Post-game Quotes
Toledo vs. Ball State (10/4/08)
Head Coach Tom Amstutz
“Our guys came out and played hard and gave great effort. But the difference in this game was that Ball State able to run the ball. They ran simple inside runs that we didn't stop especially in the second half. We've got to do a lot better against the run.”
“We didn't rush the ball the way we wanted to. Part of our plan was to be able to run the ball to set up the rest of our offense and we didn't get that executed. I give them credit for playing very good defense, but our execution wasn't where it needed to be.”
“They have a good versatile defense. They put a lot of guys in the box to play against the run. As we adjusted personnel they adjusted guys. They executed well.”
“Our defense battled hard especially in the first half. Offensively we didn't play as well as we usually do. We need to execute and keep working hard.”
Junior WR Stephen Williams
“They played extremely well. We had a lot of plays we didn't make that killed us, killed our drives.”
“We didn't come out and get a flow going. We started slow. We need to get a rhythm going. Everybody needs to do their job. We're all out there competing but it's just minor things ? not catching the ball, missed blocks. Everybody's got to look in the mirror and take the blame on themselves. We're putting in the effort. We're just not completing the task.”
“We have to bounce back. The good thing about football is you have a game next week. If we overcome this and win next week (against Michigan) everyone will forget about the last two weeks.”
Sophomore CB Desmond Marrow
“They're a great offense. They've got a good quarterback in Nate Davis. We played hard. We put forth the effort. They just made more plays than we did.”
“In the first half we had it all down pat. We saw the plays. We had momentum but we just didn't execute and get the job done in the second half.”
Ball State Head Coach Brady Hoke
(General Comments)
It was good to get the win. Obviously here in Toledo, it is a tough place to play. I think our kids defensively kept us in the game in the first half. In the second half, our offense got on track.
(Comments about stopping UT's running game)
Our guys did a nice job of playing together and filling gaps. I also thought our effort was really good. I thought our front seven played really hard and when you do those things, you'll have a chance to win.
(Comments about the shutout)
It's awfully satisfying. If they can't score, they can't win. If our defense can help our team win by shutting someone out, then we're going to get the win.
Senior LB Bryant Haines
Tonight's game plan was good. We came out tonight and executed our game plan to the best of our abilities.
It is great to know regardless of the score the offense puts up, we had the game won. But the offense came out and we leaned on them. This was a great team win for us.
