Michigan State University Athletics
Football Media Day: Defense
8/10/2015 12:00:00 AM | Football
EAST LANSING, Mich. - Michigan State held its annual media day Monday afternoon in the Izzo Family Media Center inside Spartan Stadium.
Below are quotes from the defensive and special teams players that spoke at media day.
Junior linebacker Riley Bullough
On if this is the fastest defensive group since he's been at MSU...
I think so, to be honest. Not just fast, athletic. Talking about Darien (Harris) and Ed (Davis). They have a lot of experience and their quickness and speed is definitely going to help us at the linebacker position.
On stepping into the MIKE position...
I put a lot of pressure on myself. I think on any defense, the MIKE position is huge. You've definitely got to be a leader and I thrive on that. Having the pressure put on me, I want that. As that guy this year, I look forward to being that leader that the guys look up to. For me, I look at myself as our defense is going to be as good as I play and as I lead. I think any MIKE needs to have that mentality, and I think that's what I have going into the season.
On his summer and talking to his brother, Max...
I spent a lot of time watching film. I watched some of Max's games, watched some of the games last year. It was good to watch games where Taiwan (Jones) played good and Max played good, because they're different players. Taiwan can knock the offensive lineman back into his gap while Max knew what was coming so he could get to his position faster.
Senior defensive end Shilique Calhoun
On getting back to practice in fall camp...
Camp is tough. I don't know who told you it was easy, but camp was definitely tough. It is nice to get out there with those guys, especially the freshmen. It gives them a chance to help them get a leg up. A lot of them don't understand the defense yet, and it gives us an opportunity to get back to playing the game of football. We do a lot of conditioning in the winter and early part of the summer, so getting out there and having the opportunity to hit is something you love as a football player. It has been nice to get out there and lay your helmet on someone.
On expectations and staying motivated...
Honestly, we have not reached the highest goal we are trying to accomplish and that is a National Championship. That is one of the things that keeps motivating us to be better and helps us understand that we have not yet reached our peak. Not only that, but our goal is always to make it to the Big Ten Championship, and last year we were unable to attain that goal. That just shows that we need to work harder. There are areas we still need to improve in.
On chip on your shoulder despite No. 6 ranking...
The chip is a way of life. It is something that motivates you, something that pushes you, something that drives you to be better. For us, it is not going to the Big Ten Championship, not making it to the National Championship and losing those two games last season. Those are our chips. I believe everyone has a chip on his shoulder. Each and every successful person has a chip on his shoulder. It is just something that drives them to want to be the best.
Senior cornerback Arjen Colquhoun
On improving coming into this season...
I have been working on more fundamentals and improving technique wise. I spent time watching Darqueze Dennard to see how he played different routes and how he saw the route develop. I am learning from people who have had success.
On physical condition from last year...
I want to be able to be fast and compete every play. I tried to slim down a little bit last year to run faster, but my weight is a little bit higher from lifting weights.
On the key to seeing the field in this system...
The key is to take what the coaches give to you and not make mistakes. If you keep making the same mistake over and over again, then coaches and you will get frustrated.
Junior defensive back Demetrious Cox
On looking at the cornerback position as an opportunity...
I feel like I'm confident in knowing the system now. I pretty much just come out and play and react. Now that you've got the system down and we've been here for a while, you fall into that leadership role naturally. The older guys have been doing a really good job of that and just keep moving forward getting better everyday.
On whether or not they will take a different approach to defending big plays...
I don't feel like it's a different approach, just a lot more attention to detail. When we're tired, we try to fight through it a lot more. Working on technique and being that much more prepared. Now that we've been in those big games and lost, hopefully we learned from that and this year come into those big games and change that.
On if it's still the "No Fly Zone"...
We still call it the "No Fly Zone" everyday.
On the pressure of maintaining a strong defense...
I feel like it's embedded in us. It's not a thing where you have to carry it on, it's the expectation that's so high. You're the Spartan Dawg defense, it's just embedded in you. When I was here in 2012 and 2013, those defenses were crazy. Watching Kurtis Drummond, Darqueze (Dennard) and everybody, you learned so much and you learned how to do not only things on the field but off the field. It's embedded in you. You do it day in and day out.
Senior linebacker Ed Davis
On learning from Max Bullough...
You have to be a student of the game to recognize formations and different blocking. You have to be able to put yourself and your team in the best position to win the game. If you have an idea of what is coming before it comes, then you have a better chance of making a play.
On this being a breakout year...
I need to better myself to make it my breakout year. Working hard during practice is going to allow me to take that step forward to make it my year. I'm working on being more fundamentally sound and knowing my assignments, along with everyone elses. I need to continue being physical and making the extra effort every play. I will show my speed and do anything I can do to better myself from last year.
Junior kicker Michael Geiger
On what he did in the offseason to improve...
I just went back to my technique and really worked hard this offseason. It started back in the winter in the weight room and stepped it up a level. I worked with one of my buddies in Chicago, who really understands kicking and I just really worked hard and tried to take my game to a new level.
On if he views himself as a leader on special teams...
