Postgame Quotes
10/15/2005 12:00:00 AM | Football
Recap | Box Score | Notes | Photo Gallery
NORTHWESTERN QUOTES
Head coach Randy Walker
Opening statement
"I am really proud of my kids. I fully expected Purdue to make a run in the second half, and I expected it to be a four-quarter game. I feel like we needed a game like this, as far as progression goes. We're all about getting better one week at a time."
On Northwestern's inability to score for much of the second half
"It was really all about bad field position. We had a lot of dropped balls and we took ourselves out of drives. What it all boils down to is that we didn't execute, but luckily we were able to put one more drive together to close the game out."
On his decision to go for the touchdown on 4th-and-1 in the fourth quarter, rather than kick a field goal
"It was really all about the condition of the field. You saw (Purdue kicker Ben) Jones struggle and you saw our guy struggle. It wasn't, by any means, lack of confidence in (Joel Howells). I felt we had a better chance to gain a half yard than to take a chance on a missed field goal."
Running back Tyrell Sutton
On going for the touchdown on 4th-and-1 in the fourth quarter, rather than kicking a field goal
"I support the decision to go for a touchdown. I always think it's better to try and put the game away than to play safe. I wasn't worried that I couldn't get in. My only concern was us making mental errors."
On allowing Purdue back in the game
"We tend to let up after the half when we have a big lead. But I think it's a good thing for us because it serves as a gut-check when we fight off a charge from the other team."
On leadership from Northwestern quarterback Brett Basanez
"He's the best leader we have out there. As a freshman, I look to him for support, and he's always there to take away pressure and keep us in check."
Cornerback Marquice Cole
On the play of the defense
"We knew we'd be on the field a lot today. In the last couple of weeks we've given up the big play, so we practiced for that all week. This feels good. We got tested today."
PURDUE QUOTES
Head coach Joe Tiller
Opening statement
"The turnover issue was huge. And it wasn't just the turnover itself, but it was where we turned it over and when. The turnover that was ruled as a touchback was surprising; that hasn't happened with a team of mine since 1970. I didn't think our defense responded like they should have, which played a huge part. We need to step up and respond, and know where they're at and what they're doing at all times. We had situations of third-and-10, and we didn't respond, which makes winning difficult. Northwestern has the best offense in the Big Ten, and they showed that today. We came back in the second half and mounted a charge, but couldn't hold on to the ball."
On replacing quarterback Brandon Kirsch with Curtis Painter
"I don't think Curtis really sparked the team, necessarily. He was nervous and not nearly as accurate during this game as he is during practice. He was throwing high passes, and didn't go through all of his progressions the way he should have. He had someone open to his left and threw right in the center of the field which was full of defenders."
Quarterback Brandon Kirsch
"Offensively, we were in our attack mode, and we thought we could take advantage of their pass defense. We showed signs of greatness, but in the end, we didn't get it done."
On Dorien Bryant
"We have a lot of receivers making plays, and the best receiver should get more passes thrown his way. Our offense is designed for Dorien to get more touches, and he has been very successful."
On the turnovers
"It was an up-and-down game, and we thought we would at least get three points on the two drives where we fumbled the ball. Ball security is a big topic around here. There are plays to be made, and we are not making them, and that includes the interception that I threw at the end of the game."
Running back Jerod Void
On team morale
"We have to keep pushing. We can't give up, no matter how we're playing. We just have to come out to practice this week and get back at it."
On the spread offense
"I thought we ran it really well. We move the ball up and down the field, but we just killed ourselves in the red zone. Those are points we have to find a way to get, and we just have to finish as an offense."
On surpassing 2,000 rushing yards
"It's a good accomplishment and something to be proud of, but it's not something that I'm focusing on right now."
On future team preparation
"We just have to keep working hard. We have to start finding ways to win no matter how we have to do it."
Wide receiver Andre Chattams
On the spread offense
"It gets the ball moving, and it plays to our tempo. It's a good offense for us, but we just need to work out the kinks."
On his role in the spread offense
"I'll do anything to make plays, regardless of the situation. I'm just out there to help the team win."
On getting over the slump of close games
"It's a matter of correcting a few things. All in all, we played pretty well, and once we get our problems worked out, we'll be alright."
