Maryland Head Coach DJ Durkin
Opening Statement:
“That was a fun night for our guys. I'll tell you the truth, the message for our guys all week long and in particular as we got later in the week and today was to have fun, to enjoy it. We said 'you've got a great opportunity'. It's a night game, a program with great tradition who has had great success in our conference and our division coming to town, a great atmosphere, which it was, our fans were terrific and loud, it was awesome. I told our guys to have fun, to enjoy it. Let's take our swings. We backed it up with the way we called the game too. I love it. We were dialing some stuff up. We had some trick plays, a two-point conversion, whatever. I want our players to know that we're not just talking about it, we are about it. That's what we did. We just went out and let loose. I love the response our guys had.”
“This is a huge win for us. Obviously beating Michigan State, a conference opponent, a division opponent. But more than anything, just coming off of the two weeks in a row where we've had our struggles. For our guys to dig deep and have that type of response, and really for a young team to have that type of response is huge. There was a look in their eyes over in the hotel before we got on the bus in our team meetings that I said 'Okay, I know we're ready.' Let's go out and have fun. They had that look all night. From the moment we got over here. At halftime it was tied 14-14 and you would've thought we were up by 30. Everyone was into it. I said to them after the game 'the mind is a powerful thing. You're in control of your attitude, your effort, your enthusiasm every single day.' When we collectively do that as a team, we're hard to beat. Hopefully we'll continue to learn those lessons and grow from it. We're very happy for our guys and the way they played tonight.”
On if the team was playing for Will Likely:
“There were a whole lot of emotions going around. Our leader was back; Perry (Hills) and I think that sparked them a little bit. Will Likely, we don't have enough time here to talk about all he means to this team, his university, and me personally as well. You have other guys like Trey Edmunds and Denzel Conyers. There are some guys that have really put it on the line for their teammates and their seniors that right now we're without. A lot of that goes into it. It's all about how you hold in your emotions. You can turn anything into a positive or a negative. To lose Will Likely on this team, you would think it would just deflate the sails. Or you can take the response of, 'let's not let this guy down.' We love him so much that we're going to make sure that we don't make it all for not. We're going to go play for him. That's the approach they took. That's what I'm most proud of with the guys.”
On quarterback Perry Hills' performance:
“That guy. There's a lot of guys that wouldn't play, and not only did he play, he played really well. That tells you what he's all about. He's as tough as they come. He's been in there since day one, since we got here. His teammates know that. Players know each other better than anyone. Better than coaches or anyone. Those guys know what Perry is all about. He's about his team and doing whatever he can to help us win.”
On if he saw a change with the offense tonight:
“Obviously an experienced guy like Perry being in there helped us. But the guys around him played well too. It was neat. I think our offensive line took some pride and ownership that we weren't going to get Perry banged up in this game. We knew that he couldn't sit there and take a million hits. I think Perry did a good job of getting out there when he had to. I think there were some runs previous to this where Perry was dropping his shoulder and trying to gain two extra yards and getting banged up. So he was smart about that. But our offensive line took ownership in not letting him get hit. That's a good defensive line that we played there. I don't know how many times he got hit or sacked but not many. We did a phenomenal job of protecting him.
On how much the first trick play put Michigan State on their heels
“It is just a program philosophy, that our guys are still learning of, we are going to be aggressive in all situations. Which is what we are going to do and our guys are learning that more and more, which puts a spark in them. There is nothing worse than a player who practices something all week and does not execute. It is kind of like, 'well OK, what are we spending time on that for?' I say to our corners and to the team, empty the chamber, do not save any bullets until after the game.”
On having Ty Johnson and Lorenzo Harrison, two tailbacks who perform even on cold nights:
“You have to run the ball in this conference, you have to be able to run the ball and stop the room. Those guys are doing a great job; the offensive linemen are doing a great job. If we added up Lorenzo's side–to-side yards he may have had 400 yards. We need to head north a little better, but he is doing a great job; the guy competes and Ty does as well. And that is the biggest thing to me, you see the energy when they get the ball in their hands and you just know there is an opportunity to hit a big play. From a defensive stand point you worry about that when facing a team like that, and obviously from an offensive stand point you want as many as those guys possible, cause you put the ball in their hands and a small play can just turn into an even bigger play and those are game changers.”
