Ball State Football Postgame News Conference Quotes, November 23: Game 12 vs Bowling Green
Coach Johnson
Opening statement: "The game didn't go our way, obviously. We unfortunately put ourselves in some bad situations that we just couldn't take ourselves out of. We've got to get back to work here this week and figure out a way to go on the road."Â
Q: "As a former offensive lineman, how does it feel when you know that your unit is allowing pressures?"
A: "It's football. It's coaching. We've got to attack the tape, but I don't get the sense that those guys were just giving up pressures. I feel like it was targeted pressures with blitzes and other things of that nature."
Q: "How have you noticed the players and the staff adjust to [coaching changes] throughout the week?
A: "The players have been behind me 100% and I can feel that. I think it's natural that there's a little bit of questions in terms of, is it going to be the same or not. I try my best to keep the program in terms of what we do. The last thing I wanted was for the players to get off their schedule just because I believe in one thing or another."
Q: "What was your message to the team after the loss, and what's your plan to help them?"Â
A: "I just told you guys you don't always get what you want. Unfortunately, we didn't play well enough. I was very complimentary in the defense, and I told them I thought they did a lot of good things out there. If we match that intensity on our offensive side, it would have been a different ball game. After I told them how much I love them, and I've been in their shoes. This is a lesson that they've got to carry with them for the rest of their life."Â
Vaughn Pemberton
Q: "Do you think that there is something for other players to take away from how you process losses in tough times?"
A:Â "I think there definitely could be. I always focus on not bringing anything negative home. I really wanted to get this one for Coach Johnson and for all the seniors, but we've got another opportunity next week."
Q: "How much of a motivator is your son?"
A: "He motivates me so much, and he plays such a huge factor in my life in general. I know he's not going to remember any of these games, but I know someday I'll be able to turn on the film and watch it with him. I always think about how the way I present myself is a reflection of him."
Q: "How has the past week been with the coaching changes?"
A: "Â We had some really good practices. Coach Johnson does a great job at keeping us upbeat and keeping us ready. We just wanted to take this opportunity and make the most of it."Â
Riley Tolsma
QÂ : "How have you been able to immerse yourself in this team?"
A: "I've just been doing everything I can to work with and connect with these guys. I feel like I've been able to build a lot of close relationships with a lot of people. Even though I've only been here since January, I've been able to really develop a lot of bonds."
Q: "What is it to you that sticks out about this team?"
A: "I really just like atmosphere the coaches have created, what they believed in and how they cared about the players as men, not just players."Â
Q: "What's your honest assessment of the defense today?"
A: "I think we played well. I think we made some plays, but at the end of the day, they made more plays than us. So, I am looking forward to next week so we can make some more plays."
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Coach Johnson
Opening statement: "The game didn't go our way, obviously. We unfortunately put ourselves in some bad situations that we just couldn't take ourselves out of. We've got to get back to work here this week and figure out a way to go on the road."Â
Q: "As a former offensive lineman, how does it feel when you know that your unit is allowing pressures?"
A: "It's football. It's coaching. We've got to attack the tape, but I don't get the sense that those guys were just giving up pressures. I feel like it was targeted pressures with blitzes and other things of that nature."
Q: "How have you noticed the players and the staff adjust to [coaching changes] throughout the week?
A: "The players have been behind me 100% and I can feel that. I think it's natural that there's a little bit of questions in terms of, is it going to be the same or not. I try my best to keep the program in terms of what we do. The last thing I wanted was for the players to get off their schedule just because I believe in one thing or another."
Q: "What was your message to the team after the loss, and what's your plan to help them?"Â
A: "I just told you guys you don't always get what you want. Unfortunately, we didn't play well enough. I was very complimentary in the defense, and I told them I thought they did a lot of good things out there. If we match that intensity on our offensive side, it would have been a different ball game. After I told them how much I love them, and I've been in their shoes. This is a lesson that they've got to carry with them for the rest of their life."Â
Vaughn Pemberton
Q: "Do you think that there is something for other players to take away from how you process losses in tough times?"
A:Â "I think there definitely could be. I always focus on not bringing anything negative home. I really wanted to get this one for Coach Johnson and for all the seniors, but we've got another opportunity next week."
Q: "How much of a motivator is your son?"
A: "He motivates me so much, and he plays such a huge factor in my life in general. I know he's not going to remember any of these games, but I know someday I'll be able to turn on the film and watch it with him. I always think about how the way I present myself is a reflection of him."
Q: "How has the past week been with the coaching changes?"
A: "Â We had some really good practices. Coach Johnson does a great job at keeping us upbeat and keeping us ready. We just wanted to take this opportunity and make the most of it."Â
Riley Tolsma
QÂ : "How have you been able to immerse yourself in this team?"
A: "I've just been doing everything I can to work with and connect with these guys. I feel like I've been able to build a lot of close relationships with a lot of people. Even though I've only been here since January, I've been able to really develop a lot of bonds."
Q: "What is it to you that sticks out about this team?"
A: "I really just like atmosphere the coaches have created, what they believed in and how they cared about the players as men, not just players."Â
Q: "What's your honest assessment of the defense today?"
A: "I think we played well. I think we made some plays, but at the end of the day, they made more plays than us. So, I am looking forward to next week so we can make some more plays."
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