Michigan State Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl Offensive Press Conference Coverage
12/28/2021 1:06:00 PM | Football
ATLANTA – Michigan State offensive coordinator Jay Johnson, senior offensive lineman Matt Allen, senior tight end Connor Heyward, redshirt-junior wide receiver Jayden Reed and redshirt-sophomore quarterback Payton Thorne met with the media for a virtual press conference on Tuesday to preview the upcoming matchup against No. 12 Pittsburgh in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl.
A transcript from the press conference is below, provided by ASAP Sports.
Offensive Coordinator Jay Johnson
THE MODERATOR: We're joined by Michigan State offensive coordinator Jay Johnson.
COACH JOHNSON: It's great to be here in Atlanta at the Peach Bowl and a New Year's Six for Michigan State football and our University. It's been a good week. Atlanta has been very welcoming, great hospitable and really enjoyed it. We've had good preparation. Thankful to Georgia Tech to open their facilities here for a couple of days earlier in the week preparation, and then obviously we had a chance to go over to Mercedes-Benz (Stadium) yesterday, for the kids, I think that was one of their highlights. I mean, obviously I've had an opportunity to be in there before but some of them it was a first time and obviously it's an unbelievable venue and really excited about that, so it's been a good week, and obviously need to continue to prep and look forward to a great game against Pitt in a couple of days.
Q. Obviously your offense has had a really good year with a lot of big numbers and big plays from the skill position guys, but how much of the offense's success this year is a result of the development of the offensive line? And how excited are you about the future for that position group?
COACH JOHNSON: Oh, I think you hit it right on the head. Obviously, we have been blessed with our skill guys as you mentioned, but the O line and what Coach Kap (offensive line coach Chris Kapilovic) has done has been really awesome to see. One of the things that I think was a huge benefit for us earlier in the year was we, obviously as the season goes you have certain injuries that have occurred, but earlier in the year we certainly were able to play certain games earlier in the year we were playing nine guys pretty effectively. And that has really paid dividends for us late in the season. We did have some of those, you hate to say, kind of normal year-long things happen, injuries, banged up and things like that. So, their development has been great, and we've had some veteran guys that played a lot of football here at Michigan State. Those guys working with the young guys, it's a spot we put a lot of emphasis on, and I think that's showing. And our success really starts there with those guys. And like I said, they've done a nice job.
Q. It seems like from all accounts that (Jalen) Nailor and (Jayden) Reed are both back for you guys. Is that fair to say?
COACH JOHNSON: Yes, that's fair.
Q. What do those two add in terms of the dynamic that maybe was missing the last few weeks? And what do you see from the offense right now as you go into this?
COACH JOHNSON: Right. I think obviously as you mentioned earlier in the year when you have both of those guys, they're obviously a couple of our top skilled guys and their play-making ability speaks for itself. I think anytime you can have more than one, you hope that can challenge the defense a little bit by who they have to cover and things like that and put more stresses on them. So, I think that's going to be a huge key for us is having both those guys being active and their play-making abilities. I like where we're at offensively. We've done some good things, and it's been good here even in the interim after the final game against Penn State. We've had a chance to go back to the basic, and as the program's built upon, and Mel talks about this all the time, is really that fundamentals and techniques. It was good to kind of reset, so to speak, reset here after the Penn State game and get a lot of good work in there. Now obviously our focus has changed to more of the game prep. But the start of the bowl deal, that was it. And that's one of the benefits of playing in a bowl game. I think our offense has used that to our advantage, and I think we're in a good spot.
Q. This is going to be the first time this year you guys won't have Kenneth in the backfield. How do you go about filling that hole that it created when you lose one of the best rushers in the nation?
COACH JOHNSON: Yeah, that's obviously a huge challenge. Ken, as we all know, is a very special player, but one of the things I think I look back at what we've done this year, and I don't know that I've really tried to be, and you always try to be, but you gotta do what you gotta do to do win the game, but we've been balanced. We've had explosive plays in the run and pass, and we've touched on it. I think the O line has really developed. Yeah, we're going to sorely miss him and he's phenomenal. But I feel good with who we have at that spot and the guys that are coming back, and their development all year behind Ken and with Ken has been very good. You couple that with the O line and receivers, and hopefully you're in a balanced situation that you can do some productive things. We're still going to start with those guys being a forefront of what we do. I'm still excited about where we're at and who we have at the spot and particularly coupled with all the pieces of our offensive unit.
Q. A lot of the season obviously with Kenneth Walker being the focal point of the offense, that's where things started at Northwestern. And at various points Payton Thorne and the passing game took a big role. For a guy who has a couple of years left, is this sort of, I don't want to say the beginning of Payton Thorne as the front man of the offense, but do things change without Kenneth a little bit? And your expectations for Peyton now having a year pretty much in your system as the starter, do you start to look at him differently in what you expect from him?
COACH JOHNSON: Yes and no. We've talked all along, I think one of the key elements to our success this year has been the play of Payton Thorne. Sometimes it goes unseen what we ask him to do, but you've got to run the offense, you've got to manage the offense, and obviously he has been blessed to have some unbelievable supporting cast with Ken and the receivers and the O line. So, I'm excited to see his maturation throughout the year. I've seen it after a game that he maybe didn't play so well. And then I've even seen it after a quarter or so when he didn't play very well in a game, and then he came on and he showed that poise and resiliency did some positive things. So, I'm extremely excited about Payton and where he can go and where he can take this team. I think as the years come along you can see he's starting to get more and more comfortable. He does a tremendous job managing. I see even his leadership and everything that that quarterback is asked to do has even come to a new level. So, the expectations for him are going to be high and they're going to be high for me and high from our organization. But I think that's the way Payton would want it, so I'm really excited about him and where he's at and his evolvement as we've come through and developed. There's certainly, like all of us, things I'll challenge him on because there's still some pieces we have to improve, but I think it's going to be exciting to see him in the future, and I definitely feel he will take on a little bit different role.
Q. With Tyler Hunt being doubtful for the game on Thursday, who do you expect to step up as second tight end on the offense? And what have you seen from Maliq Carr throughout bowl practice?
COACH JOHNSON: Obviously Connor Heyward will be the forefront of what we do, and then it's going to be Maliq, and again Maliq was a little banged up earlier in the year which hurt him. With Coach Gilmore and how he's come along, I've been excited about him. He's obviously a big-skill athlete, and we're obviously a little bit of a transition of how he's been used in the past, but I think he's working through that, and I see some really positive things coming from him, so those are going to be the main two that will carry the load at that position. I'm excited about that and where Maliq's at, and this extra time has been very positive for him.
Q. Obviously you just mentioned Maliq but who are some of the other young guys we saw late in the season, maybe a guy like Montorie Foster because of injuries, that leads me toward, how do you approach this in terms of guys who have an opportunity to use this as a springboard forward to next year, maybe some guys we only saw a little bit of who came on late whether it's some guys up front? Is this as important for that springboard sort of into next year as much as winning this particular game is for your offense?
COACH JOHNSON: Yeah, a little bit of both, obviously, first and foremost we need to win the game. That we need to be focused on, but I think you mentioned Montorie and he came up big for us in the Penn State game. With some of the O linemen because we've had to shuffle things around with injury and things of that nature, but I think that's all part of it. And you just see even like Montorie played a little bit and how that even spring-boarded him for the Penn State game. We definitely want to try to do that when the opportunity is right to do that. If there's some young guys we can get some more time in there because with time comes more experience, confidence and you begin to play at a new level. We'll definitely try to do that when it's appropriate, but obviously we've got to try to do what we can to help our team be successful.
Q. You talked about the players playing in or practicing in the stadium a little bit and said that was one of the highlights. Can you maybe dive in a little bit more on maybe the emotion as they're walking through the tunnel and kind of seeing how big that place is? And for you as well, how great is it to play in such a great spot?
COACH JOHNSON: Yeah, it's a phenomenal venue. I've been blessed to have the opportunity to be in there, some big games before, and so it's awesome. I mean the way that place is and how they've done that is phenomenal, and you could see our guys. There was definitely, when they got dressed and we were taking the field for practice, there were some guys that you could see they were excited. They were emotional. Kind of got them going a little bit and it helped us to have a good practice. So I definitely know that our guys noticed it right away and it's great that we're able to get in there to practice as we prep for the game, so they can be in there and kind of experience that. So, when we get to the game they've already been there and now we've got to go play, but it's definitely an awesome venue, and we're excited to be here.
Q. Going off that question a little bit, how have they adjusted to the stadium and playing on an NFL turf field like that? I know you've only had one practice so far but what's the adjustment been like?
COACH JOHNSON: I think it's been solid. One of the things you always worry about a little bit playing in a different structure is the lighting, particularly in the special teams area, and obviously it can affect us a little bit offensively in the pass game, but that's why it's been great to be in there. I think as practice went (along), the guys adjusted to that because we did a lot of special teams emphasis yesterday in the kick game for returners, punt returners, kick returners because that's a little bit different. It's a little bit different depth perception and the lighting. I think initially there were some things but then as we got going it was good, and, again, thankful that we could get in there to get that out of the way and get guys used to the environment.
Q. Obviously you were mentioned Payton's progression and what you've been impressed with this year, but he has an opportunity to break a record, a single-season record, he needs two touchdown passes. Could you just go off of, Kirk Cousins was the last one to do it in 2011, maybe more on Payton and the opportunity that lies ahead of him in his final game of the season for you guys.
COACH JOHNSON: I'm glad you filled me in on that because I had no idea about that stat; that's interesting. If that opportunity is there, he's going to put it where it needs to be and do that. What we've been working with Payton the whole year is, in a certain sense it's simple stupid, just progress the play, and I've talked with you guys before on that, and I think he's continuing to do that. When he does that, he really plays at a high level. Again, that will be our focus on Saturday, and if that opportunity presents itself we'll look forward to it.
