Oregon State-Nicholls State Post-Game Quotes
December 01, 2012 | Football
Dec. 1, 2012
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Oregon State vs. Nicholls State
December 1, 2012
Reser Stadium
Post-Game Quotes
Oregon State Head Coach Mike Riley
On if he saw this one coming …
“You never anticipate that, but I was really proud of our coaches and our team. There was the big question of if we were going to be ready to play coming off of the disappointment of losing the Civil War and not having played very well. I thought that the kids came back and followed the lead of the coaches who prepared them. That was a good week of work and I am really proud of them for doing that.”
On offensive records …
“Scoring every time that you have the ball is what you always want to do. We can't o that sometimes even against the air in practice. We executed well and I thought that our guys made plays and stayed after it. We played hard, which is a key element in winning.”
On passing/running yards being almost 700 and playing a balanced game …
“Balance is a very good thing and we are always working toward the idea of really good balance. I think that we became a better running team this year and obviously we got more efficient in a lot of ways. There were a lot of good plays today, special teams-wise, too. It was really good to win because I worried all week about how we would rebound. We couldn't take a step back now because we are trying to set ourselves up for the best bowl game possible.”
On the offensive line …
“That group has grown a lot and I think that the addition of Isaac Seumalo has been great for the team. He has done remarkably well for anybody, particularly for a true freshman. The other four guys that have started with him have all played and they all got better. I am really proud of them for that because they all went to the weight room, studied, grew more this year and simply got better. The five of them together have really made a dramatic improvement from where we were a year ago. They have become a tough minded group. Our offensive line just keeps going and pretty soon we start wearing them down.”
On Marcus Wheaton breaking the school record …
“I was surprised because I just heard a couple days ago that he was in striking distance of this record. I did not even realize that because I think the record was just set last year by James (Rodgers). I was surprised that we were already at the point where somebody else would break it, but when we found that out, I left him in for a couple extra plays so he could get that out of the way before we get to the bowl game.”
On the defense …
“I thought they did a great job and played hard. There were a lot of guys who got to play and they were well prepared. They did a really solid job and had a great game of football.”
Oregon State Quarterback Sean Mannion
On Markus Wheaton getting the record ...
"It was awesome. I know Markus is a great friend of mine and that he has been a wonderful leader for our team. Obviously he is an outstanding player but the part that might get overlooked is just how good of a teammate he is to everyone. Since the day I got here he has been an outstanding leader, a great guy and a good friend. It was awesome seeing him break that record. I know it meant a lot to us and definitely to him."
On the win and its importance after last week's game ...
"It was really big. I know that everyone wanted to come out strong and play our best football and I think we came close to that. I don't want to say we did it because there is always room to improve but I think we did a good job. We came out and executed well from start to finish and that is just about all you can ask for."
On the first bowl game in three years ...
"It's awesome. It shows how hard we have worked in the off-season and everyone's concentration. I don't think it is any surprise that when we work hard great things happen, and to be able to play in an outstanding bowl game this season is going to be an honor."
Oregon State Wide Receiver Markus Wheaton
On knowing how many receptions needed to break James Rodgers' record …
“I didn't. I think I was three short and someone came up to me and told me. I was wondering why I was getting the ball so much. Then someone told me to keep the ball after I got the record. It was exciting out there.”
On what the record means to him surpassing James ...
“I looked up to James when I got here; he was amazing. I knew he was as good as they get; his work ethic, his dedication, and I really wanted to be just like him as far as what he did on the field. And breaking the record I feel like I have worked, all of the hard work paid off.”
On who is going to break his record ...
“Brandin (Cooks); he will take it soon.”
On sitting on the sidelines the second half ...
“It's very exciting. It is exciting to see the guys working so hard in practice get to go out on the field and show what they can do.”
On walking off the Reser Stadium field for the last time ...
“It hasn't hit me yet, and I don't know when it will, but it hasn't yet.”
On setting the record as Reser ...
“It meant a lot, having all the fans here and having the fans all cheering for you. It feels good. Records are meant to be broken though so I'm sure it won't last too long.”
Oregon State Cornerback Jordan Poyer
On younger players getting on the field ....
“I always say experience is a huge factor in the way you play. Some guys got in there today and were able to get their feet wet and make some plays. Micah Audiss had an interception, and with that comes confidence.”
On defensive play …
“We knew what they were trying to do with a lot of their formations and a lot of their sets they would only run certain things out of them. We prepared really well this week. It's probably one of the best weeks we've had preparing for the game and it showed on the field.”
On the lopsided score …
“We knew the game was going to be on us. They're not going to come out there and physically beat us. It was going to be on how well we executed on defense and offense and special teams.”
On his last time playing at Reser …
“It was crazy. It's been a fun ride here at Oregon State. We obviously have one game left, but for that to be my last game stepping on that field at Reser Stadium, definitely some weird emotions going through me right now and kind of surreal that its finally here and finally happened. I took a little round after the game and made sure all the fans knew I appreciated them. There's nothing like these fans out here and I'm going to miss them.”
Nicholls State Head Coach Charlie Stubbs
On lack of execution...
“We were stopped offensively on many third and short situations and we weren't able to convert. We also kept punting back to their high-powered offense. The area of our team that struggles a lot is our defense, but an offense helps that. If we stayed out on the field longer it would give them (the defense) a chance to rest and regroup. If you can finish drives it gives a team hope.”
On team's goals against the Beavers...
“My goal was to have some things to build on from a game like this. I knew the matchups at some positions were going to be terrible for us. For example, when a true freshman is going up against an All-American, it isn't going to be favorable. I will probably look at the film and see some individuals who really grew and did some nice things for us to build on. I signed up for these games and I want to play them. We want to be more competitive, there's no question about that. I aspire to bring this program up and it's tough on me, but I know it's something that I want to do.”
On playing non-conference FBS opponents....
“First of all, you want games like these in the front of your schedule due to the element of surprise. The Beavers knew where our weaknesses were because they had film. They knew who couldn't match up favorably and they attacked that. What we are going to do now is move into 2013. I told the team my concerns, and things that we need to do moving forward. I also appreciated the seniors in the locker room after the game. Right now, Nicholls State is knocked down but we don't plan on staying there.”
