Postgame Quotes

Wisconsin vs. Maryland
Oct. 21, 2017 • Camp Randall Stadium - Madison, Wis.
 

Wisconsin Head Coach Paul  Chryst

I'm really proud of the way the guys played, and I thought we had a good week of preparation. You never know how games play out, and certainly, you know early is great. Big play by T.J. (Edwards) to start us off. And also on the flip side, offensively the first two drives in and turnovers, and particularly the one that we backed up and it gave the ball to the defense on the 5. I thought it was a huge response by our defense.

I thought the offense did a nice job of answering the scores with a score and putting things together. It takes a lot of guys to step up and contribute and proud of the way they played and kept playing.

After the two turnovers, I think your offense had three scores on four possessions. Is that what you expect when they don't hurt themselves with penalties and don't give the ball away?

Well, I don't think you can always plan to score on every drive. It would be good though. But you just want to play good football. We also had a touchdown. I don't know what happened on that drive where we had the penalty. We've got to just work on minimizing those mistakes that make it a little bit harder.

But I do like the way that they focus on the next play. I think that's the way you've got to play this game, and I'm proud of that.

Alex (Hornibrook) does a generally pretty good job of bouncing back from whatever mistakes it is, and why is he able to block that out so quickly?

I think he knows that he has to. You know, the biggest thing about something that happened is what can you take away from it to help you go forward. I think he's got confidence in himself and knows that, all right, can do this better or whatnot. But he works at it. I love that part about him. He's got poise, but he's got a ton. It matters to him, and he does a lot — I mean, quietly guys know that he's into it and will compete. I thought he did a lot of really good things today.

Based on what you just said, he did do a lot of really good things after the pick. But how does he eliminate that one bad pick? It seems like it's become a pattern and he plays really well afterwards. But how do you eliminate the one pick?

Sometimes it's not there, or something doesn't go the way that you think it may versus that coverage or whatnot. I thought that it seems to me that that's what you've just got flush a little bit. It's hard because everyone knows that when the quarterback is in rhythm, it's good.

But he's got to, I think, continue to feel when he's out of it that, all right, maybe there's nothing there and come back to it. So I think you try to balance that with playing the game, and certainly you don't want him to be robotic, but I think you just continue to keep letting him see it and talk with him about what he saw, what he felt, and then you've got to trust guys and go out and play. But I do think the way he responded was really impressive.

How'd you like how Jonathan (Taylor) responded after his fumble, and how concerned are you by a second straight week of turnover?

Well, I loved his response. You know, you never want to turn the ball over. Obviously we've got to continue to do a better job of coaching that, right, and helping them. Not one kid wants to — Alex didn't want to throw a pick, and J.T. didn't want to put the ball on the ground, so we'll go back and look. Whenever someone's going through something, you try to find the common things that's happening.

I didn't get a great view of what happened today on it, but you make sure that they're in a position to go forward, and then you put your trust back into them. That's the way that you grow, I think.

You mentioned the stop after the fumble your defense got. It seems like it's been sort of a common theme for them to step up in big moments lately. What do you think it is about that group that's allowed them to do that?

I think they're good defense. I think the coaches give them a good plan, but I think they relish those moments. We've got to stop letting them feel it that many times. But I think they compete. That's the biggest thing is they compete. You've got some guys that get big in those moments.

It appears (Troy) Fumagalli is getting back to his old self, what's that mean for this offense going forward, particularly on third down where he's such a weapon?

Well, I think it's huge. As the season continues to go, we're going to need everyone, and I thought Fum for the first time since about the bye was playing fast in practice, and it carried over. So, as you mentioned, he was big. I think we were pretty good on third down, and I'll bet you he had a big part of those. I know Q (Quintez Cephus) had one and A.J. (Taylor) had one. But it was good. We need everyone, and especially they had a smaller wide receiver group, and Fum needs to be that guy. He's capable of it, and it was good to see.

How do you manage Jonathan  Taylor's workload, especially since he's a freshman? Or do you feel like he's done a pretty good job through seven games?

