Brennan Schmidt Quotations

I don't think we were necessarily tested for our style against Western Michigan because of all those three-step passes. Syracuse will be a better test because I believe we're a tough defense and they're a tough offense and they're going to come right at us.

He's definitely taken ownership of the team. We wouldn't be us without him.

He definitely doesn't get as much recognition as I think he should. I go against some of the best offensive tackles in the country in this conference, and I promise you I don't have as much trouble with them as I do with Brad in a lot of respects.

We know they're familiar with this game and we know they're going to run the ball as much as possible. I'm not sure if they're going to have any advantage by playing in the same game again, but I know they will if they run it as well as they're capable of running it.

When you end up on a bad note, it motivates you.

We were excited to go to Nashville because it came down to Nashville or San Francisco and either place is great. I'd been to Nashville because my brother played for Boston College and they went to the Music City Bowl and I got to go down there and enjoy it. I told the guys it should be a good environment to spend a bowl game.

Two gap is not an easy thing and it's not a sexy thing either. But for the hard-nosed guy, it's perfect. For the tougher defensive linemen, this is the defense they want to play in and that's why we've recruited guys like Chris Long.

We weren't going to get to their quarterback, so it became all about getting our hands up in his face and making it hard for him to throw the ball.

This is a big win. It means a lot to us, but as a team, you have to hunker down and realize that it is just one win and if you blow it way out of proportion, you can get off focus and lose the next week.

They have an explosive running game and that's key to their success. If you are going to run the ball that much you have to have tough lineman and tough running backs. It's definitely a big challenge for me and the rest of the defense.

They're a physical team. They don't do a lot of jazz and all that stuff. They run the ball right at you, just sort of say, 'Come and get it.' We like that, because that's our type of style. I'm looking forward to this game. It gives us a chance to see where some guys are mentally and physically as far as toughness.

They're going to line up and try to pound us. That's the kind of challenge we like.

It's a reality. This team runs the ball very well, and they have the right personnel for the system that they have. So definitely if we don't stop this run, we're not going to win this game.

In the beginning, we might've thought we would've won by more. But a win's a win, and we're happy with it.

I don't know if I was necessarily recruited to fit this defense. I think I was recruited more for my toughness and work ethic. I've been called the 'non-prototypical' defensive end for this defense. But the person who can really hone in on the techniques of this defense can play.

He's learning how to control that big body of his. It's scary that he's only a freshman.

If I do leave a legacy here, I hope it's just toughness. That single word right there. A lot of people take that word for granted and use it loosely, but it's a word I take very seriously. I take a lot of pride in it.