Postgame Quotes: Utah 25, Michigan 23
8/30/2008 12:00:00 AM | Football
Coach quotes courtesy of the Michigan Sports Network postgame show
Player quotes from the Michigan locker room
Michigan Head Coach Rich Rodriguez (FROM THE LOCKER ROOM)
On the team's improvement from the first half to the second half ... "(The defense) played a lot better (in the second half). In the first half I thought Utah controlled the game with their quick passing game and they had our defense on its heels a little bit. That got adjusted for the second half and we got some momentum going and didn't quit. But we just didn't execute. We have to get more first downs and do a better job of taking care of the ball in key situations. I'm very disappointed, but our kids didn't quit and we have a lot to get better at."
On the offense ... "We've executed better in practice and we knew there were going to be some nerves. Our freshmen, at times, showed those nerves. Unfortunately we're going to have some growing pains. I was hoping we wouldn't have too many, but this was the first game for them and I think they'll get better each game."
On if the starting quarterback position is still up for grabs between Nick Sheridan and Steven Threet ... "Yes, it is. I want to watch the film before I make any evaluations and see how these guys practice this week."
On his impressions of coaching his first game for U-M at Michigan Stadium ... "I thought the crowd was terrific from the time we got here for 'The Victors Walk' -- there were thousands of people there -- and throughout the entire game. We have some of the greatest fans in the country and they were in full force today. I really appreciate them coming out and I'll assure them we'll keep getting better."
U-M Junior/Sophomore Linebacker Obi Ezeh
On U-M's adjustments in the second half ... "Coming out in the second half, the guys were a little more awake. They had their eyes wide open, they knew what was at stake. We came out in the first half a little slow a little, I don't know, I just know in the second half I saw a spark. We were resilient and we didn't give up until the very end and that is a testament to how hard we worked this summer."
On the comeback falling short ... "It's kind of disappointing but it is good because it shows that our team doesn't ever give up and that's good. First game of the season we're tested, a lot of teams scheduled against lesser opponents in the first game of the season and we came out and gave ourselves a good test. We didn't come out on top in the end, but we learned something."
On causing turnovers ... "It's good to know that we can go out there and get the ball back for our offense when we need it, and later in the season we know that the offense will come up big for us when we need it too."
U-M Redshirt Freshman Quarterback Steven Threet
On staying focused on the game despite not playing in the first half ... "Coach told me on Thursday that Nick (Sheridan) would get the start but that I would be playing. He told me to make sure that I was taking every mental rep even though I might not be getting in there. Staying in it mentally helped me out."
On what he needed to improve offensively in the second half ... "I knew the offense, as a unit, needed to stay on the field. We had the too many three-and-outs. We kept the defense on the field too long. We needed to get some first downs and sustain some drives."
Utah Head Coach Kyle Wittingham
On the game ... "This was great way to start the season, but it really was a tale of two halves offensively. We were very offensively efficient in the first half; we were able to move the ball and put some point on the board. It was a little different in the second half. We shot ourselves in the foot with some penalties, but our kids played hard all game long and I really thought the difference was our defense. Louie Sakoda really came up big again. I was very proud of our guys, and they way they hung in there. When this house got rocking, they got some momentum and they blocked the punt and came roaring back, I was very proud of the way the guys hung in their and reversed the tide and got control back."
On Utah's ineffective offense inside the 20-yard-line ... "We were not effective on the offensive end in the second half. We have a lot that we need to work on between now and next week."
On the thought of playing not to lose ... "Not at all, we talked about staying aggressive and keeping the offense wide open. We made some poor decisions, and all the penalties were on us."
On this victory being one of the biggest ... "Since I've been here, this has been one of the biggest ones for sure, but you'll have to look back in the last 15 years to see where it ranks. It was a great way to start the season. The last couple of years, we have not started the year well with losses on the road to UCLA and Oregon State, so it's a great way to get started. But we have to remember last year we beat a big opponent and came back next week and didn't play so well.
On what this win means for the team heading into the season ... "We really got to see the character of the team. They had all the momentum in the world. They had the ball back, and everyone is thinking here they come. For them to buckle down in the end -- that was great. We had some guys step up big for us. As a football coach, you are never satisfied, and I think that we have a few things to work on."
Utah Quarterback Brian Johnson
On Utah's offense ... "We did a good job moving the ball. We've got to score more touchdowns. We love Louie [Sakoda] to death, but we've got to find a way to get into the endzone. We knew going in that they were having an adjustment, and it was something we'd have to take advantage of. They did a nice job in the second half of adjusting to us. But as an offense, we have to come out and play with more consistency for the entire game and not just the first half. Other teams are going to make adjustments, and we need to adjust as well, step up to the plate and make the plays. We can't shoot ourselves in the foot offensively. We had administrative penalties, turned the ball over and things like that C at some points those things can come back to bite you. We have to do a better job offensively, but we're 1-0, so we'll take it."
On whether this win ranks among Utah's best ... "This is one of the best wins. Last year the Louisville game was huge for us, but this game is right up there .... I think this team is battle tested. We've faced this type of adversity before. So, we just need to recollect ourselves, regroup and go out and make plays."
Utah Wide Receiver Jereme Brooks
On beating Michigan in the opener ... "This was a great way to start the season. We were the underdogs. It was intense C 110, 000 in the stadium. What more could you ask for It was the biggest stage in the world for us. It was great to get a victory. It was a tough one, but it was a good one."
On recovering from his early fumble ... "I just tried to get over it. I fumbled the punt return. I was just too amped up and trying to do too much. But I caught the post, and that changed the whole game for me."
On the importance of taking the crowd out of the game ... "It was really important, but we practice with crowd noise all the time. So, I don't think it was that much of a factor for us. It wasn't that big of a deal, but I do think that it helped."
