MSU Weekly Press Conference Quotes
10/2/2008 12:00:00 AM | Football
Player quotes from Montana State's weekly press conference:
SAFETY JORDAN CRANEY
How does it feel to finally be playing a Big Sky game?
“It’s a good feeling, we can attack our main goal of winning the Big Sky this week, instead of playing those tune-up games, so to speak. It will be a good test for us.”
Do you gain momentum from last week’s win going into the conference?
“It was huge. We’ve gone through a couple of tough games against Kansas State and Minnesota. We played well against Minnesota, but still, there’s nothing like winning a game and dominating a game. We saw South Dakota coming in and we thought they’d be a dangerous team. We were able to jump on them early and keep them down. We just need to keep that going through conference play, and if we keep playing like that our goal is within reach.”
How tough is the challenge of playing Idaho State to begin the conference?
“An 0-4 team, that’s really deceiving. That’ll get you in trouble, looking at that record. They have a ton of explosive weapons on offense. Just knowing kids on that team, that’s a really good team and they’re going to fare well in the conference, as they showed playing against one of the best teams, Eastern Washington.”
Have you watched the game film of Eastern-ISU yet?
I’ve seen not the whole film, but (part of the game). Then when I got done with the game I headed home and turned on Big Sky TV and checked it out. I’ve always got to see how the Bengals are doing.”
What makes Idaho State so dangerous?
“That offense is so dangerous and at all times, and they didn’t even have Eddie Thompson, their star player in that game and they were still able to put up points and move the ball. That fourth quarter got them, but they’re a real good team all around.”
What makes Eddie Thompson so tough?
“He does everything, that’s the thing. There’s not just one thing he does, he does everything. He’s a returner, he’s a great receiver. At one time they used to line him up in the backfield, the Wild Hog thing like Arkansas did, and they had him at quarterback. Anything they ask him to do he’ll go out and make plays, so we need to go out and contain him and hopefully help stop that offense.”
Is it more of a challenge to open the conference on the road?
“You bring a lot more focus because when things are going good not everyone’s on your side. You just have to be really focused on the road. It just brings another access into the game, not only do you have an opponent against you but you’re not at home. You just have to bring your ‘A’ game.”
How important is it to get the win last week?
“I think that makes a big difference. When you win a game, it doesn’t matter who it’s against, there’s some confidence that comes from it. Even when we beat Adams State, which is a lesser opponent than Minnesota, you still get satisfaction out of a win. It looks good on the results. There’s just something about seeing that ‘W’.”
CENTER JIM VERLANIC
Talk about how good it feels when the O-line is working well together.
“It feels great to have the O-line all working together. We gave up zero (quarterback) hits, zero sacks, zero pressures this last week, and we rushed the ball really well. It’s just really exciting, it’s probably one of the best performances I’ve been a part of as an O-lineman.”
Does it get you fired up to block for three guys as different as Demetrius, Aaron and CJ?
“We just try to do our job and let those guys work around us. It doesn’t affect us. (laughs). I just block my guy.”
Does it affect you that people don’t talk about the offensive line?
“We take pride in what we do, whether or not other people are awarding us. We’re a humble group of guys, and we just like to do what we do.”
As a captain of this team, how much are you preparing your squad mentally for this game?
“Coming into to conference, it’s a big deal to come in all fired up and have a great game against these guys. Absolutely, showing leadership on the field going to be an important thing this week. It will be an important test.”
What has Idaho State shown defensively?
“I’m really excited to play against these guys because they play a 4-2 front, and that’s what they play the whole game. We’ve played a lot of games where (the opponent) has had 30 personnel, 40 personnel, they’ve showed us a lot of different fronts and we’ve had to distinguish different fronts the whole game. It’s been a rat-race. This game I’m really excited to go play and to match up against their guys.”
Are you excited to play a conference game?
“I’m really excited to start Big Sky Conference play. A lot of other Big Sky teams have already matched up, and I’m excited to see where we’re at.”
How did the win last week affect the team’s confidence?
