Harlon Barnett Press Conference Coverage
10/30/2023 4:33:00 PM | Football
EAST LANSING, Mich. – Michigan State interim head coach Harlon Barnett held a press conference Monday inside the Spartan Stadium North End Zone Media Center to preview the upcoming game against Nebraska.
Michigan State (2-6, 0-5 Big Ten) plays host to the Huskers (5-3, 3-2 Big Ten) on Saturday, Nov. 4 at noon in Spartan Stadium. The game will be televised on FS1.
Michigan State interim head coach Harlon Barnett press conference transcript:
Opening statement…
All right, we are back around for another week. We have senior day this week. Looking forward to the seniors have their last game here at Spartan Stadium and going out with a victory. That is the goal and just want to see them and everyone play well at Spartan Stadium.
On quarterback play moving forward…
It's still competition mode. This is something you saw Katin (Houser) do, he did not turn the ball over, he ran the offense efficiently and did an excellent job. Then you see Sam (Leavitt) come in and move us down the field and scored a touchdown, but he did have two turnovers. It's still a competition, like I said every week, between everybody, it's not just the quarterback, everybody is still competing, and the best players will play.
On what he's seen in Nebraska's growth…
With a new staff they get use to one another, the player gets use to the coaches, they find themselves a little bit now and got a rhythm going and playing well. Credit to them. They found what they are good at as a team and as a coaching staff and they are just trying to use that and put guys in the best position to be successful.
On Tunmise Adeleye leaving and how the transfer portal window being closed helps moving forward…
With Tunmise, that is just between us, I am going to keep it there between him and I. As far as the window closing, that is a good thing. Obviously, you can be thinking about as a coach that some more guys can hop in, fortunately, we have not had a lot of guys that hopped in there. So, you know what you are dealing with, you have guys who want to be here and want to see this thing through. I appreciate them for it, and I even told them on Saturday before our game, I appreciate everyone that is here and bringing their best to help us succeed.
If anyone else left the roster since the Minnesota game…
No. Nope.
Assessing the QB position and trying to get the offense going…
Like you said, they are young. Any young player can be a fragile player and you do not want to mess them up. You want to see them grow every chance they get to play and show what they can do. We are still trying to build and grow them, that is who we are as coaches, mentors, we're developers of players and that's what we're trying to do; help keep them developing and getting better, better, and better and that's what we're trying to do, to be honest with you. Those guys are working hard, they're good young players, they are going to be very good players before it's all said and done, both of them. We just got to keep developing and keep believing in them and trusting in them, and them trusting in us in the coaching we do as well.
What are the conversations like with the quarterbacks…
Talking about everything from the good to not so good as we are going through the film, all those things are discussed with them and what they need to do better, that is what we do, develop players. They are getting coached up extremely well by coach Johnson, you will start seeing more improvements as we move forward as the competition heats up.
On Tre Mosley and Maliq Carr injury statuses…
Tre is more day-to-day, it's going to be tough for him. Maliq, we are working through process with him and his injury. Day-to-day too, but I am not sure about this week.
On Nebraska's strong run defense…
Next man up, like always, we still have Nate Carter back there running the football, we still have Harold Joiner, we put Alante Brown back there a little bit, Davion Primm, we have some guys. Next man up mentality.
Reflecting on the journey of the seniors…
It's unique, like you said, Tre is a great example. A great young man voted captain by his teammates, straight forward, honest, hard worker, he is a true Spartan and will always be welcomed here. His journey is unique, and that is something you all need to ask him, when you get an opportunity, of how unique it is for him but still loving everything about the green and white. I really appreciate Tre Mosley on what he has done for this program, and he is going to be very successful in life.
On defensive lineup with Malik Spencer playing nickel and Angelo Grose playing safety…
It helps with Malik down there, he got adjusted down there; playing closer to the line of scrimmage is really his forte, I think. He will only get better and better as he continues to do it. Grose has been back there before, in the previous two seasons he played back there in the back end, so, he is back home you can say. It was not too bad of a transition; it was actually pretty good.
On how Sam using his legs more helps the running game…
That was good by Sam just by when he has an opening he can use his legs, those are weapons for him, as well as his arm. He saw a chance to take advantage of a situation and that is what he did. There are designed quarterback runs, we had Katin run a design quarterback run in the second half and picked up about 5 or 6 yards. You want to use all the weapons you can use to go down and get a score, that is what we're trying to do, score by any means possible.
On offensive tackle position…
All those guys that you been watching, paying attention throughout the season been rotating in and out. With Ethan (Boyd), Spencer (Brown), and (Ashton) Lepo, all those guys been getting experience playing, which is a good thing. Because coach Kap always kept them on a rotation, so if somebody does go down, they will be playing more, but it's not like they have not played at all. Because of that rotation throughout the course of the year, it is an easier transition for those guys to just play because they been playing all along anyhow.
How special it would be to get a win on senior night…
It would be awesome, awesome. Very special, send them out the right way, last home game in Spartan Stadium you'll never forget it, I still remember mine. It would be great; we definitely want to send them out of Spartan Stadium as winners in their last home games.
On what his senior game was like…
It was great. It snowed a lot the day before, there was snow on the side everywhere and the student section was throwing snowballs at the team, we played Northwestern, 1989. Sunny day, beautiful day and we had a big win, it was a crazy score, you can look it up, 1989 Spartans vs. Northwestern, 76-14.
