Nov. 26, 2011
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Postgame Quotes
Wisconsin vs. Penn State
Nov. 26, 2011
Camp Randall Stadium – Madison, Wis.
Wisconsin Coach Bret Bielema
Opening Statement:
“To go back to four weeks ago, that Sunday after Ohio State, we laid out a plan for these guys to get through the next four weeks. If they were able to concentrate on a daily plan they would get through each week and take the next step forward to get to Indianapolis. Today, the way they prepared all week and put themselves in the position they did today and to have the response, playing in a four-quarter game the way they did was really fun to watch.
“It’s a really exciting locker room to get this opportunity, unprecedented in Big Ten history to get three opportunities in a row in Leaders. This week gives us a chance to play for another trophy next week, then if we win another opportunity to play for a trophy after that. I have a pretty confident group that I know will just take it one day at a time. We’ll go through a normal game week to get ready for our Michigan State prep. Then we’ll have a first time chance to go to Indianapolis to play in a Big Ten championship game. I am very excited for us as a program and to move forward.”
On playing Michigan State again:
“Obviously this is the first time in Big Ten history where you get rematches. When this whole format came up everybody knew it would be a possibility. Even leaving the field against Michigan State I think probably a lot of guys thought to that moment. The way the world works, it panned itself out and right now it’s in front of us. It’s going to be a very exciting time with two teams that have mutual respect for each other, two different personalities but very similar.
“I heard last week that their (senior class) had won the most in program history at 35 (games) or so a week ago. For our guys right now, that was number 38 if I am not mistaken for this senior class. It’s exciting to have three straight years of 10 wins. It is a testament to what kind of program we’ve built.”
On Nick Toon wearing his father’s number:
“I’ll take you back five years ago. I am sitting in my office with Nick, his mom and dad, Al and Jane. I said to Nick, you know I am a young coach trying to figure things out, ‘Today, Nick, I am going to offer you a scholarship because of what Nick Toon has done here, not because of what your father has done or anything in the past. It is because of what you’ve accomplished in your time and Middleton and what you’ve shown us.’ I kind of held my breath because I didn’t want to upset Al obviously.
“Al grabbed me the next day and said that was perfect. ‘That’s why I named my son Nick. I wanted him to have his own identity.’ Nick was adamant about not having his dad’s number. He went with the No. 1. To flip it about three or four weeks ago, it shows the kind of kid he is to honor his father the way he did. It is truly amazing and to go out and play as well as he did. That’s just another little sidebar about why it’s so special to be here at Wisconsin.
“For Russell (Wilson) to give up his seat at the coin toss for Nick to have an opportunity to go out there with his father locking arms, was a very neat thing that a lot of stadiums don’t get to witness something like that like we did today.”
On Russell Wilson:
“I had a feeling he might bring his double A-plus game this week. He’s good every week but I think he’s just a guy that thrives in this environment. He wanted to play on the big stage in Indianapolis and there was going to be nothing that denied him from getting to where he wanted to be. Breaking tackles, making second efforts, getting first downs, he was just exceptional.”
On winning the Leaders Division trophy:
“I think it’s significant because it symbolizes that you your won your Leaders Division. Penn State had every opportunity that we had this week. When we first got these schedules I said to see Penn State at the end was really cool for us. Obviously a lot has changed in the world of Penn State since that time, but it’s still in a sense a chance to play against a story program on a stage. It was really fun and hopefully great for us in recruiting.”
On scoring 45 points against a top-10 defense:
“Fourty-five points is a lot of points against a good defense. I think that’s the part that really gets lost. The numbers that Montee (Ball) and Russell have put up have been against teams that have been ranked nationally, some top-10 teams, Illinois and Penn State in particular. That part is that I wish people would hone in on. They aren’t getting these nnumbers against teams that aren’t particularly good on defense.”
Senior QB Russell Wilson
On his seven home games at Camp Randall:
“They’ve been special. We’ve capitalized on some big wins, and winning tonight was truly spectacular. The fans were unbelievable and we played big tonight.”
