Northwestern University Athletics
#18 Northwestern 21, Purdue 14 • Postgame Quotes
No. 18 Northwestern vs. Purdue
Ryan Field
November 14, 2015
Postgame Quotes
Northwestern Head Coach Pat Fitzgerald
Opening Statement...
"Really proud of our 24 great seniors. They've been through a lot and to lead us to where we're at today, to finish their last home game here at Ryan Field with a win will be a memory that, when we get together 25 years from now, that I don't think that they'll forget. ... On the field, from the standpoint of finding a way to win, and I'm never going to apologize for going 1-0 in a Big Ten game — it's hard to win Big Ten games. Obviously, Purdue has improved. We saw that on video. And I tip my hat to Darrell and his staff. They've stayed the course and their young men are playing their tails off. We knew today was going to be a battle, but with that being said, we have to be more efficient offensively. We had way too many one-man breakdowns up front. We had big holes and big seams where one guy was able to trip up our back, which is unacceptable. Obviously not consistent enough in the passing game and that's something that we've definitely got to look at. From a positive standpoint, I thought we controlled the field position with our special teams and I thought our defense — when you lose the turnover ratio the way we did, it's pretty rare that you find a way to win a game. But our defense, we use the analogy — not to be disrespectful — of being a fireman. The bell rings, and when you're a fireman, it's time to go put the fire out. When you turn the ball over, there's a fire out in the field and the guys have got to go put it out. And our defense did that 100 percent today and that was obviously the difference in the game. So, we'll enjoy it. We're 1-0. We move on. But obviously a lot of work to do as we get ready for a great opponent next week in one of the great venues in college football."
On the team rebounding after back-to-back losses earlier in the season...
"We didn't obviously do the things we needed to do in those games – in the first half against Michigan and in the second half against Iowa. And those are two pretty darn good football teams, both ranked in the top 15 of the country. So I think you go into the locker room after games like that ... you're frustrated, you're not very pleased, but you know that you've got a good team. You just have to find a way as a coach to get it out of the guys. And I really leaned on our seniors, our captains and our leadership council for us to get out of that whole — they were going to have to lead us out of it just by staying the course and doing what we do. And, so far, we've been able to do that by finding a way to win. But we still have got to get better if we want to continue to be successful."
On redshirt freshman Clayton Thorson's response to being taken out of game...
"Mick [McCall] and I were talking and we just felt like we wanted to take him out and let him take a breather for a second. We've talked about that quite a bit. Actually, when you research some things — when you've got a rookie quarterback, even a veteran quarterback — sometimes when you take him out and give him a series, he gets a chance to take an exhale and go back in and go play. And so, would we have kept Zack [Oliver] in if we had gone down and scored? Maybe. Would we have gone back to Clayton? Maybe. But I just felt like, after the turnover, I wanted to go back to what we were doing — Clayton had already settled down and felt good about where he was at, and that's why we made the decision to do that. So I thought it was well thought out. And again, I have full confidence in Matt Alviti. And if it gets to that point, I believe that Matt can go move the football for us too. So that's a guy that I'm really proud of, Matt. He's being patient. He's still getting reps in the game plan, he's still getting himself prepared. But we found a way to win, and Justin [Jackson] had a big game and that was important."
On the defense's adjustments as the game progressed...
"Our guys executed better. I thought we tackled better. [Purdue was] doing a good job. I'll give them credit for some of the things that they were doing. We just had to make some tweaks to what we were doing and then the guys went out and executed. I don't really think that beyond the first play of the game and then that drive, our defense didn't really give up anything else. Those are about nine plays that our defense would like to have back. But outside of that, I thought they played outstanding."
Northwestern Student-Athletes
LB Anthony Walker Jr.
On playing in a game that could be considered too close for comfort…
“At the end of the day the day the goal is to go 1-0 each week. We can’t worry about the outside media or the fans; we just have to worry about ourselves. Our goal was to go 1-0 and we accomplished that today, so that’s the end of the discussion with that one. Now it’s time to move on and get ready for another big one at Wisconsin next week.”
