Central Michigan University Athletics
Postgame Quotes
11/12/2009 12:00:00 AM | Football
Central Michigan Postgame Quotes
Head Coach Butch Jones
Opening statement:
I thought defensively we didn't start the game off tackling exceptionally well, but the defense really stepped up and were extremely opportunistic and made some big turnovers for us. On offense we were able to capitalize on those turnovers and turn them into points. I thought it was big that we weren't kicking field goals in the red zone and that we were scoring touchdowns. I thought the score right before halftime was big. I thought we really fed off our defense and then we were able to capitalize on them being extremely opportunistic tonight.
On the importance of CMU's 28 points off turnovers:
We stress so much in our football family about field position. Field position is everything. I thought we did a great job of creating turnovers and we take great pride in that. The other side is we take great pride in taking care of the football, and I thought we took care of the ball offensively as well.
On the atmosphere at Kelly/Shorts Stadium:
It was a chamber of commerce night. Hat's off to everyone who came out. It was electric. Any time you have a chance to play on national television, your entire community and university is on center stage. I want to thank everybody who came out - our student body, our fans. It was outstanding, and we're going to need them one more time in a couple of weeks. I thought our kids fed off that energy as well.
On quarterback Dan LeFevour:
I thought he was really focused. I thought the play that was extremely outstanding was the play along our sideline where he flushed the pocket, thought he was going to run out of bounds and pulled up and threw the deep ball. I thought that set the tone for the rest of the game. Dan did a great job for us of managing the game and making the throws. He made some critical third-down throws when he needed to as well.
On LeFevour becoming CMU's all-time leader in rushing touchdowns:
He's an individual who is very deserving of everything he gets. He earns everything he gets through his work ethic, his mentality, his passion for Central Michigan football. I'm very happy for him. As humble as he is, he told me after the game he was embarrassed to score four touchdowns. I told him not to worry about that.
On the impact a national television game has on recruiting:
Any chance you get to play on center stage on national television, the only game on, you're selling your product. That's why it was critical that the product be seen by everyone. Not just our football team, but the crowd, our stadium and it was just a great night for Central Michigan. Any chance you get to sell your program is critical.
Senior quarterback Dan LeFevour
On setting the rushing touchdowns record:
Considering all the great backs that have come through here, that means a lot. Obviously this was a running school for a while and guys got a lot of touches, so it's quite an honor to have that record.
On the importance of scoring off turnovers:
It's huge. Not just scoring, but field position as well. It's a field position game. The defense definitely put us in some favorable positions that we were able to capitalize on.
Junior linebacker Nick Bellore
On the play of the defense:
Turnover margin is something you always look to for a team to be successful. It was big to have Dannie and Sean pick off those balls. I was fortunate to get mine, and Matt made a great hit on that guy to force the ball loose. That's what you need if you want to play great defense.
Head Coach Butch Jones
Opening statement:
I thought defensively we didn't start the game off tackling exceptionally well, but the defense really stepped up and were extremely opportunistic and made some big turnovers for us. On offense we were able to capitalize on those turnovers and turn them into points. I thought it was big that we weren't kicking field goals in the red zone and that we were scoring touchdowns. I thought the score right before halftime was big. I thought we really fed off our defense and then we were able to capitalize on them being extremely opportunistic tonight.
On the importance of CMU's 28 points off turnovers:
We stress so much in our football family about field position. Field position is everything. I thought we did a great job of creating turnovers and we take great pride in that. The other side is we take great pride in taking care of the football, and I thought we took care of the ball offensively as well.
On the atmosphere at Kelly/Shorts Stadium:
It was a chamber of commerce night. Hat's off to everyone who came out. It was electric. Any time you have a chance to play on national television, your entire community and university is on center stage. I want to thank everybody who came out - our student body, our fans. It was outstanding, and we're going to need them one more time in a couple of weeks. I thought our kids fed off that energy as well.
On quarterback Dan LeFevour:
I thought he was really focused. I thought the play that was extremely outstanding was the play along our sideline where he flushed the pocket, thought he was going to run out of bounds and pulled up and threw the deep ball. I thought that set the tone for the rest of the game. Dan did a great job for us of managing the game and making the throws. He made some critical third-down throws when he needed to as well.
On LeFevour becoming CMU's all-time leader in rushing touchdowns:
He's an individual who is very deserving of everything he gets. He earns everything he gets through his work ethic, his mentality, his passion for Central Michigan football. I'm very happy for him. As humble as he is, he told me after the game he was embarrassed to score four touchdowns. I told him not to worry about that.
On the impact a national television game has on recruiting:
Any chance you get to play on center stage on national television, the only game on, you're selling your product. That's why it was critical that the product be seen by everyone. Not just our football team, but the crowd, our stadium and it was just a great night for Central Michigan. Any chance you get to sell your program is critical.
Senior quarterback Dan LeFevour
On setting the rushing touchdowns record:
Considering all the great backs that have come through here, that means a lot. Obviously this was a running school for a while and guys got a lot of touches, so it's quite an honor to have that record.
On the importance of scoring off turnovers:
It's huge. Not just scoring, but field position as well. It's a field position game. The defense definitely put us in some favorable positions that we were able to capitalize on.
Junior linebacker Nick Bellore
On the play of the defense:
Turnover margin is something you always look to for a team to be successful. It was big to have Dannie and Sean pick off those balls. I was fortunate to get mine, and Matt made a great hit on that guy to force the ball loose. That's what you need if you want to play great defense.
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