On scoring 45 points against Penn State’s defense:
“We have a lot of talent on offense and Coach [Paul] Chryst does a great job of exposing the defense. No matter what it is, running the football or throwing it, we can do a lot of different things. In terms of the offensive line, they did a great job of blocking up, especially against that defensive line that they have; Penn State’s is pretty good. In terms of our defense, they did a great job. They stepped up and made some great plays.”
On how many running plays he made:
“I knew that every once in a while I’d have to make some plays with my feet just because of the talent they have on defense. They came with some big first downs, especially on one particular series, we ran the ball on two third downs maybe, and we capitalized on some touchdowns. I think the opportunistic thing we did tonight was pretty much every time we got a turnover we capitalized on it, for the most part. I think that’s how we did so well tonight.”
On if his stiff-arm or spin move was more satisfying:
“I don’t know, I was hoping to get in the end zone, but that didn’t work out. The thing is getting first downs, and that’s something I can do in terms of running the ball. I’m always looking to pass the ball first, but if something happens where I can get a first down and possibly a touchdown, I’m going for it.”
On how it feels to play in the first Big Ten championship game:
“After those losses, everyone brought it up and we believed we still had an opportunity. We knew we had to show ourselves every single week and play one week at a time and stay in the now. We capitalized on our opportunities. We have great leadership on this team. Guys practiced great from those two losses on, and now we have a great opportunity in front of us playing Michigan State. It’s truly a blessing to be playing in the inaugural Big Ten championship game. It’s exciting for us, and it’s exciting for them as well. It’s two great teams going after it.”
Junior RB Montee Ball
On the offense:
“We executed points. That's what we were really focusing on in practice. We wanted to make sure that we did it during the game.”
On getting another shot at Michigan State:
“Obviously they did a great job and beat us last time. They deserved the win. But now we're a more mature and experienced team. We'll go there and execute more things. It's going to be a great feeling (to play in the title game). But we just have to cherish it and play hard.”
On getting back into Leaders Division race after two losses:
“Of course it stung a little bit, but we did a great job of just staying in it and make sure that we take the 1-0 mentality (into every game) and beat every team from here on out.”
On the possibility of tying Barry Sanders’ single-season TD record:
“It will be a really good day if I'll get there, but I'm not really looking forward to that.”
Senior WR Nick Toon
On the decision to wear No. 87:
“It was a little bit mine and a little bit Coach (DelVaughn) Alexander’s, and Coach Bielema thought it was a cool idea so we made it happen. It was a great honor to be able to do that and a cool way to go out.”
On the experience to go out for the coin toss with father and honorary captain Al Toon:
“It was obviously very cool, thanks to Russell. I don’t know of many other people who can say they’ve had a similar situation. It was very cool to have my dad here on my last game as a guest captain, and obviously the win makes it feel good.”
On if Russell Wilson is exceeding the expectations:
“I knew Russell was going to come in and do the things that he’s done, so I didn’t expect anything different. Obviously we’re very happy to have him as a part of the Wisconsin family.”
Sophomore LB Chris Borland
On the fumble he forced:
“We were just fortunate, we knew it was a wet day and the ball would be out on the turf. We got a good shot on their guard and their back bumped into them and stuff like that happens on rainy days.”
On the team’s confidence going into a rematch with Michigan State:
“I think we’ve maintained a similar level of confidence throughout the year, and that has been important to our success. We could have gotten down after the two losses, but the way we have been playing recently is the way we feel all year.”
On if it’s a good thing to play Michigan State again:
“We are excited for it. Any opponent that we could have seen in Indianapolis is going to be a good team, and Michigan State is no exception, so it’s going to be a great game.”
Junior LB Mike Taylor
On a rematch with Michigan State in the Big Ten Championship Game:
“Ever since we lost, we kept moving forward game by game and week by week. And now we'll be able to move on to the first Big Ten title game in Indianapolis – it's going to be a great game. Michigan State is a great team. We're going to go there and hopefully play a good game.”
On the team's response after Penn State scored first:
“We thought 'Just forget about it and move on.' They scored a big play on a pass and you just have to move forward in the game because it was in the first quarter. There were still three quarters left and a lot of game to play, so we just kept moving forward.”
On the team's seniors:
“They're just tremendously hard workers. They come in and work hard every day whether it's in the off-season or during the season. They love to play and they all play together, so it makes it a lot of fun to play with those guys.”
