Nov. 26, 2001
On Michigan St.'s offense ~ Michigan St. is 5-5. I watched on Saturday night their tough loss to Penn St., and they have a lot of great athletes. They run well. Smoker had his best day as a quarterback. I believe he threw for over 350 yards. Duckett is obviously a great running back. He has great size, athleticism, and quickness. They have Baker at tight end and Rogers at receiver. They have guns about everywhere. They're very explosive on offense.
On Michigan St.'s defense ~ Defensively, they always played good defense at Michigan State. They have some injury problems from when we prepared for them in September. They've lost a couple corners. They've had to move some people around. They lost a defensive lineman. I think they're like everybody. Everybody has lost a few people, and their loses have been a little bit more on the defensive side. But, they have recruited well, and they have inserted really good athletes in those positions.
On preparing for Michigan St. for the 2nd time ~ I don't think there's a big difference, and they look at us. And, there is not a big difference in us as far as scheme offensively and defensively. Obviously there have been a few position changes. There have been a few things that have jumped around. Personnel is generally the issue. I don't think between either team there is a glaring difference in offense or defense schemes.
On preparing for a final game ~ I was asked that on the Big XII conference media call today, and I've never gone into a game to just try players out and try to get them some experience for next year. I can't do that. I owe it to our football team to come win the football game. That's just the way I am. I've heard some people do that sometimes, but I can't do that. This is an opportunity to win a game, and we're going to give it our best shot to get that done. Obviously, for them, they're 5-5, and a win would make them bowl eligible which is certainly significant on their part. But, I don't spend a lot of time on that. I can't control that. I have no idea how that is going to affect them. I know that we are going to get their best game, and that is something that we concentrate and focus on ourselves.
On how the senior's production this year ~ This has been a tough year for everybody. There has been so much learning involved and so many other things. I've been very pleased by the seniors and their attitudes and to the things I've asked. Unfortunately, I don't have them anymore. Some had their best years and some didn't. I guess some of that might be predictable in a new program. But, from an attitude standpoint, I've been very pleased with what they've done and with what they have adjusted in their last year here to be a part of the program and help the transition.
On the team's motivation this year ~ You don't win in this league unless you are a very mentally tough football team. Generally, I evaluate mental toughness when you hit adversity, when you hit the 3rd quarter, when you hit the 4th quarter and you're down by 2 touchdowns, when you got to dig down deep inside and grab something and as a team you rise to the occasion. We're not there yet. I thought we were closer, and if there have been any misjudgments on my part, that was it. I thought we were much closer to being in that competitive mental toughness that you have to be than what we were as a team. Are we better than what we were against Bowling Green? Yes, we are significantly better. But, we are 50% of where we have got to be to be at the level you have to be. And, that's my job to get us there.