Post-Game Quotes vs. Temple
Toledo Head Coach Jason Candle
Opening statement:
“Well, first of all, I’m really proud of our football team and our seniors. Change happens and we rely on really good people to hold it together. Those 19 guys [the seniors] really rose to the occasion. It’s been about them all season long, but really these past couple of weeks it’s been about them and their leadership and the qualities they’ve instilled in the young guys on the football team to hold this thing together. Tremendous win for our seniors, our young guys moving forward, and I’m really happy to be their coach right now.”
On the 80-yd pass that swung momentum:
“That was a little bit of a run-pass option there and the guy to the left of me [Phillip Ely] wanted the ball in his hands to make a play and did, and the guy to his left [Cody Thompson] made a great play as well. Good play that helped win the football game for us.”
On the specialness of the win in first game as HC:
“It feels good to win any time. I know that’s for sure. You couldn’t write a script like this. I say this every week that sometimes when people fall in a position like this, to have an opportunity to take over a program, most of the time those programs aren’t in very good shape. Matt Campbell left this place in great shape. I saw it in my staff room and saw it in my guys. Tonight we saw a great group of senior guys that were gonna go out fighting.”
On potential Top 25 finish:
“I think our team deserves to be in that conversation. I thought we finished well. We ran through a great conference schedule and tonight was an exclamation point for our senior class. All that stuff in the polls will work itself out. Proud of these guys and proud that the last time they put their jerseys on they came out with a win.”
Quarterback Phillip Ely
On preparing for moment:
"Ever since last year I’ve cherished every moment like it’s my last. This was my last game and I thought I played like it, thought these guys played like it. What a great football team, what a great team win, and what a great effort all the way around."
On difficulty of the weather:
“It was really difficult, especially as a quarterback. But in the end, that’s reality and you’ve got to deal with the situation. Both teams are affected and have to go through it. You have to find the best spot with the ball and go for it.”
Safety Rolan Milligan
On the most memorable part of playing in the Marmot Boca Raton Bowl:
“For me, being able to come home [from Lake Wales, Fla.] and play in front of my family and friends. I know some people couldn’t make it but I had their support and the support of my teammates. To have family and friends watch our last game as seniors was special.”
Wide Receiver Cody Thompson
On onside kick:
“The kicker made a great onside kick and I was able to hold onto the ball. I held on like it was the most important thing at the time, because it was. I had it the whole time.”
