Postgame Quotes: Wisconsin vs. Rutgers
November 3, 2018
Camp Randall Stadium - Madison, Wis.
OPENING STATEMENT: Well, appreciate what the guys did, players did this week and I thought we had a good week of preparation and it was good to get back home and play. And there's a lot of really good efforts and certainly there's some things that we still want to get better at, but it was good to win and it was — a lot of guys contributed and that always feels good.
On Alex Hornibrook's injury and Jack Coan playing:
CHRYST: Right now the biggest concern is just how is he. Certainly took a hit at the end and we knew at halftime when he saw the doctors. And even as the coach you feel like — we're just trying to get him a little bit in rhythm. And then the penalty and I thought we got a chance for points. … We'll find out where he's at and see on it. And that's what's good about the procedures that are put in place. And certainly we're poised and ready to do whatever we need to for this team and Jack (Coan) is too. But hopefully we can get Alex (Hornibrook) back.
On easing Jack Coan in by running the ball early and then his play late:
CHRYST: We thought we could get some stuff going in the run game. It wasn't like we just (said), 'all right, we're going to run the ball' and have one of those big halftime speeches that we're going to do this. We were able to keep it on the ground and I thought that guys were working up front, backs ran hard. And then he had a couple opportunities and I think overall we were better on third down, but I know the one he was kind of moving a little, I would like to see what happened on it. That one I didn't feel like we really had a lot to go to. I don't know if we won across the board. But it was good for him to get back in. He took last week personal and it was good for him to come back. You hate it certainly at the expense of Alex (Hornibrook), though.
The third quarter really looked like the run defense broke with Rutgers. Is that something in the play calling that you can kind of feel that and just sort of ride that as far as really trying to go from two to three yards to really doing it consistently?
CHRYST: Guys were on it. The backs were seeing it well. And certainly when you're having success it helps and not that we're necessarily repeating the same runs, but you're able to keep it on the ground and it was, I think like anything there's momentum to the game and that can certainly be it.
Jonathan [Taylor] had another big day today. What has impressed you most about what he's doing and what he can build on everything he did last year and then this year?
CHRYST: Yeah, I think the most impressive thing to me about [Jonathan Taylor] is he's stayed consistent. Consistent in his approach, consistent in his personality. He's a worker and this team means a ton to him. And I think that that's the — what I've been most impressed with is just being the same guy and that's — he's fun to be around.
On the play of the defense:
CHRYST: I thought we did some really good things. I thought in the first half we were getting to them and we were getting some hits. It's unfortunate, we had some opportunities for some takeaways and didn't really take advantage of those. Heck, it was an awesome play on the blocked field goal. I thought a lot of guys contributed and I thought they played really well and it still is — it's special right now the way our inside linebackers are playing. Those two are flying around and it was great to have D'Cota (Dixon) back, it was good to get Isaiahh (Loudermilk) some reps, and a lot of guys are contributing and I thought they played well today. It was fun.
What did you think of Alex (Hornibrook) in the first half?
CHRYST: Yeah, you know it was, I thought there was — he was really sharp on some things and some third downs. And then the picks, the first pick I thought that the kind of the way it played out was trying to make something that maybe wasn't there. And then on the second pick I thought — I'm anxious to watch it — I thought he was late on it. And yet on some third downs and some early throws he was really sharp on and so it was a little bit inconsistent that way, because I thought he was good early in some areas.
Do you think there is some instability at quarterback right now between injuries and inconsistent play?
CHRYST: Yeah, I think that certainly there is the — last week, Jack (Coan) starts this week, Alex (Hornibrook) starts and then Jack comes in. That creates that — I like the way they have approached things and there's going to be kind of a lot of positions that have had that, right? With injuries and whatnot. So that's the biggest concern right now is where Alex is at with his health and then Jack will continue to work and improve.
Could you expand on having D'Cota back?
