TravisErickson
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- Joined
- Aug 27, 2013
- Messages
- 74
- Reaction score
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- Points
- 6
Tracy Claeys
On how it feels to get his first win:
“It’s more important for the kids. They’ve had a tough month. They continued to battle and fight. We’ve had some tough games. For me, that part is secondary. The good part is, we needed a win to keep our chances of going for a bowl game. To let them have a chance to celebrate in the locker room means a lot.”
On the difference in production between the first and second half:
“The second half, we came out and had a little trouble running the ball. We gave up a few yards but they made the plays that they needed to. JuJu’s [Huff] sack was a huge momentum changer, it changed the ball game around. Those kids on defense, even tough we’ve been struggling, they work awfully hard. It was good to see them make a play to change the game.”
On if it was the right moment to put Julian Huff in the game:
“On the longer yards we’ve been doing that. He made a good move and got around the edge. We need more of that out of JuJu. We’ve got to get him in the ballgame more in those situations.”
On the struggles in the second half:
“We didn’t play that well in the second half on offense, on third downs. I think we were one of five or something like that. When you’re one of five, it’s hard to hold onto the ball and do things if you don’t play well on third down. It was a tale of two halves, offensively. We thought we could get a few more points. On the other side, I’m proud of the defense we were able to hold on get the win.”
Shannon Brooks
On his long touchdown run:
“It’s the greatest feeling, especially for a running back—they dream of long touchdowns. It’s good to see the line open up a hole anybody could run through, really. It’s a great feeling.”
On what the win this week did for the team:
“[Gave us] motivation going into next week’s game. Coach Claeys is a great coach, we’re glad he got the job. He does a great job with us. It’s good having him.”
On the difference between Kill and Claeys in the locker room:
“They’re basically the same. In the locker room, after the game, he’s happy. Coach Kill was always happy with us. Not really different.”
On the contributions of the freshman class:
“We all work hard in practice. It definitely came up in the summer, studying the playbook and getting as many reps as we can—it shows. It paid off today.”
On if he expected to make an impact this season:
“You always have to come in with a good mindset, stay positive, work hard, and learn as much as you can. When you’re opportunity comes, you have to take advantage of it.”
On the touchdown late the first half:
“That was a big one, getting that touchdown, going into the half with more motivation. That touchdown gave us more motivation coming out in the second half.”
On what this game does for him moving forward:
“It definitely gives me motivation. It shows what I can do and to keep working and get better. There’s always mistakes you have and things you can get better at. I’m just trying to see what I can do to improve and get better as a team.”
On the mindset of the offense in the second half:
“The mindset is the same as the first half. Just keep doing your job and try to do it as best as you can and after a while, you’ll get those big plays.”
KiAnte Hardin
On the impact players of the freshman class:
“The coaches had a good game plan this week for kickoff return. It was executed well. I’m just trying to do my part.”
Julian Huff
On freshmen preparing to play rival Wisconsin next week:
“We’re going to enjoy this win tonight, and go to work tomorrow. We’ve never played in the game. We hear there’s a lot of history with this game and we’re excited about it.”
Rashad Still
On the mindset of true freshmen having to contribute right away:
“You have to mature faster than the other freshmen. And you have to really put in the work and effort. You have to contribute even more.”
Mitch Leidner
On this game being the first win for Coach Claeys:
“It felt good, really good. We've been working hard and to finally to come away with that win makes a lot to play for next week."
On Shannon Brooks' running this game:
"He ran the ball hard, very physical. He does a good job with that, that's for sure. There's really no great way to put it. He's an explosive back."
On Illinois' defense in the second half:
"I feel like they did a good job at half time speeding us up a little bit. Overall, sometimes the game is like that when you have to keep battling through tough times. Sometimes you're not going to be able to go down and score every time. The guys did a good job hanging in there and fighting back each possession."
On how it feels to get his first win:
“It’s more important for the kids. They’ve had a tough month. They continued to battle and fight. We’ve had some tough games. For me, that part is secondary. The good part is, we needed a win to keep our chances of going for a bowl game. To let them have a chance to celebrate in the locker room means a lot.”
On the difference in production between the first and second half:
“The second half, we came out and had a little trouble running the ball. We gave up a few yards but they made the plays that they needed to. JuJu’s [Huff] sack was a huge momentum changer, it changed the ball game around. Those kids on defense, even tough we’ve been struggling, they work awfully hard. It was good to see them make a play to change the game.”
On if it was the right moment to put Julian Huff in the game:
“On the longer yards we’ve been doing that. He made a good move and got around the edge. We need more of that out of JuJu. We’ve got to get him in the ballgame more in those situations.”
On the struggles in the second half:
“We didn’t play that well in the second half on offense, on third downs. I think we were one of five or something like that. When you’re one of five, it’s hard to hold onto the ball and do things if you don’t play well on third down. It was a tale of two halves, offensively. We thought we could get a few more points. On the other side, I’m proud of the defense we were able to hold on get the win.”
Shannon Brooks
On his long touchdown run:
“It’s the greatest feeling, especially for a running back—they dream of long touchdowns. It’s good to see the line open up a hole anybody could run through, really. It’s a great feeling.”
On what the win this week did for the team:
“[Gave us] motivation going into next week’s game. Coach Claeys is a great coach, we’re glad he got the job. He does a great job with us. It’s good having him.”
On the difference between Kill and Claeys in the locker room:
“They’re basically the same. In the locker room, after the game, he’s happy. Coach Kill was always happy with us. Not really different.”
On the contributions of the freshman class:
“We all work hard in practice. It definitely came up in the summer, studying the playbook and getting as many reps as we can—it shows. It paid off today.”
On if he expected to make an impact this season:
“You always have to come in with a good mindset, stay positive, work hard, and learn as much as you can. When you’re opportunity comes, you have to take advantage of it.”
On the touchdown late the first half:
“That was a big one, getting that touchdown, going into the half with more motivation. That touchdown gave us more motivation coming out in the second half.”
On what this game does for him moving forward:
“It definitely gives me motivation. It shows what I can do and to keep working and get better. There’s always mistakes you have and things you can get better at. I’m just trying to see what I can do to improve and get better as a team.”
On the mindset of the offense in the second half:
“The mindset is the same as the first half. Just keep doing your job and try to do it as best as you can and after a while, you’ll get those big plays.”
KiAnte Hardin
On the impact players of the freshman class:
“The coaches had a good game plan this week for kickoff return. It was executed well. I’m just trying to do my part.”
Julian Huff
On freshmen preparing to play rival Wisconsin next week:
“We’re going to enjoy this win tonight, and go to work tomorrow. We’ve never played in the game. We hear there’s a lot of history with this game and we’re excited about it.”
Rashad Still
On the mindset of true freshmen having to contribute right away:
“You have to mature faster than the other freshmen. And you have to really put in the work and effort. You have to contribute even more.”
Mitch Leidner
On this game being the first win for Coach Claeys:
“It felt good, really good. We've been working hard and to finally to come away with that win makes a lot to play for next week."
On Shannon Brooks' running this game:
"He ran the ball hard, very physical. He does a good job with that, that's for sure. There's really no great way to put it. He's an explosive back."
On Illinois' defense in the second half:
"I feel like they did a good job at half time speeding us up a little bit. Overall, sometimes the game is like that when you have to keep battling through tough times. Sometimes you're not going to be able to go down and score every time. The guys did a good job hanging in there and fighting back each possession."