On the win against Michigan State being a program building win, compared to the win against UCF:
“This is just another program building win, we are building for the long term for sure. There is somewhere between 12-15 true freshmen playing significant snaps for us now. Mixed in with some veteran guys that are really learning how to control the controls, how to be accountable for on another, and what it mean to play with full enthusiasm for the guy next to you. So every opportunity we get is progress towards where we are going. It is great this is just another stepping stone, and that is just what is, we just got to keep going one-by-one.”
Senior Defensive Back Alvin Hill
On coming back with a win under the lights:
“It was great, great energy. We came back and I'm still kind of enthused about it. I loved the energy, I loved the plays we made, loved the tussle. We got hit in the mouth and we came back; it was definitely great competition.”
On difference in second half defensively:
“The difference was we practiced real hard and prepared. So coming in, if they didn't have that second gear, we were going to have that. So I thought our second efforts were great in the second half.”
On playing for Will Likely tonight:
“Yeah, we definitely played for Will, we definitely had him in our thoughts. He is a great friend to me and he talks to me a lot. He makes up a big portion of our team, offense, defense, special teams. So we definitely had him in mind when we went out and got that win for him.”
Sophomore Wide Receiver D.J. Moore
On things being more settled with QB Perry Hills back:
“It is just comfortable back there knowing he has players on the outside and players on the backfield that's going to make the right plays at the right time.”
On this win restoring confidence, if any confidence was lost:
“We never lost confidence as a team because we always go out and work hard at practice. Even with the two losses back to back, it was just go out there and have the same mentality as always.”
On the flee flicker setting the tone, even though the pass wasn't completed:
“It just showed that we were going to be aggressive all day, no matter if we were down or up. That's something that we established early on in the game.”
Sophomore Running Back Ty Johnson
On offense being any different with QB Perry Hills back:
“I believe with Tyrell Pigrome our offense was still good, but with Perry, since he's a more experienced player, he keeps the tempo going. He's willing to do anything, to get those first downs, to get a touchdown, anything. It was great to have him back.”
Senior Quarterback Perry Hills
On the play calling when being up seven points at the end of the game:
“We were just going to keep doing what we were doing, and if we could drive down there and score then we could pretty much put the game away. We didn't want to change exactly what we were doing, so we just kept doing what we were used to.”
On the special moment running back to the sideline after the touchdown pass:
“It feels so good, to be able to go from two hard weeks to this. Just to help the team out, everyone was happy, everyone was truly having fun and that's what it should be. You shouldn't look at this game as life or death, it's a game. Everyone just had fun today.”
Senior Wide Receiver Levern Jacobs
On lacking a balanced offense, and being able to mix it up more this game:
“I don't think it's been lacking. Like I said earlier this week, some of the teams that we went against have been giving us the run a lot. So we've just been taking what we've been given. Today they gave us the run and they gave us the pass, so we took advantage of that. At the end of the game you can see, they tried to play the run a little bit more and we took advantage of that on the deep pass. And they tried to play the pass, and we took advantage of that and got the run. It all works together. If we have a good day in the passing game, its going to open up the running game and if we have a good day in the running game it's going to open up the passing game.”
Michigan State Head Coach Mark Dantonio
Opening statement:
"Disappointing outcome. I thought we came into this game prepared. The reality of the situation is that we made too many mistakes on offense and too many penalties on defense that really hurt us in the first half that set the tone on the first drive. We lost Riley Bullough in the game. Congratulate Maryland, I thought their running backs did an outstanding job. It's tough to win a football game when two guys rush for over 100 yards on you. We ran the ball effectively but had too many missed opportunities in the passing game. Inexperience shows at times and obviously the fumble at the five yard line was guys trying to make a play. Monty Madaris is trying to make a play and the ball pops out but it's first and goal on the five in a tie game. The blown coverage in the second quarter results in a touchdown but you have to play the game. There is no going back and there's no hitting reset. This is not a computer game, this is real life. It's real tackling, real blocking, and real catching the ball. We have Michigan coming in next weekend and we have to get ourselves ready to play. It should be an outstanding football game if we're afforded to have a chance. Our guys are motivated and they will be motivated but you have to make things happen on the field."