Q. Question on that illusive "it" factor in a quarterback because Payton has shown it really since the first game at Penn State. And this year it's come quite a bit. How would you describe that illusive "it" factor when it comes to the quarterback position?
COACH JOHNSON: Yeah, it's an interesting piece of it, that's for sure. You want a guy that, I don't think you have to have a guy that necessarily has to be a dual-threat guy, but obviously I think when the opportunity presents itself, the thing that I always look for on that illusiveness is, can he extend the play? And does he have the ability to extend the play in the right fashion? And that's something that, what I thought was a work in progress with Payton. If you go back to last year of that opportunity had at Penn State and where we're at now, I believe, is light years because he's really worked on that. He's really stressed on that, is how you get to that spot where you can be in that position to extend the play and really not hurting any other guys around you, because sometimes we take that for granted and that becomes a challenge with the O line. But I think he's really grown in that. And obviously he has the ability. He has that ability to run and make some guys miss and do those things. It's been very positive for us, and obviously we have to pick our time and places when that comes into play, but definitely always a part of it and we'll continue to work on that as we go.
Q. Can you talk a little bit about Pittsburgh's pass rush and the problems that that poses, how good that is and the depth they have in the defensive line?
COACH JOHNSON: Absolutely. I think they're obviously really, really strong up front. Really, really solid defense overall, because what they do up front obviously, they trust the guys in the back end to get it done, but I believe they're going into the game, what, second in the country in sacks, if I'm not mistaken, and really long athletic guys up there. One of the things that I see is their interior guys really show a lot of twists in the pass game and give you fits. They really give you fits, and then with the different movements that (Pitt head coach) Coach Narduzzi does, it really creates issue. They are very solid, and they couple it nicely with what they're doing in the back end to protect them there. It will be a great challenge for us because they do some good things up front and obviously have shown and had strong results from it all year.
Q. I'm wondering about putting in a game plan with guys who are in the portal. How have you been able to try and do that, particularly when you have two guys at tight end and you obviously may need that depth with Tyler out?
COACH JOHNSON: Right, it is a challenge a little bit. You look at obviously, first and foremost, what we try to do is what fits our style best versus what you're going to see from the opponent, from the defense, and so that's been the focal point, and then we have to take into consideration sometimes a little bit of that personnel things if there are some issues, but really, it's not much different because you kind of deal with it a little bit throughout the year sometimes with injuries. If you've got a guy that's questionable or whatnot. But you've got to kind of have, and a lot of times when you're playing and things, offensively, defensively, teams, you always have backup plans. That's what we've tried to do as a staff, have kind of what we think is our base things. Then you have some wrinkles, backup situations because of the things you're mentioning be it a transfer portal, be it a questionable player from an injury perspective, those types of things.
Q. As a follow to that, obviously, (Trenton) Gillison and (James) Ohonba both run extra-point duty. Is this a chance to maybe get some of those younger guys in there in their roles? Or do you think about the future or do you think about the now with that?
COACH JOHNSON: Really, right now we're thinking about the now, because obviously we need to put who we think is best to execute whatever play is presented to them, so it would be more on the now on that. Now, if there's a future person that's even with it, then, yeah, I would consider that, but I think that's an issue that we're going to address the now more than we would the future, based upon who we're looking at.
Q. Obviously the game is the main focus here, but leading up to it, obviously, the bowl competition, how fun was that from a team building perspective and how special do you think that was for the guys?
COACH JOHNSON: It was fun. It was really competitive. Obviously starting off with the basketball deal and then the go-kart deal and all that, but it was all a lot of fun. Then winning with the trivia deal last night. I think our guys really enjoyed it. It was kind of a neat deal. I'll be honest, I've never been involved in that, I've had a chance to go to a lot of different bowls, but I think it's a neat perspective from the Peach Bowl perspective that they do that. I think our guys didn't know what to expect with it, but once they got into it, it was a lot of fun, and it did, I think, bring us together in a certain way, and they certainly enjoyed the experience.
THE MODERATOR: We may have to check the stats on this, but I think we've been doing it for about eight or nine years and the first six years we did it the team that won the belt, won the game.
COACH JOHNSON: Interesting.
Q. On the "it" factor again with Payton, what are some of the intangibles that make up the "it" factor for a quarterback, the stuff that doesn't show up on a stat sheet or a TV screen?
COACH JOHNSON: Right, I think it's a lot of things. It's, first of all, I think with Payton and where he's at, he has tremendously high football IQ. Kind of has that moxie, that savvy that you can't really write or describe sometimes, but they understand football and they understand the situations. And I think that is something that is really, really important. And then the next piece, which I think he's really grown in, is that you have to be very poised. You have to be very poised in what situations you are being presented. And a lot of that is reflective of your play and what you're doing playing-wise, and can you separate it and have the poise to go on and play the next play. You look at, a great example for me, go to the Michigan game. It wasn't very good out of the gates, but then he came back and played exceptional, the final three-and-a-half or three quarters or whatever the time was. That to me was a big step because he was able to overcome that and kind of re-center himself and that sometimes is very challenging in the quarterback position, having played it and been a part of it for so many years, I think that's a huge challenging piece. To me, it's those things, the moxie of football. The other parts, the other things people don't realize is how much these guys study. If you're going to be a quarterback at a big-time situation, the time and effort that he puts in and our quarterbacks put in on their own is phenomenal, but you can see that all shows up because he feels like he's very well prepared once he takes the field.
Redshirt-Junior Wide Receiver Jayden Reed
Q. When you look back at this point, at that Nebraska game, specifically the punt return, it looked like a launching point for this season. I know it's been a while but when you look back at that play can you describe it for us and also what your team took from that play in the finish of that game to apply the rest of the year?
JAYDEN REED: That's one of the biggest ones I've made in my career. I take pride in that play, and I couldn't have done it without my teammates that were out there with me, so I also appreciate my teammates for executing the play and everything like that, for me to be able to make that happen.
Q. Couple questions about Kenneth, how could you describe the team-wide reaction to him not playing? What do you think his legacy is, leaving after one year what he did for you guys this season?
JAYDEN REED: No doubt. I mean, words can't describe how much we appreciate Ken for coming here this year and displaying that kind of talent out there. He's helped us tremendously, so, it's obviously been different. More than the player, but the person he is, we miss that aspect of having him around, with the good team spirit with that guy in the room. That's more of the issue, him not being around as a person more than a player, you know what I'm saying? He's a much better person than the player that he is. We definitely miss having him around.
Q. What about the guys you guys will be looking at to sort of replace him? How do they look for you this past month?
JAYDEN REED: They are attacking it. Our coaches hound us and coach us the right way. They always coach us that next man up you've got to be ready no matter what.
Q. Wanted to ask you about Payton Thorne and what you've seen from him, obviously you practiced with him for years and all that stuff. I'm wondering from the beginning of this season until now, where have you seen growth and how is he a different quarterback than he was at the beginning of the year?
JAYDEN REED: I think it's pretty much been the same thing the entire time, his leadership. His leadership has been going up a level every game, every week, so he's been stepping up, being a much bigger and better leader. He's being more vocal as a team, that applies to your game, that applies to the way you play. When leaders lead, they get good things out of it.
Q. Wanted to ask about Jalen's return. What do you think that will mean for your game having another speedy receiver and for the offense overall?
JAYDEN REED: With Speedy being back, you've got to pick your poison. We've got our guy back, and we haven't had him for a while, so teams haven't really scouted him as much as they could lately, so that will be a huge contribution to come back with Speedy. No doubt it's going to be tough trying to manage two of the fastest receivers in the nation, in my opinion. It will be a good one.
Q. Wondering about your takeaways from last night at the Hall of Fame. I know you guys did a lot of activities as a team. How special was it to visit the Hall of Fame?
JAYDEN REED: I thought it was pretty cool, just seeing guys from my generation that were able to make it. Guys I watched like DeVonta Smith. I looked up at him as a receiver and I saw him there, and it's just an honor to be able to go there and stuff like that, and Ken Mannie, one of our former strength coaches, I looked up to Coach Mannie. He's taught me so much. To see guys I know and I'm familiar with, it was a cool experience, a really cool experience.
Q. How much does that motivate you to succeed not only in this bowl game but in the rest of your career?
JAYDEN REED: No doubt. I don't like to judge myself off of other people's success, so I just stick to the course. I think everything happens for a reason, and I know I work my tail off. If I end up in there one day, it was because it was meant to be.
Q. Have you made a decision whether you're going to come back for another year or if this is going to be the last game?
JAYDEN REED: Don't expect me to answer it until after the game. That's all I can tell you, to be honest.
Q. Overall you guys as an offense, you guys have made strides this year from struggles in the past. Do you look at this as an opportunity to kind of leave on a good note and make this a season that defines some progress for you guys on that side of the ball?
JAYDEN REED: No doubt. We got bits and pieces back to the offense that we didn't have earlier in the season, as we spoke about before, so hopefully we can continue to just build off of what we've been doing the entire season. I'm looking forward to Thursday.
Q. We heard earlier today Jay Johnson sort of talk about how playing in a big, domed stadium sort of has to make an adjustment for players, especially on special teams. With you being a punt and kick returner is that something you've had to look into these past couple of days in the stadium?
JAYDEN REED: Yeah, I mean you've always got to make adjustments to different environments, so no question about that. The coaches harped on us about being able to hydrate and eating well, so no one is cramping up during the game, and adjustments had to be made. I have to take care of these two days, stay healthy, drink water, eat right and everything, so I'll be ready to go on Thursday.
Q. Going back to the Mercedes-Benz Stadium stuff, you guys were obviously excited to come play at this stadium. What was it like for you when you walked in? Did it live up to your expectations of being out there on the practice field and just stuff like that?
