff) Backus. So, I think they're playing their best ball of the year."
On his receiving role ... "I'm definitely happy with my receiving role. The coaches give me chances to go out and make some plays and that's what I love to do. I love to go out and have a chance to make a play. I'm just happy with how things are going and hopefully they get me in the offense more and more. I'm happy with my role."
On Penn State's linebackers ... "They've got three great linebackers in there. Everyone knows about (LaVar) Arrington, but Brandon Short he's a very athletic linebacker. He'll come up and hit you and he's got a real low center of gravity. And Mac Morrison, he's a great linebacker too. He's kind of the unsung hero of the linebacking corps. He really plays hard and by far they're the best linebackers we've played against all year. It's the same linebacking core as last year but they've had a year to mature so they'll be even better."
On the emotion of the Penn State game ... "This is the reason I came here, to play in a big game like this. You couldn't ask for anything better, to go on the road and play a great Penn State team. This is what you live for if you've got any fight in you. You're going to love the opportunity to play against them."
On the motivation for the Penn State game ... "If we were both 0-7 playing each other, it's still two great programs going head to head and you have to play your best ball."
Contact: David Ablauf, Jim Schneider (734) 763-4423