On rebounding so well after the two losses earlier in the season…
“I think there’s just a positive mindset going around the locker room right now. Everybody is focused on getting better each day, each week, and taking it one game at a time, not looking at the big picture. We were looking at trying to go 1-0 each week and I think that focuses on everybody to play fast and play smart and go out and execute the gameplan.“
On making adjustments after Purdue’s second half touchdown drive…
“I think it’s just going back to doing what we were coached to do. I think we had a few letdowns, just on execution. I think we just had to finish our execution and do what the gameplan said. I don’t think we changed too much, we just had to execute the gameplan originally set.”
S Traveon Henry
On playing in his last home game as a senior…
“It was a bunch of mixed emotions. It was kind of bittersweet because it’s been a very quick four years, but it’s been a fortunate four years with a lot of growth and a lot of learning. It’s pretty cool to see it culminate to this point. To be here is such a blessing, so I’m just really grateful for it.”
On what he would like to shore up next week…
“Trying to go 1-0 again. Doing what we can in the situation that we can. As Coach Fitz always says, we just to control what we can control. Today we let some things go and it was a battle, Purdue is a great team. They played very well, they showed up, and you can tell they wanted to win. But we stepped up when the time was right, and next week we’re excited to get another opportunity on the road.”
On potentially having lower energy levels for what could be considered a ‘trap game’…
“I think we were really excited for this game. There was huge emphasis on it being Senior Day, so we really just all wanted to buy in into what we had going this week for the seniors that were playing in the game. When you get to the Big Ten, I wouldn’t say that there is such a thing as a trap game. We have to show up every game and show up every play.”
QB Clayton Thorson
On talking with the coaches about being taken out for a few series…
“They were very open about talking about that [resting for a series], we talked about that the whole year. I think I just needed to settle down a little bit and get back into a groove. That’s what we did, and as an offense it was good. Zack [Oliver] came in and made some big throws, got us a little momentum there, and then we just finished it from there on the next drive.”
On running more aggressively since the Iowa game…
“I don’t think there was any one emphasis on it. I think especially after last week I needed to run and get my pads down a little bit. Especially on that 3rd and 11, I think that’s what I did, and I was happy about that. I don’t think there’s anything we’re changing, it just comes in the flow of the game.”
On Clayton’s big third down run for a first down late in the game…
“It was a pass play, obviously. I just saw a hole, they had good coverage on the play, and I just ran it. I drove my feet on contact and we had a few yards to go there, and we were lucky enough to get it.”
RB Justin Jackson
On being able to close out games with running…
“I think it’s important for us to keep our defense off the field. Running the ball helps us do that, it melts away the clock a little bit, give them a little break. If you see the games we haven’t won, we’ve been getting off the field really quick and putting them in a bind. When we run the ball it establishes a tone, and lets our defense, which is very good obviously, stay off the field and get a breather that they need.”
On taking the positives from getting the win…
“Obviously we want to capitalize on the opportunities we have, offensively, but it’s a Big Ten game and it’s going to be tough. You’re not going to walk on the field and blow a team out, that’s not how it works, especially in the Big Ten. We knew we were going to go out there and be in a fight. They had nothing to lose, they’re playing for pride and they came out and played really well, especially defensively. Like any game were going to go watch the film and try to get better but in the end it’s just trying to get one tally in the win column.”
On playing for the seniors…
“All the work they put in, they’ve brought us along so far, from where we were the past few years. I’m just really proud that we could go out there and get a win for them, because every single day they come in and they’re leading us, the younger guys and the team to victory every single day, whether it’s on the practice field or on game day. I’m just really happy to get a win for those guys.”
Purdue Head Coach Darrell Hazell
On the team’s performance...
“Our punting toward the end of the game wasn’t as good as we needed it to be, and we had a couple of mental mistakes. We had to use the timeout because we were in the wrong formation.”
On the defense’s performance...
“I thought they did a good job for most of the day. I thought that in the first drive they were a little bit unsettled, but then they settled down and played really good defense… At the end, I thought they held in there against a good football team, offensively.”
