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December 24th, 2015 | BAHAMAS BOWL

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Western Michigan Postgame Quotes – Dec. 24, 2015

2015 Popeyes Bahamas Bowl Quotes

Western Michigan Broncos – Champions

Coach P.J. Fleck

Opening Remarks

This sets the tone for the Junkanoo (laughing.)

This is what Row the Boat is all about. This is why it was invented. This is what it’s for. There was all types of adversity in that football game that our kids could have given up, could have folded. Two years ago, we probably would have. Last year, we would have done it some of the time. This year, no way.

The schedule was built to accomplish ‘nevers’. And we just accomplished two more – first back-to-back 8-win seasons in program history and the first bowl game championship in program history. I think that makes the 9th never we’ve accomplished, which is absolutely incredible.

Coach Stockstill has an incredible football team with incredible players. Their future is so bright.

That guy [quarterback Brent Stockstill] is dynamic, and they’ve got some playmakers. They’re going to be good for a lot of years to come.

This is a players’ game. Coaches get way too much credit when they win, but they [the players] deserve the credit. They did it.

The one thing I’ll say about this team is that they actually called leadership. They didn’t need the coaches in the second half. They knew what they had to accomplish because of what our schedule enabled us to do.

Our season was full of elite opponents, second-hardest non-conference schedule in America, 31st hardest overall schedule in America. It set the tone to win this championship today.

To be a champion, you have to beat champions. And we’re on our way to doing that.

What does this mean for the program

It’s another step. We’re celebrating, but Western Michigan isn’t shutting down after today.

We’re going back to work. We have a lot more nevers to accomplish.

We’re going to share this trophy with our community. We’re going to find a way to get it to local businesses so they can keep it for a day. This is not only the players’ trophy, it’s our community’s trophy.

She’s (Kathy Beauregard) the best athletic director in the entire country. I’m just proud to work for her

RB Jamauri Bogan, Offensive Player of the Game

On his four-TD performance

The offensive line came to play. [Wide receiver] Corey [Davis], Brave [wide receiver Daniel Braverman] and [quarterback] Zach [Terrell] were doing their thing. It opened up so many things. It allows running lanes to be open, and it allows me to do the things that I do. I’m blessed. That’s what happened today. Those guys made plays and opened everything up.

On how it feels to be a champion

Amazing. There’s no better feeling. Coach [P.J. Fleck] told us it was going to be an amazing feeling, and I think it exceeds that.

LB Grant DePalma, Defensive Player of the Game

What changed on defense after the Middle Tennessee scored two quick touchdowns?

We made some adjustments. We knew they were going to have some things that were new for us. It’s a bowl game. We just locked down, made a few adjustments, and we pulled it out.

On starting his career as a walk-on and ending it as a champion

It feels surreal to me. From where I came from, entering a family that accepted me with open arms, accepted the ways I did things. This program is built up on a lot of hard work and perseverance. To leave this program this way, it couldn’t be more perfect.

WR Corey Davis

What will fans be like back home

It will be hectic. To be a part of history is a pretty amazing feeling. Bringing home this trophy feels real good, and this community really needed that. I’m really proud of these guys.

What does this mean for 2016?

I feel like I have a long way to go. It definitely felt good. I want to thank my teammates and my coaches. It’s a team game, and I wouldn’t be here without them.

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