Bowling Green State University Athletics
Comment From Urban Meyer
October 13, 2002 | Football
Oct. 13, 2002
BGSU Coach Urban Meyer
"It is a heck of an honor to be ranked. There are three things that come from it. It is a reward for our players...it's all about the players here. There's been a lot of players to play for Bowling Green that haven't been ranked so I want them to enjoy what they have achieved. Secondly, I've always said this place is one of the best-kept secrets in the country. And now, all of a sudden, on ESPN Gameday and in every newspaper in the country because they feature teams in the Top-25. Lastly, the most important thing it probably does is it helps us in recruiting."
Will being ranked this week be a refresher for your team? "Will it be a refresher...you bet. Keeping' healthy, keeping players and coaches refreshed is my goal. That's all what I will do all day today, tomorrow and Tuesday."
How does this compare with other places you've been where being ranked was sometimes a given? I've been on both ends of the spectrum. At Colorado State, we went from being not ranked to being ninth in the country (in 1994). I saw what that did to a campus, a community, a student body and the players. I try to downplay it a little bit, but I don't want to downplay it to the fact that one of the greatest compliments you can get as a player on a national level is to be ranked in the top-25."
Senior offensive lineman Greg Kupke
"It's a great honor. We don't want to overlook that. We've only played five games this season. We are going to enjoy it momentarily, but it's where we want to be at the end of the season that matters."
How will you and your teammates respond to this?
"I think we're going to go out and prepare the same way we have every week. We had a bull's-eye on our chest when we went to Central Michigan because we were undefeated. I think we're going to have to have the same preparation we've had week in and week out."
How is it going from some tough times to Top-25?
"Collectively, as seniors, we were here when things weren't going well. We're extremely proud of the accomplishment, so far. In order for us to continue to be successful we're going to have to grab the young guys and bring them along. Ideally it's going to put more fans in the stands. The more fans we can get, the more support we can get for Bowling Green the better it is for the University."
Senior offensive lineman Jon Mazur
"It means a lot. To think of two years ago, where we were at this time, on our way to a 2-9 season. Things didn't look real positive for the players and the program. Then we had the change and everything started going in the right direction. Things started falling into place. As a senior...I can really help the younger guys and tell them how good they have it because it wasn't always like this around here."
