Jones: ‘I can’t say enough about our kids and their workmanlike mentality’

Head Coach Butch Jones

On the game:

“We knew it was going to be a difficult contest coming in. Ball State had revamped their offense and they do some things that challenge you. Their two defensive ends I thought were the best pair in the MAC to date and then you’re starting a true freshman in Eric Fisher at tackle. He did a phenomenal job. We had some kids playing hurt tonight, and we just fought through everything. We can’t turn the ball over like we did, especially going in. We played the field position game and had confidence in our defense. I thought our defense did a great job of containing their three great running backs.”

On the play of the offense:

“Bryan Schroeder is playing very good football for us. Again it was third-and-long, and Dan flushes the pocket and finds Antonio and he makes a great catch and finishes it off. I thought that was the turning point just like last week against Toledo. I can’t say enough about our kids and their workmanlike mentality.”

On quarterback Dan LeFevour:

“I think you saw back-to-back weeks his ability to flush the pocket and have a high vision and hit a receiver. Last week it was Kito, this week obviously it was Antonio. You can take away all the personal records, but what he has meant to our football family and our football program, I think that speaks volumes.”

On the touchdown pass from LeFevour to Antonio Brown late in the first half:

“It was just a great player making a great play. I thought Antonio made a great catch on it and he was able to finish it and score. The game of football is so big with momentum. I thought that gave us great momentum and sparked us. Dan has been doing that throughout his career.”

On Bryan Anderson tying the NCAA record for consecutive games with a reception:

“He’s been a rock of stability for us. It’s the ability to play through the nicks and the pains and the bruises, which he’s done. It’s amazing because football is an extremely physical game, and I think that shows his durability.”

Senior Quarterback Dan LeFevour:

On setting the MAC record for passing yards:

“It means a lot because there are a lot of great players that have played here, but fortunately a lot of those guys didn’t play four years so I feel like I’m kind of stealing it.”

On the touchdown pass to Antonio Brown late in the first half:

“I saw Antonio coming over the middle, which is a dangerous throw. I waited maybe a second too long, but it worked out. I knew it was a risky throw when I let it go. I thought Antonio was going to get popped, but he’s a game-changer. I thought that play changed the game. He can ignite this football team.”

On the difficulty of catching a pass in 51 straight games:

“Obviously it is, because he’s got the record. He’s been very durable, knock on wood, and he’s been able to play a lot of games in his career. He’s obviously been very productive because he’s gotten the ball every time he’s played.”