Michigan State University Athletics
Photo by: Matthew Mitchell Photography
Assistant Coaches Press Conference Coverage
11/14/2018 4:44:00 PM | Football
Defensive coordinator/linebackers coach Mike Tressel and wide receivers coach Terrence Samuel.
MSU Game Notes vs. Nebraska |  MSU Depth Chart vs. Nebraska
EAST LANSING, Mich. -- Michigan State assistant coaches Mike Tressel and Terrence Samuel spoke to the media Wednesday afternoon, to review the Spartans' 26-6 loss to No. 8 Ohio State and preview this week's game, when Michigan State heads to Nebraska to face the Cornhuskers on Saturday, Nov. 17 at 12 p.m. ET/11 a.m. CT in Memorial Stadium.Â
The Spartans (6-4, 4-3 Big Ten) are coming off a 26-6 loss to No. 8/7 Ohio State last Saturday in East Lansing, while Nebraska (3-7, 2-5 Big Ten) defeated Illinois in Lincoln, 54-35. The game will be televised nationally on FOX, with Brian Custer calling the play-by-play, Ben Leber serving as the analyst and Alex Curry on the sidelines.
Saturday's game marks the 11th meeting between Michigan State and Nebraska. The Huskers lead the all-time series, 8-2, including a 5-1 record in games played in Memorial Stadium. MSU is 2-3 against Nebraska in Big Ten games. In the last meeting on Nov. 7, 2015, Nebraska snapped MSU's 12-game winning streak with a 39-38 victory over MSU in Lincoln; the Spartans bounced back from the loss to win four straight, winning the Big Ten Championship and reaching the College Football Playoff. MSU's lone win at Nebraska arrived during the Spartans' 2013 Big Ten Championship season, a 41-28 victory on Nov. 16, 2013.
Michigan State ranks first in the FBS in rushing defense, allowing just 76.5 yards per game. The Spartans have held their opponent to under 100 yards rushing seven times this season. MSU also has only given up 22 rushes of 10-plus yards, which is second fewest in the FBS (San Diego State, 20).Â
In addition to leading the FBS in rushing defense, the Spartans also rank among the national leaders in third-down conversion defense (14th at .320), scoring defense (17th at 19.7 ppg) and total defense (21st at 327.3 ypg). MSU has held its opponents to 20 or fewer points five times, and although the Buckeyes scored 26 points on Nov. 10, the defense allowed just 17 points (two TDs and one field goal).
Junior defensive end Kenny Willekes, who entered the program as a walk-on linebacker for the 2015 season, has been named one of 10 semifinalists for the Burlsworth Trophy. The Burlsworth Trophy is awarded annually to the most outstanding football player in America who began his career as a walk-on. Willekes has emerged as one of the top pass rushers in the Big Ten. Named to the All-Big Ten midseason team by Pro Football Focus, he leads the conference in tackles for loss (17 for 79 yards) and ranks second in sacks (8.5 for 60 yards), totals which also rank among the national leaders (tied for eighth in TFLs, tied for 16th in sacks). According to Pro Football Focus, Willekes leads all defensive ends in the FBS with 16 quarterback hits. The native of Rockford, Michigan, is MSU's active leader in tackles for loss (12th overall in school history with 31.5) and sacks (10th in school history with 15.5). Willekes' 17 tackles for loss this season rank tied for sixth most in an MSU season.
With the win at Maryland on Nov. 3, Michigan State became bowl eligible for the 11th time in 12 seasons under head coach Mark Dantonio. In addition, MSU also won its 700th game in school history. The Spartans own an all-time record of 700-457-44 (.601) in 1,201 games. MSU became the 27th school in the FBS to win 700 games.
