Wisconsin Postgame Quotes
Wisconsin vs. Rutgers
October 31, 2015
Camp Randall Stadium - Madison, Wis.

Wisconsin Head Coach Paul Chryst
COACH CHRYST: Really proud of the way the guys played today. I thought we had a really good week of practice, preparation and had some guys that had to step up. It was certainly good to get some energy and production from Corey (Clement). I thought our defense -- and you guys saw it, I mean, they were tremendous.

They just keep playing. I thought Dave and the defensive staff did a really nice job in getting (Jack) Cichy ready, and I thought he played well inside. We forced some turnovers, again, and that adds pressure on the quarterback. When they did get in the red zone, we stiffened up, and they played really well. Fun to watch.

I thought our special teams -- we were worried again this week. I thought it was going to be a heck of a challenge for our coverage units, and I thought we did a nice job. The only one -- we had bad field position after Corey's first touchdown, when he forgot what it meant to score a touchdown, but I thought the coverage units were great. I thought Drew (Meyer) punted well, and it was good.

Offensively, (we) found a way to move, I think, okay on third down, and certainly a big fourth down with Joel (Stave) and Alex (Erickson) and needed everything. It wasn't perfect, but appreciate this group and the effort they gave. It was a good day that way.

Q. You mentioned the defense. This was yet another game where they weren't responsible for giving up another touchdown?
COACH CHRYST: Right.

Q. What do you think has made the unit so special this year that they could work together as a unit like this?
COACH CHRYST: I think that -- not in any particular order, but I think they're a really good team defense. They care about each other. I think we've got good football players. I think they're really well coached. I think they believe in each other, and because of that, I don't think they feel like they've got to do something else. They can do their job, and they trust the other ones, and I think there is a competitiveness to them.

I they've got great -- there's great leadership. So you got leadership, you got talented players, I think they care about each other, well coached. I think it gives us a chance every time and they work at it. They're not -- it's not a group -- who they are. They don't read the clippings, they don't rest on their laurels. They rise up to each challenge, and they're fun to be around.

Q. Paul, you've been pretty matter of fact about all the questions about Corey coming back, saying he can only do so much. In addition to statistically, did his return give guys a boost around him to see him in the huddle and to see him maybe do some things that they're not accustomed to seeing?
COACH CHRYST: I think it was a bigger boost seeing him make some runs than just seeing him in the huddle. It was a production. Absolutely it does. What was neat today I thought was that Dare (Ogunbowale) would have been the first one. It's a group that's not selfish that way, I don't think, and so he had a pep in his step and -- absolutely. We've had a number of guys that, all right, they're out. They're out, they're out. It's good to get one, he's in.

Q. Do you have a timetable on Chris Orr? And how long did Jack Cichy have to work on the inside this week?
COACH CHRYST: We will see -- I think Chris is one of those that it will probably be day-to-dayish, and Jack had enough time to get ready, which is good.

Q. What does it mean to your offense to have a guy who can get to the end zone and can make that one move and finish off a run celebrating?
COACH CHRYST: I thought it changed. That everything doesn't have to -- I thought he had some great patience and made someone miss, and I think it just changed it.

It was a big lift for our offense that way, of having something -- maybe it's not 100 percent clean, but still get production. I thought that was huge. Sure felt good.

Q. You mentioned the competitiveness of your defense. Did that show after that second series of the game where Rutgers really pounded it on the ground?
COACH CHRYST: We weren't keeping leverage on the ball, and they were hurting us with the counter. They were kinda knocking us back, and yet I thought that they -- as it went down, guys adjusted. I thought that was important. Then they bowed up and that was huge. I think Darius (Hillary) on that drive -- I think that was the one Darius did -- second down, they went kinda the action pass. I thought it was a nice play by Darius, on that, so that was big. And I thought at the end of the game with the two's (second team unit). I don't know if it was T.J. (Edwards) that came in -- the first down, the run, and T.J., and Ryan (Connelly), he showed up at the end of the game, Connelly, and I thought that was big. I know that means a lot. The sidelines, they were live on that, and it was cool.

