Postgame Quotes
NIU vs. Toledo
November 7, 2018


NIU HEAD COACH ROD CAREY

On the win
"This was probably one of the most complete games we've played this year. In all three phases, the offense sputtered a little in the first half and the defense hung in there, but then the offense got it going and special teams created a huge momentum at the end of the first half. Give them credit, they're a good football team and they came back but we had a nice finish. It was a really good win."

On Sutton's punt block
"Sutton did a nice job because we actually had it set up for a different punt form but he did a nice job reacting, getting the block and getting in for the score."

On finishing the game
"We coach and we play for four quarters. There was no putting it away talk. There was 'keep going' and 'don't stop' and we stayed aggressive."
 
DE 15 Sutton Smith on the punt block
"Basically we were in safe and I wasn't supposed to do that. But they waited and really it was just reaction and go. So there really wasn't much to it, just go out and execute."

QB 15 Marcus Childers on the passing game
"(The passing game) is definitely getting a lot better and it has been throughout the weeks. I think we're doing a lot better and I'm making a lot better reads than I was earlier in the season, and guys are running better routes and making better catches."

DT 98 Jack Heflin on the defense
"They gave us the protections we saw all week on film so we just kept going and imposing our will. But also the DBs did a great job covering to give us time to get to the quarterback."

TB 22 Tre Harbison on running game
"It really was up to our o-line and tight ends, they were moving guys. If you've got holes that big I feel like anybody can run through holes like that. They played relentless. The passing game opened up the running game."


TOLEDO HEAD COACH JASON CANDLE

On special teams struggling in the first half
"Anytime you have a blocked punt, that's a game-changing play.  Obviously that was a huge momentum spark for Northern.  A young player, Bailey, made a mistake.  Hung onto the ball a little too long, and a really good player made a really great play, so hats off to him."
 
On missed offensive opportunities
"Getting down into the red zone twice and coming away with just three points.  It wasn't deflating but it's a major play in the game where you want to get seven and capitalize on those opportunities but we weren't able too.  I think as you look through the statistics there, from a third down perspective, there were some key wins there.  In the second and third quarter we didn't extend drives. I think in the second and third quarter we weren't very good on third down. I thought that had a big thing to do with the momentum swing of the game.  Northern is a good defensive team. I give them a lot of credit.  Pass rush is difficult to deal with.  Their cover guys are some good players back there too that probably don't get the credit they deserve."
 
On Marcus Childers making it difficult to slow down NIU's running game
"Any time you can complement the two good backs they have with a quarterback running game that's one more gap you have to continually defend and create discipline.  We knew that, going into the game, as conference games start to progress here they have started to run him more.  He is a good runner, he is adequate with the ball in his hands.  He's not reckless with it.  He doesn't pull the ball just to pull it, and he's smart when he does it. It's a tough offense to defend when you have to defend all the gaps."
 
On how OL Brock Ruble did against Sutton Smith
"I'll have to take a look at the videotape.  The sack fumble down near the goal line area in the first half was a big play.  That was a big momentum swing in the game and it seemed like that sparked their sideline and got the juice going for them throughout the course of the game.  He's a tremendous player. He's a guy you have to pick and choose your spots when you want to chip on him.  You pick and choose spots when you want to slide the protection to him, to commit two guys to him the entire game I think that's unrealistic. You have to pick and choose your spots and hats off to him. He made a great play there."