2002 MainStay Independence Bowl Postgame Quotes

Dec. 27, 2002

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NEBRASKA QUOTES
Head Coach Frank Solich:
On the game:
"I thought both teams played very hard. We just didn't take advantage of the opportunities that we had on offense. I thought our defense played very hard and I am extremely proud of them, especially the seniors."

On finishing 7-7 this season:
"Our team had a great attitude coming into this game and they maintained it throughout the entire game. These kids have a great work ethic and will do what it takes to get better. We accomplished some things this season but obviously we have some work to do to get ready for next season. We have a strong nucleus of kids coming back next season and we all are looking forward to getting back to work."

On the running game:
"We ran the ball very effectively early in the game and that allowed us to use some play-action. In the second half, we couldn't get the running game going and were forced into passing situations on second and third and long."

DeJaun Groce:
On the game:
"We had a lot of negative things that were brought up leading up to this game. We stuck together as a team and worked really hard on playing our best game against Ole Miss. I thought we played very hard but came up a little short in a game that was well-played on both sides."

On his punt return for a touchdown:
"The blocking was tremendous. I just followed them and used a couple of cut-back lanes to take it to the end zone. Scoring on special teams can switch the momentum of a game and that is what happened at that point of the game."

Chris Kelsay:
On the loss:
"We were well-prepared for this game. Our coaches did a great job of getting us ready to play. I thought both teams played very hard and they just took advantage of some of our mistakes and came out on top."

On Eli Manning:
"Eli is a tremendous quarterback. He does some amazing things even when he is pressured. He sits in the pocket very nicely. We got to him early but they did a nice job of picking up our stunts and blitzes in the second half."

MISSISSIPPI QUOTES
Head Coach David Cutcliffe:
"What a great victory for Ole Miss ... we got great, great crowd support and that was very significant in the outcome. Don't play us in Shreveport!"

"We found a way to win and I couldn't be more proud of what's happened."

"You try to practice and simulate the speed of the (option) game, but they (Nebraska) were just so much quicker than our 'look' team. It took our guys a little while to get used to it. We made the adjustment and as the game went on we got off their blocks pretty well and minimized the damage. Their quarterback is a pretty outstanding athlete who is going to make you look bad at times. Defending their scheme takes great effort and intensity and team football and we got all of that from our guys today."

"I'm very proud that on defense we played a lot of guys who hadn't played a lot for us, and they stacked up pretty well. We had some personnel issues and called upon some guys to answer the challenge for us and they did."

"I'm very proud of the coaching staff and our players. We got better as we practiced for this ballgame. I want to pay tribute to our seniors. In a season-ending game like this, seniors can go both ways -- they can tail off and be easily distracted thinking about things that aren't related to the game, or they can take on the situation and rise to the occasion. Our seniors stayed focused and that's the biggest reason we're standing here smiling right now."

"The fake punt (by Nebraska) was a big play. I was on our sideline thinking, 'turnover, turnover, turnover. We needed the ball and we needed some field position. It was a very significant play. I know Coach Solich thought it was a good gamble and fortunately the luck went our way that time. We look at a lot of different (fake punt) possibilities each week and hope we cover what we may see. We had some guys react well and get the job done."

(On being at Ole Miss)
"I answered that last week. I don't know where all that talk comes from, but I'm looking forward to recruiting and continuing to build our program at Ole Miss."

"When we got the ball at the end of the first half, I told the offense we had a great chance to get two scores before they touched the ball again. It's an opportunity you don't get every game, to score at the end of the half and then take the second half kickoff and score again, and it's a golden opportunity. We put 10 points on the board and they didn't touch the ball:in the meantime. That's big."

"Before I go, I just want to take a moment to compliment the people here in Shreveport and the entire Independence Bowl operation. We've been to other bowls and there's not one, anywhere, that compares to the way they treat you here. I mean, even our police escorts were the best ever. From top to bottom, it's a class operation. They bring you in, make you feel tremendously welcome and give you a great experience. This is the hospitality bowl. You're among friends here, that's the way it feels. Glenn (Krupica), I want to personnally say you're the best. Thanks for what you've done for us and congratulations on a great job year after year."

Quarterback Eli Manning:
"We didn't start the game in a good situation, taking over on our own 1-yard line. You don't want your first play to be a quarterback sneak coming out. It took us a while to settle down, but we came out fighting and moved the ball out of the hole. Eventually we got a handle on their blitzes and pressure, everybody started getting their blocks, and we found a little bit of a groove.

"A big turning point was when Von Hutchins got that interception. To that point we weren't really getting much done offensively and then that play got us real good field position with a great chance to get on the scoreboard. We were able to go down and score and that broke the ice for us."

Linebacker Eddie Strong:
"In the third quarter I could tell they weren't as physical running the football and I knew we had a chance to get the upper hand. We were able to get them into several third-and-long situations which is not their preference and we had a big advantage there.

The University of Mississippi Athletics

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