“The win against South Dakota was a definite confidence booster.”
SAFETY JORDAN CRANEY
How does it feel to finally be playing a Big Sky game?
“It’s a good feeling, we can attack our main goal of winning the Big Sky this week, instead of playing those tune-up games, so to speak. It will be a good test for us.”
Do you gain momentum from last week’s win going into the conference?
“It was huge. We’ve gone through a couple of tough games against Kansas State and Minnesota. We played well against Minnesota, but still, there’s nothing like winning a game and dominating a game. We saw South Dakota coming in and we thought they’d be a dangerous team. We were able to jump on them early and keep them down. We just need to keep that going through conference play, and if we keep playing like that our goal is within reach.”
How tough is the challenge of playing Idaho State to begin the conference?
“An 0-4 team, that’s really deceiving. That’ll get you in trouble, looking at that record. They have a ton of explosive weapons on offense. Just knowing kids on that team, that’s a really good team and they’re going to fare well in the conference, as they showed playing against one of the best teams, Eastern Washington.”
Have you watched the game film of Eastern-ISU yet?
I’ve seen not the whole film, but (part of the game). Then when I got done with the game I headed home and turned on Big Sky TV and checked it out. I’ve always got to see how the Bengals are doing.”
What makes Idaho State so dangerous?
“That offense is so dangerous and at all times, and they didn’t even have Eddie Thompson, their star player in that game and they were still able to put up points and move the ball. That fourth quarter got them, but they’re a real good team all around.”
What makes Eddie Thompson so tough?
“He does everything, that’s the thing. There’s not just one thing he does, he does everything. He’s a returner, he’s a great receiver. At one time they used to line him up in the backfield, the Wild Hog thing like Arkansas did, and they had him at quarterback. Anything they ask him to do he’ll go out and make plays, so we need to go out and contain him and hopefully help stop that offense.”
Is it more of a challenge to open the conference on the road?
“You bring a lot more focus because when things are going good not everyone’s on your side. You just have to be really focused on the road. It just brings another access into the game, not only do you have an opponent against you but you’re not at home. You just have to bring your ‘A’ game.”
How important is it to get the win last week?
“I think that makes a big difference. When you win a game, it doesn’t matter who it’s against, there’s some confidence that comes from it. Even when we beat Adams State, which is a lesser opponent than Minnesota, you still get satisfaction out of a win. It looks good on the results. There’s just something about seeing that ‘W’.”
CENTER JIM VERLANIC
Talk about how good it feels when the O-line is working well together.
“It feels great to have the O-line all working together. We gave up zero (quarterback) hits, zero sacks, zero pressures this last week, and we rushed the ball really well. It’s just really exciting, it’s probably one of the best performances I’ve been a part of as an O-lineman.”
Does it get you fired up to block for three guys as different as Demetrius, Aaron and CJ?
“We just try to do our job and let those guys work around us. It doesn’t affect us. (laughs). I just block my guy.”
Does it affect you that people don’t talk about the offensive line?
“We take pride in what we do, whether or not other people are awarding us. We’re a humble group of guys, and we just like to do what we do.”
As a captain of this team, how much are you preparing your squad mentally for this game?
“Coming into to conference, it’s a big deal to come in all fired up and have a great game against these guys. Absolutely, showing leadership on the field going to be an important thing this week. It will be an important test.”
What has Idaho State shown defensively?
“I’m really excited to play against these guys because they play a 4-2 front, and that’s what they play the whole game. We’ve played a lot of games where (the opponent) has had 30 personnel, 40 personnel, they’ve showed us a lot of different fronts and we’ve had to distinguish different fronts the whole game. It’s been a rat-race. This game I’m really excited to go play and to match up against their guys.”
Are you excited to play a conference game?
“I’m really excited to start Big Sky Conference play. A lot of other Big Sky teams have already matched up, and I’m excited to see where we’re at.”
How did the win last week affect the team’s confidence?
“The win against South Dakota was a definite confidence booster.”
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