Brewster's Tuesday Presser Opening Comments:
Obviously we are dissapointed with the loss. We faced a tremendous challenge in back-to-back weeks traveling to two of the toughest places to play in America today. We truly believed we could go into Columbus and win a football game. Guys, we love the challenge to go on the road as a team, with a business-like attitude and win a football game in a hostle environment.
Obviously Ohio State has a tremendous defense. In back-to-back weeks we've faced two of the best defenses in America today. Offensively, you know, they have a great playmaker at the quarterback position and obviously he was able to make some plays with his feet. I think you also all saw that we have a tremendously talented kid in Marqueis Gray and he is only scratching the surface at what he can do.
I thought our defense did an outstanding job in the first half of containing an explosive offense. Any time you can hold your opponent to seven points in a half it gives you a tremendous chance for winning. Obviously the game of football comes down to execution and mistakes. We continue to be haunted by self-inflicted wounds. We're working hard in practice each day to address it, and we will.
I thought our game preparation was outstanding. Let me tell you guys, football games are won and lost on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday with preparation - and we were a prepared and focused football team. We moved the ball with great success in the first half. Guys, what we've got to do a better job of is finishing drives. And it begins and ends with the self-inflicted wounds. We've got to be able to hang on to the ball and not hurt our football team with penalties. And we will address those.
Obviously, when you lose an Eric Decker it hurts your team tremendously. But we have a saying around here - next man up. One man's misfortune is another man's gain, and I thought our guys did a nice job of stepping in. You know, Troy gets into the endzone for a touchdown. Bryant Allen catches a ball. We are going to continue to work those guys into the game because they have tremendous ability to make plays for our football team.
Awards this week: Our offensive player of the game goes to a guy that has been very patient this year. He is doing an oustanding job each day in practice of learning and improving, and earning the opportunity to get on the field on Saturdays. Obviously you all saw what he can do and the ability he has. 11 carries for 81 yards, leads the team down the field and throws a touchdown pass in a critical situation. Marqueis Gray, our offensive player of the game.
Defensive player of the week; Guys. I can't think of a more deserving player than Kyle Theret. He is just a solid guy back there and a leader on defense. And you know, again, in a critical situation at the end of the half, he makes a play on defense and intercepts a pass in the endzone. I really am tremendously proud of the job Kyle Theret does day-in-and-day-out for our football team.
Special forces player of the week; Guys, I don't know that there is a better story in the game today than Blake Haudan. Here is a kid who was patient, waited for his time, and has stepped up when he has gotten his chance. Again, seven punts, a 42-yard average, and downs 3 punts inside the 20. He's just doing a tremendous job for our football team right now.
Hard hat hit of the week goes to Nate Triplett. Nate comes in on a 1-1 situation against the most dangerous runner at quarterback in America today and not only makes the play, but drives him backward. Just a tremendous play by a guy who has been outstanding this year.
Obviously, guys, we've got to continue to improve as a football team. We've got another tremendous challenge on Saturday in Michigan State. They've won four consecutive games, and we all saw what they did to a number six team in Iowa last Saturday night. Again, a tremendous challenge but we're excited to be back home at TCF bank stadium on Saturday.
Questions.
