Texas A&M vs. Kansas State Post Game Quotes
Oct 11, 2008 | Football
Oct. 11, 2008
Mike Sherman
Texas A&M Head Coach
(On wide receiver Ryan Tannehill) Tannehill had a nice day. He did drop the ball, but he had a nice day. He'll remember that drop forever, more than the 12 or however many he caught. You need guys like that.
When you have a punt blocked, it's terrible enough, but when you have one blocked for a touchdown that's worse. We came out of our responsibility and chaste and gave up a crease and got a punt blocked.
(On quarterback Jerrod Johnson) He did some good things. I think he can do better. I'd like him to play faster, but he did better than he has been. I thought he made progress in this game, but he still has a ways to go.
(On why running back Mike Goodson did not play) Goodson was having trouble finding his way to class last week and that was the reason for that.
Jerrod is a competitor and Jerrod's a guy that doesn't dwell on the negative. He corrects it and fouls it away. He's a pretty confident kid. He believes in himself, as most good quarterbacks do.
Our success rate on 4th downs overall is OK, but today, put that on me.
(On whether Goodson will be back next week) We're going to visit tomorrow and talk about it tomorrow, but let's say there's a good chance.
Obviously, you're catching me at a time where I'm very disappointed. I'm not discouraged, but I'm disappointed. It's even more disappointing to lose at home. But I'm not discouraged. We need to play better to win and we did not deserve to win that football game. The team is very...I teach them to be very resilient. [Texas Tech's] ways are winning and we have to play better next week than we did today.
Joe Kines
A&M Defensive Coordinator
I've got to give a lot of credit to Kansas State and their offensive staff. Their quarterback was the player of the game, period. We've got to watch some tape before we start saying who did this and who did that, because it jumps back to bite you.
Sometimes it takes a while for things to catch on and sometimes it takes a little longer. Obviously we've been taking a good little while.
The most disappointing thing is that last week we took a guy out of the box and put seven guys in the box and we actually got better in the running game. We took a step backwards today. I promise that today, we're going to grab that tape and go back to work. You've got to go back to work and see if we can't stop a Texas Tech football team. When you ride a bull you've got two choices--either hang on or get bucked off and we're going to hang on.
Jerrod Johnson
Quarterback
Last week was tough for us. You know, we made some mistakes. Nothing really matters unless you get a "W." You can do whatever you want, but those critical plays, you've got to try to succeed in those.
One of the things coach tried to stress this week was tempo, tempo. I didn't really notice injuries because I was focusing on the tempo. I guess the guys that came in did a great job of covering. We've got a pretty good offensive line.
(On not converting close 4th downs) It's heartbreaking. It could have been the difference between a win and a loss. Put that on me. I should have pushed us through that.
JOVORSKIE LANE
Fullback
(On making a big touchdown) I'm still pretty down about the loss. I'd rather win today than break a record.
I put full responsibility on me for not getting that touchdown. Our offensive line did a great job blocking and Jerrod did his job, but I didn't get the ball across those two yards.
Ryan Tannehill
Wide Receiver
It really doesn't mean that much [to have a good game] since we didn't win. You can't look at stats and numbers if you don't get a "W."
We've got to beat Texas Tech. They're a good team, but if we prepare and practice like we should, we can do that.
If I'm out there and I'm playing, I'm going to do my best. I think 12 catches is possible, but right now stats don't really mean anything.
I think everyone's patience is wearing a little thin. When you don't make the critical plays, it really starts to wear on you. But this week we're going to work on that and try to make that happen.
Von Miller
Outside Line Backer
It's tough [to move on] but everybody on the team knows we're that close to being a good team and we're going to keep working.
Stats are good, but without a win, stats don't really mean anything.
K-STATE QUOTES
HEAD COACH RON PRINCE:
"It's outstanding to go on the road and win a game in the Big 12. I want to congratulate our team. Our coaches and team were very focused. Overall, I am very pleased. A&M is a very good team and very well-coached. It's my first trip to Kyle Field and it's a great environment. My hat's off to the fans. I had a chance to meet President (George H.W.) Bush before the game. That was an outstanding treat for me. We really needed today's win and we got it. We worked very hard on the blocked punt. I don't know of a better punter than (Justin) Brantly. It wasn't a perfect game but I'm very pleased with the effort. (Josh) Freeman had more carries than we planned and I'm very pleased with the offensive line. We thought his running game would be a huge factor. We had a young running back in the game and we didn't want to put the whole load on him. This is a very big win for our kids and our program. It's been since 1996 since we got a win here. (on next week's game at Colorado) To go on the road two weeks in a row is a huge challenge. This is a big confidence builder."
QUARTERBACK JOSH FREEMAN:
"It's always important to win, especially conference games. The offensive line played great today. We didn't plan on me running the ball as much as I did today, but we made the most of it. The guys came out and responded very well. We needed to win and came out and got the job done. We knew they were playing a lot of young players and we were able to get up on them quick. That played a bit part in today's win. We knew we had to win today. We came out and played our style of game and were successful. (on 98-yard drive) Coach told us we needed a 16-play drive and to take eight minutes off the clock. We were able to do it. "
LINEBACKER REGGIE WALKER:
"We're happy to get a win. They are a great team. Our defense did enough to win but we need to keep progressing. This win fired the team up. We had some big stops but we gave up a bunch of third-and-longs. That's unacceptable."
