Player Comments from
Weekly U-M Football Media Luncheon
10/29/2001 12:00:00 AM | Football
Jonathan Goodwin | Shawn Thompson | Eric Brackins
Junior/Sophomore Defensive Tackle Dave Pearson
On the defense facing Michigan State's balanced offense ... "It's going to be a good game. We got a good test from Iowa last week and Michigan State will be a tough test this week because they are a good team. They have a lot of good specialists and they're a tough team. We are going to have to be prepared for them."
How long did you have to enjoy the victory over Iowa ... "Saturday night we enjoyed it. Sunday we got the film and made corrections that we need to and got ready for Michigan State. Each week you have to focus on the team you're going to play and don't think ahead. Once Iowa was done we began to think about Michigan State."
On playing against MSU running back T.J. Duckett ... "I think he is a tough player. He is obviously a big back and has good foot speed. He gave us some challenges last year and I'm sure he'll give us some more this year. We need to focus on wrapping up and tackling him."
Will there be an emphasis on tackling this week ... "I think there will be some emphasis on tackling. We work on it every week and we missed some last week and that will be one of the things we focus on."
On being No. 1 in the nation in rushing defense ... "The whole defense works together and the coaches put together a great game plan. We just have to go and execute the coaches' game plan. Everyone feeds off the line and we worked hard to improve that after struggling last year. The whole team coming together and executing their assignment is what it comes down to."
On linebacker Larry Foote's big game at Iowa ... "We get excited for anyone that has a great day and for Larry to give the defensive line credit is great. We try to give them as much help as possible and if one person has a great day and it helps us to win, we're all pretty excited about it."
On the total team mentality on defense ... "Everybody realized they had to step up in their own way. In every situation you have to step in and be ready to play. It improves everyone's game knowing they can go in at any second, and last year helped us to see that."
On Michigan's rivalry with Michigan State ... "Every time there is two Big Ten schools from the same state, there is going to be a rivalry. I played in it last year and I'll be excited to play in it this year. There is always a little more intensity and each week we try to get as excited, but obviously we look forward to playing them a lot. The intensity is always more in this game than most."
Sophomore Defensive End Shantee Orr
On his memories of last year's MSU game ... "It was memorable. I had one of my better games last year against Michigan State. I came out real excited and I think the team did as well."
Were you recruited by Michigan State and if so what made you choose Michigan ... "Yes, I was recruited by Michigan State. My mother helped me make the decision on where to go to college so I'll attribute it to her."
How does the emotion and intensity differ from other games ... "Our emotion and intensity should be the same for each and every game because they all affect how our season goes. We have to play every game as if it is a championship game. Each week it's competitive so we have to stay ready for each opponent because everyone likes to play Michigan."
On MSU running back T.J. Duckett ... "He's a very good back. He's one of the biggest in the Big Ten. We have to stick to fundamentals and if we do that we'll be able to execute our defenses."
Did you guys have problems tackling last week at Iowa ... "We really stayed into the game and played a full 60 minutes. We never gave up and continued to play until the end and gave our best effort. We got a good result out of that effort."
On what has made the defense better this year ... "The offseason. We all got bigger and stronger. Experience is a key as well and accountability. Everyone being in the right gaps, it does a lot for a team."
Did you change your position from week-to-week ... "No, it's the same every week. I think there is a misconception that I switch back and forth but since I've been here I was a rush linebacker. I also played defensive end so it isn't a change."
On the need to put pressure on MSU quarterback Jeff Smoker ... "It's the same every week. We always want to put pressure on the opposing quarterback. We all need to step up and put a good pass rush on to try and make the opponent to be one dimensional."
On Marquise Walker's one-handed catch at Iowa ... "That was a spectacular play. It was funny because it made the whole crowd get silent because no one knew if it was a touchdown or not. That was an exceptional catch. I couldn't see it from the sideline but I saw it on the replay."
On the BCS rankings ... "As for moving up in the BCS, it doesn't matter where you are right now. All that matters is where we are at the end and taking it one game at a time will increase our chances. We have to focus on one game and then the results will take care of itself."
On Larry Foote's big game against Iowa ... "It's exciting. Larry was really enthused and real intense. I couldn't see him making the plays because I was in there trying to fill the gaps and help spill the ball carrier to him. We were doing the dirty work so they can make the plays but it doesn't matter because it's a team effort."
Do you take pride in knowing that if you do your job, Larry and the rest of the linebackers can stop the run ... "It's an unselfish attitude on all our parts not to worry about statistics. One person can't make a team and it takes all of us to compete and play together to win games."
Junior/Sophomore Quarterback John Navarre
On the team's emotion coming off Saturday's win ... "The emotion is very high, which is obvious after a come-from-behind win. Emotions are real high right now. I think it is a little bit higher because it is Michigan State week. Obviously it's a big game and emotions are high this week."
