Bowling Green State University Athletics
Miami Bests BG In Battle Of MAC Unbeatens
November 05, 2003 | Football
Nov. 4, 2003
OXFORD, Ohio -
Postgame Quotes
BGSU Head Coach Gregg Brandon
"It was obvious it was a game of turnovers. We didn't protect the football or our quarterback. I thought defensively we hung in there and played pretty well. We were just out of synch and really struggled offensively."
"We moved the ball well at times in the first half but couldn't convert and score, and you just can't do that against Roethlisberger. It really came down to a lack of execution on our part and turnovers."
"The futility of the offense, it seemed like at times we were imposters out there. You know, we had 12 penalties tonight, and that is uncharacteristic of our offense."
"Special teams hurt us, and we tried to contain (Ryne Robinson) by getting Nate (Fry) to punt the ball on the run. He did a good job but a couple of times he outkicked his coverage."
BGSU Quarterback Josh Harris
"Let's not forget that we played a good football team tonight. They are on fire right now, with a great quarterback, and because of that, people forget about their defense. They had a good scheme and plan, and they beat us. They were clicking on defense tonight ... period."
"If you don't make some plays, that's the name of the game ... you lose. We didn't make some plays and we ended up losing."
BGSU Linebacker Mitch Hewitt
"We gave up 33 points tonight, and that is a lot more than we would have liked to give up. It's not good."
"I think (Miami's) offense started picking up things in the second half that they weren't in the first half. We just didn't adjust and they came out on top."
"Miami is the best team we have played this season. They are better than Purdue, and better than Ohio State."
Miami Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger
"The atmosphere out there tonight was almost like a high school game. I can't say enough about our fans. They were here early and they stayed until the very end. We really couldn't ask for a better atmosphere or, I guess, a better game."
"The first half wasn't Miami's offense. We just weren't comfortable and we committed too many turnovers in the first half. It was important for us to get off to a good start in the second half."
"Our goal at the beginning of the season was not to be ranked in the Top 25, it was to win a MAC Championship. We took a big step toward that tonight, and we have another big hurdle in front of us next week."
Miami Wide Receiver Martin Nance
"My success tonight is really a credit to our wide receivers as a whole. We've got receivers all over the place making plays. They were trying to attack our inside receivers tonight and it opened a lot of things up for me over the top."
Miami Defensive End Phil Smith
"We knew coming in that Bowling Green had a great offense. We also knew that they tend to score a lot of their points in the first half. We knew that it was going to be important to shut them down early."
Miami Coach Terry Hoeppner
"This was not only a special night for Miami football, it was a special night for Miami University. I've said all year that a football program is more than just players and coaches. It also takes alumni and fans like the ones we had here tonight."
"Tonight's win is a tribute to our team. It was a tough game, and we had to overcome a sloppy first half. The second half was one we're going to remember for a long time. We made some great adjustments at halftime and there were a lot of things there in the second half that weren't there in the first."
"It was a very physical game tonight, and I think that intensity contributed to the number of mistakes. Most of the turnovers tonight were not self-inflicted wounds, they were errors that were forced by big plays."