On Justin Jackson…
“He’s a good back. He’s quick and he plays around people. He knew he was going to get his yards, but we kind of held him somewhat in check for most of the game. For a couple plays he got out. He’s a good player.”
On the start of the second half…
“We had run some inside zones, but we also had thrown the ball pretty well in that first drive coming out of the half. I think that’s what you have to do. We have enough guys, and they’re starting to learn how to get better. It was just that last quarter of the half, where we were saying ‘We have to make a play. We’ve got to make a play.’ It’s both sides of the ball. We have to be able to punt the ball better, and that puts stress on you. It takes a little bit of the wind out of the sails on the sideline when you don’t punt it as well as you should. Those are the things that we have to be able to overcome.”
On the field goal opportunity…
“That’s a huge play. It’s 14-14, and we got in position to kick the field goal. We had the wind, which was a factor today, and we knew that… It puts a lot of pressure on the whole team when you don’t make a field goal, not just the offense because you drive down the field. When you’ve got a chance to go up a score you’ve got to be able to make those field goals.”
On WR Domonique Young…
“He’s a good player, and he’s got so much growth potential. He’s strong… He’s got the body of a 5’11” guy but he’s 6’2” in terms of being able to do the things he’s able to do. He’s just going to continue to get better.”
Purdue Student-Athletes
DT Jake Replogle
On the loss…
“I thought we played tough. I thought we were good on defense. I was proud of our effort. We were having fun for most of the game. We were making plays. That is what we need to be doing every week. It’s a tough loss but I was proud of our energy.”
On trying to get back on a winning track…
“We will watch the film tomorrow but we’ve just got to finish games. It’s as simple as that. We’ve just got to finish games.”
WR Domonique Young
On the feeling going into the game…
“I came out of the locker room ready, energized. We were just ready to go and we played that way. We played with a passion. We played with heart. Everything just went right for us, mistake-free.”
On pressure due to not attempting field goals…
“We have to do what we have to do. We have to make the plays when they come. Whether it’s pressure or not, we’ve still got to execute.”
On his first play…
“It was a double move, a stutter. Pretty much just waiting for it. I knew, based on film, that if they saw anything inside, they would jump it, so I just stuttered my feet and when he jumped, I just took off.”
On being so open in that play…
“I expected it. I just needed to catch the ball, I didn’t have to think about it. I just had to let my body do what it had to do. It was kind of a fingertip catch. I just had to make sure I caught it.”
On Coach Hazell’s status and Morgan Burke…
“Morgan Burke is really inspirational. He’s always around talking to us, motivating us, pushing us. Same with Coach Hazell. So whenever we hear something from him, it goes a long way. Coach Hazell, he’s our head coach, so whatever he says it’s going to register in our minds. I feel like what he said before he left our locker room was inspirational so we just went out there and played.”
“He said, go out there, play hard, play fast, and don’t let anyone stop you, just do what you have to do.”
On talks of a new coach for next year…
“As players that is not really our say. We are just out there to play. Whether we’re 28-6 or 6-28, we’re just going to go out there and play and do our best.”
QB David Blough
On the strong short pass game early in the game…
“The short passes were happening on first and ten, second and five. So if we got behind the chains, we had some penalties and some mental errors. It made it tough for that short passing game to work when you are third and long. Short passing game worked until we were in passing situations when the short pass game can’t work.”
On the multiple penalties…
“It is not a good feeling, kind of demoralizing. I don’t know if demoralizing is the right word but you start thinking about your second and long plays and those are much harder then your first and ten, or second and five.”
On the offensive problems in the second half…
“They loaded the box on us. We just had their misses. A guy made a nice arm tackle or something against us, and it was just frustrating. Our defense played really well in the third and fourth quarter and we just could not get them a score. Penalties were demoralizing, mental errors, stuff like that. Losing Markell hurt a little bit.”
On the defense…
“There are a couple of times on first down that we got behind the chains on penalties and stuff. We kind of shot ourselves in the foot. We didn’t make a completion so we got to second and ten., or we took a sack. When you get behind the chains, those second and long or third and long plays are harder to convert and they pressure you man to man. Credit to Northwestern. Those guys are good and they’ve beat some good teams. Gosh, we’ve got to do better.”