No, I think he's been good. You want to be attentive to it. I don't think it's a special number or something that way. It's communication, and making sure that you're doing a good job with them during the week. Tomorrow will be good for him. How do you get your body back? He's young, and we've got great assistance with that. We've got guys that have done it and they can help him. Together we make sure that every one of our players is ready for the next opportunity that we get.

Did you expect Maryland to run the ball the way they did in that fashion? Did your guys — do you think your defense wore down a little bit there in the third quarter?

I think — we did think that — you know, Maryland's a good football team. They've got a lot of really talented football players. We thought we saw on film what we saw today. That back will hit it up in there, and we were impressed coming into the game with their offensive line.

You know, it's a game. They're an explosive offense. Two receivers particularly that you've got to defend the whole field on them, and I thought they certainly got some runs. Yet I thought that our guys did a good job, and it was a game. Wasn't surprised that they ran the football. That's kind of who they've been.

Turns out T.J. Edwards is pretty good when he can play a full game. What did you think about his pick and his job to stop the run as well?

T.J. is a really good football player. I think what I've enjoyed seeing is that he doesn't mind putting — being one of those guys to spark our team. Not just our defense. He works at it, and I think he trusts his preparation. Goes out and he has fun playing. He's really enjoyable to be around.

You mentioned the wide receivers Maryland has. I know you guys are excited to face Moore today. I think other than one big catch, he didn't do that much. Is it just a matter of you guys have the top three corners. Is it really that much of a weakness there for teams to exploit in the passing game?

I think a ton of respect for him as a player. Yeah, it takes everyone. I thought there were times where we had good pressure on the quarterback and certainly we do. We put D.T. (Derrick Tindal) and Nick (Nelson) and Dontye (Carriere-Williams), you know, there's times when they've got the one-on-one, and they've got to compete. I think Jimmy's doing a heck of a job coaching them. We've just got to continue to grow. Everyone is a part of it, right?

What does it mean to have (Jonathan) Taylor reach 1,000 yards and join such an elite group in this year?

Well, you're proud of all that goes into it. We've got a lot more football to be played, and we've got to continue to get better. But those are — I think he's a really good back. I think that's part of the reason why J.T. came here is he wanted to be, you know, in the same — he wants to be a running back in the place where there's been some good running backs. And we've got to help him continue to grow and become the best player he can be, and it takes everyone. It's fun when you watch good running plays, it's every guy in it is part of it, and J.T. knows that.

When Fum (Troy  Fumagalli) and Chris (Orr) went out in the second quarter, what was your confidence level in Arrington (Farrar) at that point? I know he's still pretty new to that position?

Yeah, time to step up. Guys always — he practices all week, and those opportunities come your way, you've got to step in and step up. I'm anxious to see how he did.

Lot of talk about Jonathan  Taylor, obviously, but the offensive line in front of him from week one until now, it's been a lot of rotation happening because of injuries. But what kind of improvement have you seen from that group overall in the past six, seven weeks?

I think they've been working. Yet every week is a different opponent. So there are different challenges. I think that they're a group that works, and they like playing with each other. I think they like blocking. The guys did a nice job in pass pro (protection). I don't know if we gave up a sack today. We've got some guys that played football there. Michael Deiter's played a lot of football, and Beau Benzschawel. It's fun seeing David Edwards get comfortable at his position. Certainly at the left guard we've had Diets and (Jason) Erdmann's playing, and I think Tyler Biadasz, to be honest, is doing a heck of a job for a freshman.

Obviously they give us a chance. Yet I know there is room for them to continue to improve, and I think as long as they — I don't know why they wouldn't. I believe in them that way. Just continue to build on the things we're doing well, and find the areas we've got to get better.

I know it's early, but do you know at this point is Chris  Orr's injury something that you'd describe as minor, more severe, where that stands?

Yeah, I don't know for sure. But just in talking to him coming off the field at halftime, he didn't make it sound like it, but we'll see.
 