Q. Corey obviously showed some emotion after that touchdown, the first one. What did it mean for him to get back on the field and have that success?
COACH CHRYST: It's a long journey coming back, and I would like to think, too, that it was -- he was happy to be able to contribute to this team. Certainly there is a personal part of it, and that's coming back and I think any player comes into a season with expectations, kind of a vision of what they want the year to be. (It) Certainly wasn't that way for Corey.

So I think it was -- there's been a lot of talk and a lot of waiting and just to be able to get out and play, and certainly Corey will be able to speak for himself, but I'm sure there was a lot in that one.

Q. Building off that question, there was a moment after he made that touchdown run, he went up to you, and you pulled him aside and whispered something in his ear. What did you say to him?
COACH CHRYST: "Nice run," and added a couple of other things (laughter). Yeah, like I'd tell you guys!

Q. What do you think a performance like this can do for your offense moving forward, knowing that you can have balance you don't have to throw it 50 times a game and showing you can run the ball?
COACH CHRYST: Well, we've done that different games. I think it was needed and good for the day. What we do going forward is what we earn. I don't think it -- it doesn't crown us anything, right? I mean, it's -- we found a way to make plays offensively, defensively, special teams a win today. None of it carries over. I think there are things we can build on, and I think there are areas, (with) what guys did and we'll look at the film and say that's positive. We can keep moving forward on that, but it doesn't mean anything if you don't build on it and keep improving.

Q. How do you think Joel played overall today? I think there were some good throws, but I think that interception stands out for one he would want to take back.
COACH CHRYST: Yeah, I thought he made some throws and did some good things, right? And that was -- I thought he stood in there. I know first half, we missed Rob on one, and second half, I think that the pick -- that's (a) first down. You're playing with the lead, and I think it's a delicate balance that you've gotta -- you are playing with the lead, but you gotta keep playing and you've got to keep attacking.

Then the third down, they did a nice job, blocking Alex (Erickson) on it, and he came off it and missed that location, but you don't want that when you've got the lead. That's the one way they can get back in it, I thought, and I thought he responded and played well, and like any game there are some things you've got to improve upon and get back to, but I thought he did a lot of really good things, too, to give us a chance to win. That was big. So kinda like every game, some good stuff and some that he's clearly got to learn from. We've got to take better care of the ball at the quarterback spot.

Q. You touched on that a little bit, but what does it do for the moral of the team, getting Corey back, being on the other side of that injury coin that you guys have overcome so many times, you finally got a guy back; you don't have as much injuries.
COACH CHRYST: What do you mean we don't have it?

Q. You're on the right side of it. You got someone back this time. What does that do for the moral of the team?
COACH CHRYST: I mean, you'd have to ask 'em, but I think it's big, right? Anytime you get someone to come back and contribute that's a good thing. And yet, I think no one anticipated Corey (Clement) to come in and do what he did, necessarily, but it was certainly good.

It's one piece, it's an important piece, but there's a lot of guys -- I don't know -- I don't think anyone was looking, waiting for Corey to, all right, now it's finally here. I don't think it's that at all.

Q. Coach, any thoughts on Corey not being able to finish off the 58 yard run, getting caught from behind?
COACH CHRYST: I mean, he's gotta get in shape. I don't know.

THE MODERATOR: Anything else for coach? All right, thanks, coach.

Wisconsin Player Postgame Quotes
Wisconsin vs. Rutgers | Oct. 31, 2015
Camp Randall Stadium – Madison, Wis.

Senior OLB Joe Schobert
On what separates this defense from others in the past:
"I think athletically we've taken a step up every year we've been here, especially in the front seven. This year so far it's just been a young team, a very athletic team, and we've just been getting assignments down as the season's progressed. We're seeing the results now."

On not allowing opponents into the end zone in recent games:
"I think Coach (Dave) Aranda does a great job with our game plan throughout the week and guys get on it, study it on their own and come talk to coaches in their extra time. Putting in the hours in the film room, you just see it pay off on weekends."

