Post-Game Quotes: Spring Game
4/23/2016 12:00:00 AM | Football
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Michigan State head coach Mark Dantonio
Opening statement...
I thought, first of all, great crowd. A lot of people came. Tremendous crowd for us. I think the all time highest crowd at a spring game for us. We keep trying to raise the bar a little bit as we move forward, but very appreciative of everyone coming and being a part of things. They turned it up out there a little bit, which is good to see and good for our players to experience. Much like a gameday atmosphere, so that was very positive.
When you look at any spring game, you're going to see good and bad. You play a lot of different people. We drafted up the teams, so people aren't playing with each other in terms of the ones and the twos and things like that. I thought the hitting was crisp, I was impressed with the way our running backs ran the football, but I was also very impressed in terms of how we closed on the running back and made tackles and space. I think that's what you have to do on the defensive side of the ball.
I thought Gerald Holmes looked particularly good. Madre London as well, you know, Nick Tompkins busted out a couple times as well. They were relatively short runs, things were pretty much contained. Quarterback position - we tried to play all of them and give everybody a look. It was unfortunate we had to go to a running clock a little bit at the end, so, you know, it was a little bit fast paced and that type of thing. I thought Tyler [O'Connor] did a nice job, all three guys, really. First three guys made plays with their feet. Big gains at one point in time, so that was positive. Obviously, we have to correct some things with our quarterbacks, but quarterback is about decision making and leading in the huddle, and then also about creating plays. We'll look at the film and sort of evaluate that.
Defensively, sort of continued the trend. Playing well on the back end, playing well on the perimeter in terms of playing against the run. I thought we tackled successfully, and we have good players on the back end. I don't know, spring games are spring games. We ask our guys to go 15 for 15 in April. All 15 practices. We ask them to get a little bit better every day, three percent better. That's what we talk about when we first came in here on the first day of spring ball when we first had a press conference. I thought we got that from our football team. We move forward, we set our goals high and we're looking forward to the start of the 2016 season.
On leadership turnover this spring...
They have done a great job. We elect 12 people, like we always have, so we've got 12 guys working at that. That becomes a part of their craft, as well. It's not just good enough anymore to be a good player, you got to lead as you get to be an upperclassman and that's what we ask our guys to do. They're doing a nice job with that. Some guys, quite honestly, have never been in that position. They're sophomores going into junior or their juniors going into seniors and they've just not been in that position, so maybe it's a little bit of new ground for them, but they're learning how to do it. I think you're right, there's always a change in leadership every single year. But, we've seen that before. When Kirk Cousins left there was a void, but people pick it up and they move forward and you can go through a lot of our guys. Certainly we had a great senior class this last year. To be out on the field when they were introduced - it's sort of a special moment to see people in Spartan Stadium really on the field for their last official time. They've accomplished many great things here and have been a part of something special for three years. We're going to miss those guys.
On guys who stood out...
I thought Jamal Lyles played well today. I thought he made a move, had a big defensive tackle for a loss. I think he's had a good spring. I think Byron Bullough has really had a good spring. Jon Reschke has had a good spring. Some of these guys might not start, but they've impressed. Having Vayante [Copeland] back out there, big positive for us. Our safeties are solid, Cox and Nicholson had great springs. I can go through almost everyone on our roster, I'm not going to say anything negative. We're in good shape where we're at. We need to address some issues, obviously. Damon Knox was out today, and a couple of other guys who were out with injuries. Defensive tackle positions. We've got good players coming in. Our defensive line, we had four or five guys coming in at defensive line that are going to be very active players.
On quarterback performances...
Well, I think that today was, I don't know if that's indicative of our spring. In practice, we probably get more reps than they got in this game. We had a 100+ scrimmage last week and 130 the week before. We have probably that many every day in practice. There's a lot of those things that are going to be heavily weighted. You've got a crowd out there and you're on display a little bit, so I wouldn't say it's indicative.
On process to get the best 22 players on the field...
That is the goal, to get the best 22. We really don't care whether they're freshmen or seniors or fifth-year seniors or new guys or walk-ons or whatever it is, you know. We're going to weigh everyone's play, and that's what we practice. We'll evaluate at the end of spring and assess a grade on them for the spring. Then, we'll start again in August and see where improvement has been made and we'll see who these new guys are and we'll try to factor everything in and start to rebuild. I think that's what you do every season, whether that's spring, whether that's winter workouts or the season. We sort of restructure everything and start back and try and do things with a step-by-step plan. We're excited about our players.
Thoughts on defense...
I feel good about our defense. Obviously, there are some issues with depth that we need to address. I think we have a great defensive class coming, first of all, so that's going to be exciting, especially in the defensive line position. Along with that I feel like we have a lot of guys that are returning at perimeter positions. We have a lot of returning players and when you're older, you're more experienced and they have a higher standard.
