I thought the offense had a bunch of different guys who made plays. It's kind of fun for players to be in that kind of decision-making position that we don't put them in during the season.

Our kids showed all sorts of character and heart. It's all about those guys that keep battling and battling and keep believing we're going to win.

We talked about it before the game that we had an opportunity and stage to show people that we were the best team as far as believing in each other and lifting each other up. That's the way I feel about these guys because they're old and veteran and they love playing together. That's what this game was about.

When you play the No. 1 team in the nation, kids get focused.

We've got to keep the ball away from Merritt with our kicking game. That's not a phase you can rest in. You have a letup on a punt and they'll make you pay.

We're not going to concede that we won't be good on defense. We won't have great depth in the beginning. But we've got a good defense that will be ready to play in the fall.

This is right up there at the top. Right now I'd have to say it's it.

They don't want to give up points, no matter what the score is. We're disappointed in ourselves. And I don't think I did a good enough job keeping us focused.

They got some good blocking. But we had three or four guys that didn't react to their blocking scheme. They got pinned and didn't go back the opposite way quick enough.