Oct. 8, 2005

Recap |  Final Stats |  Notes

Post-Game Quotes (Toledo vs. EMU - 10/8/05)

Senior QB Bruce Gradkowski

"I was excited to be out there today and I had a lot of energy. We came out fighting and even though it wasn't pretty we came away with the win."

(on EMU controlling the ball with their offense)

"It was aggravating because they do have a good offense. Our defense did a great job against them and giving up just three points was outstanding. They did have the ball a lot in the second quarter but our defense played well."

(on Trinity Dawson's performance)

"Trinity ran the ball hard and I love to see that happen. I was waiting for a breakout game from him. We came out feeding him the ball and he came through. If our running game is going it opens everything else up. Our offensive line did a great job."

Senior RB Trinity Dawson

"The offensive line did a great job and I just did my best to get through them. I felt good tonight and it was the best I've felt in a long time. It's my senior year and my body is feeling good. I actually told the offensive line at halftime to open up those holes that I was feeling better than I was at the beginning of the game."

(on the team's running game being overshadowed by the passing attack)

"I think they balance each other out. Bruce (Gradkowski) is a great quarterback and he gets the job done. But our coaches always preach that we're a running football team and we're going to run the ball and set the tone of the football game that way."

Senior LB David Thomas

(on Anthony Jordan being ejected)

"We're a team first and when somebody is missing we have to come together and play hard. The coaches told me that I had to step up and I had to lead. I feel that's what I did. We got together and we played football. We had to step up and do his job for him."

(on the emotion in the game)

"Everybody was a little riled up with the lead in the MAC West Division at stake. It was also our Homecoming and for the seniors it was the last one for us."

Junior LB Mike Alston

(on holding EMU to three points)

"We all came together and there was a lot of communication going on. We wanted to pay them back for all the yards they gained against us last year. Their offense is pretty good but we just came out and played our Toledo defense."

Toledo Head Coach Tom Amstutz

(on Eastern Michigan)

"EMU is a good football team. They were 2-0 for a reason in our conference. They went out there and played well. I don't think any team is going to hold them to three points anymore this year."

(on UT's Dropped Passes)

"There is going to be a dropped ball here and there, but it is uncharacteristic for some of our guys tonight. I'm really fortunate to coach players who work hard on catching balls and making plays."

(on Team's Performance)

"I was pleased with our team's performance, especially on defense and holding them to only three points. That is a great effort by our defense."

(on Toledo's Offense)

"If you can run the ball, you're going to win a lot of games. We like to mix the pass and run and our game plan changes with what is needed on the field."

Eastern Michigan Head Coach Jeff Genyk

(on needing his playermakers to step up and make plays)

"Playmakers need to make plays. We did a nice job starting out drives, but once we got near the red-zone we could not convert. It really comes down to our juniors and seniors not stepping up tonight."

(On botched field goal at end of first half)

"It certainly seemed like the snap was high. Anytime the holder has to lift his knee up, you know it is a high snap and that got the timing off of Andrew's kick a little bit."

EMU QB Matt Bohnet

(on the hit he took in the second quarter)

"I felt a little pain and got up and went through the next play, but I knew I had to take a break. Obviously, I wanted to be out there playing, but I knew if I wasn't going to be at my best, I had to get off and give someone else a chance."