The following is a select transcript from Wednesday's press conference:
Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers Coach Mike Tressel:
On Nebraska improving and what stands out about them…
They're explosive. They have multiple tailbacks, multiple receivers, obviously, a quarterback that all are big play capable. I think it's a leading receiving tandem in the Big Ten. A basically 1,000-yard rusher and another guy who can break the game at any point. A quarterback that keeps the plays alive and has a threat with his feet as well as a strong arm, so I think that they're top 15 for sure in the nation in total offense. Their offense is rolling right now.
On Nebraska quarterback Adrian Martinez and his quarterback capabilities…
I think he's got a lot of confidence right now, as he should. I think once he was perfectly healthy and was the guy full time, it just started to increase exponentially. The beginning of the year he was banged up a little bit. I think finally maybe week four, the Purdue game, he was full time "the guy" healthy and it's grown fast since then.
On showing film on Nebraska to defense and seeing how they are a difficult team to stop…
It doesn't get any easier it doesn't seem like, there's no doubt about it. You have a broken tackle film that you watch, and these guys have made people look silly in space and you watch the explosive play cut-ups, they're near the tops of the league in explosive passes and explosive runs so there's no doubt. You don't have to pay attention to anything but watch them on film and you know there's a lot of guys who make big plays. The magic number that we've seen is when they've had eight or more explosive plays, they're winning, explosive plays being 20-yard pass, 15-yard runs. You have to limit those with these guys, and that's easier said than done.Â
On Nebraska having a large cross-section amongst all skill positions…
That's the thing. It's across the board skill wise. It's two receivers that both have 60-plus catches. Two tailbacks who are on the field sometimes at the same time who can be game-breakers and make you miss tackles, and they really run through tackles. Then a quarterback who does it with his feet and his arms. Put that all together and you're spread thing.Â
On MSU playing with a lot of confidence based on defense able to do against good offenses…
Our guys feel good right now. They're excited about the challenge. They're not gun-shy, they're not lacking confidence. I think they're playing hard. I think they know it's a different challenge and they're excited about it but I think our defense feels good about where it's at.Â
On preparing guys for a game at Nebraska's Memorial Stadium and atmosphere of fans…
It's funny, I had never experienced anything like it before I was there the first time too. It's different. I think what you have to do is you have to realize that that's all part of the game how nice they are to you pre-game, how they welcome you, how they try to make you feel at home, they're trying to soften your armor a little bit. I mean, you have to look at it like it's part of the game. If you look at it that way and feel like they're actually disrespecting us by being this nice to us (smiling), if you look at it that way, it's all just good. Trying to set you up.
On similarities between Oregon under Scott Frost as offensive coordinator and Nebraska with him as head coach…Â
A lot of similarities in the offense, Scott Frost's offense, I would say he's running very much the same offense with five year's worth of evolution. That's what you're looking at. You're looking at any offense over the course of five year's is going to evolve and try to play the strengths of specific players that you have on the roster at that time, but you do see a lot of the same things, yeah.Â
On defense changing in the last four to five years and along with similarities from playing Oregon in those two previous times…
I think our defense and it's evolution and his offense and it's evolution… it's similar. It is the same defense. We're running the same defense, but we have five more years of data and experience as coaches and have brought in new coaches over the past five years to bring their input. That's where it is, you take advantage of the new knowledge that you have and add some new things here and there and I'm sure they've done some of the exact same things.Â
On what it would mean to possibly win the Broyles Award and being a finalist…
I come from a coaching family so it is a big deal, that is a big time award, I think my dad and my uncle would say the assistant coaching awards are a bigger deal than the head coaches award. Just like as an assistant coach, I'd say those player awards are a bigger deal than any coaching awards could be, so it's a big deal. It's an honor, but we just have to keep playing ball. That award is won by the guys on the football field, not by the coaches.Â