Thoughts on Malik McDowell...
First of all, he is an outstanding player. I think he is scratching the surface of who he really is. He has a tremendous amount of ability, and I think he will continue to grow as a person, just like everybody, and he will be a junior next year. When people grow and they stretch themselves, good things happen. I think that is a natural progression for all of our players right now. He's starting to assume more of a position of leadership and we've always said that with success comes responsibility and that's a part of it.
Thoughts on the Dowell brothers...
They are very active football players. They are 100 mph guys. I can't tell you who the oldest is, but I am going to find that out. Both those guys are great football players for us. They are high, up-tempo guys that give everything they've got and they are extremely conscientious players with a very high ceiling.
Thoughts on Tyson Smith...
Tyson [Smith] has had a very good spring. I think he got a lot of good experience last year has a true freshman. I think he started in the Nebraska game, and I think he will be more game ready now. He's got great speed and great ball skills, a great tackler and he's getting bigger. So I think as a younger player you can see that he will become a great player.
Thoughts on players off of the field...
You aren't defined purely by winning and losing, you're defined by what you're doing for your players and how they grow. People look at they as they did for our seniors today as they left. That's all part of the process. I think we have recruited good people here, and I think we have a good culture. They understand the standards here. You walk in the weight room and the standard is set. It's not just in the weight room, though, it's not just how you play, but in the way that you approach the standard that is set. It doesn't mean we won't have problems, we did not have one tonight, but I just think we have good people. I've said that over and over.
Thoughts on former players coming back...
I see Kyler Ellsworth there, and I see our senior class and you sit back and see what they've accomplished. Jeremy Langford, Connor Cook, all of those guys and the things they've accomplished. Michigan State has a great tradition, but those guys stand there as one of the top players in Michigan State's history. They've had special moments here and special opportunities and they've done a great job. They are high achievers.
Thoughts on Damion Terry...
He got hit a couple of times, and I think the Green team wishes they would have hit him a little more. I knew that that was what Damion [Terry] could do though - he can create. He needs to do a better job of staying in the pocket and throwing on rhythm, but he can create and he can run. He is a big 230-pound guy that can cut it loose and throw the ball well, but he needs to be consistent.
Thoughts on decision on a quarterback...
I think everyone wants to hear the coach say `He's the quarterback,' but I am not going to say anything until we get into a game to see the production from the quarterback position. So until we see the production at a consistent level, I'm not going to say who is it. I don't want to put the pressure on one guy, I want the pressure to be on the group and I want the pressure to be on the quarterback coach and it to remain there to make all of them consistent. It comes down to decision-making, creating plays and leadership. Right now Tyler [O'Connor] has done a nice job as that and the other guys have too, but not as consistent. We'll see how they all come out in August.
White team head coach Brad Salem
Thoughts on Brian Lewerke ...
I think Brian [Lewerke] has had a very productive Spring, and if you look at him as a true freshman, we've pressed him with a lot or urgency and he's done a really good job in January and February. He's come a long way even though you see some freshman things. He has a high upside as a quarterback.
Thoughts on Tyler O'Connor and Damion Terry...
I think for them the biggest thing is being in this type of environment. There's a lot of things -- the signals from the sideline, calling in the huddle -- we try to replicate that as much as we can in practice. I think a lot of it is that we put them on this big stage in front of a lot of people, and we want to know what they are going to be able to do. I though Tyler [O'Connor] looked good. He was throwing the ball consistently, and had good pocket presence. Brian [Lewerke] keeps growing and Damion [Terry] needs to continue to be consistent throwing the football. He has the ability to make some big plays with his legs and his knowledge has come a long way. Messiah [deWeaver], a high school kid, he's going to prom next week and we took him on a touchdown play.
Green team head coach Mike Tressel
Thoughts on his defense ...
The defensive line is where we are looking for a lot of people to step up and gain experience, so I will be excited to go back and watch the film from this Spring game because Demetrius Cooper and Evan Jones were the defensive ends on the White team, so I didn't see them play in and play out. But we wanted them to play like a Shilique Calhoun. Other guys like Raequan Williams, he was a redshirt last year, and it's time for him to be big for our defense on a regular basis now. You can go position by position and see guys that have stepped up. As far as corners, Tyson Smith and Josh Butler, those guys have to step it up. Andrew Dowell, that's a guy that took a big step forward. He can make plays and now his knowledge is a step forward as well. It will be exciting to see the D-Line and how they perform on this stage.
Thoughts on the Dowell brothers ...
It's hard for me to evaluate today to be honest with you, but as far as the Spring as a whole, David [Dowell], you wouldn't think he redshirted last fall based on his knowledge and where he is at right now. He goes out there and makes the calls like a veteran. Andrew [Dowell] has always been a playmaker and it's a matter of if he's going to be consistent on all of those plays and there's more of an urgency than every for every guy to be consistent on every play. Both of those guys in the long run are going to be great players.
