Oct. 8, 2005
Recap |
Final Stats
Illinois State Quotes
#81 Laurént Robinson, Junior Wide Receiver
On the short passes made to him...
"We scattered them throughout the game because they did not let us get deep, so we took advantage of that and used more of a short game. We gave our best effort."
#6 Kye Stewart, Sophomore Linebacker
On tying the game up for overtime...
"I was happy that I at least tied up the ball game for my team at the end of the fourth quarter."
#40 Cameron Siskowic, Junior Linebacker
On Western Kentucky's running game...
"They schemed me out with their left tackle pretty much on every play they ran. They had a tough running game, best in the conference that we've faced."
About the end of the game...
"With these fourth quarter games like we experienced today, things happen. Coach told us we had to look at this overtime as another opportunity, but it didn't work out like we wanted it to."
#5 Brian Thompson, Senior Running Back
On the loss today...
"We had a lot of penalties today, like myself with my fumble, and you can't make mistakes like that against the No. 3 team in the nation. We have to learn from that."
Illinois State Head Coach Denver Johnson
On Western Kentucky's running game...
"I don't know that we ever stopped their running game. We got it slowed down a couple of times. They're really good at the offensive line which helps with their running game.
I've got to tip my hat to them. They were controlling the line of scrimmage, they were getting up on our linebackers. Early on, they did some things and they had a great plan coming into the game."
On losing the momentum at the end of the game...
"I felt like we had a pretty good chance and the clock was working in our favor. But they got down in the red zone and we were able to get a fourth down. Then they kicked that field goal to send it into overtime and they stole the momentum from us. Football is a game of ebb and flow and that was a high point for them."
On getting back on track...
"We moved the ball well but we didn't score enough points. I, again, have to give credit to Western Kentucky...they run the ball at you. They were a good football team but I think we're a fine team too. We've just got to get over that hump. We've had two heartbreaking losses in two weeks so we've got to respond and get in the right direction. Hopefully our kids will do just that. This team has displayed a lot of character in the past and we need to do that again to make some noise in this conference."
Western Kentucky Quotes
#16 Justin Haddix, Junior Quarterback
On another comeback win...
"In practice we do (the) two-minute (drill) two or three times a week, and we always try to get to the 30. Chris (James) is real comfortable with the 30, so we are looking to get to the 30 or in."
On throwing on third down...
"They were playing some man coverage and I think with our receivers we wanted to take advantage of that. When they did stop us on the run, we knew that we had some receivers that could make plays on the outside."
On the confidence of a late drive...
"That's why you play football. When you get in a big time game like this, with a pressure situation, but I wasn't the only one out there. My linemen were out there blocking for me and no one gave up."
#6 Antonio Thomas, Senior Cornerback
On the WKU defense giving up big yardage games the last two outings...
"Teams in the Gateway do a great job breaking down film and finding plays were your defense is vulnerable. In the end, our defense bent, but didn't break. We got the win, that's all that matters."
#83 Chris James, Sophomore Kicker
On the field goal that sent the game into overtime...
"I hit it straight and I didn't really see it, but I knew it was straight and I had the wind to my back. I was pretty confident that it was going to go in."
#25 Lerron Moore, Senior Running back
On the success of running the ball against the ISU defense...
"I just think the offensive line did a tremendous job and I couldn't have asked for anything else. We have always been a running team and able to run the ball, but today I think it really showed just how well we can run the ball."
Western Kentucky Head Coach David Elson
On how he felt during the game...
"I didn't get real high or low. I had so much confidence in them. We try to play hard, smart and together. That has always pulled us through."
On quarterback Justin Haddix...
"Justin is a good competitor. He's such a good kid and person which makes him a good leader on the field. He'll help us get in position to win the game. Justin will get our receivers the ball; we just need to catch them and finish the play."
On overall game attitude...
"We need to execute and play Western Kentucky football. When things felt like they were slipping away, we really executed."
On the return of #59 Outside Linebacker Deion Holts...
"I've seen flashes of how good he can be. Early on today he was rusty but he played some solid minutes. We've done a great job recognizing that he can only play a few plays at a time. He tapped himself out and we rotated our linebackers which gives us energy to win late in the game like that."
On pressure situations...
"We do two-minute drills quite a bit in practice to get a feel for pressure situations. Doing random situations in practice helps us out a lot. On Thursday we did a situation where we had 1:15 left with no time outs; so then in today's game, having 45 seconds left and two time outs, we felt well-prepared for that situation."
