Postgame Quotes - Western Michigan
Head Coach Jason Candle
“I’m really proud of the fight our football team showed today. All across the board I thought we played a really good second half. We had a few guys who had to step up when the guy in front of them went down, and I thought they played really well. Some guys that started the year on the second team got their moment today and were bright stars in the game. We need to do better in certain phases of the game and address the tape, but we never apologize for wins and we’re proud of getting one today.”
On overcoming turnovers and injuries to win by double-digits
“We have a unique group of guys. I think it says a lot about the program. It’s easier to have a good team, it’s really hard to develop a good program. Sometimes when adversity hits, the fabric of your program shows up. I thought ours showed up today.”
On the play of quarterback Tucker Gleason
“I’m super proud of Tucker. It’s different at quarterback. At other positions you can contribute on special teams, or you might be able to rotate in at your position. Only one quarterback can play. To stay in the game mentally and prepare each and every day, that’s a conversation you need to have with yourself every day. I think he benefited tonight from the commitment he’s shown to his position.”
On the play of safety Emmanuel McNeil-Warren
“I feel great for him. He’s another young player who comes in on his own to watch tape and is really committed to being a really good player. We always thought throughout the recruiting process that he could be really special. He was a big lift for our defense today.”
On the performance of the offensive line against a stout Western Michigan front-seven
“We knew going into the game that Western Michigan was going to create some pressure and some negative plays. They’re going to test your physical ability and your mental ability, and they’re going to test you at a really high speed. Credit to them for their preparation and credit to assistant coach Mike Hallett, assistant coach Mark Staten, and graduate assistant Max Wray for getting those guys ready to play.”
Daniel Bolden
On the team’s fourth-quarter response in the last two games
"Our defense is a very close-knit group. In tough situations, we come together instead of splitting apart. That has been the difference in a few games this year."
Jerjuan Newton
On backup players stepping up in the game
“We had so many people go out with injuries today and so many of our backups stepped up and played big, which helped us win this game. They all played a major part in the game today. Coach Candle said before the season, that for us to be where we want to be, it’s not about where the starters are. It’s going to be about the people who step up when things get hard throughout the season. And that’s what happened today. We all rallied together and made sure we got the job done."
Tucker Gleason
On his confidence going into the game
"I had two starts under my belt, a bunch of playing time last year, and a little bit of time during the Texas Southern game, so there were no worries. I was prepared all week like I was going to go into the game to be the starter. When my time was called, an unfortunate situation for why I was called, but I had to step up and make a play."
"You go through the walk-through at the hotel and even throughout practice, taking a quarter of the reps as the starter takes. So, there’s definitely a psychological piece that you’re not going in as the starter, but if that is something you can overcome, then you can thrive as a backup quarterback."