On having pride in defensive staff…
We've got a great group of guys, and I think they feel the exact same way. We've got a great group of guys. The chemistry is good. The love for each other is there. Even though there's a couple guys that are there for the first year, we feel like we've been around each other for a long time so I obviously wouldn't trade this group of guys. This is a great group of guys.Â
On Josiah Scott coming back and challenge coming back…
I'm knocking on wood when I say this, but you don't feel like he's been gone. You feel like he's right back. I think that our athletic training staff was able to keep him out the right amount of time where we weren't forcing him back in the action before he was ready to. Certainly, a corner position is not a position where you want to limp back into the action. You need to be ready to go, and I think they got him to the point where he truly was ready to go. We might have even held him out longer than we needed to, but at this point that's great because he's playing well and he's feeling well.Â
On needing a guy like Josh (Butler) back to add depth…
We want a guy like Josh back. He was playing very, very well. He was playing really well. We were really happy with the way he was playing. I'd say we'd love to have a guy like Josh back, but do we need? That's the thing about football... Â you have to perform with who you have.Â
On freshmen being able to see a few snaps…
You look at the depth and you do think about that, but you also realize that every one of these games is a battle from start to finish. We never make them anything other than that, and it's hard, even to jump in on kickoff team if you haven't been the guy repping that for 10 weeks. There's game planning and learning, even on the kickoff team. There's guys we've talked about, there's no doubt about it. You have to sort of bite the bullet, and sometimes you need to get Coach Dantonio or whatever other coach is involved and say you know what, we just got to do it. So we have those discussions, but they're just hard steps to make because those guys have been apart of the orange crush, our scout team most of the year, and they haven't been repping it.Â
On a good thing to put guys in because you can…
We'll probably get better at doing that in the future. We'll probably... those guys that you think might be those types of guys, find ways to get them reps throughout the year. Just prepare them for the last four games of the year. Being as it's something new and different, we probably haven't done a great job of that. So now you have those discussions, but like I said it's hard to do when they haven't been practicing.Â
On Kenny Willekes game last Saturday and his season…
It was awesome, he played in the backfield like he did in the Michigan game. What's amazing is that he has a non-stop motor always, so you wonder how he finds an extra level when an extra level is needed because you think he's playing at the absolute top motor level every snap and then somehow he finds another step and that's what's most impressive. I know Coach Dantonio always says, 'raise your hand as high as you can... and now reach higher.' Somehow even when you think you're all the way up, there's a way to reach a little bit higher, and Kenny does that.
On Jacob Panasiuk taking more snaps…
I think his confidence has really grown where he can play faster without having to think through it. That's sometimes the issue you always run into with the younger players where they're having to think through everything they do and he's starting to cut it loose a little bit and I do think regardless of who's at the other end, a little bit more attention is focused on Kenny, which hopefully allows those guys to play freer.Â
Wide Receivers Coach Terrence Samuel:
On looking at Nebraska defense and what stands out…
Well, the first thing is just how they've been getting better week by week. They play hard. They're all over the place. You've got a big corner, sitting about 6-3, and then you've got a fast corner that I think presents some problems but those safeties are built like little tanks, they're going to come up and they're going to hit you and they're physical. For us, we have to be on our P's and Q's and take care of our techniques.
On new defense and format clicking for staff and players…
Once you start getting one year in and six or seven games in you start to understand why the rules are there and you start to execute them a little bit more with a little more confidence and that's all the difference in winning games is confidence and a little inches. We expect them to be playing well and we expect them to be in the right place, and have an opportunity to make plays. We have to make much more plays than they can make.
