2005 FBL vs. Indiana -- Postgame Quotes
11/12/2005 12:00:00 AM | Football
Michigan Head Coach Lloyd Carr
On the game ... "I am pleased. The only real disappointing thing was the kicking game and the way we started the game defensively giving up the big play. What we wanted to do is improve as a football team, so we could go into the last game feeling like we had some momentum. I think we did that today."
On Michigan's offense ... "I think people are beginning to see Antonio Bass' special abilities. I think we are trying to find ways to get certain people the football and certainly we had the opportunity to do that today. I thought Kevin Grady ran hard, and defensively we did a good job against the rush, which was a thing I thought was important to our defense vs. Indiana."
On Michigan's passing game ... "We spread the ball around and had good protection. I thought Chad (Henne) threw the ball well. So we feel we made some improvements in that area of the game."
On the game in regards to the season ... "I think going into these last two games, the bye week came at a really good time for us. We got a little rest and got some guys healthy. There is also the chance to win the Big Ten championship against Ohio State. There is always a lot riding on that game and that makes it exciting."
On the chance to win the Big Ten championship ... "I think [the players] proved what they are made of. They have strong fiber and they fought back. There is no question that their road was a real, real hard one because of the hole we put ourselves in early. We have beat some very good football teams and have come together as a football team. We're excited because we have made a run, we have some momentum and we get to play at home. Now we have to put together a good game plan and come out with our best game of the year."
U-M Senior Nose Tackle Gabe Watson
On whether he learned anything from today's game ... "We definitely learned something, we had to pick up on a lot of their tendencies from watching film."
On how the defense played today ... "We were very upset about the first series. We talked all week about preventing big plays -- that has been a big-time thing for our defense, not giving up big plays. To hit a big one and score a touchdown, we knew we had to go out there and stop them, get some three-and-outs and get the ball to our offense."
On preparation for OSU after having a bye week ... "Film study for Ohio State starts this week. We had to focus on Indiana first and then watch film on Ohio State, look at their tendencies as well. They have a great quarterback; he can run real well, they did it last year so we have to focus on stopping him along with Ted Ginn and Santonio Holmes. They are key players for their offense."
On playing as well as they have all year ... "I believe we are on the upside. We started off a little slow, a little bumpy, but slowly we are picking it up a little bit. We are on the upside right now, and we are playing as well as we have all year."
U-M Senior Inside Linebacker Dave Harris
On the defensive effort today ... "We did a good job, except the first series. We came out a little lackadaisical, played with more intensity and more desire after the first drive and just played Michigan football."
On the OSU game next week ... "It's a big game, it is Ohio State. You come to Michigan for games like this, the Michigan and Ohio State tradition, Bo and Woody. We have a full week of practice and we have to practice hard. It will be a hard-hitting week of practice."
U-M Senior Wide Receiver Steve Breaston
On whether he's changed his game since the beginning of the season ... "There is nothing different to my approach, I am just doing my part. We each have to do our job and role each week, we need to make a couple plays, and they made some big plays blocking for me."
On the offense ... "It is a fun offense when we get the ball to Antonio (Bass) and Mario (Manningham). With the ability that they have, you watch other people like that and you get really excited."
Indiana Head Coach Terry Hoeppner
On Indiana's kicking game ... "We struggled with the fact that we can't kick a ball inbounds and we can't punt the ball out of bounds. We're trying to intentionally kick it places and we just can't. We've got the kickers in there and we've got the punters in there, and we're going to try and get people out on the field who can actually kick. We need to get things fixed. We can't get exposed in the kicking game like we did today. Michigan's average field position, I've just been told by my good friend Don Fisher, started on the Indiana 41-yard line. That was their field position for the first half and that's not fair to our defense. That's attributed right to our special teams."
On preparing for Purdue next week ... "I just feel bad for our seniors because we didn't get what we set out to get for them. Now the challenge is a one-game season and their legacy is going to be that they got the (Old Oaken) Bucket back. That's what they're fighting for. I'm going to be very demanding this week. I'm even going to be demanding of you guys, so if you show up, be ready. I'm going to make you run. We're going to get after it this week. We're going to have a great practice week. We're going to be prepared. What we really need, though, is to get the crowd behind us. That's a huge advantage here. Wow. This is my fourth or fifth time here, and I really felt that the crowd was into the game about as much as I've ever seen."
On Michigan's performance ... "They played a perfect first half in a lot of ways -- didn't have a penalty and (quarterback Chad) Henne was outstanding. I coached against him last year in his first game, and today he really looked ready to play. He came out and was ready to play. They all were ready to play."
IU Sophomore Defensive Lineman Greg Brown
On the game overall ... "It's hard. We came out, wanted to play well, but we just didn't come out to play in the first half. We made a lot of mistakes -- things like that. It just hurts."
On constantly working with a short field on defense ... "Basically all the coaches told the defense to keep fighting. We knew we were in bad field position, but they just told us to keep fighting. That's all we can do."
On playing good defense in the second half ... "It was mixed emotions. We played hard the second half. We had some guys down. That's what our seniors are for, they brought us up. We got to play 60 minutes."
IU Senior Quarterback Graeme McFarland
On getting to play ... "It's been a dream for a long time to get in (the game), and I'm just upset I didn't do too well when I did get in. I'm grateful for the chance, but our offense just wasn't clicking today, so right now, I'm not feeling any good feelings."
On the second-half touchdown pass to Brandon Walker-Roby ... "It was a play that we had practiced all year, but we hadn't gotten the chance to use it in a game. But I made the read, saw what the safety did, and threw in the flat. [Walker-Roby] made a great catch up high and kept his feet balanced."
