Quotes - Game 1

On the offense improving as the game went -- Travis Davidson;
“We were just trying to keep focused and trying to bail the defense out. We were tired of getting three-and-outs -- we had the defense working extra hard. Coach Sherman pulled us to the side and told us to keep our head the whole game. With all the mistakes and penalties we were making we just tried to stay focused.”
 
On the difference between the emotion when winning and losing the game;
“A win is always better than a loss.  It would have been a devastating loss with all the work we put in and all the running we did. It would have definitely hurt opening up the season 0-1. It feels good to open up the season 1-0, and it’s always good to win.
 
On the overtime;
“Every time we came to the sideline we discussed that we needed to score a touchdown and not settle for a field goal -- but unfortunately it didn’t work out that way, we ended up winning by a field goal. But we will take it however they get it.”

On his feelings while on the sideline when the Pioneers kicker could have won the game with a field goal;
“I’m very superstitious. I feel that when I’m watching the game bad stuff happens, so I had my head down and once I heard the block that’s when I lifted my head back up. I was just praying to God the whole time on the sideline that someone would get through and knock the ball loose and that’s what happened.”

On next week’s game and how the team is prepared;
“The team is going to work extra hard. We have to go into practice and do what we do best. Keep jerking, keep grinding, keep driving and try to get everyone healthy, and keep everyone healthy and hopefully it works out.

On the MSU fans that will not see the team until the next home game – Homecoming;
“I would like to thank everyone for coming out, it was a very packed stadium, so I feel like everyone on the team was playing for something, playing for the fans, playing for Coach Hill and playing for all the work we put in over the summer – especially the double-days. I just want to tell everybody to watch the games if they’re going to be on TV, or listen if they’re going to be on the radio. The team is pulling for the fans, so we hope you all are pulling for us.”  

On ever playing in a four overtime game – Elandon Roberts;
“Yes I have, in high school”.
 
On his feelings if the team didn’t win the game;
“Every loss is devastating, no matter how you lose it. We would’ve just gone back and watched film, look for mistakes and get ready for next week’s game.”

On playing and starting in his first collegiate game;
“It felt real good. My coach gave me a great opportunity and when I cramped up [late in the game] all I could think about was my family needed me out there. So I was doing whatever it took on that sideline to get better, because nothing was going to hold me out of the game. Because if you [coaching staff] come all the way to Texas to get me, I feel like I’m going to give my team my all.”

On his performance in the game – Kenneth Ridley;
“First I would like to thank God for allowing us to get this win. I would like to thank God for my teammates because without them my individual performance would not have been possible. As a team I am thankful, I’m so glad. Thank God because we worked so hard. Camp was tough, and we pushed through. I mean I have never played in four overtimes, so that was new. I was cramping on the sideline and they [trainers] were rubbing me out -- but I just kept looking at my boy [Joe Rankin] … seeing him, he was my motivation and I just kept pushing. If he was cramping he wouldn’t let his team down and I’m wasn’t going to let my team down.”