Michigan State head coach Jonathan Smith
Opening statement…
Obviously pleased to find a way to win a game. A kind of tale of two halves and in the first half, really pleased. I think we had four possessions in the first half and points on all four of them. Then ended the half with some points, so we’re feeling good there, but then it totally flipped in the second half. Credit to Purdue, whether it’s some adjustments or things like that, but they battled for all four quarters. And credit some to our defense too. The early second half, gave up a couple of scores there, but found the way fourth quarter to tighten things down and to give us 17 points and have two turnovers defensively, that’s a solid effort. Offensively, we again, got to play for four quarters and we want to do that better, but found a way to win a game. We got another home game with a lot to play for next week.
On junior tight end Jack Velling’s injury…
I spoke to him on the phone in the locker room just a bit ago. He’s at the hospital, thorough, precautionary type of things, but he was in good spirits. He was able to watch the game, but I don’t have anything definitive.
On not being able to execute offensively in the second half…
Without looking at the tape, I think a couple things they did show us a couple of pressures that we didn’t handle very well. And then there was just some lack of execution whether that is route detail, got guys a couple times running into each other. We missed a go ball, Montorie was open, we missed that which could’ve helped us. But there was a stint there, three or four drives where we got to be able to separate the game more.
On what fifth-year senior wide receiver Montorie Foster Jr. means to the team…
His leadership. He was our captain of the week out there, even tonight. He’s been really solid for us. Offensively, had a nice game, separating and making some plays. I think about that deep ball into the half he had for us. He’s been a punt returner, great decision maker back there and fields it. You think about these guys, especially the ones that have been around here for a while. This guy has made a huge difference for us, and that’s why I go back to this next week for guys like that, this is a huge game next week.
On D’Quan Douse’s status…
He tried to play today, he’s been dealing…
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