Thoughts on the Jamal Lyles...
He played defense when he first came in here, and I will say that before the Spring game and after the draft, for every catch he gets, he gets a snap on defense. That was the original deal, and I think he caught a corner route and he came running off saying `I get a snap on defense now,' and as a coach you have to make that decision that he should play a little bit more over there. Coach Dantonio is going to get good guys on the field, and we are going to do what we need to do.
White team head coach Brad Salem
Thoughts on Tyler O'Connor ...
I think Tyler [O'Connor] has done a nice job to just continue to emerge as a leader. He's done a nice job as a fifth year senior, and I think you see him, the way he carries himself, the kids rally around him. He's a guy that makes people better around him.
Green team head coach Mike Tressel
Thoughts on managing a lot of good players...
From my perspective, we continue to make an emphasis on recruiting that we need guys that will scratch and claw to get better and do the best they can. We don't want guys that feel entitled because of their recruiting status. For the most part, Coach Dantonio has made the point that they will continue to recruit guys that fight our mold. We will tackle more in practice than most teams, and you need to fight around here to be on the football field.
White team head coach Brad Salem
Thoughts on managing a lot of good players...
I'd have to piggyback what Mike [Tressel] said, I think that it is a reflection of our chemistry. We want to continue to find the right players and people. We don't sugarcoat the recruiting process. We explain that college football is tough, so it seems in as sense that they know what they are getting into before they get here. We tell them that this is going to get tough -- going through college and playing football -- so you want tough-minded people who want to compete. That first workout with Ken Manny is tough when you are in high school, but they've done a great job and we hope to continue to get those kids in our program to continue to build on what we've done.
Green team head coach Mike Tressel
Thoughts on Malik McDowell...
He's actually fairly quiet on the football field, but it's amazing when it's time to really play how he cranks that motor up. That rubs off on guys, there is no doubt about it. He has a higher football IQ than people realize as well. He understands the game. We can move him around a little bit more too. He's very, very talented and once it's time to flip the switch and play ball he goes hard. With that combination, people respect that and there is leadership right off the bat.
Green team head coach Mike Tressel
Thoughts on Jalen Watts-Jackson and Vayante Copeland...
Jalen [Watts-Jackson] got back quicker than we expected in the full contact. Vayante [Copeland] was full contact from the get-go. When they're getting back on the field after a long time I'm sure there is that nervousness, but he [Copeland] got in right away. The great thing about those two guys are that they are great tacklers and great football players. There's no place they would rather be than on the football field.
White team head coach Brad Salem
Thoughts on Dennis Finley...
I think he has surprised us by how much he has done. In a scrimmage two weeks ago, he kind of just put himself in there and said `I'm good to go.' There's so much value in that. He's grown as a football player and a person and we are excited where he is at right now.
Green team head coach Mike Tressel
Thoughts on Raequan Williams...
He's big and he's fast and he carried some people out there. We are excited about him. The big thing is that we need him to understand that he is going to be `one of the guys' next year. He certainly has the tools and he is learning fast and during a whole lot of reps this spring, it looked like he belonged. We are really excited about him and anxious to see him accept his role as one of our guys.
Michigan State quarterback Tyler O'Connor
On strongest takeaways from spring football... Coming together as a new offense and filling the gaps where the old guys really stepped up has been extremely important to us. You know, there are a lot of guys who played last year, but they weren't the starters at their position. And now, those same guys are getting the chance to be those stars and step up in a lot of positions.
On being comfortable in today's game... I felt comfortable really all day. We had just decided that we were going to take more shots downfield like that last drive, and we actually tried to take a little more but the other team played defense that was fit for the plays we were running. In the last drive, we really just called a two-minute situation and it had worked as planned.
On own performance and current level of play... The background on my phone has been the goals that I have for this upcoming spring, and I do feel like I have accomplished those things, so I do feel really good about where I am at. The goals were that I wanted to be the man on offense, I want to be the man on the team that someone can come to on and off the field, be more consistent, be more accurate, and then of course school as well.
There's a lot of football to be played, but I feel pretty good right now. These next few months - a lot can happen through the summer, that is pretty much the invisible time of the season. But a lot of work is to be done on and off the field from the feet all the way up to the arms and head. A lot can still happen, but I feel really good about where I am at.
On changed role as a leader.
Just being able to talk to anyone. It's hard to lead from the back as I have been doing for the last couple years. But now, its how you communicate with everyone and every position - whether it's asking how they think practice went today or just anything. It's those small conversations that need to be had.
On confidence today vs. game against Ohio State...
