Central Michigan University Athletics
Central Michigan Postgame Quotes - vs. NIU
10/1/2011 12:00:00 AM | Football
Central Michigan Postgame Quotes
Central Michigan vs. Northern Illinois - October 1, 2011
Head Coach Dan Enos
Opening statement:
Obviously we're happy we won. Northern Illinois is a very, very good football team. I was just really proud of the way we played. We won our first game but then had three really tough losses and didn't play very well at times. We really challenged our players to keep practicing hard and keep trying to get better, and we told them if we do that we'll just keep getting better as a football team. It was a good win against a really good football team. There are a lot of guys you could talk about that played really well today.
On getting a win after three straight losses:
As coaches, we constantly talk to our guys about playing with effort and playing with toughness, and we challenged our guys to work to get better every day. Our guys had a great week of practice and they were very focused.
On the play of Ryan Radcliff:
He had a great week of practice. He had a look in his eye again like he did in spring and in fall camp. Coach Watts always commented that he had a great look on his face in practice. The last couple weeks he didn't have that look, and it's a confidence thing. I think he refocused on his fundamentals and his techniques, and I think his teammates really helped him this week. He gives us our best chance to win. He's not perfect, but the good thing about today is that he bounced back. When we can run the ball a little bit, it helps him. We need to be able to have that type of balance.
On the running game:
Paris Cotton had a great week, and I mentioned to the coaches that I thought Paris would play well. I didn't know it was going to be that good. And for Anthony Garland, a true freshman late in the game like that to carry those guys down to the 11-yard line, that's the difference in the game. That's how he played in high school. Ben Brown only got two carries but he had a nice touchdown run.
Junior Defensive Back Jahleel Addae
On the importance of the win:
It's a huge win for us. We had a sour taste in our mouths the last couple of weeks. We worked hard this week on our fundamentals and playing fast, and this is a great victory for us to roll into next week.
On the young players on defense:
Cody Lopez is a great athlete and student of the game. Jarret Chapman, Dennis Nalor stepped in. We have young guys playing well on the offensive side of the ball too. We're going to need those guys on this race to the MAC championship.
Freshman Receiver Courtney Williams
On his touchdown catch:
For it to be my first catch of the season as a freshman, just unbelievable. I really didn't come down to earth until I hit the end zone and saw the referee's hands up.
On the importance of his touchdown early in the game:
We've been struggling a few weeks, so every week in practice they talk about making a big play, making something happen. I just got dialed up for it, and it came to me.
Senior Running Back Paris Cotton
On the importance of the win:
It was a big momentum win. Our first goal is to win a MAC championship, so this is a taking a right step toward that.
On his performance today:
It felt great to be able to have an opportunity to help my team. I've been waiting for my chance and I was ready when my number was called.
Junior Quarterback Ryan Radcliff
On the importance of the win:
This was huge for us. We needed this one really bad to get back on the right foot in the MAC and just as a team, the last couple weeks have been rough on us, so this was big for us.
On the importance of the touchdown pass to Courtney Williams:
It was huge for Courtney. That was his first career catch, maybe his first career play as a college guy. We had a couple freshmen step up offensively and defensively. Titus Davis had a big catch early on, but it all started up front with the offensive line. They controlled the line and set the tone early.
On his confidence:
I know what I'm capable of. I know what I've been blessed with and the abilities God's given me. At the same time, I'm not going to let other people define me and tell me my confidence is down or up. I know what I've been blessed with, and I think today is just living that out.
On Paris Cotton:
He's a senior. He knows what it means to be in these big games. He stepped up and definitely set the tone for the team.
Northern Illinois head coach Dave Doeren
On why they started slow...
"In the locker room I thought we were going to come out 'gamebusters' on those guys. We got in third and long and threw an interception on a miscommunication. Obviously we didnt handle it defensively, we didnt tackle well all day. We played really well in the second and fourth quarters and really bad in the first and third."
On being urgent...
"We were urgent in the fourth quarter and I was proud of the way they finished. I told the guys in there that you can't go on the road and play two quarters of football and think you're going to win the game."
On CMU's five big plays...
"The thing that stood out to me was we didnt tackle well when we were in position to make several of those plays. You have to finish. Credit goes to those guys for making plays when they needed to. The quarterback threw some nice balls and the receivers made some nice catches, but we fought to the end."