Ryan Field
November 14, 2015
Postgame Quotes
Northwestern Head Coach Pat Fitzgerald
Opening Statement...
"Really proud of our 24 great seniors. They've been through a lot and to lead us to where we're at today, to finish their last home game here at Ryan Field with a win will be a memory that, when we get together 25 years from now, that I don't think that they'll forget. ... On the field, from the standpoint of finding a way to win, and I'm never going to apologize for going 1-0 in a Big Ten game — it's hard to win Big Ten games. Obviously, Purdue has improved. We saw that on video. And I tip my hat to Darrell and his staff. They've stayed the course and their young men are playing their tails off. We knew today was going to be a battle, but with that being said, we have to be more efficient offensively. We had way too many one-man breakdowns up front. We had big holes and big seams where one guy was able to trip up our back, which is unacceptable. Obviously not consistent enough in the passing game and that's something that we've definitely got to look at. From a positive standpoint, I thought we controlled the field position with our special teams and I thought our defense — when you lose the turnover ratio the way we did, it's pretty rare that you find a way to win a game. But our defense, we use the analogy — not to be disrespectful — of being a fireman. The bell rings, and when you're a fireman, it's time to go put the fire out. When you turn the ball over, there's a fire out in the field and the guys have got to go put it out. And our defense did that 100 percent today and that was obviously the difference in the game. So, we'll enjoy it. We're 1-0. We move on. But obviously a lot of work to do as we get ready for a great opponent next week in one of the great venues in college football."
On the team rebounding after back-to-back losses earlier in the season...
"We didn't obviously do the things we needed to do in those games – in the first half against Michigan and in the second half against Iowa. And those are two pretty darn good football teams, both ranked in the top 15 of the country. So I think you go into the locker room after games like that ... you're frustrated, you're not very pleased, but you know that you've got a good team. You just have to find a way as a coach to get it out of the guys. And I really leaned on our seniors, our captains and our leadership council for us to get out of that whole — they were going to have to lead us out of it just by staying the course and doing what we do. And, so far, we've been able to do that by finding a way to win. But we still have got to get better if we want to continue to be successful."
On redshirt freshman Clayton Thorson's response to being taken out of game...
"Mick [McCall] and I were talking and we just felt like we wanted to take him out and let him take a breather for a second. We've talked about that quite a bit. Actually, when you research some things — when you've got a rookie quarterback, even a veteran quarterback — sometimes when you take him out and give him a series, he gets a chance to take an exhale and go back in and go play. And so, would we have kept Zack [Oliver] in if we had gone down and scored? Maybe. Would we have gone back to Clayton? Maybe. But I just felt like, after the turnover, I wanted to go back to what we were doing — Clayton had already settled down and felt good about where he was at, and that's why we made the decision to do that. So I thought it was well thought out. And again, I have full confidence in Matt Alviti. And if it gets to that point, I believe that Matt can go move the football for us too. So that's a guy that I'm really proud of, Matt. He's being patient. He's still getting reps in the game plan, he's still getting himself prepared. But we found a way to win, and Justin [Jackson] had a big game and that was important."
On the defense's adjustments as the game progressed...
"Our guys executed better. I thought we tackled better. [Purdue was] doing a good job. I'll give them credit for some of the things that they were doing. We just had to make some tweaks to what we were doing and then the guys went out and executed. I don't really think that beyond the first play of the game and then that drive, our defense didn't really give up anything else. Those are about nine plays that our defense would like to have back. But outside of that, I thought they played outstanding."
Northwestern Student-Athletes
LB Anthony Walker Jr.
On playing in a game that could be considered too close for comfort…
“At the end of the day the day the goal is to go 1-0 each week. We can’t worry about the outside media or the fans; we just have to worry about ourselves. Our goal was to go 1-0 and we accomplished that today, so that’s the end of the discussion with that one. Now it’s time to move on and get ready for another big one at Wisconsin next week.”
