Iowa vs. Tennessee Postgame Player Quotes

Jan. 2, 2015

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WR Kevonte Martin-Manley

On the beginning of the game:
“It was tough to put points on the board, there were a lot of miscues, assignment errors and things like that, but credit Tennessee and they made it tough on us.

On whether or not Tennessee’s team speed was a factor:
“They got athletic guys and are dangerous, but we were ready to match that and I don’t think that was a factor.”

On breaking the Iowa career receptions record today:
“Honestly, it means a lot to me. I wasn’t highly recruited; Iowa was my only Big Ten offer. For me to come to Iowa and do something special like that really means a lot and it’s something that I will cherish forever.”

On playing final game in Iowa uniform:
“The thing that I’ll remember is my teammates and coaches – the people I was surrounded with every day. Wins and losses come and go because it’s a competitive sport, but at the end of the day the relationships that I will carry on beyond this is what I will cherish the most.”

RB Jordan Canzeri

On what he wants from himself next season:
“I want to be able to do more for my team. This year I was hurt a lot and wasn’t able to contribute as much as I wanted to. Even though people told me I had a good game today, I’m not thinking about that at all; I’m upset I couldn’t finish some of those plays. I could have got it in for a touchdown — I feel I could have done more for my seniors and more for the team. That is something I will work on in the off-season to be able to finish and contribute more for the team.

On the last game for the senior class:
“It’s tough losing all of our seniors. They’re a great group of guys; their legacy is going to last longer than today. They made a big impact.

Keys to having big runs today:
“I trusted the offensive line. They created the holes, and the tight ends and receivers were blocking great.”

LB Josey Jewell

On Tennessee’s team speed:
“We knew they were going to be fast. They run left-and-right outside all the time, but you need to be able to fill holes and pursue the ball better.”

On moving forward:
“We’re losing a lot of guys, but if everyone works hard like they’re supposed to we can continue getting better.

RB Mark Weisman

Summation of the game:
“Not where we wanted to be, but proud of the guys, never gave up in any game this year. No one else I would rather go to battle with every day than these guys on this team.”

On his health:
“I don’t know if anyone as a running back is 100 percent, after the first game of the year, but that’s about it. You just have to fight through things; no one is really 100 percent out there.”

On fourth and one being the turning point:
“It could have kept the drive alive, you never know; we just weren’t executing, defense, offense, special teams, the effort was there, just not the execution. Tough pill to swallow to have you last game be like that.”

About bowl preparation:
“It really didn’t show, but we really did have a good month of practice. A lot of young guys got better, so that’s good for the future of the program.”

About the two rushing touchdowns:
“We didn’t win the game, so who cares. Great blocking up front, those guys made it pretty easy, always a good thing. But give them (Tennessee), they stopped us most of the day.”

What does it mean to be a Hawkeye:
“It means everything. I am thankful for all the opportunities since I have been here. Coach Ferentz and the coaching staff, the opportunities they have given me have been a blessing; it’s been a great ride.”

Where do you go from here:
“See where my life goes, try to play in the NFL and see if that works out. I am going to go 100 percent towards that and see where it takes me.”

OL Brandon Scherff

On today’s outcome:
“Obviously, did not turn out the way we wanted it to turnout. I thought we fought hard in the second half, there is a little good taste on how we came out and competed, didn’t fold. Wanted to send seniors out right and the young guys into 2015 with a good taste, but they’ll have to work through that.”

On the start of the game:
“I thought we were zeroed in as well, but they took it to us in the first half. We couldn’t come back from that.”

On QB rotation:
“I think it gave us a little advantage. C.J. is more of a runner and he is not afraid to sling the ball, so they had to prepare for that as well.”

On what’s next for him:
“I’m just to relax for now and starting training in Iowa City on Thursday.”

On Hawkeye career:
“The memories, I think how far we have come as a team this year, I would not trade a thing. I have loved going hunting and fishing with the seniors, and all the guys. A lot of good memories.”

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