JAYDEN REED: Yeah, it was a great experience just walking into that stadium. It's chill looking up and you can see that little thing. You know it's open and stuff like that. It's one of the coolest stadiums I've ever been in. That dome, I'm looking forward to it on Thursday seeing it filled up with Spartan fans. I'm ready to go.
Senior Tight End Connor Heyward
Q. The Michigan State football brand has grown quite a bit in Georgia, and obviously really took off with Coach Dantonio finding a lot of dudes and developing those guys. As you have completed quite a journey at Michigan State and being from the metro Atlanta area, how do you see the Spartan football brand growing in Georgia? And how cool is it to be a pretty big part of that?
CONNOR HEYWARD: Like you said, Coach Dantonio was getting the guys, a couple guys per class from Georgia before I was in school and since I've been in school, but Coach Tucker knows that Georgia is a hotbed of football and there's a lot of talent in Georgia, and when you look at college football, there's always a number of guys on winning teams from Georgia. I think Coach Tuck, coaching at Georgia, he really understands and knows how the recruiting process works and how important it is to win guys from Georgia. I hosted a lot of kids that are committing to Michigan State, just telling them that you'll be taken care of and everything is pretty easy, and just go here, grind, that it's different than being back at home but it's a good change.
Q. Wanted to ask you about playing in your last game, how big this is. And kind of a two-part question, just how big this game is, your last game, could probably be Xavier's last game, other seniors out there, you guys coming together? And I've also heard your teammates talk about playing this game for you guys and how special is that to you to know that they're out there giving it their all to send you guys out as winners?
CONNOR HEYWARD: It's a big game. It means a lot. Obviously myself and the seniors want to go out in the right way. I think we've had a pretty successful season, and winning New Year's Six bowl would make the season that much better. This is an opportunity of a lifetime for us and we're all just going to seize the moment. Payton Thorne had a good point after practice: Why not as a freshman win a New Year's Six bowl and start out the right way and have momentum going into next year and for the seniors, go out with a bang?
Q. How often do you talk to your brother Cam during the season? And how much of an inspiration has he been to you throughout your football career?
CONNOR HEYWARD: I talk to Cameron probably once a week, like one-on-one. We're both extremely busy, and we have our family group chat and another group chat, which is all my brothers and me, we message throughout the day, throughout the week as well. And we all understand each other's schedule. But we're brothers first and that love and that connection, whenever we see each other, it's like we didn't miss a beat, but we're both in season so we understand what comes with that, and the season's a grind.
Q. What about his game have you adopted to your game, even though you play on different sides of the ball?
CONNOR HEYWARD: Just his motor, being able to go the whole game without getting tired, and even if you get tired, just pushing through. You see the Steelers out there with a lot of backups right now on the D line, with injuries and (Stephon) Tuitt being out with his family situation and stuff, and just him (Cam) being a leader as well, just when things are going good and when things are going bad just always looking for that next play to make a play and always staying level headed.
Q. Could you describe the reaction to Kenneth making the decision he made about his future? And your memories about playing him with this one season and what do you think it is like with this program? Kenneth Walker, the decision he made, what was the general reaction of the team and your thoughts on his legacy here?
CONNOR HEYWARD: I kind of expected it. Running back is one of those positions where you can get hurt on any play and you're taking hits from all different angles. He's done a lot for this team and he had to do a business decision for him. We all supported it. That happens a lot nowadays and the guys are doing it for their future. Some guys are playing because they have to increase their stock or just to put more film out there, but in Kenneth's case he's a top pick in the draft. He has to take care of his body. He's probably dinged up from the season, so he can get healthy and get ready for combine training and that next chapter. I feel like he's supporting us. I think he'll miss Michigan State. I honestly feel like he didn't want to leave, but with the season he had, you have to leave.
Q. What have you seen from the rest of your running backs?
CONNOR HEYWARD: Just them all coming together to push each other to become better every day at practice. You've got Harold (Joiner), Jordon (Simmons), Elijah (Collins), Donovan Eaglin, I think the room will be fine. Obviously, Ken is a special player, but I think those guys will rally together and get the job done.
Q. Wanted to ask you about Payton Thorne, what have you seen from him in terms of development, not since you've just been around the program, but this year specifically. If you can think back to the beginning, the Northwestern game, who he is as a player and quarterback now?
CONNOR HEYWARD: Yeah, he's a poised player. He's a leader. He takes control of the offense, and when guys aren't doing what they need to do, he's not scared to confront. We have a head coach like that, the quarterback kind of follows and falls under that, and I think the competition in every room has risen to everybody's level of play. You guys have seen the season he's had, he doesn't turn the ball over, he makes smart decisions, he gets us aligned correctly and he gets us in the right calls based on what the defense is calling. He's a really smart player and a guy that has a high ceiling and a high IQ.
Q. I want to go back to the running backs a little bit more specifically Jordon. Obviously, he's from Georgia, one of the five guys on your team from Georgia, including yourself. How much do you think that he is eager to get out there and have a good performance in his home state, especially, too, with Kenneth not playing, the more carries he may be able to get?
CONNOR HEYWARD: Jordon is one of my closest friends on the team, and he understood his role this year, having a great back like Ken. Jordon is a young back, but they were still pushing each other to get better every day in practice. I think Jordon is more than prepared for this opportunity, and I told him just go out there, do what you need to do, don't do too much. Just take those 2-, 3-yard runs, because those will lead to bigger ones, home run ones. You guys have seen he's a solid back and he has a bright future and playing in your hometown state, I think the adrenaline will be pumping a little more and sometimes that's good.
Q. Does he seem to be pretty excited about it, though, to be able to play in his home state?
CONNOR HEYWARD: Yeah, we were both just talking about how both of our families and friends will be here, the people that haven't really been able to make it to East Lansing because just due to how far we have been from home, but I think like I said he's going to be prepared. You guys have seen he's a solid back, and he's produced.
Q. Matt Coghlin has been at Michigan State even longer than you have. A quick review of some Google images show a variety of Coghlin hairstyles, facial hair, et cetera. Do you have a favorite Matt Coghlin look?
CONNOR HEYWARD: I like the hair. I think he should trim the beard up a little more, but I like the beard. Coach Tucker calls him 'Teen Wolf.' I like the hair; keep it growing. A lot of gingers don't grow their hair like that, but I like it.
Redshirt-Sophomore Quarterback Payton Thorne
Q. Wondering what everything has been like for you guys from the activities, the team building experience, to going to the football Hall of Fame, College Football Hall of Fame. How special has that been for you guys and how does that help motivate from a team perspective this week?
PAYTON THORNE: It's been cool. It's been a good experience in Atlanta so far. Like you said, last night we were at the Hall of Fame. That was cool to see the different things they had there, and we played some Family Feud there last night and another game that was fun. It's been good stuff, but we're turning our focus now completely to the game in front of us, and we're excited about that.
Q. Wanted to ask you about Kenneth and his decision. I know you guys got pretty close over this last year when he came up. What was your reaction to him making the decision he made? How would you describe the team-wide reaction to that decision?
PAYTON THORNE: My first reaction was I was a little surprised, but not surprised in a bad way. We had talked a couple weeks before, but he got some more information after that, after we talked. It was the best decision for him to forego the bowl game and start training and get his body completely healthy, ready to go for the draft. None of us on this team hold that against him by any means. We're in full support of him, and I definitely am as well.
Q. How would you describe his impact or legacy, I guess, here in one season, and what have you seen from your other running backs over the past month?
PAYTON THORNE: What Ken did this year was pretty special, to win the two awards that he won, and really just he's a unanimous All-American. He'll go down as one of our best players ever, I would say, at Michigan State, and I think a lot of people would agree with that. He's going to be a really tough guy to replace, but, like you said, our guys behind him, they're playing well right now. They're doing what they're supposed to do in terms of our scheme, and we trust them in the run game and pass protection and catching the ball out of the backfield. So, it will be good to get those guys on the field this week and get a lot of reps this week.
Q. I'm wondering how much this feels like your team differently than it did at the beginning of the year when you were just named the starter when you started at Northwestern, how much, especially somebody like Kenneth Walker exits the stage, does this start to feel like your offense and your team for a little bit here?
PAYTON THORNE: Yeah, I would say so. I think we have a lot of leaders on our team, and we've got a good group and it's been a fun year, and we're looking to close it out the right way. But definitely feels different than what it did at the start of the year, and I think that's just accumulation of 12 games. A lot of weeks of preparation, a lot of shared experiences throughout the year, and I think that's what I would attribute that feeling to.
Q. When you go back and watch film of -- you do have early games in the season -- do you see noted progress on what you've seen and where you're going?
PAYTON THORNE: I don't really watch our previous games. Like I wouldn't watch a Northwestern game right now because it's so far back in the season. I watch every game, obviously, after we play. We watched that game a few times, but in terms of looking back to the start of the year, I don't watch that. I will in the offseason or the out of season, and take a look at those things where I want to improve and kind of chart myself in the areas that I can improve, but right now, that's something that I've done yet.
Q. When you pop the tape in on the Pitt defense, obviously you see there's a lot of pressure there. They're second in the country in sacks. What jumps out at you when you look at the defense you're getting ready to face on Thursday?
PAYTON THORNE: Like you said, it pops out that they're second in the country in sacks. They've got a lot of good athletes over there, they're really big up front, they do a lot of good things, third down, they do a lot of different stuff, and they're very disciplined in what they do. They're a good defense and they've shown that this year, and obviously, they've shown that in the pressure they've gotten on the quarterback as well.
Q. I think a lot of what you'll find with this team this year was character. So, can you talk about Jayden and him playing in this game no matter what his decision is going to be after the game? And then also talk about somebody like Matt Allen and what he brought to the table as far as the character of this team this year.