On how critical it is to have Cody White back…
I sleep better at night (smiling). It's good to see him back, it's good to see him playing aggressive. Like I said, he helps the team. There's no question about that. He helps the offense move the ball.Â
On toughness of this season of having so many injuries…
I always said my deal is to make sure (offensive coordinator) Coach Warner doesn't notice those guys out there. That's my job… to make sure the next guy that goes in makes plays and it could be my best job but it could be my worst job. Right now, I think the guys are doing okay. They're stepping up and they're making plays. We're getting plays made from guys probably that you guys might not have expected so it's really more kudos to those guys and the way they work.Â
On witnessing a season with this many guys out in one position…
No way, I've never had a season like this where I've had this many injuries. It's good also in that you get other guys opportunities, and like I said they're doing well with those opportunities.Â
On if he's ever got to a point where they've not had enough players to run two squads in practice due to injuries…Â
You could assume that (laughing). There's a couple of times where Dylan, our equipment guy, probably looked at me and said, 'hey you're going out there the scout team.' It's just one of those things you just have to be ready and whatever the team needs. If I've got to suit up then I'll suit up.Â
On Cody filling that leadership void…
Like I said, he's one of those young guys that's just really gregarious and outgoing. There's some points where he does it naturally and then there's some points where you have to point it out to him, he's still young. I'm expecting a lot and putting a lot on his plate, but he's accepting that and I'm going to keep putting a little fire under him to try to lead a little more.Â
On Cody being ready earlier than when he returned…
Yeah, it's probably more of us just trying to be cautious, because he definitely wants to go. He probably wanted to go three weeks ago. He's just one of those guys that wants to get out there and compete. It was hard for him to be watching guys play and not being out there to help the team. If you saw him on the sideline he's probably one of the most enthusiastic guys we have on the team. He was ranting and raving and loving every minute of it, but he wanted to be out on the field.Â
On possibly not having guys to fill those roles…
No, we had guys. That's not the issue. The biggest thing is sometimes just the rhythm of things. They know it's due, but can they do it fast. Can they pull the trigger on seeing the coverage, seeing the technique and then being at the right depth the way the quarterback needs them. There was that growth process during the season that's a little unsettling but we've had guys that have been in this offense for a while so it hasn't been as bad as you might expect.
On Cam Chambers' development…
He's a big body. To get around him, it takes a lot of effort. If you're a little DB, that doesn't bold well for you. He can extend his hands and make catches. He's just a solid big body that you know when the balls thrown over there that he will make the catch.Â
On Darrell Stewart being valuable three to four weeks ago with moving positions…
Them knowing the offense really makes it easy. Now, it just makes it to you try to move them around in the spots where you get the match-ups and things of that nature. Him and Cody can do all those things. You really feel comfortable with moving all those guys around. Brandon Sowards can make adjustments in a heartbeat and so can Cam. So I've got a lot of guys that know what to do. It's just trying to find the right match-up sometimes.Â
On Darrell having a lot on his plate with Cody being out…
He did a great job. Like I said, you go to him and say, 'hey, I'm going to lean on you this week and I'm going to try to put you in as many spots as you possibly can and you've got to make as many plays as you possibly can so don't miss practice.'"Â
On Felton Davis being able to be around the guys and help…
You already know what type of personality Felton is. A spark plug and then some. He's always positive. He's always sharing his knowledge with the guys, so I need him around as much as I can. Even though he's hobbling around on that little ugly scooter (smiling). You want him around and you want him being around the players as much as he can and like I said, if I could I'd travel him and I'd keep him around the guys. He's my assistant coach right now.Â
On younger guys possibly getting playing time…
As much as I possibly can to get the young guys in, Javez (Alexander) and all those guys, I've got to get C.J. Hayes in there more. It's more guys… Jahz Watts I've got to try to get in there and see what he can do. It's just one of those things where I want to win the game first. I'm putting the players in that I think can win the game and after that, then when things can settle and get into a rhythm and we're not making things uncomfortable for Coach Warner and Coach Dantonio then I'll move more guys in there.Â
On Justin Layne playing both offense and defense…
It's welcome back,I've had him first, so I just lost him in the war so to speak. It's always been great to have him and his knowledge, from where he was when he was a wide receiver with me early and what he knew knowledge wise… he retained it. I was really shocked and surprised and very happy with the way that he retained his knowledge and was able to just come over there. Now he has the knowledge of being on defense and what a DB likes to do and you can see that he can get by guys. He has the ability to get on your technique and scare you with the speed. It's fun having him over there right now. Like I said, does the defense need him? I'll play second fiddle. As long as you're going to keep the points off the board.Â
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EAST LANSING, Mich. -- Michigan State assistant coaches Mike Tressel and Terrence Samuel spoke to the media Wednesday afternoon, to review the Spartans' 26-6 loss to No. 8 Ohio State and preview this week's game, when Michigan State heads to Nebraska to face the Cornhuskers on Saturday, Nov. 17 at 12 p.m. ET/11 a.m. CT in Memorial Stadium.Â
The Spartans (6-4, 4-3 Big Ten) are coming off a 26-6 loss to No. 8/7 Ohio State last Saturday in East Lansing, while Nebraska (3-7, 2-5 Big Ten) defeated Illinois in Lincoln, 54-35. The game will be televised nationally on FOX, with Brian Custer calling the play-by-play, Ben Leber serving as the analyst and Alex Curry on the sidelines.
