Tuesday Player One-On-Ones
11/14/2006 12:00:00 AM | Football
Nov. 14, 2006
Junior center John Masters
On starting at center the past two games...
"Well, I got the call, and I'm just trying to do my job. (Kyle) Cook has helped with out with the transition, so he's made things easy. We've played pretty well the past couple of games, so hopefully we can carry that into Penn State."
On making adjustments after being the first-team center during spring ball...
"At the beginning of the season, I hurt my knee a little bit, so I've just been trying to work through that. I've just been playing through it and waiting my turn. It's not that big of an adjustment because you still get the reps and you do the same stuff, it's just on a bigger scale."
On possibly being the starting center next year...
"Any time you get out there, you're definitely trying to make an impression. But you never what's going to happen next year with the new coaches, they could do a whole complete change of who goes where. Hopefully I'll just keeping doing what I do, keep working hard, and just get better each and every day."
On the last game of the season...
"Just to go to a place like Penn State, a place with so much history, a huge stadium with a loud crowd, and Coach Paterno on the sidelines, it's a huge opportunity. It will be a great experience."
On the adjustments of the offensive line this season...
"The injuries have been there all year, so we haven't known what it's like to have solid line. Guys have been very versatile, moving in and out and rotating positions. I'd say some games it probably affected us a little bit, but it's part of the game.
On how the last few games this year can help the offense next fall...
"As much experience as you can get with each player, the better. Brian (Hoyer) got to play last week, so that's going to help. Hopefully he's going to step into that role next year. Any time you can get starts as a group under your belt, it will definitely help us in the future."
Junior defensive end Jonal Saint-Dic
On his increased playing time throughout the season...
"Every athlete wants to get in earlier, and can imagine themselves sacking the quarterback. When I got my opportunity at Michigan in the fourth quarter, I grabbed it. I had a couple of tackles here and there, and since I did that against Michigan, they switched me to start against Ohio State. Once the coaches put their trust in me, I just took advantage. You know, a lot of people growing up said I was too short and not big enough, but as long as I hold my ground and keep working hard for my teammates, I'll be fine."
On playing at Penn State...
"I grew up watching Big Ten football. I'm from New Jersey, so I've seen all of the players that have played at Penn State. It will be a good experience, just going there and playing in front of 100,000 people. It's a great opportunity for anybody. I'm just going out there and giving it all I got. I'm not intimated at all by them, and I know they're not intimated at all by us. We're just going to go down there and do what we have to do, which is play good football."