PAYTON THORNE: I would say both those guys are great examples of what it means to play for this team, and for Jayden, he's pushed through injuries this year, although none major, knock on wood. He's been in and out in terms of practice, and you see him fighting every day and he's trying to get back. Not that he's been out for an extended period of time or anything like that, but he works hard every day. Matt Allen has given everything that he's got to this program. Obviously both his brothers played for us as well, and he's kind of carried on that legacy and his brothers have played in some of the biggest games in Michigan State history. He's got a ton of experience under his belt, and he's been great for us this year.
Q. With the progress you guys have made offensively after struggles in recent seasons how you view this game and the opportunity to close on a positive note and kind of make this a season of defining progress for you guys on this side of the ball?
PAYTON THORNE: Absolutely, looking to close the year out the right way and send our seniors out the right way as well, and then also gain momentum moving into next year. I think that we have shown a lot of progress from last year to this year and really from the last few years, honestly, offensively. We're looking to build on that this week on Thursday, and finish the year out the right way and then we'll be able to take a look at the season in full in the weeks coming and look at areas we can improve for next year and what kind of players we've got coming back for next year.
Q. Connor was just in here saying that you gave a speech after practice to the freshmen about the importance of the bowl game sending out the seniors the right way. Can you just talk a little bit about what bowl games mean to a program for the coming years?
PAYTON THORNE: After practice today, we talked a little bit as a team, and I just said that a bowl game like this, it doesn't come around every single year. Not everybody can say they played in a bowl game like this. To win a bowl game like this is something you can take with you and build on. We're not satisfied with just getting here. We're not just satisfied with winning this in terms of down the road, but to send your seniors out the right way, New Year's Six bowl, and then I was saying to start a freshman legacy. He's got that on his resumé, when you accomplish that, so bowl games do matter. Although people may think they don't with the playoff now, they still do. I think our team's motivated and we're looking to finish our year out the right way and get rolling into next year on a positive note.
Q. Things went pretty well for you in your first game at Penn State. It was a long time ago. A lot of things have gone really well on offense since. We're here on Zoom. How do you keep your focus on what has to be focused on as things start going well, people start patting you on the back, numbers start rising? How do you keep that focus and reset it each week?
PAYTON THORNE: I would say you really can't get satisfied with any success that you have. You look at the greats, I think of a Tom Brady immediately with all the success he's had, and he always says that his favorite ring is the next. I'm not saying that we've won any rings or accomplish anything Tom Brady has, but he's always motivated and that's why he's the greatest. And I think of Michael Jordan, same thing, and those are the greats and those are who you want to look at and you want to learn from those type of people. When you look at us, there's always stuff to improve when you watch the film. You can go back, watch the film, it may look like it was a really good offensive day, but you look back you say, man, we could have scored at least two more times. It's frustrating. There's always areas to improve as a unit, as a team and personally, and for me I'm always trying to improve and I feel like there are a ton of areas for me to improve as a player, as we go to the offseason I know our offense is going to look there's a lot of areas we can improve and build on because you always want to be going upwards and not stagnant or going down. So, we'll be looking to get better this offseason.
Q. Jay Johnson told us this morning that you guys are getting Jalen Nailor back. This is probably something that you have known for quite some time. But how important is it to be able to have one of those big weapons offensively back for you guys in a game like this?
PAYTON THORNE: Yeah, it will be great to have him back. Having him back provides another element of big play possibility. Not that our other guys didn't, because we have other guys that are fast as well, but Speedy has a lot of experience under his belt. He's a really good route runner and hands and good player and having another guy playmaker back is going to be nice. I know he's ready to go and excited to get back out there.
Q. In 2019 you would have been on the scout team playing your starting defense that was Coach Dantonio's defense, obviously similar to Coach Narduzzi. When you look at Pitt, what I'm getting at, have you seen flashbacks to your first year at Michigan State and the defense you were playing against in practice at all?
PAYTON THORNE: I do. It's funny you say that. I remember watching the film and listening to a couple of our coaches talk on the previous staff and it did remind me of my freshman year when I played against that the whole year. I played with Jayden as well on that scout team, so I do remember that. It was fun to go against our defense every day. We had a really good defense that year, and those are experiences that I'll remember and have in my back pocket.
Senior Center Matt Allen
Q. We've been talking about the Allen brothers on Michigan State offensive lines for like 10-plus years now. I want to ask you how important wrestling was to your background and development as a player? And if you can settle once and for all which of the Allen brothers was the best wrestler?
MATT ALLEN: I think wrestling has definitely played a huge part in literally every single asset of when it comes to football, especially when you're playing offensive line or defensive line, just being able to tell which way guys are moving, just by like pressing them out, or like certain blocks like become a little bit easier because you've been in that position so many times from wrestling and the other situations like that. But if I had to say who was best, I'd probably say myself, but if you ask Brian, he would say himself, and if you asked Jack, he would say himself. So, it's a little difficult to tell, but I'd say me.
Q. Wanted to ask you about Payton and what you've seen from him that maybe we don't as the season's gone along, from who he was as a quarterback, player, guy in the huddle at Northwestern to who he has become now. What differences do you see and what can you kind of share about that?
MATT ALLEN: I would say the main differences are just his leadership. I watched Payton in high school, because he went to Naperville Central, so I knew he could play from the time he committed here, but definitely his leadership. He's just stepped up in every asset of that, whether it's on the field or off the field. He's always trying to come up to the O line on the sidelines and at practice and he's just a very good, vocal leader and very good leader by just talking the talk and walking the walk, and he really cares about the team and every player that's on it. It's one thing I love about him. He's a really great guy and I'm glad we have him with us.
Q. Payton was talking about "why not." Why not this team finish out on a New Year's Day bowl, the seniors going out the right way and building something for the future? What are your thoughts of what was behind that message that was delivered?
MATT ALLEN: I would say the main thing behind that is really, my goal when I came here was to leave my jersey in a better place than where I started, and hopefully I think I've done that, but I just want to be able to help the younger guys and help the guys that are coming in as much as they possibly can, so that when their time does come, they don't skip a beat and they're ready to go right away. And I think by what I said, leaving my jersey in a better place helps start a good stepping-stone for the next upcoming season. And I have a lot of confidence in this team, a lot of confidence in Coach Tucker and his staff and I know they're going to do great things in the future.
Q. When you look at Pitt's defense, they do a pretty good job of generating a pass rush and getting to the quarterback, but maybe don't necessarily have a superstar player like an Aidan Hutchinson sort of guy that you faced earlier in this season. What do they maybe do from an Xs and Os standpoint or having any creative ways to generate such a good pass rush?
MATT ALLEN: I think they have a lot of good, just like, twist games as well as just trying to create disruption and penetration up field. I mean, they may not have big name guys like Aidan Hutchinson, but I think they have a lot of really good players on their defense as well as the rest of their team. It's going to be a good challenge for us, but I'm excited for the challenge and excited for what they're going to bring for us, and hopefully our preparation will help handle it.
Q. You talked about leaving your jersey in a good spot when you leave. You're talking about the team building and how special this team is for you. What was it like leading up to the game itself, with the events and the hall of fame and just kind of wrapping everything up this season?
MATT ALLEN: It's been pretty surreal for me. Like I said, when I was a little kid, all I ever wanted to do was have an opportunity to come here. And now that I'm basically almost out the door after this week, I've just really been trying to take everything in and not take any moment for granted with my teammates or just even on the practice field or in the weight room. Just cherishing every moment while I still have it before I'm gone.
Q. Can you talk a little bit about, I guess, this extra year that you got and what it's meant to you? I think I remember you saying at spring ball you didn't know if you would be welcomed back or you could come back. Now that you've got that second opportunity and you're going to be in a bowl game, a New Year's Six bowl game like this, talk about what this year has meant to you and just being able to participate.
MATT ALLEN: It's just been very surreal. When I asked Coach Tucker to have the opportunity to come back for one more year, he said I'd be able to, and from that point on I just started working every day as hard as I could to be ready to be in a position to play and help contribute to the team this year, and there's been a lot of special moments throughout this entire season, whether that's beating Michigan or going down to places like Miami and beating them at their place, which was a pretty cool moment as well, just being able to go out with a winning record and how we've always wanted to do things here is a very good thing. I've been very blessed and excited to have the opportunity to be a part of this team, and I'm just ready to take on one last challenge against Pitt this Thursday.
Q. You've been around a while. I wanted to ask you, just from your perspective, what was it like blocking for Kenneth Walker with his style of running and the things he was able to do? When he was doing some of those special highlight reel type of things, did you always know in the moment or how often did you notice on film that something was sort of extraordinary?
MATT ALLEN: I noticed from the second he got here in spring ball that he was a really special kid, and what I love about Ken is that he's an even better person than he is a football player, which is usually hard to come by when you're that good, but he really is a great person. I was very blessed and excited to have the opportunity to block for him this year, and there were some really cool moments on the field where usually you'd feel like the running back was about to get tackled and then he'd break it for another 30 yards and score a touchdown, and that just brought a lot of excitement into the games, into my life, I was blessed to have the opportunity to know Ken and play for him and help him achieve his goals this year.
Q. Matt Coghlin got here in 2016 also. Coghlin has featured a wide variety of hairstyles, hair lengths, facial hair. When you look at that, you've seen it all, do you have a favorite Coghlin hairstyle?
MATT ALLEN: I kind of like what Cogs is doing right now. When you look at pictures of him from when he was a freshman, it's almost like difficult to even realize that's him. But I kind of like what he's got going on right now with the long hair and the beard. It's pretty nice. He's got a lot of good ones.
A transcript from the press conference is below, provided by ASAP Sports.
