What Mark Dantonio said during the Redbox Bowl teleconference
Michigan State had some lofty expectations coming into 2018.
The Spartans had a surprising turnaround in 2017 and many starters were coming back from last year’s team. Michigan State even entered the preseason rankings as the No. 11 team according to the Associated Press.
However, injuries happened. Whether it was to quarterbacks, running backs, wide receivers, offensive linemen, defensive players from a number of spots or to multiple punters at a given time, the injury bug bit Michigan State incredibly hard.
With that, the Spartans still put together a 7-5 campaign while going 5-4 in B1G play. For their efforts, Michigan State was awarded with playing in the Redbox Bowl on Dec. 31 against Oregon.
A few weeks ahead of the matchup, the bowl game had its teleconference with both Michigan State coach Mark Dantonio and Oregon coach Mario Cristobal.
Here’s what Dantonio said:
Mark Dantonio on teleconference for Redbox Bowl says, "Very excited to come to the San Francisco area to play a quality opponent." Reiterates both MSU and Oregon "have a national brand."
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) December 6, 2018
Dantonio on LJ Scott playing in the Redbox Bowl before going to NFL draft: "It makes a statement, first of all, about how he feels about our football team."
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) December 6, 2018
Dantonio balks when asked about other players who may be planning to leave for NFL or sit out the Redbox Bowl. "I'll talk about that when I'm back at home."
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) December 6, 2018
Dantonio on playing in the Redbox Bowl at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California: "We've played in some great venues. This city looks like one of them."
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) December 6, 2018
Oregon coach Mario Cristobal says he and his staff have put in minimal scouting so far on MSU while being focused on recruiting this week. "It'll take another week or so until we get back in the office and analyze it." Dantonio says he watched film on flight to San Francisco.
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) December 6, 2018
Dantonio says he's "very impressed of what I've seen from their skill players – always have good skill players" at Oregon. Believes the Ducks could have won all of their games in similar manner to how he feels about MSU.
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) December 6, 2018
Dantonio says working for Nick Saban had the most impact on him as a defensive coach among his mentors. Spent five years with Saban at MSU as defensive backs coach. Cristobal worked for Saban at Alabama as OL coach.
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) December 6, 2018
Dantonio asked about Urban Meyer's retirement. "He's an outstanding football coach." Says "coaching at this level is difficult and wears on you sometimes."
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) December 6, 2018
Dantonio on early signing period: "It puts an emphasis on this part of the year, for sure." Says he expects all of the commitments to sign again this fall.
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) December 6, 2018
Dantonio says LJ Scott needs one more semester to graduate but is on track to get his degree.
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) December 6, 2018
Dantonio says LJ Scott "has been practicing intermittently" with his ankle injury while sitting out.
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) December 6, 2018