CHRYST: Well having him back he's — one, it was great for him. And I think everyone felt his energy. And even kind of going along in the week knowing that he had a chance to go, he's one of those guys that brings a lot of energy. And I think guys, they take energy from him and it was good and he — just to go out and play. Especially when you're a senior, that's a hard deal when you miss time and so it was — and honestly, I saw him show up on a couple things. I wouldn't necessarily right now want to evaluate how he played, but absolutely feel confident in saying it was great having him out there and — for him and for our team.
On becoming bowl eligible:
CHRYST: I think certainly it's something that you're proud of and it's not given to you, you've got to earn it. And as a coach I've always felt grateful for the opportunity, to have a chance to be with the team you're with for one more opportunity. So I think that it is something worth acknowledging and guys were talking about it and they know what's — they know how this system works and so you're grateful for that.
On the play of wide receiver Danny Davis:
CHRYST: Yeah. And that's tricky too because as a receiver who could be a DB, right, does it come your way. But it was good to see him be able to contribute. Early he had, I think we had a naked and he was involved in that, and certainly the touchdown at the end. I think it meant a lot to him and so it was good. But I think it's a little bit hard in the sense that when the ball comes your way what can you do with it and you can't just judge I guess on the numbers.
Were you pleased with how the special teams bounced back after last week?
CHRYST: Yeah, I was. I thought that, you're right, those are big when you get a chance to pin an offense down and I thought Jack Dunn did a couple things with the return and the [field goal] block was, that was fun. Because that's such an effort play on the block. And then did a nice job, I think D'Cota got it and got some yardage after it. But it was certainly good to see.
Sophomore Quarterback Jack Coan
On already having game experience before today: I think it helped a lot, just the confidence of knowing I've played before gave me a lot more confidence today.
On his preparation for today: Yeah it was definitely different, but I always try to prepare the same every week and prepare as if I'm the starter, so not much was different this week.
On the game plan: I don't really care if we run or pass the ball, just happy if we are moving the ball and scoring touchdowns, and it was great to get JT [Jonathan Taylor] and the offensive line going and it was awesome to see them go.
On takeaways from the last two weeks: Just the playing experience. I know the speed of playing in an actual game and that's the biggest thing.
On being back on the winning track: It felt good. Wins don't come easy, so whenever you get one it feels great.
On the offense: [Jonathan Taylor] is a special dude. We were joking after one of his touchdown runs, he took a power run backside and the last time I saw someone do that was Melvin [Gordon]. Special dude. The things he does on the field are unbelievable.
On running 13 consecutive plays: I love it. I think it was a group effort. I thought in the second half that we did a great job getting our blocks and moving people, and obviously Jonathan [Taylor] and Taiwan [Deal] did their part as well.
On big plays: I think it's great just because it opens it up, when you are able to throw and run the ball in big chunks it takes a lot of pressure off the offense.
On Coan: Ton of confidence in [Jack Coan]. He's a great kid. Alex [Hornibrook] and him share the same approach when it comes to preparation, the way they practice, and their presence in the huddle is really felt, and I have tons of confidence in what Jack can do.
On defense: I think we did a good job with sudden change and we were very close on a couple plays to getting some big turnovers, we were a step away, but for the most part I think we were battling, playing off each other, and overall it was pretty good.
On importance of first half shutout: That's going to happen, there's time when we come out slow and the offense picks us up, and there's times where we pick them up. This was one of those games where they needed a little boost, and once they got rolling, they got rolling.
On bowl eligibility: My past years here it's just been assumed we were going to make it to a bowl, and it's a very tough thing to do at this level, so whenever you can do it, earn another game, it's always big and grateful to get another month with these guys.
On this week from last week: I think we needed to get back on track and obviously we didn't play the game we wanted to play last week, but we were able to do some things a lot better this week and the communication was the biggest thing. When everyone is on track mentally, we are pretty hard to stop.
On being an emotional spark: I'm not sure to be honest, that's just how I am. I'm very passionate, probably too passionate sometimes and that can hurt you, but I hope I did today.
