Oct. 24, 2009

Recap | Final Stats | Notes | Photo Gallery

Miami Head Coach Michael Haywood

On the game as a whole:

"I think guys played really hard and really competed. They played a little bit more physical then we have in the past especially the defense. The power play is Northern Illinois' number one play and the number of times they ran it, we definitely had to play a more physical game on defense. I think offensively we started playing physical towards the start of the second quarter. We didn't start off the game as we would have like to. And we didn't play well all day on special teams."

On if the team is improving week-to week: "I didn't think we improved last week versus Ohio. However I think we improved this week with the physicality of our team. I think we improved with the teamwork and togetherness. I think guys fought well in the third and fourth together and started bonding together. And defensively with the goal of stopping (Northern Illinois') power-play, I think they played a lot better and a lot more physical."

On concern with special teams:

"It's always a concern because you want to win every game on special teams, at least win that phase of the game. We didn't do very well on our P.A.T. and field goals. You can't have holding on the punt return because basically that holding is a lack of discipline, which turns into a touchdown."

Freshman quarterback Zac Dysert

On his game and Northern Illinois defense:

"At the beginning of the game they were bringing some blitzes, and we weren't really expecting it. However, even though they were not a big blitz team we kind of expect it from everyone because they all blitz us. For the most part I think we did all right once the game settled down a bit. I made the right reads and just tried to make some things happen."

On the development of his game as it went along:

"As the game went on I felt I settled down a little bit. I took what the defense gave me and didn't try to force anything. Things opened up in the passing game a little bit and that helped a lot."

Freshman defensive back Justin Bowers

On the defensive performance:

"Everything they ran was something that we had run in practice. We couldn't stop it at first, but as soon as we got one good stop, which was when we started picking it up. Everybody started making big plays and everything started coming back to life."

Junior wide receiver Armand Robinson

On the receiving core dealing with injuries: "We do have a lot of guys out, but I think what is helping us is a lot of the guys who are injured are really supportive in practice to keep pushing us, like Dustin Woods. He is a senior leader and captain. He always pushes us in practice and motivates us to do well in games."

Freshman running back Roman Lawson

On his first start:

"It was amazing. I was well prepared for it. All week my teammates have been telling me that it is going to be cool, just take it one play at a time. Dysert was always in the huddle encouraging me and telling me to do what I do best."

Northern Illinois Coach Jerry Kill

Opening statement:

"We are very glad we got the opportunity to get out of there with a win; it was a hard fought game. And the kids stepped up and we had some adverse situations and a few injuries and we had some guys step up to the plate and did a good job. It was a good win to get on the road and we're looking forward to getting back."

On how the team played:

"I just think that you look at the things that the kids got off to a good start on special teams and playing defense, but I think we're trying to get settled in on offense and they stiffened up and played better and harder and it was just a dogfight. That's the way it is on the road, it doesn't matter where you go in the MAC Conference; you have got to be able to play for four quarters. And you know we talk about it all the time and we just gotta continue to do that. And I think our kids handled it pretty good, because we lost David Bryant in the first quarter, early in the game and the way they were throwing the ball, you know I was kind of thinking to myself Jody Van Laanen is the kind of kid we didn't know whether we were gonna take him or not if we had room for him or not, and we had some kids step up that hadn't played a lot, and were put into some tough situations, and I think they handled it the best they could."

On having two punt returners:

"He's (DiCesare) a guy that punted a lot of different places from watching films and stuff, and we felt that we would have an advantage if we put two out there. We've done that if we feel like we can get an advantage or if you run into a punter that punts it in a lot of different places and makes it tough on you, you don't want to lose field position. So we put two back there and it worked out pretty well."

On the second-string QB playing:

"The second guy never gets as many reps as the first guy and so you know, DeMarcus and Ryan both got a lot of reps during practice but it's not game reps and so it's very difficult, but I think DeMarcus came in and he did a good job and we found a way to win. We had two big plays that we made in that game and one of them was with DeMarcus' feet on the scramble out there."

On preparation for the game: "I don't think there's anybody that's played in this conference and understands that you have to come to play every week."

Northern Illinois Quarter Back Demarcus Grady

On approaching the start today:

"It was a little different but I still approached it the same way as practice."

On bobbled catch:

"We work on those passes all week, all year, all summer, and the main thing about it is just trusting guys. I trust my receivers."

Northern Illinois Wide Receiver Perez Ashford

On the punt return:

"I expected it low, but I didn't expect it to come to me. The blockers were set up nice with a big hole and all I did was just run through it. Really, the blockers set it all up."

Northern Illinois Defensive End Brandon Bice

On how the defense played compared to last week:

"I think both weeks we came out and played hard. We started off today really well, we got a lot of stops, and the quarterback was pretty elusive like we knew he was going to be. He was getting the ball out of there just before we got to him."

Northern Illinois Tail Back Chad Spann

On how it felt running over D-Back:

"Pretty good, we practice getting north and south, and when there's nothing else to do, just lower your shoulder and get as many yards as you can."