Miami Ohio University Athletics
Terry Hoeppner Press Conference Quotes From Oct. 29
10/29/2002 12:00:00 AM | Football
Oct. 29, 2002
Terry Hoeppner Press Conference
October 29, 2002
Opening Statement...
"I would like to begin today by sending out my condolences to the family of Michael Perry, a MAC Official who was killed in a car accident after Saturday's game. It's a tremendous loss for this conference."
"To go into the Glass Bowl and beat a good Toledo team was important to us. It was a good win and a win we had to have. We're coming home this weekend for another championship game. We haven't put a complete game together at home yet, and this would be a good weekend for that. Ohio's a good team that runs the option and presents a lot of problems."
On the offense at Toledo...
"We had a very solid performance against a very good team Saturday. Our offense played well against a defense that doesn't give up big plays. Our players had to step up and make every big play we made, because Toledo is not going to make many mistakes. It was key for us to out-rush them."
On the defense at Toledo...
"On the defensive end, our defensive line really stepped up to the challenge of facing Toledo's big offensive line. We gave up some big plays because of some breakdowns in our secondary, but our secondary also made some plays that it wasn't making two games ago. Overall, the defense made big plays when it needed to make big plays."
On the special teams at Toledo...
"Obviously with Ben Roethlisberger being named MAC Special Teams Player of the Week, special teams were key. When you can pin a team back inside its 10-yard line, it's a big help to you on both sides of the ball. Ben is very talented as a punter and could be our punter if not for Mike Wafzig. He's a real weapon in those situations, because if you play back, we'll run a play at you, but if you crowd us up front, Ben can just kick it over you."
On Preparing for Ohio...
"We're going to use the success of the Toledo game to point out where we still need work. We also have to prepare for the first true option team we've faced this year. The coaching staff has to spend a lot of time breaking down Ohio's offense, and then we have to teach it to the players and get them to execute. It's a challenge for the entire defense to get into the disciplined mental process you have to go through before they snap the ball."
On the Ohio-Miami football tradition...
"This game is important because it's been played for so long, and it's been a part of MAC football for so long. More importantly, it's a MAC East game with championship implications. Ohio turned its season around just in time for conference play, and we both control our own destinies. Our players are going to take this game very seriously because of what's riding on it."
