JSU GAME NOTES (.pdf)

Opening Comments:
"It was a nice trip, but wasn't exactly how we wanted to play.  We played hard but did not get off to the start that we wanted and in a game in that type of environment, you want to get off to a good start.  We had a few plays that we could have made on both sides of the ball that would have really made it a game.  Our guys battled for four quarters and played hard, played physical.  I don't think we were out-manned in that area.  Michigan State is one of more physical teams in the country and I was proud of our guys for that.  If we had started the game like we did in the third quarter, it would've been a 31-14, 31-21 game – some where in that caliber.  We weren't able to make those plays in the game for it to be closer.  We said all summer that we would see in this game where we are as a football team.  We definitely see things that we are OK in right now, and we can definitely improve on them.  We definitely see some things that we need to get better and fix those mistakes.  It was a good measuring stick and we come back this week to regroup and go on another tough road trip to Chattanooga."
 
On Chattanooga:
"Chattanooga is a team, like Michigan State, that we have worked on through spring training and through the summer because we knew we had two tough games to open the season with.  Chattanooga is a great program and they are a Top 25 team, and they should have been in the playoffs from that conference last year.  If you look back at all their conference games last year, they lost an overtime game to Samford that knocked them out.  I think they were one of the best teams in that conference.  It is going to be a tough environment up there and they will be ready for us.  It's an old rival and it has been a pretty good rivalry, so they will be ready for us.  We have our work cut out for us, but we will be prepared for the game."
 
On Chattanooga's offense:
"The offense begins with their quarterback.  He is the head coach's son, so he has grown up around football his whole life because you can tell how he manages the game.  He does a great job of putting them in great situations and does not make mistakes.  They are very good at what they do offensively, and defensively they are sound schematically.  They are sound at every phase in the game and will be a tough game for us."
 
On having playoff implications with this game:
"No doubt.  Chattanooga is in the same position we are in.  We talked about this yesterday as a team that we are both 0-1 and this does have playoff implications. It has the feel of a playoff caliber game because they are a playoff caliber team and I feel the same way about us.  The game is very meaningful even though it is an out of conference game.  It is a huge game for both teams and I have told our team that it is an important game.  There is a lot at stake for both teams this week, but that is not to say that the loser of the game doesn't make the playoffs. 
 
On positives from the Michigan State game:
"I really thought our front seven matched up well with them and were very physical with them.  They really didn't just drive it down on us and we held up with their running game because that is what they are known for.  We kind of served them up two touchdowns early and they made their plays.  We had some chances early, but could not make those plays.  Even though we had young team last year as far as game experience, we still have a lot of guys that played against competition and in that type of environment.  I thought we did some things well throughout the game."
 
On Max Shortell:
"Max (Shortell) has come in for us and has played extremely well for us, whether it is starting or coming in to the game when we need him.  He is always ready and does his job.  Like you saw the other night, he will come in and play at anytime.  He had a great camp and one day he went 21-for-22, so he is mature as a quarterback and has a lot of experience.  He has cut down on his mistakes and he is a great team leader.  Our guys have confidence in him in the game and he takes whatever role that he has and does it to the best of his ability."
 
On Folo Johnson:
"He got his first start on Friday night and he was a great special teams guy for us last year.  He played well for us the other night and he tackles as well as anyone on the team.  He does a great job at wherever he is placed on special teams and defense.  He is getting better every day."
 
On Ben Endress:
"Ben (Endress) is a staple around here and is a guy that is just a team guy.  He has been a fixture on our team and been a starter and last year played a lot of special teams and accepted that role.  Now, he is back to starting on defense as a senior and has done an outstanding job."  
 
On Debarriaus Miller:
"Debarriaus (Miller) is a guy who transferred in this season from Southern Miss.  He is doing a great job us and started for us at the other safety spot.  He is a really good cover guy and has played different positions.  He is a very versatile guy and covers as well as anyone we have.  You will hear his name more and more as the season goes on."
 
On Markis Merrill:
Talk about perseverance and playing though things – he came in here the first year and tears his ACL in camp, and he rebounds from that and comes back last year and was leading us in receptions heading in to the Tennessee State game before having another season-ending injury.  He had a good game the other night and it is just a joy for our coaches and players to see him at the point of where he is right now.  He has done a great job on his recovery and getting back to full speed."  

 

Max Shortell
Sr., Quarterback
 On a playoff atmosphere against Chattanooga:
"It is definitely a rival game and I am looking forward to being a part of it.  They talk about in the past how big this game really is and it really does have playoff implications.  Last year, it was probably us or them to get in to the playoffs, so it is definitely added pressure for us, but that is what makes it fun to."
 
On the Michigan State team
"Defensively, they are like the same team every year – they just fill in holes.  It seemed like they were the same team that I faced as a freshman and sophomore at Minnesota.  They are going to be physical upfront and the corners are tough."
 
Folo Johnson
R-Jr., Safety
 On a playoff atmosphere against Chattanooga:
"It's definitely a big game for both teams.  We have to be ready to play and put last week behind us."
 
Ben Endress
Sr., Linebacker
 On a playoff atmosphere against Chattanooga:
"It is a huge rivalry game for us and I have been a part of two of the games and we are 1-1 against them right now, so I want to come out on top.  It is huge for us if we want to make the playoffs and we want to finish the rest of the season undefeated.  We want to put the loss behind us and finish the season strong."
 
On Chattanooga:
"It is a hostile environment and it is loud in there and the student section is right behind our bench, so they will be giving you an ear-full.  We have to let the younger players know to zone them out.  The game is going to be physical and it is going to be a lot of fun.  We have a lot to do to get prepared for them."