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Wisconsin Player Postgame Quotes

 

Junior LT Michael  Deiter

On expectations for the offense:
"That stretch, with three touchdowns in four drives, that's what we expect. That should be the status quo. We've been shooting ourselves in the foot the past couple of weeks, but we'll clean it up. It's nothing to panic about. That's part of football. But those three, four series we had, that's what I expect out of this offense."

On Alex  Hornibrook's composure:
"He doesn't change after mistakes. He doesn't sulk. He knows that it's football and that stuff happens. And that's what you want. Next play mentality."

On Jonathan  Taylor:
"As a freshman, how hard he plays is impressive. He is super talented and all that, but the work he puts in, that's what makes him go. He breaks a lot of tackles and just outworks guys. With his talent and his work ethic, he could be one of the best backs in the country."
 

Senior CB Derrick  Tindal

On facing Maryland's receivers:
"I feel like these are the most talented receivers that we've faced up to this point. They were quick off the line, but we just had to stick to our technique. It was really the challenge for us all week, just to stick to our technique. That's what we talked about doing, and that's what we did."

On the defense stopping Maryland with a short field:
"We just had to step up and make a play. Like I said, the possession wasn't over just because they started on the five. It doesn't mean they have to get six. We just stuck in there, made a couple of plays, and finished them off in the red zone."

On the defense and offense's relationship:
"We feed off each other. Once we stopped them in the red zone and showed our offense that we've got their back, and they stepped up and scored. They got rolling."
 

Junior TE Zander  Neuville

On his touchdown:
"It's a play we've had in for a while. Just basically selling the power run, then me finding a way to leak out to the back side. Then you hope that no one is there—and that's how it was today."

"It was great. Any time you can score it's a good feeling. And I knew that we had a chance to probably get that play in."

On the tight end group stepping up in recent weeks:
"I think the biggest thing is that we're all pretty versatile. If one of us goes down, we won't have any issues having a tight end fill the spot that's needed. The biggest thing is meshing together, and how our group is always ready to step up."
 

Senior LB Garrett  Dooley

On getting a key stop on the five-yard line:
"We took it as a challenge. They had five yards to go, we did not let them in the end zone and they ended up with three points. I think that was a huge momentum swing. Even if the offense does have a turnover like that, they have the confidence in us that we will get a stop and the ball back to them."

On coming through clutch in pressure situations:
"When we go out there, we just know we have something to prove. The thing that is on their mind is to get the ball back so they can start driving again. That is on our mind to get the ball back to them and allow them to do their thing. The last couple weeks we've been able to do that."

On proving defensive worth in those tough spots:
"The Northwestern game was big for us. There were multiple times when we were put in tough situations and we were able to hold them to three points or less."
 

Sophomore QB Alex  Hornibrook

On bouncing back after interceptions:
"I think it's knowing why the bad play happened and also knowing what it is so we can fix it."

On turnovers mounting over the last couple of weeks:
"It felt like we were barely on the field and we had a couple turnovers. Everyone got together and started going hard."

On his mentality after turnovers:
"You don't want to press too hard and make another mistake. You just have to wipe it."
 

Senior LB Alec  James

On the twist that caused the interception:
"Garret Dooley ran through (Conor) Sheehy. I think I tipped it but I am not very sure. All I know is we got the pick-six, which was good. It was good to put points on the board. "

On T.J.  Edward's interception:
"It was a good play. That is how you want to start the game. It's what you like to see."

On the defensive mentality starting at their own 5-yard line:
"Nothing to be honest. Whenever we take the field our mentality is the same - just stop them. No matter if it is off a turnover or anything – it is the same every time. We just go out there and do our job no matter where the ball is or what the situation is."
 

Senior TE Troy Fumagalli

On looking like himself since the bye week:
"During the week I felt great, I didn't want to rush it because I know it's a long season. I just wanted to take my time and get better every week, and finally they cut me loose this week. I felt great and it felt great helping the team out."