You know, it's of hard to answer that. Because that game, I had walked out there with the same level of confidence that I had today. To me, the way I look at it is when someone hands you the keys and says, `Hey, you are the guy,' it's easy to play. When it's dangled in front of you and you just don't know, it's harder to player. You don't want to make mistakes or mess up, things like that. So if I play with that mentality it is much easier to play, and that's how it has been this spring and I plan on keeping it that way.
Michigan State wide receiver R.J. Shelton
On younger players' work ethic...
Well with this group, me obviously being one of the only older guys, we need them to be the guys who make plays and work hard. Take coaching, and asking me and the older guys what it's like. I'm giving information whether it's the different formations or coverages - or just playing in general. We have a lot of guys who can make those plays, but we need them to do that to take this team where it needs to be. We are going to continue to do that and we're comfortable with pushing our guys and encouraging them when they need it.
When I was younger, guys like Benny Fowler had to push me to be better, because they know that at some point I would be in the position where I would have to lead. So, I am pushing them too. It's not hard on them because they know what needs to happen and so do I - it's something a team does to move forward.
On key players this season...
Monty Madaris, Felton Davis, Brandon Sowards, the list goes on and on. Those guys that aren't mentioned that much too, those guys can make plays. I've said that since my years here, there are guys who can make plays and that's true regardless who it is, but a lot of those guys come to work. They just work on themselves and move forward.
On Spring Ball...
It was a good spring for us as a unit. For us, for the young guys that can now see what its like. Now, we have a little bit of downtime. We had a great spring, but we have a big summer and then right around the corner here comes the season. They're going to be ready for that, I'm going to be ready for that too. We're ready to work.
On Tyler O'Connor performance today...
Great job. Tyler is a great leader. He was throwing great balls and making good decisions, as did all the quarterbacks today. You know, we came out and had fun with the Spring game - we love to give our fans what they want and love to see Spartan Nation out here and loud. We had a fun time.
Michigan State tight end Josiah Price
Thoughts on the spring game...
It was a fun spring overall. The spring game was fun, good to get the win, fun being on the white squad and coming out with a win. But I think overall the big picture is just getting better as a team and moving forward with the players, and I think we saw that a lot this spring, with the O-line, with some of the younger wide-outs, with some of our younger defensive players and then with our quarterback situation. I feel like we really made some big improvements in those areas where we need to see some improvement and see some guys step up.
Thoughts on this season being his last...
It's crazy; time flies when we're here but just trying to embrace the senior year and really have my best season this season.
Thoughts about the quarterbacks, Tyler O'Connor, Damion Terry and younger guys...
I think Tyler [O'Connor] and Damion [Terry], the experienced guys, they really know everything in our system, the in's and out's. They've been here three or four years and they're great players; they've made a lot . Tyler really looks like he can be a starting quarterback, an All Big-Ten quarterback and Damion I feel the same way. And then Bryan [Lewerke] is a kind of younger guy and he's played really really well this spring, thrown some beautiful balls. We saw him throw a couple of really nice balls today, he's really impressing people. And then Messiah's [deWeaver] learned his way, he's a young guy, high-school senior to be honest, and you'll see a lot of good potential from him here and there but he's got to learn a little bit more.
Michigan State tight end Jamal Lyles
Thoughts on being a versatile player...
Yes I feel like I can do a lot with big, athletic guys, not too many guys like that, so I feel like I can make the plays, all types of ways on the field, on offense, defense, and special teams.
Thoughts on Coach Dantonio...
He's a very easy-going guy. I mean whatever will make the team better he would be down for it, so if that, me playing defense, would make the team better I would probably get some snaps over there.
Thoughts on Donnie Corley...
He came in started making plays from day one, he's a fast kid, smart, and he picked up the offense, and he's only going to get better and better as the process go on and get more reps run against the corners that we have and the safeties that we have and he's just going to keep continuing to grow as a person. You can probably compare him to like how Aaron Burbridge came in as a freshman and he came in, Donnie probably came in to like a better situation, all the receivers we have like Monty Madaris, RJ Shelton, and those senior guys they are all very good players and Donnie's pushing those guys for playing time so he's doing fine. He's just got that attitude that he wants to make a play and that's what makes a great football player so he's doing really good.
Thoughts on who stood out the most today...
I feel like all the quarterbacks did a great job, Tyler O'Connor, he did a great job with leading the offense and some of the interior play of the offensive and defensive line that doesn't get talked about much, I feel like those guys did a great job too.
Thoughts on the overall progression performance of the game...
I just like the way the game went. It went back and forth, and both teams fought, and we just wanted to see as an offense, but I just wanted to see offensive guys make plays and I believe that we have receivers, tight-ends, quarterbacks all making plays. Offensive line making good blocks so that was the most important thing that I got out of today. Offensively everybody did good.