Saturday's game marks the 11th meeting between Michigan State and Nebraska. The Huskers lead the all-time series, 8-2, including a 5-1 record in games played in Memorial Stadium. MSU is 2-3 against Nebraska in Big Ten games. In the last meeting on Nov. 7, 2015, Nebraska snapped MSU's 12-game winning streak with a 39-38 victory over MSU in Lincoln; the Spartans bounced back from the loss to win four straight, winning the Big Ten Championship and reaching the College Football Playoff. MSU's lone win at Nebraska arrived during the Spartans' 2013 Big Ten Championship season, a 41-28 victory on Nov. 16, 2013.
Michigan State ranks first in the FBS in rushing defense, allowing just 76.5 yards per game. The Spartans have held their opponent to under 100 yards rushing seven times this season. MSU also has only given up 22 rushes of 10-plus yards, which is second fewest in the FBS (San Diego State, 20).Â
In addition to leading the FBS in rushing defense, the Spartans also rank among the national leaders in third-down conversion defense (14th at .320), scoring defense (17th at 19.7 ppg) and total defense (21st at 327.3 ypg). MSU has held its opponents to 20 or fewer points five times, and although the Buckeyes scored 26 points on Nov. 10, the defense allowed just 17 points (two TDs and one field goal).
Junior defensive end Kenny Willekes, who entered the program as a walk-on linebacker for the 2015 season, has been named one of 10 semifinalists for the Burlsworth Trophy. The Burlsworth Trophy is awarded annually to the most outstanding football player in America who began his career as a walk-on. Willekes has emerged as one of the top pass rushers in the Big Ten. Named to the All-Big Ten midseason team by Pro Football Focus, he leads the conference in tackles for loss (17 for 79 yards) and ranks second in sacks (8.5 for 60 yards), totals which also rank among the national leaders (tied for eighth in TFLs, tied for 16th in sacks). According to Pro Football Focus, Willekes leads all defensive ends in the FBS with 16 quarterback hits. The native of Rockford, Michigan, is MSU's active leader in tackles for loss (12th overall in school history with 31.5) and sacks (10th in school history with 15.5). Willekes' 17 tackles for loss this season rank tied for sixth most in an MSU season.
With the win at Maryland on Nov. 3, Michigan State became bowl eligible for the 11th time in 12 seasons under head coach Mark Dantonio. In addition, MSU also won its 700th game in school history. The Spartans own an all-time record of 700-457-44 (.601) in 1,201 games. MSU became the 27th school in the FBS to win 700 games.
The following is a select transcript from Wednesday's press conference:
Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers Coach Mike Tressel:
On Nebraska improving and what stands out about them…
They're explosive. They have multiple tailbacks, multiple receivers, obviously, a quarterback that all are big play capable. I think it's a leading receiving tandem in the Big Ten. A basically 1,000-yard rusher and another guy who can break the game at any point. A quarterback that keeps the plays alive and has a threat with his feet as well as a strong arm, so I think that they're top 15 for sure in the nation in total offense. Their offense is rolling right now.
