Postgame Quotes at MSU (10-22-16)
Northwestern head coach Pat Fitzgerald
Opening statement...
First of all, a great road team win, I thought obviously the game didn't start the way we wanted it to and credit Michigan State. We knew they were going to try to knock us out early, their backs were against the wall and anytime you play a wounded football team, we basically got what we expected and it was disappointing with our start and that's on me, obviously to get our guys a little more focused but I really love the way our young men responded. I thought that we didn't flinch, I thought we kept on battling and some big plays for us, and unfortunately some big plays against us that we got to improve and get better, in a hurry as we play a very good Indiana team next week for homecoming. Great team win, a lot of, I think, outstanding performances individually, but more importantly collectively as a team. We had big plays on offense, big plays on defense, big plays in the kicking game and just really proud of our guys, resiliency to come back, find a way to win on the road and get us back to .500 for the season.
On scoring 54 points against Michigan State...
Not against Michigan State's defense, no. I think Coach Dantonio and his staff do a terrific job, but we had some huge plays offensively today. I thought some of the corner balls that were caught by our wide-receivers, needed great protection and needed a great throw and then they finished the job and to see the way that our guys are executing right now at a pretty high level, I think makes it challenging as a defense. We've got a pretty good balance, 209 on the ground, 281 in the air, I think anytime you've got that type of balance it gives you an opportunity to have some success. But to be able to run the ball the way that we did today, really great credit to our offensive line, especially those guys up front taking a lot of grief and they understand their role, I think they really stepped up today.
On the team's play...
It's critically important to be able to run the ball, it then gives you the two-dimension because you got play-action pass and then you got people able to come down to the box and throw the ball over their head. A year ago we couldn't do that, right now we're able to do that and I think that's through a lot of hard work, I think our guys have really been grinding. Earlier in the year we weren't a very good team, we had some guys come out of camp that didn't practice a lot because of some injuries in camp. Again, I'm not trying to make excuses it just was what it was and we can either pout and feel sorry for ourselves and start to point fingers or we can just stay on the grind and keep the pedal down and that's credit to our coaches and most importantly credit to our players. The only way we were going to get fixed is us, that was the only way. We're far from the finished product as a team but we are definitely giving ourselves a chance to win games because, at least for the most part, offensively and the kicking game we're executing. Our secondary play on the other hand was abysmal, our focus, our discipline, our communication. We're getting some guys right now with a baptism under fire, so to speak and they've got to grow up and they've got to grow up in a hurry. Some of our other players that are veterans have got to make plays, if you're in a position to make a play, you have to make a play. You can't tip for a guy to score, different things like that so that groups got to get a lot better.
On Michigan State's momentum...
Momentum went right over to their sideline. I thought we started the third quarter really well and then give up two explosive plays for touchdowns which one we tipped the ball and the other one we have two safeties on a different page. I thought Mike [Hankwitz] called a great call, he expected them to take a shot down the field and we got two safeties looking at each other at the end of the play. Those guys got to get a lot better, that whole group and it starts with us as coaches, we'll look at things, I'll look at it, Mike [Hankwitz] will look at it. It'll start with us, we'll grind on it and we'll present solutions.
Northwestern quarterback Clayton Thorson
On scoring 54 points...
You know, I think it's something we're working on. We've been working at it for a long time, and the start of the season, you know, I think those first two games, a little bit of dud game there, we were playing what I think we were capable of. And, I think putting up points is what we need to continue to do in order to win football games. It was a good one today, but I think we are just showing what we can do.
On the mood on the sideline right after ...
I think the mood was good. I think everyone kind of realized that the interception for a touchdown was my fault and there is nothing else anyone else could do about that, there's nothing else I could do about it, just make a better read. I think it was good, just trying to weather the storm a little bit, and I think we picked it up after that.
On the attribution of increased productivity ...
I definitely feel more comfortable, but you see these guys around me. I can throw it to one of the best receivers in the country, I can get it handed off to one of the best running backs in the country, and our coach is doing a great job putting us in positions to be successful, and you can see with the 54 points obviously they're doing a lot of things right. So, yeah, I think everyone has bought in and it's a byproduct of that.
Northwestern running back Justin Jackson
On the first couple of games and how they feel now...
We were a completely different team, we really learned from those games. We've applied it to these past few. It's taken a continued effort every week, coach just pushing us, like they've been doing and us responding to that and coming into the game and just playing and putting everything out on the field and not thinking too much or anything, just going out and playing and trusting our preparation and trusting ourselves to go out there and make plays.
Northwestern wide receiver Austin Carr
On the small mistakes in the game and what was stressed...
We knew this would be a physical game. We knew that if you're gonna beat a Big Ten team, especially like Michigan State in their own home, you're gonna need to be able to take hits, you're gonna need to be able to run outta stuff, and, coming into this game with just a physical mentality, beginning up front and then extending to the running backs and wide receivers, put us at the advantage to win.
On the final touchdown...
Great play call, great protection, great throw, that makes my job a lot easier when it just drops right in there. I felt like the ball was in the air for a long time, maybe Clayton could put it on the line next time? But, you know what, it was great.
