Oct. 20, 2001

Recap| Final Stats

Head Coach Tom Amstutz

"It was a very close game and special teams were the difference. It was a nightmare for us on special teams."

(on going for final field goal on fourth and a foot) "We had some discussion about going for it on fourth down. We decided we wanted the points and the lead. We had confidence that our defense could hold them. We were one kickoff return away from a win."

(compare to 1997 loss at Ball State) "The loss in 1997 came after we had already clinched the MAC West title. We came in flat and they killed us. This year we faced a good, tough football team and lost in a closely fought game."

"We just have to go back to the basics. We'll go back to work tomorrow. We won't change anything. We're just going to work harder. I told my players to stay together as a team and not to point any fingers of blame."

"We don't talk about penalties. We just have to live with them."

"A lot of credit has to go to Ball State. They played very hard today."

Senior quarterback Tavares Bolden

"Everything about this game hurts. It's a big loss. We've got to overcome it. We have four games left. We still have a chnace to win the MAC West."

"They played great defense. Their defensive front line played a great game."

"The bye week had nothing to do with the loss. The bye week actually helped us."

Senior free safety Andy Boyd

(on Ball State's shutting down Chester Taylor) "Chester's a great player. Their defensive scheme was set up to stop him. He's a great player. I wouldn't trade him for anyone in the world."