Head Coach Randy Edsall
On takeaways from the West Virginia game:
“We are trying to get the kids to understand to play hard, but smart, and use good fundamentals and techniques. If we do that, it should eliminate those issues. We need to be aware of where we are on the field; if we do these things then we’re not going to get a lot of penalties against us.”
On Michigan running back De’Veon Smith:
“He’s a very good back: he’s strong and powerful. He has good vision. He made a run the other day where he got through this little crease and went 74 yards with it. It’s all about playing low, taking care of your gap, getting off blocks and running to the football; those are the things that you have to do in order to stop the run (which they do a really good job at).”
On the leadership on the team:
“The leaders talk to guys and let them know this isn’t the way that we want to play, or expect to play. Everybody at some point in time in their career, whether it be in high school or at college, as a coach or a professional, has been down this road before. We’ve got eight games left in the season and we’re 2-2. You just take it one game at a time and keep going out there to work and get better. You keep practicing to fight your way out of it. This is what everyone tries to remind each other of: to keep fighting, keep practicing hard and fight our way through it to get more consistent. We have to go out there each and every day to practice and get better.”
On Michigan quarterback Jake Rudock:
“He’s doing a really good job of running their offense. He’s a good athlete and throws the ball well from all of the different drops on the field...he’s doing a really good job for them.”
On the transition from non-conference to Big Ten games:
“It’s a little bit different because now you’re in conference play. You want to be the best you can be in your conference and that starts with a really hard team in Michigan this weekend to prepare and deal with.”
On Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh:
“He’s a good coach, there is no doubt about it. His track record proves that wherever he has been. Michigan is playing at a very high level right now. They are playing really well defensively. They’re running the football with very good success, and throwing the ball of the play action. Michigan is a very good team right now and they’re playing that way.”
On the younger players’ confidence:
“A loss is never good. It eats at you, but the good thing about it in this arena that we’re in is that we have a chance to put it behind us and move forward. We have another one this week, and that’s what you have to do. Everybody is always disappointed when you lose, but you have to turn it around and put it behind you and move forward. That’s what we’ve done this week, and that’s what we have to continue to do for the rest of our week and devote all of our concentration on Michigan.”
On the quarterback position:
“We just want the quarterback to go out there and execute. Just take what’s given to you and not press. Don’t try to make something out of nothing and don’t try to improvise to the point where it causes turnovers. Just go do your job and do it well. That’s all we need to do. We’ve got to get all of our guys doing that and when we do have everyone doing that in all three phases, we’ll be good and execute at a really high level. When we don’t… we’re not able to have the type of production that we want in all three areas.”
Senior Place Kicker Brad Craddock:
On thoughts about West Virginia:
“I think the biggest thing is that it is done and over. We have a big challenge ahead this week. We are really focusing on Michigan and what they are going to bring to the table. We are really excited for this game.”
On the key to bouncing back:
“Staying positive and making sure we do our job. Guys need to look at themselves and know what they have to do. We need to know our assignments and execute.”
Freshman Tight End Avery Edwards
On Michigan’s defense:
“They are the number two defense in the country right now. They have seven seniors returning so they are very experienced. It is going to be a challenge. On film they look big, fast and physical so it will definitely be a challenge for our offense. We are definitely eager to accept the challenge.”
On the expected atmosphere on Saturday night:
“The environment is going to be great pretty much from here on out during Big Ten play. The fans bring so much support and energy to the team that I think we were lacking last week at West Virginia. I am definitely excited for my first sold out home game.”
Senior Linebacker Jefferson Ashiru
On mindset of the team:
“No one goes into the season expecting to lose. We are going to come into this game with a chip on our shoulders. We have experienced losses, but we aren’t trying to go back there.”
On keys to this week’s game:
“We have to match their intensity. This is a very intense team and will be a very intense game. The mindset is going to be to keep pounding the football.”
– Maryland –
