Post-Game Quotes - CMU
Head Coach Jason Candle
“It was a really special day in the Glass Bowl with a lot of alumni back and honoring two championship teams. We played a really good first half and created a lot of momentum for ourselves. We knew it was going to be a tough 60-minute game and to get off to a good start was important. To start 1-0 in conference play is big. We have a monster challenge next week in DeKalb.”
On the strong first-half performance
“Forcing the turnover in the first half really helped us a lot. Turnovers in college football are huge momentum swings. We saw that in the second half with our punts being blocked in the second half. You have to capitalize when you create turnovers.”
On the defense limiting CMU's offense to 17 points
“Our defense was able to get off the field on third downs and that was big for us. A big factor in that was being effect on first downs and putting them behind the sticks.”
Linebacker Dallas Gant
On the defense’s fast start in the first half
“I think it’s a big confidence boost for the defense when you come out and get a couple stops early. You get a little taste of what they’re going to do and get a chance to clean things up at halftime. I think that’s big for our team and helps us get acclimated to the game.”
On forcing three turnovers
“It was an emphasis this week in practice to force turnovers, and I think we succeeded in doing that at crucial moments of this game.”
Running Back Jacquez Stuart
On rushing for a career-high 122 yards
“It felt great. I want to thank the offensive line, we knew we were going up against a good defensive line and they executed our plan perfectly.”
On how the play of the running backs can elevate the offense
“I think when we play well it helps DQ, it takes some wear and tear off his body. I thought our offense looked really great today. The running game, passing game, everything was working today.”
Quarterback Dequan Finn
On the quick start in the first half
“We put a big emphasis on starting fast offensively. We feel that when we get off to a fast start, nobody can stop us.”
On coming away with a win after two straight losses
“We came into the game thinking we have to be 1-0 after this week. We didn’t care about last week. Last week is last week, we had to move forward.”
On staying focused week-to-week
“I tell the guys to keep stacking days. Once you have a good day, stack it on top of another good day. Next thing you know you’ve had a good week. That’s what we need to keep doing, stacking good days.”