Offensive Coordinator Jay Johnson
THE MODERATOR: We're joined by Michigan State offensive coordinator Jay Johnson.
COACH JOHNSON: It's great to be here in Atlanta at the Peach Bowl and a New Year's Six for Michigan State football and our University. It's been a good week. Atlanta has been very welcoming, great hospitable and really enjoyed it. We've had good preparation. Thankful to Georgia Tech to open their facilities here for a couple of days earlier in the week preparation, and then obviously we had a chance to go over to Mercedes-Benz (Stadium) yesterday, for the kids, I think that was one of their highlights. I mean, obviously I've had an opportunity to be in there before but some of them it was a first time and obviously it's an unbelievable venue and really excited about that, so it's been a good week, and obviously need to continue to prep and look forward to a great game against Pitt in a couple of days.
Q. Obviously your offense has had a really good year with a lot of big numbers and big plays from the skill position guys, but how much of the offense's success this year is a result of the development of the offensive line? And how excited are you about the future for that position group?
COACH JOHNSON: Oh, I think you hit it right on the head. Obviously, we have been blessed with our skill guys as you mentioned, but the O line and what Coach Kap (offensive line coach Chris Kapilovic) has done has been really awesome to see. One of the things that I think was a huge benefit for us earlier in the year was we, obviously as the season goes you have certain injuries that have occurred, but earlier in the year we certainly were able to play certain games earlier in the year we were playing nine guys pretty effectively. And that has really paid dividends for us late in the season. We did have some of those, you hate to say, kind of normal year-long things happen, injuries, banged up and things like that. So, their development has been great, and we've had some veteran guys that played a lot of football here at Michigan State. Those guys working with the young guys, it's a spot we put a lot of emphasis on, and I think that's showing. And our success really starts there with those guys. And like I said, they've done a nice job.
Q. It seems like from all accounts that (Jalen) Nailor and (Jayden) Reed are both back for you guys. Is that fair to say?
COACH JOHNSON: Yes, that's fair.
Q. What do those two add in terms of the dynamic that maybe was missing the last few weeks? And what do you see from the offense right now as you go into this?
COACH JOHNSON: Right. I think obviously as you mentioned earlier in the year when you have both of those guys, they're obviously a couple of our top skilled guys and their play-making ability speaks for itself. I think anytime you can have more than one, you hope that can challenge the defense a little bit by who they have to cover and things like that and put more stresses on them. So, I think that's going to be a huge key for us is having both those guys being active and their play-making abilities. I like where we're at offensively. We've done some good things, and it's been good here even in the interim after the final game against Penn State. We've had a chance to go back to the basic, and as the program's built upon, and Mel talks about this all the time, is really that fundamentals and techniques. It was good to kind of reset, so to speak, reset here after the Penn State game and get a lot of good work in there. Now obviously our focus has changed to more of the game prep. But the start of the bowl deal, that was it. And that's one of the benefits of playing in a bowl game. I think our offense has used that to our advantage, and I think we're in a good spot.
Q. This is going to be the first time this year you guys won't have Kenneth in the backfield. How do you go about filling that hole that it created when you lose one of the best rushers in the nation?
COACH JOHNSON: Yeah, that's obviously a huge challenge. Ken, as we all know, is a very special player, but one of the things I think I look back at what we've done this year, and I don't know that I've really tried to be, and you always try to be, but you gotta do what you gotta do to do win the game, but we've been balanced. We've had explosive plays in the run and pass, and we've touched on it. I think the O line has really developed. Yeah, we're going to sorely miss him and he's phenomenal. But I feel good with who we have at that spot and the guys that are coming back, and their development all year behind Ken and with Ken has been very good. You couple that with the O line and receivers, and hopefully you're in a balanced situation that you can do some productive things. We're still going to start with those guys being a forefront of what we do. I'm still excited about where we're at and who we have at the spot and particularly coupled with all the pieces of our offensive unit.
Q. A lot of the season obviously with Kenneth Walker being the focal point of the offense, that's where things started at Northwestern. And at various points Payton Thorne and the passing game took a big role. For a guy who has a couple of years left, is this sort of, I don't want to say the beginning of Payton Thorne as the front man of the offense, but do things change without Kenneth a little bit? And your expectations for Peyton now having a year pretty much in your system as the starter, do you start to look at him differently in what you expect from him?
COACH JOHNSON: Yes and no. We've talked all along, I think one of the key elements to our success this year has been the play of Payton Thorne. Sometimes it goes unseen what we ask him to do, but you've got to run the offense, you've got to manage the offense, and obviously he has been blessed to have some unbelievable supporting cast with Ken and the receivers and the O line. So, I'm excited to see his maturation throughout the year. I've seen it after a game that he maybe didn't play so well. And then I've even seen it after a quarter or so when he didn't play very well in a game, and then he came on and he showed that poise and resiliency did some positive things. So, I'm extremely excited about Payton and where he can go and where he can take this team. I think as the years come along you can see he's starting to get more and more comfortable. He does a tremendous job managing. I see even his leadership and everything that that quarterback is asked to do has even come to a new level. So, the expectations for him are going to be high and they're going to be high for me and high from our organization. But I think that's the way Payton would want it, so I'm really excited about him and where he's at and his evolvement as we've come through and developed. There's certainly, like all of us, things I'll challenge him on because there's still some pieces we have to improve, but I think it's going to be exciting to see him in the future, and I definitely feel he will take on a little bit different role.
Q. With Tyler Hunt being doubtful for the game on Thursday, who do you expect to step up as second tight end on the offense? And what have you seen from Maliq Carr throughout bowl practice?
COACH JOHNSON: Obviously Connor Heyward will be the forefront of what we do, and then it's going to be Maliq, and again Maliq was a little banged up earlier in the year which hurt him. With Coach Gilmore and how he's come along, I've been excited about him. He's obviously a big-skill athlete, and we're obviously a little bit of a transition of how he's been used in the past, but I think he's working through that, and I see some really positive things coming from him, so those are going to be the main two that will carry the load at that position. I'm excited about that and where Maliq's at, and this extra time has been very positive for him.
Q. Obviously you just mentioned Maliq but who are some of the other young guys we saw late in the season, maybe a guy like Montorie Foster because of injuries, that leads me toward, how do you approach this in terms of guys who have an opportunity to use this as a springboard forward to next year, maybe some guys we only saw a little bit of who came on late whether it's some guys up front? Is this as important for that springboard sort of into next year as much as winning this particular game is for your offense?
COACH JOHNSON: Yeah, a little bit of both, obviously, first and foremost we need to win the game. That we need to be focused on, but I think you mentioned Montorie and he came up big for us in the Penn State game. With some of the O linemen because we've had to shuffle things around with injury and things of that nature, but I think that's all part of it. And you just see even like Montorie played a little bit and how that even spring-boarded him for the Penn State game. We definitely want to try to do that when the opportunity is right to do that. If there's some young guys we can get some more time in there because with time comes more experience, confidence and you begin to play at a new level. We'll definitely try to do that when it's appropriate, but obviously we've got to try to do what we can to help our team be successful.
Q. You talked about the players playing in or practicing in the stadium a little bit and said that was one of the highlights. Can you maybe dive in a little bit more on maybe the emotion as they're walking through the tunnel and kind of seeing how big that place is? And for you as well, how great is it to play in such a great spot?
COACH JOHNSON: Yeah, it's a phenomenal venue. I've been blessed to have the opportunity to be in there, some big games before, and so it's awesome. I mean the way that place is and how they've done that is phenomenal, and you could see our guys. There was definitely, when they got dressed and we were taking the field for practice, there were some guys that you could see they were excited. They were emotional. Kind of got them going a little bit and it helped us to have a good practice. So I definitely know that our guys noticed it right away and it's great that we're able to get in there to practice as we prep for the game, so they can be in there and kind of experience that. So, when we get to the game they've already been there and now we've got to go play, but it's definitely an awesome venue, and we're excited to be here.
Q. Going off that question a little bit, how have they adjusted to the stadium and playing on an NFL turf field like that? I know you've only had one practice so far but what's the adjustment been like?
COACH JOHNSON: I think it's been solid. One of the things you always worry about a little bit playing in a different structure is the lighting, particularly in the special teams area, and obviously it can affect us a little bit offensively in the pass game, but that's why it's been great to be in there. I think as practice went (along), the guys adjusted to that because we did a lot of special teams emphasis yesterday in the kick game for returners, punt returners, kick returners because that's a little bit different. It's a little bit different depth perception and the lighting. I think initially there were some things but then as we got going it was good, and, again, thankful that we could get in there to get that out of the way and get guys used to the environment.
Q. Obviously you were mentioned Payton's progression and what you've been impressed with this year, but he has an opportunity to break a record, a single-season record, he needs two touchdown passes. Could you just go off of, Kirk Cousins was the last one to do it in 2011, maybe more on Payton and the opportunity that lies ahead of him in his final game of the season for you guys.
COACH JOHNSON: I'm glad you filled me in on that because I had no idea about that stat; that's interesting. If that opportunity is there, he's going to put it where it needs to be and do that. What we've been working with Payton the whole year is, in a certain sense it's simple stupid, just progress the play, and I've talked with you guys before on that, and I think he's continuing to do that. When he does that, he really plays at a high level. Again, that will be our focus on Saturday, and if that opportunity presents itself we'll look forward to it.
Q. Question on that illusive "it" factor in a quarterback because Payton has shown it really since the first game at Penn State. And this year it's come quite a bit. How would you describe that illusive "it" factor when it comes to the quarterback position?
