Sept. 24, 2011

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Post-Game Quotes
Louisiana Tech at Mississippi State
Sept. 24, 2011

Louisiana Tech Head Coach Sonny Dykes

Opening Statement:

"You know we played a hard-fought football game. Similar to all of our last four, it could have gone either way. Our kids played really hard; we talked about coming into this game expecting to win, and I could sense they expected to. We just made a couple of critical turnovers late in the game and that was the difference."

On the playing poise of Nick Isham:

"You know, he wasn't too worried about being in the SEC. He played real well, just made a few mistakes down the stretch, which most young players do. What he did do, he played well enough for us to win it at the end of the game."

On what to tell the team after three close loses:

"We lost to very good teams. We just have to learn from these games, improve and get better. We're about to start conference play, and we'll find out how much character this team has. I know we have a lot after losing like we did last week and coming here and taking this team to overtime."

#4 - Quinton Patton - R. Jr - WR

On touchdown reception:

"I just tried to get my foot in. It was a close call, but luckily I was able to make the catch and get the touchdown."

On losing another close game:

"It's really, really tough. We're the only players in blue out there, the only Louisiana Tech players. It's us against the world."

On moving on to the remainder of the season:

"We just always have to believe. We have to play to win."

#45 - Jay Dudley - R. Sr. -- LB

On the way the team played:

"We played good, but not good enough. We have to get it done and win games."

On losing another close game:

"It hurts so bad. We played so hard. We expected to win."

On taking an SEC team to overtime and almost winning:

"It gives me hope about the season and the team. It gives me hope that we can pull it off. We just

have to work hard everyday."

On playing Mississippi State compared to other teams:

"They are the most physical team we've played. They're a really tough opponent."

Mississippi State Head Coach Dan Mullen

Opening Statement:

"That was a hard-fought football game. I want to give Louisiana Tech a lot of credit; I think their kids played really hard and executed well. They had a true freshman quarterback come into a tough environment and go 29-for-40, and you have to give them credit for that. I also give our guys credit. They kept playing, fighting for four quarters and beyond, and when we needed to make a play, we made a play."

On Chris Relf's performance tonight:

"I don't think Chris played his best game tonight at all, but I give him credit. He stayed in there, under pressure, and threw the game-winning touchdown pass in overtime. Fifteen years from now, people are going to remember the game-winning touchdown in overtime, not the others ones."

On special teams:

"I thought our coverage team played well. That was a well-played special teams game. Their punter was booming the ball all night long, and our guys made some plays on special teams."

#28 - Vick Ballard - Sr. - RB

On the run for a touchdown…

"I was just trying to get to the end zone. I could smell it. Not really smell it, but I knew I was close. I knew I had to get it in."

What was Tech's defense doing to slow you down?…

"For one, they brought the safeties down. And I think we could have played a little better. We got to execute better on those plays."

(On Perkins' Score). Do you think that's the hardest he ever ran…

"Most definitely. He sprinted down there and broke some tackles. I was so happy for him for this game.

55 - Quintin Saulsberry - Sr. - OL

Vick talked about moving the safeties up to stop the run…

"I really didn't see it. We knew throughout the week that they were going to move it up. But credit to them they played hard."

You guys showed more emotion going into overtime…

"This is what we trained for all summer long, all spring long. You know, going down to that last drive."

Was it frustrating trying to get the running game off the ground…

"Yeah it was. Coach always told us that some days the offense will be on, and sometimes the defense will be on."