Dec. 16, 2006

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Florence, Ala. -

NW Missouri Head Coach Mel Tjeerdsman:
"I think everybody got the game they anticipated. It was a great college football game. Unfortunately for us, we made too many mistakes. Looking at the stats, it was pretty even. Sometimes the ball just doesn't bounce your way. We are extremely disappointed."

"We felt like we had them on the ropes a few times. We just couldn't finish the deal. Give credit to Grand Valley. They made the plays when they had to. Their quarterback was the difference in the game."

NW Missouri quarterback Josh Matthews:
On what was the difference in the game: "Pretty much me making mistakes. I didn't recognize the coverages. It was just a lack of execution on my part."

NW Missouri Defensive Tackle Kyle Kaiser:
On how the defense played:
"At times, we did a good job, but at times we didn't make the right adjustments and it was costly. Finnerty is just a great quarterback. He is great under pressure. He is by far the best quarterback we have seen all year."

NW Missouri Running Back Xavier Omon:
On losing two years in a row:
"Last year, no one expected us to be there. This year, we came in expecting to win. We didn't play our best game today. We could have won the game, but we didn't finish our drives and that really hurt us."

Grand Valley State head coach Chuck Martin:
"This one certainly didn't go according to script for either ballclub. I think both defenses just did a phenomenal job of keeping the other team off-balance - not just making plays, but getting turnovers and getting sacks.

"Their defense played just tremendous against us and gave them every opportunity to win. Our defense, obviously, kept us in it in the first half. We couldn't get out of our own way on offense."

"I could not be prouder of our football team. It was an ugly game from an offense standpoint. Our defense kept us in it and our offense made enough plays. 1-6 (QB Cullen Finnerty) ran the ball like the absolute warrior that he is. Thanks goodness we've had him for four years...he's going to be sorely missed."

"It wasn't like any of our other games all year. But our kids seem to find a way to make plays at the end. I don't know how they do it - if I knew how they do it I'd quit coaching and write books about and make a lot more money."

QB Cullen Finnerty
On winning 3 national championships in 4 years:
"It's unbelievable. I couldn't write it any better than this."