COACH JOHNSON: Yeah, it's an interesting piece of it, that's for sure. You want a guy that, I don't think you have to have a guy that necessarily has to be a dual-threat guy, but obviously I think when the opportunity presents itself, the thing that I always look for on that illusiveness is, can he extend the play? And does he have the ability to extend the play in the right fashion? And that's something that, what I thought was a work in progress with Payton. If you go back to last year of that opportunity had at Penn State and where we're at now, I believe, is light years because he's really worked on that. He's really stressed on that, is how you get to that spot where you can be in that position to extend the play and really not hurting any other guys around you, because sometimes we take that for granted and that becomes a challenge with the O line. But I think he's really grown in that. And obviously he has the ability. He has that ability to run and make some guys miss and do those things. It's been very positive for us, and obviously we have to pick our time and places when that comes into play, but definitely always a part of it and we'll continue to work on that as we go.
Q. Can you talk a little bit about Pittsburgh's pass rush and the problems that that poses, how good that is and the depth they have in the defensive line?
COACH JOHNSON: Absolutely. I think they're obviously really, really strong up front. Really, really solid defense overall, because what they do up front obviously, they trust the guys in the back end to get it done, but I believe they're going into the game, what, second in the country in sacks, if I'm not mistaken, and really long athletic guys up there. One of the things that I see is their interior guys really show a lot of twists in the pass game and give you fits. They really give you fits, and then with the different movements that (Pitt head coach) Coach Narduzzi does, it really creates issue. They are very solid, and they couple it nicely with what they're doing in the back end to protect them there. It will be a great challenge for us because they do some good things up front and obviously have shown and had strong results from it all year.
Q. I'm wondering about putting in a game plan with guys who are in the portal. How have you been able to try and do that, particularly when you have two guys at tight end and you obviously may need that depth with Tyler out?
COACH JOHNSON: Right, it is a challenge a little bit. You look at obviously, first and foremost, what we try to do is what fits our style best versus what you're going to see from the opponent, from the defense, and so that's been the focal point, and then we have to take into consideration sometimes a little bit of that personnel things if there are some issues, but really, it's not much different because you kind of deal with it a little bit throughout the year sometimes with injuries. If you've got a guy that's questionable or whatnot. But you've got to kind of have, and a lot of times when you're playing and things, offensively, defensively, teams, you always have backup plans. That's what we've tried to do as a staff, have kind of what we think is our base things. Then you have some wrinkles, backup situations because of the things you're mentioning be it a transfer portal, be it a questionable player from an injury perspective, those types of things.
Q. As a follow to that, obviously, (Trenton) Gillison and (James) Ohonba both run extra-point duty. Is this a chance to maybe get some of those younger guys in there in their roles? Or do you think about the future or do you think about the now with that?
COACH JOHNSON: Really, right now we're thinking about the now, because obviously we need to put who we think is best to execute whatever play is presented to them, so it would be more on the now on that. Now, if there's a future person that's even with it, then, yeah, I would consider that, but I think that's an issue that we're going to address the now more than we would the future, based upon who we're looking at.
Q. Obviously the game is the main focus here, but leading up to it, obviously, the bowl competition, how fun was that from a team building perspective and how special do you think that was for the guys?
COACH JOHNSON: It was fun. It was really competitive. Obviously starting off with the basketball deal and then the go-kart deal and all that, but it was all a lot of fun. Then winning with the trivia deal last night. I think our guys really enjoyed it. It was kind of a neat deal. I'll be honest, I've never been involved in that, I've had a chance to go to a lot of different bowls, but I think it's a neat perspective from the Peach Bowl perspective that they do that. I think our guys didn't know what to expect with it, but once they got into it, it was a lot of fun, and it did, I think, bring us together in a certain way, and they certainly enjoyed the experience.
THE MODERATOR: We may have to check the stats on this, but I think we've been doing it for about eight or nine years and the first six years we did it the team that won the belt, won the game.
COACH JOHNSON: Interesting.
Q. On the "it" factor again with Payton, what are some of the intangibles that make up the "it" factor for a quarterback, the stuff that doesn't show up on a stat sheet or a TV screen?
COACH JOHNSON: Right, I think it's a lot of things. It's, first of all, I think with Payton and where he's at, he has tremendously high football IQ. Kind of has that moxie, that savvy that you can't really write or describe sometimes, but they understand football and they understand the situations. And I think that is something that is really, really important. And then the next piece, which I think he's really grown in, is that you have to be very poised. You have to be very poised in what situations you are being presented. And a lot of that is reflective of your play and what you're doing playing-wise, and can you separate it and have the poise to go on and play the next play. You look at, a great example for me, go to the Michigan game. It wasn't very good out of the gates, but then he came back and played exceptional, the final three-and-a-half or three quarters or whatever the time was. That to me was a big step because he was able to overcome that and kind of re-center himself and that sometimes is very challenging in the quarterback position, having played it and been a part of it for so many years, I think that's a huge challenging piece. To me, it's those things, the moxie of football. The other parts, the other things people don't realize is how much these guys study. If you're going to be a quarterback at a big-time situation, the time and effort that he puts in and our quarterbacks put in on their own is phenomenal, but you can see that all shows up because he feels like he's very well prepared once he takes the field.
Redshirt-Junior Wide Receiver Jayden Reed
Q. When you look back at this point, at that Nebraska game, specifically the punt return, it looked like a launching point for this season. I know it's been a while but when you look back at that play can you describe it for us and also what your team took from that play in the finish of that game to apply the rest of the year?
JAYDEN REED: That's one of the biggest ones I've made in my career. I take pride in that play, and I couldn't have done it without my teammates that were out there with me, so I also appreciate my teammates for executing the play and everything like that, for me to be able to make that happen.
Q. Couple questions about Kenneth, how could you describe the team-wide reaction to him not playing? What do you think his legacy is, leaving after one year what he did for you guys this season?
JAYDEN REED: No doubt. I mean, words can't describe how much we appreciate Ken for coming here this year and displaying that kind of talent out there. He's helped us tremendously, so, it's obviously been different. More than the player, but the person he is, we miss that aspect of having him around, with the good team spirit with that guy in the room. That's more of the issue, him not being around as a person more than a player, you know what I'm saying? He's a much better person than the player that he is. We definitely miss having him around.
Q. What about the guys you guys will be looking at to sort of replace him? How do they look for you this past month?
JAYDEN REED: They are attacking it. Our coaches hound us and coach us the right way. They always coach us that next man up you've got to be ready no matter what.
Q. Wanted to ask you about Payton Thorne and what you've seen from him, obviously you practiced with him for years and all that stuff. I'm wondering from the beginning of this season until now, where have you seen growth and how is he a different quarterback than he was at the beginning of the year?
JAYDEN REED: I think it's pretty much been the same thing the entire time, his leadership. His leadership has been going up a level every game, every week, so he's been stepping up, being a much bigger and better leader. He's being more vocal as a team, that applies to your game, that applies to the way you play. When leaders lead, they get good things out of it.
Q. Wanted to ask about Jalen's return. What do you think that will mean for your game having another speedy receiver and for the offense overall?
JAYDEN REED: With Speedy being back, you've got to pick your poison. We've got our guy back, and we haven't had him for a while, so teams haven't really scouted him as much as they could lately, so that will be a huge contribution to come back with Speedy. No doubt it's going to be tough trying to manage two of the fastest receivers in the nation, in my opinion. It will be a good one.
Q. Wondering about your takeaways from last night at the Hall of Fame. I know you guys did a lot of activities as a team. How special was it to visit the Hall of Fame?
JAYDEN REED: I thought it was pretty cool, just seeing guys from my generation that were able to make it. Guys I watched like DeVonta Smith. I looked up at him as a receiver and I saw him there, and it's just an honor to be able to go there and stuff like that, and Ken Mannie, one of our former strength coaches, I looked up to Coach Mannie. He's taught me so much. To see guys I know and I'm familiar with, it was a cool experience, a really cool experience.
Q. How much does that motivate you to succeed not only in this bowl game but in the rest of your career?
JAYDEN REED: No doubt. I don't like to judge myself off of other people's success, so I just stick to the course. I think everything happens for a reason, and I know I work my tail off. If I end up in there one day, it was because it was meant to be.
Q. Have you made a decision whether you're going to come back for another year or if this is going to be the last game?
JAYDEN REED: Don't expect me to answer it until after the game. That's all I can tell you, to be honest.
Q. Overall you guys as an offense, you guys have made strides this year from struggles in the past. Do you look at this as an opportunity to kind of leave on a good note and make this a season that defines some progress for you guys on that side of the ball?
JAYDEN REED: No doubt. We got bits and pieces back to the offense that we didn't have earlier in the season, as we spoke about before, so hopefully we can continue to just build off of what we've been doing the entire season. I'm looking forward to Thursday.
Q. We heard earlier today Jay Johnson sort of talk about how playing in a big, domed stadium sort of has to make an adjustment for players, especially on special teams. With you being a punt and kick returner is that something you've had to look into these past couple of days in the stadium?
JAYDEN REED: Yeah, I mean you've always got to make adjustments to different environments, so no question about that. The coaches harped on us about being able to hydrate and eating well, so no one is cramping up during the game, and adjustments had to be made. I have to take care of these two days, stay healthy, drink water, eat right and everything, so I'll be ready to go on Thursday.
Q. Going back to the Mercedes-Benz Stadium stuff, you guys were obviously excited to come play at this stadium. What was it like for you when you walked in? Did it live up to your expectations of being out there on the practice field and just stuff like that?
JAYDEN REED: Yeah, it was a great experience just walking into that stadium. It's chill looking up and you can see that little thing. You know it's open and stuff like that. It's one of the coolest stadiums I've ever been in. That dome, I'm looking forward to it on Thursday seeing it filled up with Spartan fans. I'm ready to go.
