MSU vs. Eastern Michigan: Post-Game Quotes from Nick Saban

Sept. 11, 1999

MICHIGAN STATE COACH NICK SABAN:

?I liked the way we came out and played early in the game today. It was one of our objectives to come out and prove that we could play with consistency and not take things for granted, not be satisfied with accomplishments in one game. We tried to make a trademark of the kind of effort, toughness and intangibles we would play with in any game. I was pleased with the way we did that. I think the game got a little sloppy as it went on. We laid the ball on the ground too many times, didn?t field punts properly, and made a lot of mistakes. We got a chance to lay a lot of players, and some of those players were the ones who made mistakes because they don?t have quite as much experience.?

?Early in the game we did a lot of good things. I was pleased with the way we played defense, especially in the first half. We really did want our starters to have to play one series in the second half to get back into the game and get the idea of coming and getting started in the second half. Hopefully that will help us later in the season. I was pleased with the way we played, I just think the game got sloppy as it went on.?

On Ryan van Dyke?s injury:

?Ryan has a twisted ankle, I don?t know the severity but the x-rays were negative. We really wanted to play Ryan for a good portion of time there, so that threw us off a little.?

On Bill Burke:

?Bill hit his head on the turf, got dinged a little, so we took him out. We were ready to take him out at that point anyway.?