Head coach Mike Riley
On Derek Anderson's performance the past few weeks... "If
you look at us over the last six or seven weeks, it was just a great, great
job of quarterbacking. I think Derek probably made a lot of money in the
last few weeks."
On Sammie Stroughter's 52-yard punt return and Derrick Doggett's blocked
punt.... "We've been pretty good in special teams this year, but
we haven't gotten the big plays like that. And then when we got that kind
of a lead, I knew it was going to be hard for them to come back."
On OSU's seniors... "This team will be a great memory
for our coaching staff. This team has accomplished a lot. After a 1-4
start, we beat Oregon, swept the Northwest schools and won a bowl game. This
team has made its mark and has done it under trying circumstances. It's a unique
deal to come back like we did."
On Derek Anderson... "Derek has gotten better consistently
over a period of it. It's been fun working with him. He's like a sponge. He
lover to learn and get better. I wish we had another year with him.
On OSU winning back to back bowl games... "It's
a story like Kansas State's. Playing in bowl games and competitively, we'd like
to take it up a notch and win the conference and get to the Rose Bowl, but the
consistency if a very good sign and something to build on.
On the 2004 schedule... "The schedule was good for us.
It took its toll early, but through the year, it helped us. It made a major
difference."
DE Bill Swancutt
On beating Notre Dame... "It felt good to come out and
get a big win like this. We kind of jumped on them early."
On his last game in an Oregon State uniform... "It feels
real good to win. You always remember your last game. I enjoyed every
minute off this one."
LB Trent Bray
On defeating Notre Dame... "We played like we
always do. The defensive line did a good job and the linebackers filled
the holes. They had nowhere to run."
QB Derek Anderson
On defeating the Irish... "There were some things that
we took advantage of," Anderson said. "Their ball skills weren't all
that great, and we knew could get them turned around on some plays."
On Notre Dame's defensive backs... "When we talked before
the game, we kind of downplayed the opportunities we thought we would have with
the passing game. Their cornerbacks' ball skills weren't the best. We
knew we could attack them. We turned them around a few times."
On Mike Hass dropping a few passes... "Mike had a few
drops today, but we played well enough to win. that;s all that matters."
On winning the last game of his Oregon State career...
"It was great. The Oregon game was a great game for our seniors, to go
out at home like that but this was an exclamation point on the season and what
we've done and where we came from."
On Notre Dame's front seven... "Their front seven
are good. They made it difficult on us, filling the gaps and making the running
game hard for us."
On OSU's 12 play 90-yard drive... "We talked about it
on the sidelines. Let's go answer it. We made some plays and got it in the end
zone."
TE Joe Newton
On Derek Anderson... "Derek made some beautiful throws.
He made it pretty easy for me. (Notre Dame has) stopped the run all year.
We had to take our shots where we could, and that was with the passing game."
WR Mike Hass
On his play and Derek Anderson... "It was a pretty rough
night for me, but we made a lot of plays. I was surprised how sharp Derek
was after our month-long layoff. He was pinpoint all night. I'm glad we won
-- 7-5 has a different ring to it than 6-6.
On the 2004 season... "This season was a roller coaster
ride. One down loop and then a huge upswing. To beat Notre Dame in a bowl game,
it means a lot."
S Mitch Meeuwsen
On defeating Notre Dame... "We knew if we could stop the
run, and get them into a throwing game, we could beat them like we did four
years ago."
On winning his final game in a Beaver uniform... "It was
good to go out like this. It means everything to win here. I didn't want
to go out with a loss in my last game."