On limiting the efficiency of Rutgers' quarterback:
"I think the weather helped. I think we were able to get a lot of pressure on him. Even when he was able to get the ball off there were guys in his face. I think Vince (Biegel) did a good job today of getting some pressure and some sacks, and downfield the coverage was good."

Junior CB Sojourn Shelton
On if Rutgers' WR Leonte Carroo's absence changed their game plan:
"Changes to the game plan? No. We ran a lot of plays that we went over in practice, just Leonte wasn't in that spot. I think overall we did a good job with the players that were in front of us. Now it's onto the next week."

On what separates this current defense from past groups:
"Man, I just think we're real close. As far as the secondary and even the guys like (Joe) Schobert and (Vince) Biegel, we've been playing with each other for so long. Now it's just a matter of us just building that chemistry and then the guys that are filling in for some areas, just getting them on board too. I think as far as the three years I've been here, I've been fortunate enough to play on some special defenses, but I think this is probably the best one. We're out there having fun and I think that's the best part about it." 

On how much pressure Vince Biegel takes off the rest of the defense:
"Yeah, Vince and (Joe) Schobert. The way Schobert's been playing, a lot of guys double-team Schobert, so Vince is getting those one-on-ones and he's been doing his thing. Those guys take a lot of pressure off us. There's no secret to what coverage we're in, everybody knows that, but those guys — just the pressure they're able to generate helps us in the back end knowing that we might not have to cover some guys, but if we do we have no problem with it."

Sophomore OLB Jack Cichy
On what it was like to play inside linebacker:
"It felt very good. I was definitely a little bit nervous getting the first start, but after the first play all those jitters went away and then I just got to play football. Credit to my defensive line, they helped a lot for plays I was able to make. A lot of those were on them. They pretty much made those plays, I just tackled the guy."

On when he found out he'd be moving to ILB:
"I found out Monday morning. Coach (Tim) Tibesar texted me and wanted me to meet with Coach (Dave) Aranda and they told me. So I found out probably around noon on Monday. They eased me into the game plan throughout the week, they didn't throw it at me all at once." 

On preparing for playing ILB:
"I met a fair amount more with Ethan Armstrong during the week, I met a little bit more with Coach (Dave) Aranda, definitely watched more film, but the hardest part was probably getting the alignments down for all their motions."

Senior FB Derek Watt
On having Corey Clement back and having him as an option: 
"You know it meant a lot, he's a special player, he's been working hard, and he's done what he's needed to do to get back out there and he said he felt good today and he looked pretty good to me." 

On what Clement brings as a runner:
"He's got a little bit of everything. He's a physical guy but at the same time he can make you miss. He just works hard and he brings a lot to the table and you never know what he's going to do. He's got some shaking and he's got some physicality as well." 

On if Clement was a mental lift, more than just a runner:
"You know, whoever's back there it doesn't really change much for us, we're just going to do our job up front. You just do what you do every play you don't necessarily care or even know who's back there sometimes, we're changing running backs every play so sometimes you really don't even know who's back there at times."

On Clement's first touchdown and the team's excitement for him when he got there for the first time since last year:
"Yeah, we were definitely happy for him. I was the first one to him and I first asked him what the heck he was doing but then I congratulated him. But yeah, we were happy for him, it's a big moment for him to get the end of the year rolling."  

Senior WR Alex Erickson
On how much of a confidence booster today's game was:
"It was huge, we battled through the conditions which we knew was going to be rainy all week and we had two days to practice in the rain so we were well prepared for that. We made some explosive plays which is always good for an offense, tales some pressure off the long drives and allows us to be more explosive."

On what kind of boost did it bring you guys when Clement broke that first touchdown:
"It was exciting to see him back out there because he's worked so hard and he worked so hard in the offseason and it's tough to see him go down and we know what type of player Corey is so it obviously hurt in that standpoint. But then he comes back and unleashes a little bit so it was fun to see. When he threw the ball we know he was excited because he wasn't doing what he normally does, so yeah, he was excited and it was fun to be a part of." 