Senior DB Aaron Henry
On motivation to change defensively after the team's two losses:
“We’re extremely motivated. It really boils down to every snap counts. You can look at a game and hear someone say every snap counts, but a team can play 70 great snaps and on the 71st snap it’s a Hail Mary or a touchdown. We have to play every snap like it’s our last, and get the ball in the hands of our offense. We need to generate turnovers and get off the field on the third down – that was the huge telling stat when we played Michigan State last time, getting off the field on the third down. As a defensive unit it’s pretty much going to boil down to that – making sure we get turnovers and getting the ball to our offensive.”
On what happened on Penn State’s touchdown:
“It was strictly a miscommunication. It was totally my fault. Antonio [Fenelus] and me, we thought it was one thing, but it was something else. I totally take the blame for that. It was my fault and I shouldn’t’ have let that happen. I definitely gave one up. As a defensive unit, we were pushing for the shutout.”
On if the touchdown gives the defense something to work on:
“Definitely. There’s always something to work on. Even coming off a win like this, we’ll have stuff to work on, after those two losses, you question yourself about what could we have done better. Could I have done this better, or this better? In order for me to not have those same questions lingering again, it’s pretty much going out there and winning it.”
On Russell Wilson’s performance:
“His performance was through the roof. I’m sure you guys were at the game watching. The guy put on a show. He really put on a show. He’s making moves out there like he’s playing a video game. You think he’s down, but he spins out of something, stiff arms somebody else, he’s scrambling all over the place, hitting wide open receivers, and hitting guys with very, very little room. What this guy brings to the ball club is utterly amazing. I don’t think you can account for a guy like that just because of his athletic ability and his ability to throw the ball down the field. He’s a dynamic player and we’re grateful to have him around here.”
Penn State Head Coach Tom Bradley
On what he learned about himself after a loss like this:
“You learn a lot about yourself in that locker room which you have to say to those players after the game. Obviously we didn’t play a very good football game today. One of the key ingredients was the turnovers. We can’t turn the ball over against that team; we had four of them today. Crucial times, crucial situations. I told them to keep their heads high, keep working at it and we’ll get back to work tomorrow when we have a meeting and go from there.”
On how quickly things began to snowball at the end of the half:
“That’s what did us in at the end of the half, 7-0, 7-7, turn the ball over there and then it starts rolling down hill. (Michael) Zordich’s fumble probably sealed our fate. It was 21-7 we got the ball to start the second half, come out maybe get a score. We just didn’t play very well today in all phases of the game.“
On Russell Wilson being the best quarterback Penn State faced all year:
“He’s pretty darn good. He played a heck of a game, take your hat off to him and realize he did a heck of a job today.”
On Wisconsin being one of better all-around offenses in years in the Big Ten:
“I think so. One of the things I know Coach (Larry) Johnson had trouble with this week is that they are not in a whole lot of third-and-longs and I think we got them there and then just didn’t tackle them. We just missed tackles. Once they get that edge on you and they get up in that situation they are even harder to defend and we turned the ball back over we couldn’t comeback and score any points to get back into the game.”
On how disappointing it is to lose the regular-season finale:
“Hopefully we’ll have one more game in us and we don’t have to go out like this. I think they’re disappointed; you know they didn’t play at all the way I anticipated us playing today.”
On the possibility of not being allowed to play in a bowl game:
“I’m frustrated because the thing we have here is a group of players that didn’t do anything. They weren’t involved in this, they worked their tail off, they were 9-3. They’ve done everything we’ve asked them to do and you got to give them credit for everything that has gone on they’ve hung tough. They’ve done a great job sticking together and I am proud of them. I’m proud of the way they behaved, I’m proud of the way they acted and my hats off to them in a situation that is unprecedented in the history of college football. They didn’t have anything to do with it they weren’t involved in anyway and I think they deserve the opportunity to play a bowl game.”
On what he told his front seven on how to contain Montee Ball:
“They got us in some formations today where we were out-leveraged. Anytime you play defense its all about leverage and numbers and a couple times we didn’t have leverage or numbers and that makes for uneven field over there so they did an excellent job scheming us today.”