On rebounding so well after the two losses earlier in the season…
“I think there’s just a positive mindset going around the locker room right now. Everybody is focused on getting better each day, each week, and taking it one game at a time, not looking at the big picture. We were looking at trying to go 1-0 each week and I think that focuses on everybody to play fast and play smart and go out and execute the gameplan.“
On making adjustments after Purdue’s second half touchdown drive…
“I think it’s just going back to doing what we were coached to do. I think we had a few letdowns, just on execution. I think we just had to finish our execution and do what the gameplan said. I don’t think we changed too much, we just had to execute the gameplan originally set.”
S Traveon Henry
On playing in his last home game as a senior…
“It was a bunch of mixed emotions. It was kind of bittersweet because it’s been a very quick four years, but it’s been a fortunate four years with a lot of growth and a lot of learning. It’s pretty cool to see it culminate to this point. To be here is such a blessing, so I’m just really grateful for it.”
On what he would like to shore up next week…
“Trying to go 1-0 again. Doing what we can in the situation that we can. As Coach Fitz always says, we just to control what we can control. Today we let some things go and it was a battle, Purdue is a great team. They played very well, they showed up, and you can tell they wanted to win. But we stepped up when the time was right, and next week we’re excited to get another opportunity on the road.”
On potentially having lower energy levels for what could be considered a ‘trap game’…
“I think we were really excited for this game. There was huge emphasis on it being Senior Day, so we really just all wanted to buy in into what we had going this week for the seniors that were playing in the game. When you get to the Big Ten, I wouldn’t say that there is such a thing as a trap game. We have to show up every game and show up every play.”
QB Clayton Thorson
On talking with the coaches about being taken out for a few series…
“They were very open about talking about that [resting for a series], we talked about that the whole year. I think I just needed to settle down a little bit and get back into a groove. That’s what we did, and as an offense it was good. Zack [Oliver] came in and made some big throws, got us a little momentum there, and then we just finished it from there on the next drive.”
On running more aggressively since the Iowa game…
“I don’t think there was any one emphasis on it. I think especially after last week I needed to run and get my pads down a little bit. Especially on that 3rd and 11, I think that’s what I did, and I was happy about that. I don’t think there’s anything we’re changing, it just comes in the flow of the game.”
On Clayton’s big third down run for a first down late in the game…
“It was a pass play, obviously. I just saw a hole, they had good coverage on the play, and I just ran it. I drove my feet on contact and we had a few yards to go there, and we were lucky enough to get it.”
RB Justin Jackson
On being able to close out games with running…
“I think it’s important for us to keep our defense off the field. Running the ball helps us do that, it melts away the clock a little bit, give them a little break. If you see the games we haven’t won, we’ve been getting off the field really quick and putting them in a bind. When we run the ball it establishes a tone, and lets our defense, which is very good obviously, stay off the field and get a breather that they need.”
On taking the positives from getting the win…
“Obviously we want to capitalize on the opportunities we have, offensively, but it’s a Big Ten game and it’s going to be tough. You’re not going to walk on the field and blow a team out, that’s not how it works, especially in the Big Ten. We knew we were going to go out there and be in a fight. They had nothing to lose, they’re playing for pride and they came out and played really well, especially defensively. Like any game were going to go watch the film and try to get better but in the end it’s just trying to get one tally in the win column.”
On playing for the seniors…
“All the work they put in, they’ve brought us along so far, from where we were the past few years. I’m just really proud that we could go out there and get a win for them, because every single day they come in and they’re leading us, the younger guys and the team to victory every single day, whether it’s on the practice field or on game day. I’m just really happy to get a win for those guys.”
Purdue Head Coach Darrell Hazell
On the team’s performance...
“Our punting toward the end of the game wasn’t as good as we needed it to be, and we had a couple of mental mistakes. We had to use the timeout because we were in the wrong formation.”
On the defense’s performance...
“I thought they did a good job for most of the day. I thought that in the first drive they were a little bit unsettled, but then they settled down and played really good defense… At the end, I thought they held in there against a good football team, offensively.”
On Justin Jackson…
“He’s a good back. He’s quick and he plays around people. He knew he was going to get his yards, but we kind of held him somewhat in check for most of the game. For a couple plays he got out. He’s a good player.”