On Nebraska quarterback Adrian Martinez and his quarterback capabilities…
I think he's got a lot of confidence right now, as he should. I think once he was perfectly healthy and was the guy full time, it just started to increase exponentially. The beginning of the year he was banged up a little bit. I think finally maybe week four, the Purdue game, he was full time "the guy" healthy and it's grown fast since then.
On showing film on Nebraska to defense and seeing how they are a difficult team to stop…
It doesn't get any easier it doesn't seem like, there's no doubt about it. You have a broken tackle film that you watch, and these guys have made people look silly in space and you watch the explosive play cut-ups, they're near the tops of the league in explosive passes and explosive runs so there's no doubt. You don't have to pay attention to anything but watch them on film and you know there's a lot of guys who make big plays. The magic number that we've seen is when they've had eight or more explosive plays, they're winning, explosive plays being 20-yard pass, 15-yard runs. You have to limit those with these guys, and that's easier said than done.Â
On Nebraska having a large cross-section amongst all skill positions…
That's the thing. It's across the board skill wise. It's two receivers that both have 60-plus catches. Two tailbacks who are on the field sometimes at the same time who can be game-breakers and make you miss tackles, and they really run through tackles. Then a quarterback who does it with his feet and his arms. Put that all together and you're spread thing.Â
On MSU playing with a lot of confidence based on defense able to do against good offenses…
Our guys feel good right now. They're excited about the challenge. They're not gun-shy, they're not lacking confidence. I think they're playing hard. I think they know it's a different challenge and they're excited about it but I think our defense feels good about where it's at.Â
On preparing guys for a game at Nebraska's Memorial Stadium and atmosphere of fans…
It's funny, I had never experienced anything like it before I was there the first time too. It's different. I think what you have to do is you have to realize that that's all part of the game how nice they are to you pre-game, how they welcome you, how they try to make you feel at home, they're trying to soften your armor a little bit. I mean, you have to look at it like it's part of the game. If you look at it that way and feel like they're actually disrespecting us by being this nice to us (smiling), if you look at it that way, it's all just good. Trying to set you up.
On similarities between Oregon under Scott Frost as offensive coordinator and Nebraska with him as head coach…Â
A lot of similarities in the offense, Scott Frost's offense, I would say he's running very much the same offense with five year's worth of evolution. That's what you're looking at. You're looking at any offense over the course of five year's is going to evolve and try to play the strengths of specific players that you have on the roster at that time, but you do see a lot of the same things, yeah.Â
On defense changing in the last four to five years and along with similarities from playing Oregon in those two previous times…
I think our defense and it's evolution and his offense and it's evolution… it's similar. It is the same defense. We're running the same defense, but we have five more years of data and experience as coaches and have brought in new coaches over the past five years to bring their input. That's where it is, you take advantage of the new knowledge that you have and add some new things here and there and I'm sure they've done some of the exact same things.Â
On what it would mean to possibly win the Broyles Award and being a finalist…
I come from a coaching family so it is a big deal, that is a big time award, I think my dad and my uncle would say the assistant coaching awards are a bigger deal than the head coaches award. Just like as an assistant coach, I'd say those player awards are a bigger deal than any coaching awards could be, so it's a big deal. It's an honor, but we just have to keep playing ball. That award is won by the guys on the football field, not by the coaches.Â
On having pride in defensive staff…
We've got a great group of guys, and I think they feel the exact same way. We've got a great group of guys. The chemistry is good. The love for each other is there. Even though there's a couple guys that are there for the first year, we feel like we've been around each other for a long time so I obviously wouldn't trade this group of guys. This is a great group of guys.Â