Yes, I think so. I think to be honest with you we kind of have a new attitude in the specialist room. Taybor (Pepper) is a senior and he's been a great leader but I like to think as myself as a leader and I think one of the biggest things I can do to lead this year, is to lead with my play. I'm looking forward to trying to prove myself.
On the motto of "Reach Higher"...
It starts with discipline and doing all the little things so when the time comes and you take care of business you can reach a little bit higher. I think for us you've seen we've been on the cusp the last two years and all that means for us to to break through.
Senior linebacker Darien Harris
On addressing the team...
I wasn't really looking for anyone to tell me how good the speech was. I just wanted to make sure that I impacted as many guys as I could yesterday. When you get a chance to address the team like that, especially with the freshmen, you just make sure that they understand that this is a family here and how important that we take this. For them, just to understand the discipline that you have to play here. We're all a brotherhood here. Hopefully, I got that message across.
On quickness of the linebackers...
I think every group has had their ins and outs and niches. With myself out there with Riley [Bullough] and Ed [Davis], I think we'll definitely be playing fast. I think it's going to be a very successful year and our speed is our advantage. We were definitely the trio on third down last year, so we definitely know each other very well. Riley [Bullough] has done a fantastic job stepping in at the linebacker spot, he's really going to add to the defense.
On staying grounded...
I think we've just got to take everything one day at a time. That's something we've been focusing on this year. One play at a time, one workout at a time, one practice at a time. Don't look too far into the future and stay grounded with that. When we get done with today's practice, we'll be looking forward to tomorrow's practice and then we'll be looking forward to Wednesday's practice. Keeping everything one day at a time, and keeping everything slow and controlled has really been good for us.
On what Mark Snyder adds to the team...
His personality is definitely fantastic. We've hit it off really well. I feel like I've known him longer than I have. He's definitely a players' coach. He really relates to us very well. In terms of the new niches that he brings to us, coming from the SEC, coming from those spread offenses that he faced on a daily basis. He definitely brings some new things to the table and new ways to play linebacker for us. We're learning a ton from him, and I'm so pleased that he's here.
On starting the season in Kalamazoo...
It's always good to play places on the road. Personal note, my roommate is from Kalamazoo, so I know he's really looking forward to that game. I've heard that Western's place gets it jumping. I know it's going to be a sellout game. I look forward to playing on the road. I love away crowds and seeing the passion that they bring. That's what it's all about -- the crowds and the passion that they bring to college football.
Senior defensive lineman Joel Heath
On the 2015 season...
The biggest thing (that can derail a season) is complacency. I think of anytime that we get a big head with this or with that, is where it might derail. Those are some tendencies a lot of seniors tend to have. I think we have the right kind of coaches to be able to motivate us and keep us going.
On learning from a disappointing 2012 season...
We've learned from our mistakes. We've seen the past. We know what to do right in the future. If we hadn't of lost, we wouldn't have known what it felt like to have lost at some point. I definitely feel like those past mistakes and past things we lost build us up more now.
On seeing the defensive backfield...
There's a bit of curiosity. I'm seeing a lot of good stuff, especially in the last couple days. I've seen a lot of good stuff without DBs. There's no question that we'll be able to pick it up in 20 days.
On the depth of the defense...
We have a lot of depth where we can say the next guy can get up and make that transition.
On Lawrence Thomas and the rest of the defensive line...
I see that he's very versatile. No question about it. He can play inside and outside; he's got the body and the speed to be able to do it. We're a really athletic group of four guys, and I feel at any point we can play those positions.
On living up to high expectations and past success from the defense...
It's extremely humbling to begin with; just the opportunity to be able to say that you can even be a part of it is good enough at some points. We're always striving to be better, even as Coach D says we want to be better than just the best. So the idea of hearing him say that makes us want to do it more.
On reaching higher...
Having the mindset that you want to reach higher. The biggest thing is having that mindset. We've been hungry since we got here as the 2011 class. I feel like, without question, it's just that hungry, that desire to be able to say that we want to be the best.
Senior defensive lineman Damon Knox
On how Dantonio has called this year's defensive line the best he's ever coached...
It means a lot. We are kind of hearing that a lot but I don't think we think too much of it. It feels good but at the same time you've got to live up to those expectations. We just come out every day and do our best. We watch film and we go through these same things day in and day out, you've got to take something from every practice. Coach D says you've got to get three percent better from every practice. I think a lot of guys on our team try to do that and that's a big deal. I think a lot of guys on our team really follow Coach D and really believe in what he's telling us and what he's doing. As far as being the best d-line he's ever had, it's a big deal but we try to challenge each other.
On this summer and the motto of "Reach Higher"...
This summer it was conditioning with Coach (Ken) Mannie. That's always tough. I think a lot of guys push through that really well. That always says a lot about how our team's going to be. As far as "Reach Higher," we've accomplished a lot with this program, it means we've just got to reach our higher goals, make it to a Big Ten Championship, win 11-plus games, get to the College Football Playoff and ultimately make it to the championship game.
On the adjustment period without Pat Narduzzi...