On the start of the second half…
“We had run some inside zones, but we also had thrown the ball pretty well in that first drive coming out of the half. I think that’s what you have to do. We have enough guys, and they’re starting to learn how to get better. It was just that last quarter of the half, where we were saying ‘We have to make a play. We’ve got to make a play.’ It’s both sides of the ball. We have to be able to punt the ball better, and that puts stress on you. It takes a little bit of the wind out of the sails on the sideline when you don’t punt it as well as you should. Those are the things that we have to be able to overcome.”
On the field goal opportunity…
“That’s a huge play. It’s 14-14, and we got in position to kick the field goal. We had the wind, which was a factor today, and we knew that… It puts a lot of pressure on the whole team when you don’t make a field goal, not just the offense because you drive down the field. When you’ve got a chance to go up a score you’ve got to be able to make those field goals.”
On WR Domonique Young…
“He’s a good player, and he’s got so much growth potential. He’s strong… He’s got the body of a 5’11” guy but he’s 6’2” in terms of being able to do the things he’s able to do. He’s just going to continue to get better.”
Purdue Student-Athletes
DT Jake Replogle
On the loss…
“I thought we played tough. I thought we were good on defense. I was proud of our effort. We were having fun for most of the game. We were making plays. That is what we need to be doing every week. It’s a tough loss but I was proud of our energy.”
On trying to get back on a winning track…
“We will watch the film tomorrow but we’ve just got to finish games. It’s as simple as that. We’ve just got to finish games.”
WR Domonique Young
On the feeling going into the game…
“I came out of the locker room ready, energized. We were just ready to go and we played that way. We played with a passion. We played with heart. Everything just went right for us, mistake-free.”
On pressure due to not attempting field goals…
“We have to do what we have to do. We have to make the plays when they come. Whether it’s pressure or not, we’ve still got to execute.”
On his first play…
“It was a double move, a stutter. Pretty much just waiting for it. I knew, based on film, that if they saw anything inside, they would jump it, so I just stuttered my feet and when he jumped, I just took off.”
On being so open in that play…
“I expected it. I just needed to catch the ball, I didn’t have to think about it. I just had to let my body do what it had to do. It was kind of a fingertip catch. I just had to make sure I caught it.”
On Coach Hazell’s status and Morgan Burke…
“Morgan Burke is really inspirational. He’s always around talking to us, motivating us, pushing us. Same with Coach Hazell. So whenever we hear something from him, it goes a long way. Coach Hazell, he’s our head coach, so whatever he says it’s going to register in our minds. I feel like what he said before he left our locker room was inspirational so we just went out there and played.”
“He said, go out there, play hard, play fast, and don’t let anyone stop you, just do what you have to do.”
On talks of a new coach for next year…
“As players that is not really our say. We are just out there to play. Whether we’re 28-6 or 6-28, we’re just going to go out there and play and do our best.”
QB David Blough
On the strong short pass game early in the game…
“The short passes were happening on first and ten, second and five. So if we got behind the chains, we had some penalties and some mental errors. It made it tough for that short passing game to work when you are third and long. Short passing game worked until we were in passing situations when the short pass game can’t work.”
On the multiple penalties…
“It is not a good feeling, kind of demoralizing. I don’t know if demoralizing is the right word but you start thinking about your second and long plays and those are much harder then your first and ten, or second and five.”
On the offensive problems in the second half…
“They loaded the box on us. We just had their misses. A guy made a nice arm tackle or something against us, and it was just frustrating. Our defense played really well in the third and fourth quarter and we just could not get them a score. Penalties were demoralizing, mental errors, stuff like that. Losing Markell hurt a little bit.”
On the defense…
“There are a couple of times on first down that we got behind the chains on penalties and stuff. We kind of shot ourselves in the foot. We didn’t make a completion so we got to second and ten., or we took a sack. When you get behind the chains, those second and long or third and long plays are harder to convert and they pressure you man to man. Credit to Northwestern. Those guys are good and they’ve beat some good teams. Gosh, we’ve got to do better.”