On the fake field goal attempt at the end of the first half...
"I'm not sure if it was blocked correctly. I thought it was a good play and I thought they were set up for it. I thought with one second left and it being a 45-yard field goal and we were running the ball well enough and passing the ball well enough that I thought points would come. I was looking for a big payoff. That was the gamble we took and that's on me."
On the three penalties and ejection of Riley Bullough...
“It's disappointing. It's tough to say on the helmet-to-helmet contact, some people say it was with the shoulder but they make the call. I'm sure he's not trying to create these penalties. Again, the hit out of bounds was hard for me to see. There were too many penalties in the first half. There were four on defense and then a fifth one on our offense so right there you have issues.
On if he's playing for the future...
"I'm not. We're playing to win football games. Everything that we can do to win a football game is what we're going to do. We're playing for the future in terms of the next game."
On Michigan State's defensive issues in the fourth quarter...
"You just keep working at it and practicing it. You establish where the breakdowns are and the issues and try to define them and get them fixed. Some is talking, some is gap control with what they were doing. I thought we had it fixed but they creased us again."
On the current state of his defense...
"When you talk about how to fix it you think that you can't give up the deep ball and you can't blow coverages. They were up by four points and we jumped offside and they hit the deep one. They put you in situations where it's almost like basketball in a way. You're playing zone coverages but they're matched up in man coverages of that nature. You have to be able to make plays in space. Tackling in space and keeping the ball off the perimeter is major and you can't let them gas you up the middle. You have to be able to make adjustments and that's coaches and players. I get it and it's all inclusive. I'm not pointing fingers nor will I point fingers at players and say this is their fault. We had enough opportunities at both end of the stick whether it was coaching and calling that fake field goal or it's players playing. There's enough opportunities to win a football game."
On his players pressing to make plays...
"I'm sure that's part of it – guys trying to make a play. Sometimes you get put out of position. Give Maryland credit, too. Those running backs made people miss. We had them dead a couple of times and they snuck out and got first downs or got the edge and we just have to be better in that regard."
On how playing up-tempo teams impacts their lack of depth defensively...
"We're playing with three true freshmen on our defensive front at times because you're having to rotate people so that takes its toll. But those freshmen are getting better and they're big, athletic guys and they're going to be big players for us. They're young and sometimes you make an adjustment and they see a different play and they just don't have as much experience. But that's not the end all. We've got a lot of guys with experience."
On the big picture of this season...
"I've been though these situations before. Not in a while, but we have. These are things where life's experiences will play dividends later on. I said it when I came into summer camp that some of our younger guys haven't experienced this. Now they're experiencing it and they'll understand how hard they have to work and what they have to do to play more successfully at a later time. This is all part of a process whether you're winning or losing. I think that everything that happens here is an experience and a lifeexperience for them. I think like that and the only way to go is to get better and to keep working at it, so that's what we'll do."
On the struggles of the senior class after having historically good seasons...
"We lost some very good players and we're playing today with a redshirt quarterback, so things happen. I'm not going to sit here and say our seniors aren't very good players because we have some very good players in our senior class. We have some other guys who haven't played as much and are taking on new roles. They have to gain experience as well but they have the background and knowledge base, but not the experience. This is a team game so you have a lot of players and it takes about 40 or 50 guys to play. You look at this football game and you had opportunities. Did we play hard? I think we played hard. Did we play smart? I think not at times for sure. Did we play well? At times, but not at times as well. There's some inconsistencies there and when you're inconsistent at anything we do, it catches up with you."