Not much has changed at all. The things you miss is the excitement Coach Narduzzi brings sometimes. As far as the coaching, we still have great coaches, and we're still learning just as much as, if not more than when he was here. We're not lacking. I think, if anything, the coaches have stepped up because they're taking on another role and the players have done the same thing.
On the national focus on the Big Ten this season...
Growing up, I always thought the Big Ten was a big deal. To play in the Big Ten is a big deal, period. As far as it being back, I didn't know it was ever gone.
Sophomore defensive lineman Malik McDowell...
On changes in mentality from freshman season to sophomore season...
I have a completely different mentality. I don't know what my mindset was. I'm confident now and my teammates have helped my confidence. My defensive line put that trust in me saying I can do it. They wouldn't have recruited me if I couldn't. This year, I have a whole different confidence level, and I'm ready to get out there and play.
On what you've learned since last year
I've gotten whole new techniques, whole new moves. Getting off the ball and my stance, there's a lot of new stuff I've learned. Being out on the field and knowing the little stuff that can get you plays.
Sophomore free safety Montae Nicholson
On being able to play football...
I have not lost the appreciation for having the chance to play football and receive an education. My mom and grandparents have seen a lot of people squander opportunities by just by making bad decisions. My mom instilled it in me to not squander those opportunities. I can't waste this tremendous opportunity.
On smiling while running at camp...
I smile because you don't want to let people see you down or to see you struggle. Running is just a way to stay in shape. It is long camp and long a season ahead of us. This is the time to put in extra work. I have been waiting months for this.
On extra attention since the spring...
It is nice and I appreciate it, but I came here to go to school and play football. I appreciate all the exposure, but it is all about school and football. School is first and football is second, and those are the two things that matter the most right now.
Senior snapper Taybor Pepper
On first days of practice
Jake [Hartbarger] is hitting pretty well. (Michael) Geiger's kicking like a monster. I'm doing really well, feeling really good, the snaps are crisp and consistent.
On what the team can improve on
We can't get complacent with things, not saying that we are. Everybody needs to do their eleventh. I know that's one of the most basic things that people say when it comes to football, but really when people focus on their one part that they have to do on the field then there's no way a team can lose if everybody does their job to the best of their ability.
On ignoring the hype
We have to focus on our team getting better before we even get into practice to face Western and Oregon and stuff like that. Once you do get into the season, it's a one week at a time type of deal. We just have to get better as a team right now and our squad stuff and then we can focus on each opponent as they come. There's no point in looking ahead if you overlook somebody and slip up.
Senior defensive lineman Lawrence Thomas
On importance of going against the offensive line...
It's really important. Getting to work with those guys everyday. The offensive line is extremely great. They're good. Battling with those guys every day at practice is just going to make us better, and we'll make them better as well.
On "Reaching Higher"...
Our work is not done yet. Reaching higher, for me, is taking this team to a level of play that we haven't gotten yet. Reach higher to the National Championship and the College Football Playoff. That's what we're trying to reach higher to.
On aggressiveness on defense despite inexperience in the secondary...
It's our job to get home. We know they're a little inexperienced, but we're confident in our guys and they can get the job done. As a defensive line, the experience we have up front -- our job is to get home. We're going to get home to help our guys out on the back end.
On what fuels the team...
We just feel like we haven't reached our goal yet. Our goal is to get to the College Football Playoff, and that's what we're going to strive for. We come in every day with our eyes on the prize to get to our goal. That's what we've been focusing on this offseason, beating the top four teams in the playoff.
On worrying about what other people predict...
Not at all. Not at all. We're just going to take it one day at a time and take it game by game. We're not worried about the future. We're just focusing on right now. Right now, we just have to continue getting better at camp. Three percent better each and every day.
On having the opportunity to play Ohio State and Oregon again this season...
Like I said, we're going to continue to take it one day at a time. This coming season, we've got 12 opportunities to make 12 statements, and that's what we're going to do this year.
Senior safety R.J. Williamson
On the seniors leaving a legacy...
This is a big season for myself and the seniors on this team. Coach D always stresses every year that seniors need to have their best year at Michigan State University. That's what we're striving for and pursuing. This is our last go around. This is our legacy. We're part of the Cotton Bowl, a part of the Rose Bowl, but those were the 2014 team's legacy, those were the 2013 team's legacy. What are we going to leave here at Michigan State? We're working toward that, and I think we have a great chance at reaching our ultimate goal, which is the College Football Playoff and, hopefully, winning the Big Ten Championship, as well as reaching the National Championship.
On mentoring the defensive backs...
Once upon a time, I was young and inexperienced, but Darqueze (Dennard) and Trae (Waynes) did a tremendous job of coaching, teaching the mold of me. Some of those gifts they gave, taking me to the side whenever I did something wrong to show me how to do things, I think I can pass that along to the young guys. These guys that came in this year are very smart, probably the smartest class that we brought in as a defensive back unit, and they catch on very well. I don't think it'll be too hard to learn.
On Demetrious Cox...
A guy I have a lot of hopes for, I think is going to have a breakout year is Demetrious Cox. He's just been a guy who's been taking the process the right way, waiting for his shot. He's a tremendous athlete with a lot of upside, and I think he'll have a breakout year.