On Eric Burrell: Eric's been doing a great job, he's a great tackler, made a great one on the quarterback in the open field. He's smart, dependable. It's fun to be back there with him flying around, he's come a long way.
On the blocked field goal: It was good field position for the offense and it definitely helped. It was huge for momentum, especially when we are shutting them out on defense consistently and we get the ball back into the offense's hands. It's huge and good encouragement for them going onto the field.
On the defensive performance: "I think we really came to play today on defense and just holding them to what we held them for the first three quarters was huge. It kind of set up our offense a couple times. I thought we played well."
On being bowl eligible: "We expect to win a lot more games than six, so obviously it's a good accomplishment but we want a couple more wins."
On pressure from offense's struggle: "I wouldn't say more pressure, we just have to make sure we're always doing our job. Just like anything else, when we're on the field it's our time."
On how he feels: "I'm not sure. It's still kind of day-to-day on how it feels. Today was good for me, to be able to gauge how it would feel during a game. For me, it felt pretty good. I definitely should be able to go full-go against Penn State and that's definitely what I'm shooting for — to be able to go as many reps as I can."
On limitations from his injury: "Just tweaks here and there pretty much. It's kind of stuff I'll be able to play through but I have to fight through some of the pain that does come up."
Sophomore wide receiver A.J. Taylor
On the confidence on Jack Coan: "We've been practicing and playing with him and I think this is just another time to get it going again and play with him. I don't think there was too much of a change."
On what he sees in Coan: "He was a lot more comfortable this game than he was in Northwestern. There was a lot more poise, he didn't really let things get to him and I think that played a factor, you know, that end drive where Danny ended up scoring."
On a win coming off the loss at Northwestern: "It feels good. We did a good job offensively, guys sticking on people, accelerating creases, you know, things we did in practice. One of the things we focused one was making sure what we did in practice translated into the game…"
On breaking off a big run: "It feels good because those don't come very often. One of the things is being appreciative of every opportunity you get…whether it's 10, 20, or 80 I'm always thankful, especially for the guys up front making it happen."
Rutgers Head Coach Chris Ash
Opening Statement: "First of all, hats off and credit to Wisconsin. They are a very good football team and we knew that going in to the game. They made the plays in the second half that they needed to make to separate the game. But I'm really, really proud of our players. They played extremely hard today. They fought, we got down and they kept fighting. We got some things going in the second half offensively that we haven't necessarily been able to do to get going in a while so that was good to see and we have to build on that. Raheem Blackshear had a really big day out at slot and that's something we've been talking about doing and we did it today. Raheem was Raheem, he made some huge plays, especially there in the second half in the fourth quarter.
"Defensively, in the first half I was really pleased at the way we played. We fought, we battled. In the second half we misfit a couple pressures and gave up some big plays that cost us some points. But I'm really proud of the players, the locker room, the way they continue to come to work every single day."
On containing Taylor in the first half:
"He's a good player and they run the ball well. I thought in the first half we gave up some yards but we were able to get off the field on some third downs and that was very important. In the second half, we misfit a couple pressures and he got out on some big plays because of that."
On only being down 10-0 at the end of the half:
"The way we started the game with the kickoff going out of bounds, it just started out bad. The rolled us for an 80-play drive for 77 yards and a touchdown and we didn't fold. We kept fighting and after that touchdown run, I would've said yeah, if we're at 10-0 I'll be happy with that. And that's exactly what we did."
On playing better defensively:
"We haven't made any chances. We've just tried to get the guys' attitudes, effort and consistency to show up. I think that's really what's made the difference. Our guys have a lot of pride, and they knew the way that we played earlier in the season wasn't really an indication of what we were capable of defensively and they've come out and played better. Now today, they gave up over 300 yards rushing. That's not something that I'm pleased about, but they had to earn it. We weren't necessarily able to just dash 40, 50, 60 yards a bunch like they have in previous games. That's a good rushing offense. You've got to give credit where credit's due and that's a good rushing offense. We battled, just not good enough."
