Dec. 20, 2008

Sioux Falls Head Coach Kalen DeBoer:

 

On Championship preparation…

By far, this was the best two weeks of preparation that we have ever had. You didn’t see anything flashy out there today. We just let our guys play football because we have some great players. We never can be 100 percent sure about things when you play a team like Carroll. We have so much respect for them. This is the weather that we were built upon – a dominating defense and offense that could control the ball and string together some first downs.

 

On Sioux Falls success and legacy…

It is pretty special. There are still quite a few of us on our coaching staff that played for the Championship and won it 12 years ago. The University supports football as much as I could ever imagine.

 

On his defense…

We new we had our hands full, but I never underestimate what our guys can do. They have so much heart. I felt really good today when we had those leads of 10 and 17 points and then handed it over to our defense.

 

On Carroll…

Coach Van Diest is such a great guy and has a staff that he keeps intact. I think this (loss) stirred them up and they will be hungry to be back on top.

 

Sioux Falls Quarterback Lorenzo Brown:

 

On his season…

I knew that this season was going to be tough early on after I replaced Cavender (2007 Player of the Year) and the team lost in the Championship. I was anxious to get to work with this team. I knew that if I did my part, this team was going to be really good. I think that we caught our stride against Morningside and we got into a groove. Through the year, I have become my own player. It definitely feels good to win a national title. It takes a huge burden off of my shoulders.

 

Sioux Falls Linebacker Tyler Newman:

 

On the slide in the mud (celebrating the Championship, similar to what Carroll did after winning 2007 title)…

When we saw them do it last year, we just felt awful. It was the greatest feeling in the world to do the slide this year. We wanted revenge on Carroll and we did that today.

 

On turnovers…

Turnovers are a huge part of the game and when we go out and force those, it is even better for our offense.

 

On No. 1 defense and putting pressure on Carroll QB Matt Ritter…

We kept him contained and put him on the ground. We showed today why we are the No. 1 defense in the country. We wanted that shut-out so bad but I’ll take that ring over a shut-out.

 

Sioux Falls Linebacker Kyle Cummings:

 

On pressuring Carroll QB Matt Ritter…

He is a fast kid but young. We wanted to make him uncomfortable and kept coming with the pressure.

 

Carroll Head Coach Mike Van Diest:

 

On the loss…

First, I want to congratulate Sioux Falls. They are a class act.  They are worthy of this Championship. They had the field possession in the first half and always seemed to be back in our end of the field. I think we were prepared coming in. We just got out-played today and out-coached on a couple schemes. We did make some mistakes. Lorenzo (USF quarterback) did a great job – he was the difference in the game.

 

Carroll Quarterback Matt Ritter:

 

On the team effort…

We played as hard as we could. We never gave in and I am proud of how our guys played around me. We were prepared on most of the stuff that Sioux Falls (defense) threw at us. I think that some of the mistakes we made, we would loved to have back.

 

On being the starting quarterback (as a freshman and just his second career start)…

I am excited to be here. This sets the tone for the future and what I need to do to get better in the years to come.

 

Carroll Linebacker Owen Koeppen:

 

On the turnovers…

For the last two weeks, the coaching staff was talking about getting turnovers and how we had to win the turnover battle. We didn’t do that today and I think that was a big reason why we lost.

 

On USF quarterback Lorenzo Brown…

He is a great athlete. He can scramble and make plays. The offense has plays designed just for him. I give it up to him and the rest of the team and the way they played today.

 

On his career…

I am thankful for the opportunity that the players and coaches have given me. I think I fit right in with the guys. This has been a great run.

 

Carroll Punter/Kicker Zach Thiry:

 

On the blocked punt against him…

This was the first one I got blocked all year. I was just trying to get it off. They had a hard rush but I have to see the film to just know what really happened.