Recap| Final Stats| Notes

Northern Illinois at Toledo Nov. 15, 2003 Glass Bowl

Toledo Head Coach Tom Amstutz

(on Northern Illinois)
"Northern is a very good team and they deserve to be ranked. They are a special team and I really respect their coaching staff. They didn't give up even when things weren't going their way and we jumped out to a big lead. I think they are still worthy of receiving a bowl bid if they finish 10-2 this year."

(On third-and- 33 by Toledo converted for a 60-yard touchdown pass to Andrew Clarke)
"That was one of the biggest plays of the game. We got called for some penalties and made some sloppy plays but our players were sharp enough to stay focused and execute. a huge play for us and really changed the momentum in the game. It was a great throw by Bruce and we trust him to throw down the field even in a situation where we need a lot of yards."

(On Andrew Clarke)
"He's a special player and we're fortunate to have him as one of the leaders on our team. He has very sure hands and we can use play-action passes for him and that's important for our offense."

NIU Head Coach Joe Novak

General Comments
"I thought our kids did a great job coming back. We didn't play like we wanted to, but a big part of the reason was Toledo. They are awful good. Toledo executed better than we did."

Comments on the third down and 33 touchdown by Toledo
"It third down and half the football field and we blow a coverage and let UT have a big score. I think the topper after that too we take the ball right down the field and have a first down play and we drop it and end up missing a field goal. That period really knocked us out of the game."

Comments on Being Unsuccessful on Going on Fourth Down in the First Half
"We thought it was a little far for a field goal at that point. There was a little wind there and we thought it would be close. We knew we had to score touchdowns, because we knew they were going to put points on the board."

Comments on the Fake Punt
"On the fake punt, I would call that again. The play was there, but we didn't execute. The snap hit our kid in the face. At the time, I thought it was a great call. We had them reeling a little bit, and if we had hit that first down, I would like to have seen how the game turned around."

Toledo sophomore QB Bruce Gradkowski

(On the third-and-33 pass to Andrew Clarke for a 60-yard touchdown)
"Our offense got out of rhythm and had some penalties called on us on the drive. But we fought back and we were able to execute the play. The offensive line blocked great and Andrew (Clarke) ran a great route and caught the ball. I was pretty shocked to see him wide open when I threw the ball. The Linebackers tried to cover him and they couldn't get deep enough."

(On the team's performance)
"It was a great game. We had to come into this game and do anything to win. We ran the ball well and threw the ball well. Northern Illinois fought the whole game. They came out on fire in the third quarter and we had to keep it going on offense and defense. We stepped up and made some key plays. This is a whole team effort."

(On the keys to the win)
"I tried to make some big plays and the key to this game was turnovers. We won the turnover battle tonight. That's the reason it gave us a chance to win this football game and that will a big key for our games ahead.

Sophomore cornerback Antonio Malone

(On his two interceptions)
"Quarterbacks usually look my way each time with Brandon Hefflin on the other side of the field. I was just able to read the plays and I was in the right place at the right time."

Senior defensive end Frank Ofili

(On the 60-yard touchdown catch by Andrew Clarke)
"It was a huge weight lifted off our shoulders. That was a great catch by him in a critical situation."

(On giving up 17 unanswered points at start of second half)
"Our coaches keep stressing to keep believing ourselves. We knew the momentum was on our side but we kept believing in our defense and we knew we had to keep playing."

Junior wide receiver Lance Moore

(general comments)
"Football is a game of momentum shifts and that's what happened today. In the first half everything seemed to be in our favor. Then they came out at the beginning of second half and scored 17 points after we put our defense in some bad situations with fumbles. We knew after they scored those points we would have to step up as an offense and take control of the game."

(on setting single-season record for receptions)
"It's a combination of the offensive line playing well and other receivers making plays. We have great tight ends and great wide receivers that teams don't want to double cover me. The record means a lot but it means more that we're winning games."

Junior tight end Andrew Clarke

(On 60-yard touchdown reception on a third-and-33 play)
"We ran the same play in the first quarter and I was open then too but Bruce didn't see me. We went into halftime and made some adjustments and we knew that play would present itself again in the second half. I knew right at the snap of the ball that I would be wide open because of the two safeties were lined up. Bruce then made an excellent throw."

(On momentum changing early in second half)
"When momentum changes like that you can't just sit back and wait for something to happen. You have to make a big play and wait for Lance Moore or Steve Odom to make a big catch. Anyone can make a play but this time it just happened to me."