Senior Tight End Connor Heyward
Q. The Michigan State football brand has grown quite a bit in Georgia, and obviously really took off with Coach Dantonio finding a lot of dudes and developing those guys. As you have completed quite a journey at Michigan State and being from the metro Atlanta area, how do you see the Spartan football brand growing in Georgia? And how cool is it to be a pretty big part of that?
CONNOR HEYWARD: Like you said, Coach Dantonio was getting the guys, a couple guys per class from Georgia before I was in school and since I've been in school, but Coach Tucker knows that Georgia is a hotbed of football and there's a lot of talent in Georgia, and when you look at college football, there's always a number of guys on winning teams from Georgia. I think Coach Tuck, coaching at Georgia, he really understands and knows how the recruiting process works and how important it is to win guys from Georgia. I hosted a lot of kids that are committing to Michigan State, just telling them that you'll be taken care of and everything is pretty easy, and just go here, grind, that it's different than being back at home but it's a good change.
Q. Wanted to ask you about playing in your last game, how big this is. And kind of a two-part question, just how big this game is, your last game, could probably be Xavier's last game, other seniors out there, you guys coming together? And I've also heard your teammates talk about playing this game for you guys and how special is that to you to know that they're out there giving it their all to send you guys out as winners?
CONNOR HEYWARD: It's a big game. It means a lot. Obviously myself and the seniors want to go out in the right way. I think we've had a pretty successful season, and winning New Year's Six bowl would make the season that much better. This is an opportunity of a lifetime for us and we're all just going to seize the moment. Payton Thorne had a good point after practice: Why not as a freshman win a New Year's Six bowl and start out the right way and have momentum going into next year and for the seniors, go out with a bang?
Q. How often do you talk to your brother Cam during the season? And how much of an inspiration has he been to you throughout your football career?
CONNOR HEYWARD: I talk to Cameron probably once a week, like one-on-one. We're both extremely busy, and we have our family group chat and another group chat, which is all my brothers and me, we message throughout the day, throughout the week as well. And we all understand each other's schedule. But we're brothers first and that love and that connection, whenever we see each other, it's like we didn't miss a beat, but we're both in season so we understand what comes with that, and the season's a grind.
Q. What about his game have you adopted to your game, even though you play on different sides of the ball?
CONNOR HEYWARD: Just his motor, being able to go the whole game without getting tired, and even if you get tired, just pushing through. You see the Steelers out there with a lot of backups right now on the D line, with injuries and (Stephon) Tuitt being out with his family situation and stuff, and just him (Cam) being a leader as well, just when things are going good and when things are going bad just always looking for that next play to make a play and always staying level headed.
Q. Could you describe the reaction to Kenneth making the decision he made about his future? And your memories about playing him with this one season and what do you think it is like with this program? Kenneth Walker, the decision he made, what was the general reaction of the team and your thoughts on his legacy here?
CONNOR HEYWARD: I kind of expected it. Running back is one of those positions where you can get hurt on any play and you're taking hits from all different angles. He's done a lot for this team and he had to do a business decision for him. We all supported it. That happens a lot nowadays and the guys are doing it for their future. Some guys are playing because they have to increase their stock or just to put more film out there, but in Kenneth's case he's a top pick in the draft. He has to take care of his body. He's probably dinged up from the season, so he can get healthy and get ready for combine training and that next chapter. I feel like he's supporting us. I think he'll miss Michigan State. I honestly feel like he didn't want to leave, but with the season he had, you have to leave.
Q. What have you seen from the rest of your running backs?
CONNOR HEYWARD: Just them all coming together to push each other to become better every day at practice. You've got Harold (Joiner), Jordon (Simmons), Elijah (Collins), Donovan Eaglin, I think the room will be fine. Obviously, Ken is a special player, but I think those guys will rally together and get the job done.
Q. Wanted to ask you about Payton Thorne, what have you seen from him in terms of development, not since you've just been around the program, but this year specifically. If you can think back to the beginning, the Northwestern game, who he is as a player and quarterback now?
CONNOR HEYWARD: Yeah, he's a poised player. He's a leader. He takes control of the offense, and when guys aren't doing what they need to do, he's not scared to confront. We have a head coach like that, the quarterback kind of follows and falls under that, and I think the competition in every room has risen to everybody's level of play. You guys have seen the season he's had, he doesn't turn the ball over, he makes smart decisions, he gets us aligned correctly and he gets us in the right calls based on what the defense is calling. He's a really smart player and a guy that has a high ceiling and a high IQ.
Q. I want to go back to the running backs a little bit more specifically Jordon. Obviously, he's from Georgia, one of the five guys on your team from Georgia, including yourself. How much do you think that he is eager to get out there and have a good performance in his home state, especially, too, with Kenneth not playing, the more carries he may be able to get?
CONNOR HEYWARD: Jordon is one of my closest friends on the team, and he understood his role this year, having a great back like Ken. Jordon is a young back, but they were still pushing each other to get better every day in practice. I think Jordon is more than prepared for this opportunity, and I told him just go out there, do what you need to do, don't do too much. Just take those 2-, 3-yard runs, because those will lead to bigger ones, home run ones. You guys have seen he's a solid back and he has a bright future and playing in your hometown state, I think the adrenaline will be pumping a little more and sometimes that's good.
Q. Does he seem to be pretty excited about it, though, to be able to play in his home state?
CONNOR HEYWARD: Yeah, we were both just talking about how both of our families and friends will be here, the people that haven't really been able to make it to East Lansing because just due to how far we have been from home, but I think like I said he's going to be prepared. You guys have seen he's a solid back, and he's produced.
Q. Matt Coghlin has been at Michigan State even longer than you have. A quick review of some Google images show a variety of Coghlin hairstyles, facial hair, et cetera. Do you have a favorite Matt Coghlin look?
CONNOR HEYWARD: I like the hair. I think he should trim the beard up a little more, but I like the beard. Coach Tucker calls him 'Teen Wolf.' I like the hair; keep it growing. A lot of gingers don't grow their hair like that, but I like it.
Redshirt-Sophomore Quarterback Payton Thorne
Q. Wondering what everything has been like for you guys from the activities, the team building experience, to going to the football Hall of Fame, College Football Hall of Fame. How special has that been for you guys and how does that help motivate from a team perspective this week?
PAYTON THORNE: It's been cool. It's been a good experience in Atlanta so far. Like you said, last night we were at the Hall of Fame. That was cool to see the different things they had there, and we played some Family Feud there last night and another game that was fun. It's been good stuff, but we're turning our focus now completely to the game in front of us, and we're excited about that.
Q. Wanted to ask you about Kenneth and his decision. I know you guys got pretty close over this last year when he came up. What was your reaction to him making the decision he made? How would you describe the team-wide reaction to that decision?
PAYTON THORNE: My first reaction was I was a little surprised, but not surprised in a bad way. We had talked a couple weeks before, but he got some more information after that, after we talked. It was the best decision for him to forego the bowl game and start training and get his body completely healthy, ready to go for the draft. None of us on this team hold that against him by any means. We're in full support of him, and I definitely am as well.
Q. How would you describe his impact or legacy, I guess, here in one season, and what have you seen from your other running backs over the past month?
PAYTON THORNE: What Ken did this year was pretty special, to win the two awards that he won, and really just he's a unanimous All-American. He'll go down as one of our best players ever, I would say, at Michigan State, and I think a lot of people would agree with that. He's going to be a really tough guy to replace, but, like you said, our guys behind him, they're playing well right now. They're doing what they're supposed to do in terms of our scheme, and we trust them in the run game and pass protection and catching the ball out of the backfield. So, it will be good to get those guys on the field this week and get a lot of reps this week.
Q. I'm wondering how much this feels like your team differently than it did at the beginning of the year when you were just named the starter when you started at Northwestern, how much, especially somebody like Kenneth Walker exits the stage, does this start to feel like your offense and your team for a little bit here?
PAYTON THORNE: Yeah, I would say so. I think we have a lot of leaders on our team, and we've got a good group and it's been a fun year, and we're looking to close it out the right way. But definitely feels different than what it did at the start of the year, and I think that's just accumulation of 12 games. A lot of weeks of preparation, a lot of shared experiences throughout the year, and I think that's what I would attribute that feeling to.
Q. When you go back and watch film of -- you do have early games in the season -- do you see noted progress on what you've seen and where you're going?
PAYTON THORNE: I don't really watch our previous games. Like I wouldn't watch a Northwestern game right now because it's so far back in the season. I watch every game, obviously, after we play. We watched that game a few times, but in terms of looking back to the start of the year, I don't watch that. I will in the offseason or the out of season, and take a look at those things where I want to improve and kind of chart myself in the areas that I can improve, but right now, that's something that I've done yet.
Q. When you pop the tape in on the Pitt defense, obviously you see there's a lot of pressure there. They're second in the country in sacks. What jumps out at you when you look at the defense you're getting ready to face on Thursday?
PAYTON THORNE: Like you said, it pops out that they're second in the country in sacks. They've got a lot of good athletes over there, they're really big up front, they do a lot of good things, third down, they do a lot of different stuff, and they're very disciplined in what they do. They're a good defense and they've shown that this year, and obviously, they've shown that in the pressure they've gotten on the quarterback as well.
Q. I think a lot of what you'll find with this team this year was character. So, can you talk about Jayden and him playing in this game no matter what his decision is going to be after the game? And then also talk about somebody like Matt Allen and what he brought to the table as far as the character of this team this year.
PAYTON THORNE: I would say both those guys are great examples of what it means to play for this team, and for Jayden, he's pushed through injuries this year, although none major, knock on wood. He's been in and out in terms of practice, and you see him fighting every day and he's trying to get back. Not that he's been out for an extended period of time or anything like that, but he works hard every day. Matt Allen has given everything that he's got to this program. Obviously both his brothers played for us as well, and he's kind of carried on that legacy and his brothers have played in some of the biggest games in Michigan State history. He's got a ton of experience under his belt, and he's been great for us this year.
