Central Michigan University Athletics
Central Michigan 45, Northern Illinois 31: Postgame quotes
11/27/2009 12:00:00 AM | Football
Central Michigan head coach Butch Jones
Opening statement:
That was a very hard-fought football game. I'm very proud of our seniors. You look at what they've meant to our football family, Central Michigan University and the city of Mount Pleasant, I just can't say enough about them. It was very fitting that Frank Zombo stepped up when we needed it and made a big play. What we found out, too, is that that you can't turn the football over. We faced a very good football team today. A very well-coached and physical football team, and we knew it was going to be a battle. I'm just very happy for our seniors, and now we have one game left next Friday before we can catch our breath and move on to the bowl game. I'm just very happy for those 13 individuals who given everything we could ask for and more from a senior class.
On how the team avoided a letdown after clinching a spot in the MAC Championship Game last week:
We went through last night what people have said every game and how they have doubted us. Every week it's been something new. This week was a letdown. That's our coaches' job, it's my job, it's our seniors' job and it's our leaders' job. These kids have been focused all year. I can't say enough. To have 10 wins in today's world of college football does not happen very often. I think that's a tribute to everyone within our football family.
On the senior class's legacy:
We always talk about leaving your legacy. We've got one game left, which is going to be a great, great challenge, against a very physical and dynamic Ohio University football team. But to win 10 games, go undefeated in Mid-American Conference play and for our seniors to win all of their home games - we talk about, maybe 20 or 25 years from now, the 109th edition of the CMU Chippewas can end up in the CMU Athletics Hall of Fame. We talk about championship character, and there is a little bit of difference that makes up the character of a champion. Today I thought was a great challenge for us. We had a ton of adversity that occurred during the game, and we had some individuals step up at the end and not flinch and make some plays for us.
Senior quarterback Dan LeFevour
On the senior class playing its final home game:
Honestly we have some more work to do, so it's hard to get too emotional thinking about this one. Seven days from now, that one is the one we're looking toward. It's a great day and it's a great tribute to one of the best classes that's been here, but we still have more to do.
On the leadership the senior class has provided:
You can put a lot on these guys for how well we've done. Not taking anything away from the younger guys, but I think the seniors really took ownership of this team up to this point. We know what it takes to win and we wouldn't let ourselves slip to any other standard than the best. I think we've done a great job so far. We just have to keep pressing.
Senior receiver Bryan Anderson
On setting the NCAA record for consecutive games with a reception:
It feels pretty good, to say the least. It's kind of cool to have my name at the top of the list in that category.
On his goals at the beginning of his career compared to now:
When I first came here, I was expecting to play behind Damien Linson as a redshirt freshman. I got moved to slot to fill a gap there because of an injury, and I stayed there. My goals coming in were to start on special teams and maybe get a little playing time. It turned out a lot different, but it's been nice.
Northern Illinois head coach Jerry Kill
On the CMU offense:
The key to the success is their quarterback and passing game. Any time you can complete a deep out against stiff wind, it makes it tough on the defense. We always have to try and contain the pass and it opens up the running game for them as well. They played really well, especially in the third quarter to pull away from us.
On CMU quarterback Dan LeFevour:
I’ve seen him play for a long time. He is as good a person as a football player. I wish him luck and I think he can play in the NFL. However, I am not sad to see him gone though. Nobody has gotten to him in four years, he’s hard to tackle. He’s a great quarterback and makes plays.
On fighting back into the game:
I don’t think we’ve quit since we’ve been here, but we had to get better as a football team. We got a chance to get back in the game, but they did a good job recovering onside kicks when we got close.
On the field position battle:
Field position is always critical, but the wind was stiff and we gave them a short field on some bad punts. We improved in the coverage, but gave great field position. That hurt us a lot, LeFevour can make you pay with a long field. It makes it worse when you give him and that offense the field position that we did.