How is this game different in terms of emotion from other games ... "It's an in-state rivalry and we've had a long history and rivalry with Michigan State. We know it's a big game and it's definitely a situation where you're going to be more intense because it's Michigan and Michigan State. That's the history of the rivalry."
Did you travel to the game in 1999 ... "I wasn't a part of the travel team but I went up there on my own and stood on the sidelines."
On Michigan State's crowd in 1999 ... "It was an intense crowd and it was a back-and-forth game. When it was in their favor they were very loud and they are going to be because the fans love their team up there. Comparing it to others, it's just as loud as any other stadium. It helps to get familiar with the stadium and the noise and the locker rooms. It's like playing in your second game compared to your first and if it's not new then it is easier to prepare."
On his performance against Iowa ... "I told people after the game that it wasn't pretty but we got the job done. I made some mistakes. I underthrew some balls and make some passes that I shouldn't have but if you get the ball to the receivers I have confidence that we're going to run the offense and win the football game. We were able to make the big plays at the right time."
On Michigan State's defense and its depleted secondary ... "They have a lot of talent on defense. They've had a lot of injuries but they'll be ready to go on Saturday regardless of who is in there Saturday. Whoever is in there will do a good job so we're not trying to make matchups off of their injuries. They are going to put some guys in there and they'll be ready to go so we aren't going to change our game plan and that's not a big difference for us."
When you threw the ball on Marquise Walker's touchdown did you think he would come down with it ... "Oh, yeah. It was man coverage and he was going to the corner. I tried to put it over the outside corner. I threw it up and I knew he would have a chance to get a hand on it but I didn't think he would make the catch he did. I tried to put the ball close to him and a place where only he could catch it, and he made a great catch."
On Walker telling him to just put the ball out there and he'll get it ... "All of our receivers have the attitude if you put the ball up there they are going to go get it. They have the attitude that if you put it in my area I'm going to get it, and that's comforting as a quarterback."
On Walker's play all season ... "He's a cornerstone of our offense. He is a go-to guy and a possession receiver, a guy on third-and-six you know that is going to get open. He's a comfort zone for me. You look out and see No. 4 and you know he is going to get open. You don't have to give him a perfect throw because he'll still catch it."
On what the Tom Brady-Brian Griese NFL matchup has done for Michigan's quarterback ... "It strengthens the quarterback tradition here at Michigan. I learned from Brady but wasn't here when Griese played here. I heard a lot about Brian. To see those guys and know how they practiced here and how they played here and to see them carry that over to the NFL, you just know that they are going to do well because they worked hard and were mentally tough here. It makes you think if you work as hard as they did and are mentally strong, you have a chance to do well."
Do you see them as your role models ... "Every Michigan quarterback can be a role model, and I think I was just closer to Tom and Drew (Henson) and Brian. The closer you are to them the more you learn from them. Tom was a role model to me because of the way he practiced, his toughness and style of play and the way he carried himself off the field. He was definitely a role model and I learned a lot from him."
On U-M being in control of its destiny heading into the final month of the season ... "We feel good but this is a big week. All of our focus is on Michigan State. We aren't worried about much else."
On being the Michigan quarterback during the U-M vs. MSU rivalry week ... "I feel lucky. It's a special feeling and I feel lucky to be a part of it. It's my first time playing at Michigan State and a lot of these other Big Ten teams, and I watched and I think I've learned enough over the years to be ready. It comes down to preparation this week and game planning and executing."
On every game being a new experience and learning to deal with adversity ... "It's all part of being a quarterback. You can't be successful if you go in the tank after throwing an interception. My main goal this year was to play through the adversity and to play through the interceptions, and on Saturday I was confident the whole time. You have to tell yourself that you can make all the throws on the field and you have to stay confident. You ask any quarterback, you have to battle through those or you're not going to do well. It you can't battle through those mistakes you're never going to get better."
How big of a challenge do you guys face Saturday ... "I think this is one of the biggest challenges we face. We have a tradition to uphold here and I think the challenge is with ourselves as to whether we can step up and accept the challenge. It's going to come down to practicing this week and game planning. It's going to come down to being more intense and focused than the team we are playing."
Do you think MSU takes pride in wrecking your season ... "I'm not sure if that's the case. It's a great rivalry and they would love to beat us and we'd love to beat them. It's not a matter of spoiling a season. I think it's a matter of winning a football game. They want to do well and go to a bowl game so I think that's their focus."
Fifth-Year Senior Center Kurt Anderson
On what he expects the game to be like ... "It's gonna be one of those games that's special. It's going to be a war. They are as talented of a team as we're going to face all year and it's going to be tough."
On the running game this year ... "As any team that plays Michigan, you're going to try and stop the run. The way John Navarre and Marquise Walker are playing though, I feel comfortable having that matchup. We want to do better running but there are certain times you can only do so much when you have eight or nine guys in the box. We want to pound it and there's not going to be any change in that. Heads are going to meet and eventually one's going to break."