Q. With the progress you guys have made offensively after struggles in recent seasons how you view this game and the opportunity to close on a positive note and kind of make this a season of defining progress for you guys on this side of the ball?
PAYTON THORNE: Absolutely, looking to close the year out the right way and send our seniors out the right way as well, and then also gain momentum moving into next year. I think that we have shown a lot of progress from last year to this year and really from the last few years, honestly, offensively. We're looking to build on that this week on Thursday, and finish the year out the right way and then we'll be able to take a look at the season in full in the weeks coming and look at areas we can improve for next year and what kind of players we've got coming back for next year.
Q. Connor was just in here saying that you gave a speech after practice to the freshmen about the importance of the bowl game sending out the seniors the right way. Can you just talk a little bit about what bowl games mean to a program for the coming years?
PAYTON THORNE: After practice today, we talked a little bit as a team, and I just said that a bowl game like this, it doesn't come around every single year. Not everybody can say they played in a bowl game like this. To win a bowl game like this is something you can take with you and build on. We're not satisfied with just getting here. We're not just satisfied with winning this in terms of down the road, but to send your seniors out the right way, New Year's Six bowl, and then I was saying to start a freshman legacy. He's got that on his resumé, when you accomplish that, so bowl games do matter. Although people may think they don't with the playoff now, they still do. I think our team's motivated and we're looking to finish our year out the right way and get rolling into next year on a positive note.
Q. Things went pretty well for you in your first game at Penn State. It was a long time ago. A lot of things have gone really well on offense since. We're here on Zoom. How do you keep your focus on what has to be focused on as things start going well, people start patting you on the back, numbers start rising? How do you keep that focus and reset it each week?
PAYTON THORNE: I would say you really can't get satisfied with any success that you have. You look at the greats, I think of a Tom Brady immediately with all the success he's had, and he always says that his favorite ring is the next. I'm not saying that we've won any rings or accomplish anything Tom Brady has, but he's always motivated and that's why he's the greatest. And I think of Michael Jordan, same thing, and those are the greats and those are who you want to look at and you want to learn from those type of people. When you look at us, there's always stuff to improve when you watch the film. You can go back, watch the film, it may look like it was a really good offensive day, but you look back you say, man, we could have scored at least two more times. It's frustrating. There's always areas to improve as a unit, as a team and personally, and for me I'm always trying to improve and I feel like there are a ton of areas for me to improve as a player, as we go to the offseason I know our offense is going to look there's a lot of areas we can improve and build on because you always want to be going upwards and not stagnant or going down. So, we'll be looking to get better this offseason.
Q. Jay Johnson told us this morning that you guys are getting Jalen Nailor back. This is probably something that you have known for quite some time. But how important is it to be able to have one of those big weapons offensively back for you guys in a game like this?
PAYTON THORNE: Yeah, it will be great to have him back. Having him back provides another element of big play possibility. Not that our other guys didn't, because we have other guys that are fast as well, but Speedy has a lot of experience under his belt. He's a really good route runner and hands and good player and having another guy playmaker back is going to be nice. I know he's ready to go and excited to get back out there.
Q. In 2019 you would have been on the scout team playing your starting defense that was Coach Dantonio's defense, obviously similar to Coach Narduzzi. When you look at Pitt, what I'm getting at, have you seen flashbacks to your first year at Michigan State and the defense you were playing against in practice at all?
PAYTON THORNE: I do. It's funny you say that. I remember watching the film and listening to a couple of our coaches talk on the previous staff and it did remind me of my freshman year when I played against that the whole year. I played with Jayden as well on that scout team, so I do remember that. It was fun to go against our defense every day. We had a really good defense that year, and those are experiences that I'll remember and have in my back pocket.
Senior Center Matt Allen
Q. We've been talking about the Allen brothers on Michigan State offensive lines for like 10-plus years now. I want to ask you how important wrestling was to your background and development as a player? And if you can settle once and for all which of the Allen brothers was the best wrestler?
MATT ALLEN: I think wrestling has definitely played a huge part in literally every single asset of when it comes to football, especially when you're playing offensive line or defensive line, just being able to tell which way guys are moving, just by like pressing them out, or like certain blocks like become a little bit easier because you've been in that position so many times from wrestling and the other situations like that. But if I had to say who was best, I'd probably say myself, but if you ask Brian, he would say himself, and if you asked Jack, he would say himself. So, it's a little difficult to tell, but I'd say me.
Q. Wanted to ask you about Payton and what you've seen from him that maybe we don't as the season's gone along, from who he was as a quarterback, player, guy in the huddle at Northwestern to who he has become now. What differences do you see and what can you kind of share about that?
MATT ALLEN: I would say the main differences are just his leadership. I watched Payton in high school, because he went to Naperville Central, so I knew he could play from the time he committed here, but definitely his leadership. He's just stepped up in every asset of that, whether it's on the field or off the field. He's always trying to come up to the O line on the sidelines and at practice and he's just a very good, vocal leader and very good leader by just talking the talk and walking the walk, and he really cares about the team and every player that's on it. It's one thing I love about him. He's a really great guy and I'm glad we have him with us.
Q. Payton was talking about "why not." Why not this team finish out on a New Year's Day bowl, the seniors going out the right way and building something for the future? What are your thoughts of what was behind that message that was delivered?
MATT ALLEN: I would say the main thing behind that is really, my goal when I came here was to leave my jersey in a better place than where I started, and hopefully I think I've done that, but I just want to be able to help the younger guys and help the guys that are coming in as much as they possibly can, so that when their time does come, they don't skip a beat and they're ready to go right away. And I think by what I said, leaving my jersey in a better place helps start a good stepping-stone for the next upcoming season. And I have a lot of confidence in this team, a lot of confidence in Coach Tucker and his staff and I know they're going to do great things in the future.
Q. When you look at Pitt's defense, they do a pretty good job of generating a pass rush and getting to the quarterback, but maybe don't necessarily have a superstar player like an Aidan Hutchinson sort of guy that you faced earlier in this season. What do they maybe do from an Xs and Os standpoint or having any creative ways to generate such a good pass rush?
MATT ALLEN: I think they have a lot of good, just like, twist games as well as just trying to create disruption and penetration up field. I mean, they may not have big name guys like Aidan Hutchinson, but I think they have a lot of really good players on their defense as well as the rest of their team. It's going to be a good challenge for us, but I'm excited for the challenge and excited for what they're going to bring for us, and hopefully our preparation will help handle it.
Q. You talked about leaving your jersey in a good spot when you leave. You're talking about the team building and how special this team is for you. What was it like leading up to the game itself, with the events and the hall of fame and just kind of wrapping everything up this season?
MATT ALLEN: It's been pretty surreal for me. Like I said, when I was a little kid, all I ever wanted to do was have an opportunity to come here. And now that I'm basically almost out the door after this week, I've just really been trying to take everything in and not take any moment for granted with my teammates or just even on the practice field or in the weight room. Just cherishing every moment while I still have it before I'm gone.
Q. Can you talk a little bit about, I guess, this extra year that you got and what it's meant to you? I think I remember you saying at spring ball you didn't know if you would be welcomed back or you could come back. Now that you've got that second opportunity and you're going to be in a bowl game, a New Year's Six bowl game like this, talk about what this year has meant to you and just being able to participate.
MATT ALLEN: It's just been very surreal. When I asked Coach Tucker to have the opportunity to come back for one more year, he said I'd be able to, and from that point on I just started working every day as hard as I could to be ready to be in a position to play and help contribute to the team this year, and there's been a lot of special moments throughout this entire season, whether that's beating Michigan or going down to places like Miami and beating them at their place, which was a pretty cool moment as well, just being able to go out with a winning record and how we've always wanted to do things here is a very good thing. I've been very blessed and excited to have the opportunity to be a part of this team, and I'm just ready to take on one last challenge against Pitt this Thursday.
Q. You've been around a while. I wanted to ask you, just from your perspective, what was it like blocking for Kenneth Walker with his style of running and the things he was able to do? When he was doing some of those special highlight reel type of things, did you always know in the moment or how often did you notice on film that something was sort of extraordinary?
MATT ALLEN: I noticed from the second he got here in spring ball that he was a really special kid, and what I love about Ken is that he's an even better person than he is a football player, which is usually hard to come by when you're that good, but he really is a great person. I was very blessed and excited to have the opportunity to block for him this year, and there were some really cool moments on the field where usually you'd feel like the running back was about to get tackled and then he'd break it for another 30 yards and score a touchdown, and that just brought a lot of excitement into the games, into my life, I was blessed to have the opportunity to know Ken and play for him and help him achieve his goals this year.
Q. Matt Coghlin got here in 2016 also. Coghlin has featured a wide variety of hairstyles, hair lengths, facial hair. When you look at that, you've seen it all, do you have a favorite Coghlin hairstyle?
MATT ALLEN: I kind of like what Cogs is doing right now. When you look at pictures of him from when he was a freshman, it's almost like difficult to even realize that's him. But I kind of like what he's got going on right now with the long hair and the beard. It's pretty nice. He's got a lot of good ones.
Players Mentioned
OL
/ Football
TE
/ Football
K
/ Football
RB
/ Football
WR
/ Football
RB
/ Football
K
/ Football
WR
/ Football
WR
/ Football
QB
/ FootballJonathan Smith | Football Press Conference | Sep. 29 2025
Monday, September 29
Jonathan Smith Postgame Comments | USC
Sunday, September 21
Jonathan Smith | Football Press Conference | Sep. 15 2025
Monday, September 15
Jonathan Smith Post Game Comments | YSU | Sep. 13 2025
Saturday, September 13