On Josiah Scott coming back and challenge coming back…
I'm knocking on wood when I say this, but you don't feel like he's been gone. You feel like he's right back. I think that our athletic training staff was able to keep him out the right amount of time where we weren't forcing him back in the action before he was ready to. Certainly, a corner position is not a position where you want to limp back into the action. You need to be ready to go, and I think they got him to the point where he truly was ready to go. We might have even held him out longer than we needed to, but at this point that's great because he's playing well and he's feeling well.Â
On needing a guy like Josh (Butler) back to add depth…
We want a guy like Josh back. He was playing very, very well. He was playing really well. We were really happy with the way he was playing. I'd say we'd love to have a guy like Josh back, but do we need? That's the thing about football... Â you have to perform with who you have.Â
On freshmen being able to see a few snaps…
You look at the depth and you do think about that, but you also realize that every one of these games is a battle from start to finish. We never make them anything other than that, and it's hard, even to jump in on kickoff team if you haven't been the guy repping that for 10 weeks. There's game planning and learning, even on the kickoff team. There's guys we've talked about, there's no doubt about it. You have to sort of bite the bullet, and sometimes you need to get Coach Dantonio or whatever other coach is involved and say you know what, we just got to do it. So we have those discussions, but they're just hard steps to make because those guys have been apart of the orange crush, our scout team most of the year, and they haven't been repping it.Â
On a good thing to put guys in because you can…
We'll probably get better at doing that in the future. We'll probably... those guys that you think might be those types of guys, find ways to get them reps throughout the year. Just prepare them for the last four games of the year. Being as it's something new and different, we probably haven't done a great job of that. So now you have those discussions, but like I said it's hard to do when they haven't been practicing.Â
On Kenny Willekes game last Saturday and his season…
It was awesome, he played in the backfield like he did in the Michigan game. What's amazing is that he has a non-stop motor always, so you wonder how he finds an extra level when an extra level is needed because you think he's playing at the absolute top motor level every snap and then somehow he finds another step and that's what's most impressive. I know Coach Dantonio always says, 'raise your hand as high as you can... and now reach higher.' Somehow even when you think you're all the way up, there's a way to reach a little bit higher, and Kenny does that.
On Jacob Panasiuk taking more snaps…
I think his confidence has really grown where he can play faster without having to think through it. That's sometimes the issue you always run into with the younger players where they're having to think through everything they do and he's starting to cut it loose a little bit and I do think regardless of who's at the other end, a little bit more attention is focused on Kenny, which hopefully allows those guys to play freer.Â
Wide Receivers Coach Terrence Samuel:
On looking at Nebraska defense and what stands out…
Well, the first thing is just how they've been getting better week by week. They play hard. They're all over the place. You've got a big corner, sitting about 6-3, and then you've got a fast corner that I think presents some problems but those safeties are built like little tanks, they're going to come up and they're going to hit you and they're physical. For us, we have to be on our P's and Q's and take care of our techniques.
On new defense and format clicking for staff and players…
Once you start getting one year in and six or seven games in you start to understand why the rules are there and you start to execute them a little bit more with a little more confidence and that's all the difference in winning games is confidence and a little inches. We expect them to be playing well and we expect them to be in the right place, and have an opportunity to make plays. We have to make much more plays than they can make.
