Ball State Football Postgame News Conference Quotes, November 5: Game 9 vs Miami
Coach Neu
Opening statement: “Tough scene in the locker room. Really was proud there of the defense of, you know, getting a stop there. Obviously, Miami is trying to get a first down there, throwing the balls last two downs there, trying to get a first down to really effectively end the game. But, our defense did a great job of holding them to a field goal, getting us within six right there. Gave it everything I had, but at the end of the day, we didn't make enough plays in critical situations there to give ourselves a chance.”
Q: “What made [the loss] especially tough tonight?” – Kyle Smedley, Ball State Daily News
A: “Just the heartbreak. You know, some of the guys are playing in that game for the final time. That’s tough, and you look at their faces and stuff to find the words to share with those guys in a situation like that. So obviously, we’ve got three games here. We’ve still got a lot of football to be played, and the only way to do business is to finish the fight.”
Q: “What was the plan [in the run game] going in?” – Kyle Smedley, Ball State Daily News
A: “You think about last year in the game, and what Miami does defensively. You could turn on the tape for the last two or three years, and just what they do is what they do, and they're really good at it. And so, obviously we had a big game a year ago running the ball with some of the QB run stuff, so that was a big part of the package. Obviously, having a weapon like Kiael [Kelly] and trying to get them going too, and with the rainy conditions and all that stuff, we felt like that was something that could be strong for us. Just couldn't really get it going, but we’ve got to give them credit too.
Q: “It seemed like the red zone offense as well was a bit more limited than normal, and we saw a lot of unusual plays in the red zone. Was that because of what you guys saw out of Miami's defense?” – Kyle Smedley, Ball State Daily News
A: “Yeah, obviously you’ve got to give them credit. But at the same time, we can’t settle for two field goals down there. However it has to happen. Obviously, one thing you're trying to do is gain an extra hat, so when you have some QB runs in the red zone, you get an extra blocker with the back and that evens up the odds, if you will. So again, some of it was about execution when you watch the iPad on the sideline, which is obviously an advantage to be able to do that. But some of it comes down to execution, or perhaps a cut that could have been a little bit different outcome.”
Q: “What are you telling Kadin [Semonza] after a two-minute drive that didn’t go his way?” – Elijah Poe, Ball State Daily News
A: “Well, he's done such a good job. You know, obviously a two-minute drive with 15 seconds left last week to put in a position to kick the game winning field goal is incredible. Obviously, he did a great job in the Central Michigan game several weeks back. So, all the confidence in the world in him. He did a great job, again, of connecting on some big throws to get the two-minute drive started – getting ourselves in good field position. But again, you’ve got to give them credit too. So obviously we, once we got in great field position there, then they stood strong.”
Q: “Justin Bowick stepped up big tie. What do you see on him?” – Nick Shelton, Kee On Sports
A: “Justin has always had that. For a guy that’s got that kind of size, he’s got really good speed as well. Unfortunately, we were without him the first six games of the season, so it’s great to have him back now for the third game in a row. We all knew the type of game he had tonight; that's what he was capable of.”
Q: “You've kind of faced situations as a coach like you're about to go into with these last three games where essentially you’ve got to win out. How have you approached those in the past?” – Kyle Smedley, Ball State Daily News
A: “My goal is to come in and be the same guy every day and try to make sure I do the best I can to help prepare our football team on the practice field, help prepare our team through the meetings, all those things. So, nothing's going to change with that. Obviously, I need to go home tonight. It's going to sting, and I'm very appreciative of my family for being loving and being there for me, but just got to get back to work tomorrow.”
Justin Bowick
Q: “You obviously struggled with injury at the start of the year. To have a game like this, given the fact of what you've gone through leading up to tonight, what is that in the perspective that you have?” – Kyle Smedley, Ball State Daily News
A: “I feel really good to make plays and just pop off. My hard work paid off. I’ve just got to keep working and hopefully go back next week and get the W.”
Q: “What’s your relationship like with Kadin [Semonza]?” – Kyle Smedley, Ball State Daily News
A: “Me and him are really close. He tells me what he sees on the field, and when we make mistakes, I just try to clean it up. That’s how we get better, through practice and everything.”
Q: “[Many of your teammates] have never beat Miami. Could you feel that sense as well?” – Kyle Smedley, Ball State Daily News
A: “It was a lot of hurt in the locker room, just not being able to get that win. But, I know we’ll bounce back for next week.”
Q: “How do you find that confidence within yourself after a loss?” – Elijah Poe, Ball State Daily News
A: “Just having a lot of hardships and just having a chip on my shoulder. Just pushing myself every day to try and be great and to be a better person and player.”
Brandon Berger
Q: “Talk me through what you saw on that pick six.” – Kyle Smedley, Ball State Daily News
A: “Just a busted play by them. Elements were a factor tonight. I was in the right place at the right time. The guy mishandled the ball, and I was lucky to be able to take it back.”
Q: “Did you feel good about the defense’s overall performance tonight?” – Kyle Smedley, Ball State Daily News
A: “We could have stepped up and made more plays to affect the game, just like that one. We could have stepped up, had more takeaways or even scored again. But, I thought we were pretty solid for the most part. Like I said, you can always on any down find ways to affect the game, so I wish we could have done a little bit more of that.”
Q: “Where is your mindset right now in terms of dealing with another loss to [Miami]?” – Kyle Smedley, Ball State Daily News
A: “It’s unfortunate because we were right there. We had a chance to go down and score there at the end, but like I said, the defense could have been more effective too and made more plays to where it’s not even a close game like that. In the end, I feel like we went out there and executed.”