Senior Wide Receiver R.J. Shelton
On addressing mistakes throughout the game:
“You got to stay positive. You can't turn a negative into a negative more. You have to make the plays. You come out here and when your name is called, you have to make a play whether it's defensive line, offensive line, running backs, wide receivers, anything that can help the team get a win, you have to keep playing. Obviously we came up short, and we killed ourselves. You can tell with all of the penalties we got out there. I don't know how many we got, but I know it was a lot. And it's eye control on the defensive and offensive sides, guys blowing their coverages, guys not minding their gap. On the offensive side, there were a couple of holding calls...You just have to swallow it. Michigan is up and we know what that game is to this program so we have to gear in.”
On the current mood in the locker room:
“Of course we are down. You don't point the finger, this is a team game. Everyone has to contribute, everyone has to do their job. I believe in everyone. I don't care if we were 0-8, we're still this team because I know what we have and guys just have to bring that out of themselves to help this team win. Once we do that, we're unstoppable...We just need to come out this week very engaged in practice this week because we know that Michigan is going to come in in top gear and we need to match that.”
On overcoming frustrating plays:
“Coach is calling the play and we have to execute. It's on the players. Players play, coaches coach. If we don't make our plays, we're not successful... when your back is against the wall, you're going to do whatever to win. We're going to come out swinging and not shy away from being physical or making plays.”
RS Freshman Quarterback Brian Lewerke
On his performance:
“I think it was average. I think I skipped the pocket a little too much. I'll have to watch the film, but that's my assessment of it right now. I just need to get better.”
On the interception:
“I just need to know that the wind is there so I can throw a little harder than I need to. He had a step on him, the wind kind of made the ball die down a little bit so it was just an unfortunate situation.”
On the play he could take back:
“Probably when we were down driving on the 15 yard line. Donny ran a slant and I threw it right at his feet. That would have been a walk-in touch down and put us up.”
Sophomore Safety Khari Willis
On assimilating younger players:
“I feel like our coaches have confidence in our young guys. We have confidence in our young guys. I mean, I'm a young guy with experience, but I feel like our confidence in ourselves is going to pay off quickly. ”
On stopping plays:
“Film kind of tells it all...Really just improving on being more aggressive, finishing plays... ”
Junior Linebacker Chris Frey
On the team's attitude:
“Everybody is upset, the guys are sick of losing. It's something that we don't do. Five straight isn't who we are. We just got to take it day by day and try to get better because clearly we're not getting the job done. As a team, we just got to get better. ”
On losing Riley Bullough during the game:
“It's tough because we see him as the leader of our defense. It's just like we went back to two weeks ago when he wasn't playing. As you go through the game, you see Joe Bachie come in for his first snaps, and from what I could see from being in the game with him, I felt like he did very well. I feel like he took control of the defense and became the leader that we needed: someone who could make the play calls and do their job. I think he did a good job for his first time being out on that big of a stage. It's going to be nice to have Riley back, but its nice to know that Joe can come off the bench if Riley needs a break and make plays.”
On helping the younger guys:
“We got to get guys in the film room. They have to understand our defense as well as the guy sitting next to him. It doesn't matter if he's been here for four years or five years. You have to understand our defense and know what to do in any situation. We had some guys today who burned their redshirt and I think they realized that they need to get in the film room and really study the team that we're playing because even if you study the film, they're going to come out and do different stuff. So you have to prepare yourself for that.”
On not having a consistent defense:
"It can be tough sometimes, but it's nice to know that the guy in front of you is fresh, that he can make a play. We have our guys who play consistently for most snaps, but guys are going to make a name for themselves and they're going to come into a role and going to start playing more consistently throughout the game."
On preparing for Michigan:
"Right now, we're focusing on us. We need to regroup and regather and get ready for the next test. Obviously it's Michigan, but before we focus on Michigan, we need to figure out what we're doing wrong and what we can do to win games. We need to fix the small things that we're messing up on. So that's what we're going to do tomorrow, we're going to sit in the film room and I really don't care if we're there for 10 hours. We need to figure out what's going wrong and we need to fix it."