On breaking his receptions record from last season:
"I think it's a combination of things, the offense that we're running is more balanced so we're throwing the ball a little more and then obviously as a player you'd hope that over time you'd have time to improve and work on your craft and I feel like I've improved and I continue to try and improve every single day." 

Senior DB/WR Tanner McEvoy
On having a big overall game:
"It was fun, it's nice to just have the opportunity, coach believes in me. Obviously we had the injury with Rob (Wheelwright) last week and guys have to step up and we've shown that guys can step up all week so it was a great game overall I thought, special teams, offense, defense, we all looked great." 

On the emotional lift to see Corey come back and have success:
"Yeah, absolutely. It's always great to have him back, he had a big day obviously. He had a big day last year against Rutgers so I'm sure it means something a little more to him. But it's just great to have him back out there and have some big, explosive plays."

On the cohesion of the defensive unit: 
"We're not letting them in the end zone which is great and we're trying to limit the big plays. Obviously today the weather was pretty bad, it was pretty wet out there so it was tough to pass the ball so they were trying to run the ball and they had one series where they were running it pretty well but we bowed up and held them to a field goal. But other than that, I feel we had a pretty good day."

Junior RB Corey Clement
On how it felt to be back, especially the first touchdown:
"It felt great to be back out there. I couldn't ask for anything else from this game. My lineman did a great job and just executing. I think this whole process has allowed myself to slow the game down a lot more and become more patient. When I got into the end zone, I forgot how to act. It's been a long road I've been on. I've been itching to get back out there and play some football."

On how hard it was to hold his emotions:
"I was thinking about the first touchdown when I was going to run out of the tunnel. I was so ecstatic being behind the crowd again and just having your team behind you. It's great to be back out there, especially in the backfield with Joel (Stave). I can only thank the other 10 guys who laid it out there on the line for me."

On whether coming back was more physical or mental:
"I had to realize every time I stepped out there, this wasn't just a test. This was the real thing. Every time I got the ball, I took into account that every play is meant for something big. I got what I can get, and things worked out good." 

Junior RB Dare Ogunbowale
On what it meant to have Corey Clement back:
"Everything, man. He's one of my best friends. Seeing him have the success he had coming back on his first day was exciting. It was really exciting for all of us."

On what it's like to have Clement in front of him:
"We were talking about that on the sideline. You can definitely feel it having that change of pace right there. We've been missing that obviously this season with Corey and Taiwan (Deal) being gone. But it was real nice to have him there. It helps me out. It takes a load off of me. Like I said, it was just real exciting to see my good friend have the success that he had today." 

On if he feels like the performance of the offense was a confidence boost:
"This was a big game for the whole offense. Obviously for Corey, that's huge for us and huge for him to be able to get your confidence. But for the whole offense, this was definitely a big game for us and we put up some good numbers."

Senior QB Joel Stave
On the fourth down conversion to Alex Erickson for a touchdown:
"They played man coverage and I've got a lot of faith in Alex to get open, beat one-on-one coverage. I just had a lot of confidence that he'd be there and he was."

On big plays for the offense:
"Going into this game, I wouldn't' say we'd really be called an explosive offense. I think we did a good job today being able to find some of those big plays — a couple big plays in the running game, a couple big plays in the passing game to really kind of get us jump-started." 

On the balance of offensive attack with Corey Clement back:
"Obviously, Corey showed how good a player he is today. There was never really any question in our mind, but he hasn't been able to play for a while. It was pretty impressive the way he was able to come in and his patience in the backfield, waiting for holes to open, once he finds them, he hits it hard."

On how Clement's return affects the team emotionally:
"It's big for us. It's just fun to have one of your better players out on the field again. Everyone's aware of how good a player he is on our team and he's showed that for his past two seasons. To be able to have him back, to see him making cuts we know he can make, breaking runs we know he can break, it's fun to see."  

Junior LB Vince Biegel
On if this is one of the best defensive units he's been on:
"I personally think that it's one of the better units I've been on. I think it's a defense where guys have bought into (it). You got guys who are first (string), second string, third (string) guys. Everyone is bought in in that room. For me, especially to be a leader on that unit, guys are bought in and it's fun to be around."