On quarterback John Navarre's growth over the past two years ... "What has he not experienced That sparked us to know we have the ability to keep fighting. I think he always knew that he could do that and he's made it happen. No matter how that game starts, if we get down we know it's not over."
On any special memories of Michigan-Michigan State games ... "I remember them all. I remember the game here when Desmond Howard got tripped up. I remember all of those games and it's obviously a rivalry that's been big in my family. In the Big Ten it's one of the biggest rivalries. Even if Michigan or Michigan State fans, a lot of people's eyes will be on this game."
On the bigger rival, Michigan State or Ohio State ... "You're going into a rivalry week and it's a big rivalry. When Ohio State comes then that's our big game then. It comes at different points in the year. This is Michigan and Michigan State -- it's big now. Those are the subtle differences."
On losing three of the past four games at Spartan Stadium ... "Years past don't really affect me. My concern is what they have now and what we're capable of doing. What they did two years ago has no effect on me because we have a different team. One thing that won't change is that it's Michigan and Michigan State. Years past have no bearing on this year's game."
Fifth-Year Senior Offensive Guard Jonathan Goodwin
On his memories of recent Michigan-Michigan State games ... "I got to play a lot in the past two years and it's been very physical. Both teams come to play for four quarters. On Sunday mornings I wake up and my body feels beat to death."
On U-M's difficulties running the football ... "We've had some problems with the running game the past few weeks. Most of it has been our techniques, so we will work on it this week and see what happens."
On getting acclimated to different offensive linemen in the game ... "Well, it hasn't been that difficult because we've had guys come off the bench and step up. They have all done a pretty good job."
On avoiding giving bulletin-board material to opponents ... "I think every week you want to avoid saying something to fire a team up, so you want to stay away from doing that. We respect each opponent."
On the BCS rankings ... "You have to take things one step at a time and learn from our mistakes and just get better. Everything will sort itself out in the end and the hopefully we'll fulfill our goals."
Fifth-year Senior Tight End Shawn Thompson
Did you consider going to Michigan State ... "Not really. Playing here has always been a dream of mine and growing up here you see the rivalry every year. To be a part of this game and this rivalry is great."
On coming back from adversity ... "As far as being back from the injury, throughout this year my goal is to be back out there with my teammates. It wasn't just that, it was being out there that made me feel like I'm back and what is so special."
On the 1999 MSU game and whether the crowd will be a factor ... "Last time I played in this was the 1999 year and I think everyone remembers what happened. We've got to do what we've already done. Washington and Iowa were tough environments so we're prepared. We know what to expect and we'll be ready for it. I think they understand that when they were younger they saw what this rivalry was all about."
On the rivalry as an in-state guy ... "I think it is important for me. Growing up in Michigan it's always split between fans and it's a great rivalry. It's two great programs. What more could you root for I've always been a Michigan fan. I'm from Saginaw which is pretty much split and I have some buddies from high school that went to Michigan State."
On the play of quarterback John Navarre ... "I can't stay enough about John Navarre. Every week he gets better and better. He's a leader in the huddle and on the field and you feel comfortable having him as a leader. His leadership, he's very good about getting us together and that gives us a sense of being together. It makes us feel like we can do anything."
Is there anything different during the Michigan-Michigan State week ... "You can sense what week it is in terms of who we're playing. There's more excitement and people are ready. The students are great and you always know that they are behind you. We expect our fans to be there."
On the offensive line play this season ... "We were comfortable coming into the season. We knew guys were going to step up. We have the guys that we know they can do it. The comfort level is there and we knew we we're going to get the job done."
On Eric Rosel's decision to leave football due to concussions ... "I talked to him a lot. It's was a tough decision but one that Eric knew he had to make. It's hard to see that happen to a guy as good as Eric Rosel. The tight ends had to show we we're behind him."
On the play of tight end Bill Seymour ... "It just shows what I've always said, he's a warrior and that hit showed it. Bill bounced right back and that's the kind of person and football player he is."
Fifth-Year Senior Inside Linebacker Eric Brackins
On this rivalry from the perspective of a Tennesseean ... "Actually, I always followed Michigan football because it was on national television. Watching it on television you could feel the intensity."
On Michigan State's offense ... "They have a great offense. Every position is very talented and they showed that against Wisconsin. T.J. Duckett is a big back and he's tough to bring down."
On linebacker Larry Foote's play this season ... Larry's a great player. I try to learn from him because some of the things he does are just spectacular. Playing next to him is a great experience for me."
On the play of Michigan's defensive line ... "They've done a tremendous job. They allow us to run free and make plays. They just do a great job up front."
Contact: David Ablauf, Jim Schneider (734) 763-4423