On how critical it is to have Cody White back…
I sleep better at night (smiling). It's good to see him back, it's good to see him playing aggressive. Like I said, he helps the team. There's no question about that. He helps the offense move the ball.Â
On toughness of this season of having so many injuries…
I always said my deal is to make sure (offensive coordinator) Coach Warner doesn't notice those guys out there. That's my job… to make sure the next guy that goes in makes plays and it could be my best job but it could be my worst job. Right now, I think the guys are doing okay. They're stepping up and they're making plays. We're getting plays made from guys probably that you guys might not have expected so it's really more kudos to those guys and the way they work.Â
On witnessing a season with this many guys out in one position…
No way, I've never had a season like this where I've had this many injuries. It's good also in that you get other guys opportunities, and like I said they're doing well with those opportunities.Â
On if he's ever got to a point where they've not had enough players to run two squads in practice due to injuries…Â
You could assume that (laughing). There's a couple of times where Dylan, our equipment guy, probably looked at me and said, 'hey you're going out there the scout team.' It's just one of those things you just have to be ready and whatever the team needs. If I've got to suit up then I'll suit up.Â
On Cody filling that leadership void…
Like I said, he's one of those young guys that's just really gregarious and outgoing. There's some points where he does it naturally and then there's some points where you have to point it out to him, he's still young. I'm expecting a lot and putting a lot on his plate, but he's accepting that and I'm going to keep putting a little fire under him to try to lead a little more.Â
On Cody being ready earlier than when he returned…
Yeah, it's probably more of us just trying to be cautious, because he definitely wants to go. He probably wanted to go three weeks ago. He's just one of those guys that wants to get out there and compete. It was hard for him to be watching guys play and not being out there to help the team. If you saw him on the sideline he's probably one of the most enthusiastic guys we have on the team. He was ranting and raving and loving every minute of it, but he wanted to be out on the field.Â
On possibly not having guys to fill those roles…
No, we had guys. That's not the issue. The biggest thing is sometimes just the rhythm of things. They know it's due, but can they do it fast. Can they pull the trigger on seeing the coverage, seeing the technique and then being at the right depth the way the quarterback needs them. There was that growth process during the season that's a little unsettling but we've had guys that have been in this offense for a while so it hasn't been as bad as you might expect.
On Cam Chambers' development…
He's a big body. To get around him, it takes a lot of effort. If you're a little DB, that doesn't bold well for you. He can extend his hands and make catches. He's just a solid big body that you know when the balls thrown over there that he will make the catch.Â
On Darrell Stewart being valuable three to four weeks ago with moving positions…
Them knowing the offense really makes it easy. Now, it just makes it to you try to move them around in the spots where you get the match-ups and things of that nature. Him and Cody can do all those things. You really feel comfortable with moving all those guys around. Brandon Sowards can make adjustments in a heartbeat and so can Cam. So I've got a lot of guys that know what to do. It's just trying to find the right match-up sometimes.Â
On Darrell having a lot on his plate with Cody being out…
He did a great job. Like I said, you go to him and say, 'hey, I'm going to lean on you this week and I'm going to try to put you in as many spots as you possibly can and you've got to make as many plays as you possibly can so don't miss practice.'"Â
On Felton Davis being able to be around the guys and help…
You already know what type of personality Felton is. A spark plug and then some. He's always positive. He's always sharing his knowledge with the guys, so I need him around as much as I can. Even though he's hobbling around on that little ugly scooter (smiling). You want him around and you want him being around the players as much as he can and like I said, if I could I'd travel him and I'd keep him around the guys. He's my assistant coach right now.Â
On younger guys possibly getting playing time…
As much as I possibly can to get the young guys in, Javez (Alexander) and all those guys, I've got to get C.J. Hayes in there more. It's more guys… Jahz Watts I've got to try to get in there and see what he can do. It's just one of those things where I want to win the game first. I'm putting the players in that I think can win the game and after that, then when things can settle and get into a rhythm and we're not making things uncomfortable for Coach Warner and Coach Dantonio then I'll move more guys in there.Â
On Justin Layne playing both offense and defense…
It's welcome back,I've had him first, so I just lost him in the war so to speak. It's always been great to have him and his knowledge, from where he was when he was a wide receiver with me early and what he knew knowledge wise… he retained it. I was really shocked and surprised and very happy with the way that he retained his knowledge and was able to just come over there. Now he has the knowledge of being on defense and what a DB likes to do and you can see that he can get by guys. He has the ability to get on your technique and scare you with the speed. It's fun having him over there right now. Like I said, does the defense need him? I'll play second fiddle. As long as you're going to keep the points off the board.Â
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Players Mentioned
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