Post-Game Quotes vs. UMass
Head Coach Jason Candle
On his team’s performance against UMass
“I’m obviously very pleased with our team tonight,” head coach Jason Candle said. “I think it was a strong performance in all three phases of the game. I thought there was great energy in the stadium and we had a great crowd tonight. This is exactly what I wanted to happen after what I thought was a really good week of practice. We have a massive test in front of us next week and we’ll have to replicate that, but I’m happy with our football team tonight.”
On the importance of the team’s fourth down conversion in the first quarter
“Being able to pick up that fourth down was huge. We got a good block on the edge by Thomas Zsiros. After getting a stop early in the game, being able to respond with the first score is huge.”
On the running game and playing several different running backs
“Some guys do different things well. There are certain personnel packages where guys go in and out. Some guys are better pass catchers, some are better in short-yardage situations. We’ll continue to evaluate the tape and keep moving forward."
On Desjuan Johnson
“ He’s a monster. He’s done everything we’ve asked him to do. He got his weight up and he’s still an explosive player. He’s hard to deal with, he made that very evident last week.”
Senior defensive tackle Desjuan Johnson
“It’s important to visualize yourself making the play as much as you can. When we go through walk-throughs, I visualize myself making the play, so when it’s time to go full-speed it just happens.”
“We’re playing well defensively right now, but there are still some areas we need to capitalize on and get better. When we watch film we can see that we should have had a TFL here, or a sack there. We’re still working to get better.”
Sophomore wide receiver Jerjuan Newton
"A lot of my relationship with DQ has to do with trust. I line up out there and sometimes I look at DQ, and he will just give me a look and I know we are going to make the play."
"Toledo offense has always been one of the more explosive offensives in college football. I feel we keep getting better every week. I feel like we could be the best. we just have to keep clicking."
"Coach Candle and Coach Beard really emphasize the blocking, because as a receiver there is more to a game than just catching passes. As the offense, we are a team. Whatever we can do to help the team get better, we’re going to block those plays. We don’t have selfish guys at all. All we want to do is win, so whatever it takes to win is what we’re going to do. If that’s blocking, we’re going to get in there and block."
Sophomore quarterback Dequan Finn
"I left some throws out there that I thought I could make, but that’s part of football.But overall I felt like I did well."
"I feel like it was a big confidence builder for the whole team, including the offensive line. We like to score a lot of points and we talk about being the most explosive offensive in the country. Having that type of rhythm and having that sense of urgency and hustle at the O-line. I give a big thanks to the O-line and feel that without them, I would have been in a lot of trouble."
