Michigan State post-game quotes about Alabama loss yesterday

MSU linebacker Greg Jones: "I really don't think it was talent, I think we made too many mental errors. ... Always leave something better as you found it. I feel us as seniors, we left this program better than we found it, and I'm very proud of that."

MSU safety Trenton Robinson, on facing Alabama's offense: "We said coming into this game that it would be a tough task. And we all saw what happened out there today. ... All we can do is get better from this. It's gonna be a sour taste."

Robinson, on battling Alabama in Orlando, where the temperature reached 77 on Saturday: "The heat wasn't what hurt us. We hurt ourselves by not executing, and them executing and doing what they had to do in order to get this win. I don't feel like they out-toughed us. I felt like they executed and did what they had to do."

MSU coach Mark Dantonio: "The name of the game is to affect the quarterback, if you're a defensive coach. I would say our quarterbacks got hit between 15 and 20 times -- easily -- today. If that's happening, it takes effect on you after a while."

Dantonio: "Sure, it's a reality check when you look at it, but we have to play. I continue to say we have to play above our abilities. We have to do that. To do that you have to be emotional. This game is a rollercoaster. You can go into it, you can be in the locker room, you can be all focused, but when you step out on the field and things start flying around and things start to happen, okay, it becomes a different story at times. You get sort of avalanched and things start to roll on you a little bit or whatever. But this is an emotional game."

MSU senior cornerback Chris L. Rucker, on the future of the program: "From here on out, we are going to be ready for these types of games."

MSU junior receiver/quarterback Keith Nichol: "They are very disciplined. Big, physical players that run well. They trust each other and set up big hits. You saw it."

MSU QB Kirk Cousins: Well, I think from top to bottom they were athletic. They played hard. They played inspired. I think football is a game of emotion. I don't know what the reason was for losing three games, but maybe it was a lack of inspiration, but today they had that so I think they were very good team who was playing at their highest level and they're going to be tough to beat when they're doing that. It was tough to be down in the red zone or close to the red zone twice and come away with no points because of an interception and fumble. It's a game where you have to get back up. I don't think we tanked or anything like that. It was just tough to go down there and not come away with any points. It was tough sledding all day, especially after that.