On the team's response to the first two turnovers:
"I think we handled it really well. We knew we shot ourselves in the foot a couple times, but it came down to one play at a time. Do your job, do it the right way and just relax, there's so much stuff going on. Just take your time and relax and I think we did that."

On the team's third-down mindset:
"Just win. Coach gives me a bunch of freedom and really gives me the best advantage I can. I expect to win and I want to make the big play."

On the connection with Alex  Hornibrook:
"The two biggest things are trust and timing. A lot of what I do is over the middle and there's a lot of traffic over there. I expect to get hit and things like that, a lot of trust goes into that. We had a great week this week, all the receivers, and I think that goes into it."
 

Freshman RB Jonathan  Taylor

On breaking the 1000-yard milestone:
"It's very humbling to be mentioned with those guys. Phenomenal tailbacks and there will never be any like them. It's a great feeling but it's also a testimony to how hard the guys up front and the receivers work for me. It's a testimony to how hard we work."

On the defense picking the offense up:
"D'Cota Dixon always comes up to me before the game and tells me that we got your back so the defense plays great game in, game out. We have one of the best defenses in the country and we stand behind them 100 percent. Every time they step on the field we better ready because they could take the ball away at any time."

On the time it took to get into offensive rhythm:
"We had to come together. We saw a couple looks that they brought that were new, but you expect that coming into a game there's always going to be something they throw in. We made little adjustments to get rolling."

On his effectiveness:
"I definitely knew I could be effective when the offensive line came up to me and said 'JT when you're in there, let's do this.' No slacking, we're in this for the long run and if I'm in there I'm in there for a reason."
 

Junior ILB T.J.  Edwards

On credit for his interception:
"I'm just surprised I only got caught by one guy. Honestly my defensive line did a great job on getting their hands on the ball and the ball came right to me. They were right there blocking right next to me as well so they did some of that too."

On the number of interception returns for touchdowns the defense has:
"It's cool, it's something that once a guy gets his hands on the ball then it becomes about blocking and we've done such a good job at that."

On what he saw on his interception:
"Honestly, I felt like I was moving so slow. I was trying to go as fast as I could and saw my teammates next to me, it was cool. I haven't had my hands on the ball in about four or five years."

On picking up the offense:
"At that time it's always good to go out and put your foot down and make a stand. To hold them to three in that moment is such a big energy boost for this team. We all kind of feed off that."

On how well Wisconsin is playing:
"There are always things we have to clean up, and it's tough because it's hard to win in the Big Ten so when you get those wins you want to appreciate them. We can't get too high or too low."
 

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Maryland Head Coach DJ Durkin

Opening Statement:
"Obviously that's a really good football team we played, give them credit. They made the plays when they had to. Our guys came out and I thought we moved the ball well on offense. We did some good things in the run game. In the passing game at times we just weren't able to sustain drives. Early in the game we got the turnover inside the five and didn't convert that into a touchdown. When you're playing a defense like that those are opportunities you have to take advantage of. Same story a little on defense, getting off the field on third down. I thought our guys played the run well for the most part. We kind of wore down near the end. We've got to get off the field on third down."
 
On if he thought they had to play a near perfect game to be in it:
"No, no I didn't. We just needed to play a good football game. We were in the game. We need to convert and finish drives and put it in the end zone. We never a play a perfect game. We didn't feel like we needed to be perfect. Just got to play and get off the field on third down on defense, then it'd be a different ball game."
 
On how big of a boost the second half touchdown drive was:
"It was a boost. Our guys were into it. Our guys played hard and well at times. Our margin for error is much smaller right now, everyone knows that. We have to make the plays when they're there and we are not doing that all the time. We just have to keep going, keep working, keep getting better. I think there was improvement in that game. I thought at the line of scrimmage we did a nice job in this game for the offensive line and defensive line we were going up against. We have to play that way every week and get better."
 
On Jonathan Taylor:
"He's a good player. That guy's got good speed, he runs hard. He sees it well and knows where to hit the ball. We thought that on tape going into the game and he proved that. He's a good back."