Coach Neu
Opening statement: “Tough scene in the locker room. Really was proud there of the defense of, you know, getting a stop there. Obviously, Miami is trying to get a first down there, throwing the balls last two downs there, trying to get a first down to really effectively end the game. But, our defense did a great job of holding them to a field goal, getting us within six right there. Gave it everything I had, but at the end of the day, we didn't make enough plays in critical situations there to give ourselves a chance.”
Q: “What made [the loss] especially tough tonight?” – Kyle Smedley, Ball State Daily News
A: “Just the heartbreak. You know, some of the guys are playing in that game for the final time. That’s tough, and you look at their faces and stuff to find the words to share with those guys in a situation like that. So obviously, we’ve got three games here. We’ve still got a lot of football to be played, and the only way to do business is to finish the fight.”
Q: “What was the plan [in the run game] going in?” – Kyle Smedley, Ball State Daily News
A: “You think about last year in the game, and what Miami does defensively. You could turn on the tape for the last two or three years, and just what they do is what they do, and they're really good at it. And so, obviously we had a big game a year ago running the ball with some of the QB run stuff, so that was a big part of the package. Obviously, having a weapon like Kiael [Kelly] and trying to get them going too, and with the rainy conditions and all that stuff, we felt like that was something that could be strong for us. Just couldn't really get it going, but we’ve got to give them credit too.
Q: “It seemed like the red zone offense as well was a bit more limited than normal, and we saw a lot of unusual plays in the red zone. Was that because of what you guys saw out of Miami's defense?” – Kyle Smedley, Ball State Daily News
A: “Yeah, obviously you’ve got to give them credit. But at the same time, we can’t settle for two field goals down there. However it has to happen. Obviously, one thing you're trying to do is gain an extra hat, so when you have some QB runs in the red zone, you get an extra blocker with the back and that evens up the odds, if you will. So again, some of it was about execution when you watch the iPad on the sideline, which is obviously an advantage to be able to do that. But some of it comes down to execution, or perhaps a cut that could have been a little bit different outcome.”
Q: “What are you telling Kadin [Semonza] after a two-minute drive that didn’t go his way?” – Elijah Poe, Ball State Daily News
A: “Well, he's done such a good job. You know, obviously a two-minute drive with 15 seconds left last week to put in a position to kick the game winning field goal is incredible. Obviously, he did a great job in the Central Michigan game several weeks back. So, all the confidence in the world in him. He did a great job, again, of connecting on some big throws to get the two-minute drive started – getting ourselves in good field position. But again, you’ve got to give them credit too. So obviously we, once we got in great field position there, then they stood strong.”
Q: “Justin Bowick stepped up big tie. What do you see on him?” – Nick Shelton, Kee On Sports
A: “Justin has always had that. For a guy that’s got that kind of size, he’s got really good speed as well. Unfortunately, we were without him the first six games of the season, so it’s great to have him back now for the third game in a row. We all knew the type of game he had tonight; that's what he was capable of.”
Q: “You've kind of faced situations as a coach like you're about to go into with these last three games where essentially you’ve got to win out. How have you approached those in the past?” – Kyle Smedley, Ball State Daily News
A: “My goal is to come in and be the same guy every day and try to make sure I do the best I can to help prepare our football team on the practice field, help prepare our team through the meetings, all those things. So, nothing's going to change with that. Obviously, I need to go home tonight. It's going to sting, and I'm very appreciative of my family for being loving and being there for me, but just got to get back to work tomorrow.”
Justin Bowick
Q: “You obviously struggled with injury at the start of the year. To have a game like this, given the fact of what you've gone through leading up to tonight, what is that in the perspective that you have?” – Kyle Smedley, Ball State Daily News
A: “I feel really good to make plays and just pop off. My hard work paid off. I’ve just got to keep working and hopefully go back next week and get the W.”
Q: “What’s your relationship like with Kadin [Semonza]?” – Kyle Smedley, Ball State Daily News
A: “Me and him are really close. He tells me what he sees on the field, and when we make mistakes, I just try to clean it up. That’s how we get better, through practice and everything.”
Q: “[Many of your teammates] have never beat Miami. Could you feel that sense as well?” – Kyle Smedley, Ball State Daily News
A: “It was a lot of hurt in the locker room, just not being able to get that win. But, I know we’ll bounce back for next week.”
Q: “How do you find that confidence within yourself after a loss?” – Elijah Poe, Ball State Daily News
A: “Just having a lot of hardships and just having a chip on my shoulder. Just pushing myself every day to try and be great and to be a better person and player.”
Brandon Berger
Q: “Talk me through what you saw on that pick six.” – Kyle Smedley, Ball State Daily News
A: “Just a busted play by them. Elements were a factor tonight. I was in the right place at the right time. The guy mishandled the ball, and I was lucky to be able to take it back.”
Q: “Did you feel good about the defense’s overall performance tonight?” – Kyle Smedley, Ball State Daily News
A: “We could have stepped up and made more plays to affect the game, just like that one. We could have stepped up, had more takeaways or even scored again. But, I thought we were pretty solid for the most part. Like I said, you can always on any down find ways to affect the game, so I wish we could have done a little bit more of that.”
Q: “Where is your mindset right now in terms of dealing with another loss to [Miami]?” – Kyle Smedley, Ball State Daily News
A: “It’s unfortunate because we were right there. We had a chance to go down and score there at the end, but like I said, the defense could have been more effective too and made more plays to where it’s not even a close game like that. In the end, I feel like we went out there and executed.”