Central Michigan University Athletics
Toledo at CMU: Postgame Quotes
10/29/2005 12:00:00 AM | Football
Oct. 29, 2005
CMU Head Coach Brian Kelly
On the game: "What a gritty performance by this football team today. Offensively, we were able to find ways to run the football and eat some clock. I was impressed with our resolve on defense after we gave Toledo opportunities in this game. This game, though, was less about physical play and more about the mental toughness to win in a championship atmosphere, and that's what we did today."
On the improved play of the defense this season: "The die is cast on the defense this year. It's going to play hard, gritty, and tough for four quarters each and every game. We've been mucking it around on offensive, but we've been playing well on defense."
On the decision to go for it on 4th and 1 in the final minutes: "That call was about putting the game away and not giving Bruce Gradkowski another opportunity to win the game. It was the right thing to do, but credit to Toledo for making a great play there and stopping us."
On the defense stopping Toledo four times on 4th down: "Those stops really gave our defense confidence. Our defense has now gone five straight games without allowing a TD in the second half. They're really stepping up to the challenge in these games."
On the play of cornerbacks Raeshon Ball and Ronnie Jackson: "As you know, they've been much better as sophomores this season. They played last year (as freshmen) to get ready for these opportunities this year. They're really competing for the football, which has been a big improvement for us."
On the significance of this win: "This is a good win, but it means nothing if we don't beat Northern Illinois next weekend. We have 21 days to a championship. We want to get to Detroit, and this is just a step towards that goal."
On the play of defensive end De'Onte Burnam: "His playing so well really gives offenses something to think about with Dan (Bazuin) on the other side. He's been playing very good football."
Toledo Head Coach Tom Amstutz
On the final play of the game: "We were calling for the spike from the sideline, but Bruce called a play. It didn't make a big difference because he called a play we probably would have called after the spike anyway. The play was open, it just wasn't executed."
On CMU's going for it on fourth down on its last drive: "Brian had faith in his team. They have a strong offensive line, a sturdy running back, and a senior quarterback. It's a great call if you make it and a bad call if you don't."
On his going for it on fourth down four times: "Our philosophy is to be aggressive and go for it. We knew what their defense would run, and we had the plays we wanted. Give Central Michigan all the credit - they stopped us."
On his team's struggles running the football: "Central Michigan is strong against the run. We wanted to spread it out and open up the run, which we can usually do, but it didn't happen today. Again, CMU gets the credit for that."
On passing on a FG attempt early in the 4th quarter and kicking it later: "It was two different down and distance situations. In the first one, we had a short gain to make. When we kicked the FG later, it was 4th and long (15 yards) and we didn't think that was a good situation to go for it. We felt our defense could get us the ball back and put us in position to win the game - it almost worked out that way.
Toledo QB Bruce Gradkowski
On the final play of the game: "The two-minute drill is on me. We had time to spike it, but I called a play instead. I had confidence that we could make that last play. Football is a game of inches. If I throw a better ball, the game's over the other way. To be in those situations late in the game is what I dream about, but today I just didn't get it done.
