Maryland-Michigan Postgame Quotes
10/3/2015 12:00:00 AM | Football
Maryland Head Coach Randy Edsall
Opening Statement:
“I really appreciate all the fans coming out today with all the weather issues we were having earlier this week. I felt like our defense played well enough to be able to win today. They played hard, aggressive and physical. Offensively, we just can't turn the ball over the way we did. Then when we had opportunities in the fist half to try to cash something in based on the field position we got and we have to be able to do that. We had some momentum going in some drives. Against a really good Michigan defense, you have to be able to take advantage of those opportunities. We just weren't able to do that today.”
On the performance of the defense:
“I thought that we had a really good week of practice. I thought our guys were really focused on what the game plan was and went out there today and played extremely hard. They flew around on that side of the ball and really did a good job. They got put into tough situations and we held them to field goals and got stops on fourth downs. Now we have to build on that and keep getting better.”
On the quarterback situation:
“I have some thoughts in my mind right now. We'll be making a change. What direction we go in, we'll wait to see what happens there. We'll get together as a staff tomorrow and decide what we're going to be doing going forward. At that position, you can't have the turnovers that we're having. That's something that you have to address and we will address.”
On getting the team through this rough stretch:
“You get guys to make sure they don't get down on themselves. I think the best way that I know is to go out there and keep working. You go out there in practice and work hard, catch the ball, develop the habits that you need to develop to carry it over to a game. That's what you have to do. We'll continue to stress to do the little things right, believe in each other, believe in yourself, and go out and do it every day. That's how you build confidence. That's what we'll continue to do.”
On playing Ohio State next week:
“I think it's a tremendous opportunity for us. That's why you come here. You look forward to that challenge, to that opportunity. Just like this week, we told them that this was a great opportunity against Michigan. We'll continue to get them ready throughout the week, bounce back, and that's what we'll do. I think it's great when you get a chance to play these teams. We'll go in, compete, and have fun.”
Running Back Wes Brown
On Michigan's performance:
“Michigan is ranked number two in defense, so we knew we had a challenge ahead of ourselves and had to be physical. They were more physical than us, so we just have to be more productive on the field especially in the offense and sustain our drives. We have to get tougher and be able to match other team's physicality. They didn't do anything special that we didn't see in film. It was on us, we weren't executing. We weren't firing off the way we were supposed to. We were getting out blitzes picked up, and we just have to pick it up in practice.”
On Maryland's performance:
“We keep hurting ourselves and not sustaining our drives, and not executing things the way we're supposed to on each play. Guys have to ask themselves deep down in their heart if they want it. If you do, you have to focus and go get it. Everybody knows their jobs, it's just the little things that we can control that are hurting us. That means there's a lack of focus and attention to detail.”
Defensive Back William Likely
On Maryland's performance:
“The offense will get it - eventually they will find a way. Michigan has a pretty good offense and we knew they were going to come in and try to run the ball. We were ready for it, and we came out today prepared. Overall, we just have to keep fighting. We still have more games. This is the first conference game and we have plenty more.”
On preparing for next week's game:
“I think we just have to keep making plays. The outcome is never guaranteed and we just have to be prepared. No matter what position we are in, we still have to go to the ball. We have to stay focused and execute.”
Defensive Tackle Quinton Jefferson:
On what Maryland needs to do to improve:
“Collectively, we just have to focus and just do what we're supposed to do. Do your job and just capitalize. I feel like our boys are out there trying to play hard but it's just little mistakes that put us in bad positions. In big games like that, you can't let that happen; you can't have any turnovers.”
On his first career interception:
“Good things happen when you run to the ball. I was running to the ball and it got tipped into my hands. That was my first one ... on all levels. It still wasn't enough.
Quarterback Caleb Rowe
On what went wrong offensively for Maryland:
“First off Michigan is a very good football team and they have a great defense. They really didn't do anything that we didn't practice and it's just a matter of execution.”
On the struggles they had on third downs:
We had those third downs because we weren't really doing anything on first down. It's hard to be good on first down when you're not [having success] on first down, so I think we just have to just keep getting better.”
On the defense's performance and getting better for next week:
“Our defense gave us a lot of opportunities to do more than we did. Hats off to them. I'm a little bit at a loss of words right now, but it's just a matter of we need to get better this week. We have a big challenge this coming week and we just need to make the most of our opportunities.
Michigan Head Coach Jim Harbaugh
On second half improvements:
“The thing I was focused on during the first quarter was that both offenses were making mistakes; penalties, errors, turnovers. From a coaching perspective, offensively, we were just trying to get our team playing better fundamental technique, assignment football. I really felt early on in the game that the offense that could do that in this game was going to have the best chance of winning.”
On second straight shutout win:
“It's good. Back to back shutouts is a heck of a thing. 2000 was the last time Michigan did that. It feels good.”
On defense:
“If you look at our team our linebackers are really playing well. Physically they look good upfront. [Defensive coordinator] Greg Mattison is doing a heck of a job with our defensive line. We were making some mistakes and our defense really didn't let Maryland capitalize on them.”
On having his brother, John, on the sideline:
“It is an honor to be on the sideline with him. I think everybody felt that way. He is a longtime friend with a lot of our coaches. He gave really good input during the game. He is somebody I love, obviously, and am proud of. It was great to have him here at the ballgame. I think it's cool for our players. They really liked it. The players talked to him after in the locker room. It is good to have him get to know our team.”
On latest defensive success:
“I think each unit is playing extremely well. There has been great individual play. Desmond Morgan and Joe Bolden and all of our linebackers have been having really good individual play. They are also playing well as a unit. Same with the secondary. All of them are really good players that are playing well together. Each one of those phases is also being coached really well.”
Defensive Tackle Maurice Hurst Jr.:
On Michigan's back to back shutouts:
It means everything to us because that's what we strive for. Even in practice we strive for perfection. Obviously we aren't perfect. We have things that we have to work on and look at in film so we can come out next week and play even better.
On improvement for the whole team:
We have to improve on everything. Every time we came out, we missed some big plays. We gave up a couple of first downs, so we have to look at that and correct it because they shouldn't have had anything.
Tight End Jake Butt:
On the offense after halftime:
“I think we just calmed down and trusted the process. There was no panic on the sideline. It was just little things here and there that we were beating ourselves up with.
On Michigan's offense feeding off of its defense:
“It's always an energy boost to see them (defense) play as well as they did. Going off that, it's been an advantage for us (offense) to get to go against them during practice. Our defense is one of the best defenses in the country and we battled them the whole month of August. So when it comes to playing different teams, it's a little bit easier than it is when we're playing our defense.
Running Back Drake Johnson
On getting the team going in the third quarter:
“During the first half of the game, there were a lot of adjustments we made. We saw how they were playing the defense and they were a little different from what we had scouted. So we went into the lock room, made the proper adjustments and we were able to perform a lot better than we did in the first half.”
Linebacker Desmond Morgan
On increasing the intensity of the defense:
“I think our guys are starting to really get settled in. Today was game five so everyone knows what their assignment is on each play and we have this overall comfort with one another. Guys know where the other guys are going to be at on a play versus another formation where they're going to be somewhere else. I think as we get more comfortable with each other, the faster we'll play.”
