From the Locker Room: Michigan State
Brandon Wimbush, Mike McGlinchey, Julian Love, Shaun Crawford and Drue Tranquill spoke about Saturday's win at Michigan State.
Brandon Wimbush
On difference this week:
Wimbush: “I just felt a little more comfortable. Not that I didn’t feel comfortable last week, but the guys did a great job giving me time. This week the receivers definitely got open and made plays when their number was called.
“I thought I delivered the ball the way I knew I could. They made plays, even out of the backfield. Dexter Williams made a great catch in the end zone. My supporting cast did a hell of a job when their number was called.”
On offense after defense forces a turnover:
“I don’t think we think about it. The defense has been doing a great job of taking the ball away and giving us field position. We’ve been able to capitalize, not just with field goals, but six or seven points. That’s been great for us.”
On tightening mechanics:
“Sometimes as a quarterback, you can get away from what you were taught. You’re so focused on other things, and sometimes you forget about the easy mechanics and fundamentals of the game. I got back to that this week, and it proved to be a big leap forward in the passing game for us.
“It happens to all quarterbacks. Your arm just gets fatigued, and you extend your arm motion. You kind of get into that Tebowish phase, but you try to stay away from that as much as possible.”
On negative vibes from last week:
“I don’t think I doubted myself this week. I have a great surrounding cast, and everyone in the building was supportive of me. I try not to look at the media, even though I sent out a tweet. I had great support from everyone in the facility, my parents, and my family.”
On momentum from two road wins:
“I feel like we put four quarters together of good football. I think we have another level of execution and dominance that I think this team is going to get to eventually.”
Julian Love
On pick six:
“Coach Elko called a great defense, and we’ve been preparing for their route concepts. Their quarterback was really going off timing, so it was a quick throw. I broke on it, and I don’t really remember the rest.”
On setting momentum:
“I was so happy I could contribute to the team. I was excited. It was an exciting feeling, especially to do it in front of my family. I love playing for this school, and I love showing it through my play.”
On competition for turnovers:
“It’s always on our mind as corners. We’re brothers in the secondary and the defense. We get excited for each other. It feels like I make one and he makes one. I think that’s leading to our success.”
Shaun Crawford
On Michigan State passing game:
“We have to thank the defensive line for getting the pressure. We know going into a third down situation, we can get off the field because the secondary is going to handle their business and the front seven is going to get pressure.
“Coach Elko draws the perfect play, and we have to execute. We went through a ton of plays in third down situations throughout the week. We are ready for it. There weren’t any plays tonight we didn’t see this week in practice.”
On turnovers:
“We emphasize turnovers, and we always fought through the end during spring and offseason training. Everything we did, we had to finish. With the play going down to the goal line, I just saw the ball loose, and I was going to get a punch at it. I wanted to get my hands on the ball.”
Mike McGlinchey
On run game:
“Football, we like to think of it as one up front. We take a lot of pride in that. Michigan State historically and this year, they have a good front seven. They made it very hard for teams to run the ball on them. We got a system in place starting with Coach (Chip) Long and the trust he has in the six of us to get our jobs done even when things don’t necessarily gel as well as we would like. He’s stuck with us, and we’ve got the job done when it matters the most.”
On Brandon Wimbush:
“It’s not a surprise to us. We know exactly the kind of player and man Brandon Wimbush is. Everyone was harping on him all week. I don’t know how you can harp on a guy when he goes and takes over a game and rushes for four touchdowns and 200+ yards. It’s kind of crazy to me that someone can even flaw him for that.
“We know the quarterback Brandon is and who we have as a leader. We are lucky as hell to have him behind us. We know when the ball is in No. 7’s hand, something good is going to happen. He proves that time and time again. We’re very fortunate at the University of Notre Dame to have Brandon Wimbush as our quarterback.
Drue Tranquill
On rebounding from last year:
“It was really gratifying. It’s great to get a win on the road, and two road wins in a row. We played well as a team, and I’m super excited for these guys making such big plays. It’s just fun to celebrate and sing the fight song in the locker room.”