On Jordan Hall and Chance Rucker's growth in their role and how they can have an impact against Nebraska…
Very, they been playing. They are not freshmen anymore, we told them they're past the freshman status. They been here a year because they both came early. They are going to be really good football players, there's a reason that we're playing them. They are playing because they're good players and I think going to be dominate type players as they move on into the future. Really glad they are here and looking forward to their development as the year progresses. I want to see them continue to play well against Nebraska and apply the coaching and execute the gameplan and show mark of improvement each week, and that's what they been doing.
On going 4-0 in November and trying to play "spoiler" …
I never think spoiler, personally. I just think, win. Let's win, we have four more opportunities to go out and win. I told the team, Michigan State has not gone undefeated (in November) since 2013, that is 10 years ago. Even the year we went to the playoffs (in 2015), we lost in November, lost at Nebraska actually, believe it or not. I just try to give them motivation, I am a very positive person, I am an encourager. My mind goes to positive, win, I never think lose or be a spoiler; being a spoiler means I am a scrub, and I am not no scrub, so I don't think spoiler, I just think, go win.
On how to keep the team thinking the roof is closing in…
Believe me, it has been tough. Credit it to them, these guys come out like today, energy, communicating, you are probably thinking "how much is it going to take to knock these guys out." They cannot be knocked out, and I love that about them, and we are on the back end of this thing now. They see what we see when we are watching film of the teams we are playing. If you just stay consistent, we showed them a play and they dominated the play, that same play late in the game, we give up big yards because guys did not stay consistent in their technique and discipline. Just do what you are doing, that's making a play. When we get there and get in their heads and playing the same way the whole game then they are going to see the results of that, and that is going to be a win. We must keep pushing them, they show up every day, nobody is late, nobody is being insubordinate.
On his appreciation for the seniors…
Absolutely, all the seniors, the entire team. We are on unsettled ground right now. You can tell the guys on the team right now, they love football. You must love football based on everything that is going. I love football, they love football, they love playing for their brothers next to them and that is what I love about this team and that is why I want to get a win for this group. Pray fully it will be this weekend.
On does he still loves football…
I do, I am nuts, I love football to the core. I been doing football every season since 1975, some form of football. One year I missed, '97, which was it. Ever since I been doing something football either playing or coaching since 1975, that's who I am.
On Noah Kim possible return…
I think so, it's still probably a few weeks off, if I had to guess. We want to make sure he is completely healthy; he is a tough guy. When he was out there, he was not being honest with us but I kind of like guys like that. He is a football player. He was more injured than what he should have been, so we are going to make sure he is completely healed before we put him back out there.
Anybody else he doesn't see coming back…
Darius (Snow) could come back; he is working at it. He is rehabbing.
Michigan State (2-6, 0-5 Big Ten) plays host to the Huskers (5-3, 3-2 Big Ten) on Saturday, Nov. 4 at noon in Spartan Stadium. The game will be televised on FS1.
Michigan State interim head coach Harlon Barnett press conference transcript:
Opening statement…
All right, we are back around for another week. We have senior day this week. Looking forward to the seniors have their last game here at Spartan Stadium and going out with a victory. That is the goal and just want to see them and everyone play well at Spartan Stadium.
On quarterback play moving forward…
It's still competition mode. This is something you saw Katin (Houser) do, he did not turn the ball over, he ran the offense efficiently and did an excellent job. Then you see Sam (Leavitt) come in and move us down the field and scored a touchdown, but he did have two turnovers. It's still a competition, like I said every week, between everybody, it's not just the quarterback, everybody is still competing, and the best players will play.
On what he's seen in Nebraska's growth…
With a new staff they get use to one another, the player gets use to the coaches, they find themselves a little bit now and got a rhythm going and playing well. Credit to them. They found what they are good at as a team and as a coaching staff and they are just trying to use that and put guys in the best position to be successful.
On Tunmise Adeleye leaving and how the transfer portal window being closed helps moving forward…
With Tunmise, that is just between us, I am going to keep it there between him and I. As far as the window closing, that is a good thing. Obviously, you can be thinking about as a coach that some more guys can hop in, fortunately, we have not had a lot of guys that hopped in there. So, you know what you are dealing with, you have guys who want to be here and want to see this thing through. I appreciate them for it, and I even told them on Saturday before our game, I appreciate everyone that is here and bringing their best to help us succeed.
If anyone else left the roster since the Minnesota game…
No. Nope.
Assessing the QB position and trying to get the offense going…
Like you said, they are young. Any young player can be a fragile player and you do not want to mess them up. You want to see them grow every chance they get to play and show what they can do. We are still trying to build and grow them, that is who we are as coaches, mentors, we're developers of players and that's what we're trying to do; help keep them developing and getting better, better, and better and that's what we're trying to do, to be honest with you. Those guys are working hard, they're good young players, they are going to be very good players before it's all said and done, both of them. We just got to keep developing and keep believing in them and trusting in them, and them trusting in us in the coaching we do as well.
What are the conversations like with the quarterbacks…
Talking about everything from the good to not so good as we are going through the film, all those things are discussed with them and what they need to do better, that is what we do, develop players. They are getting coached up extremely well by coach Johnson, you will start seeing more improvements as we move forward as the competition heats up.
On Tre Mosley and Maliq Carr injury statuses…
Tre is more day-to-day, it's going to be tough for him. Maliq, we are working through process with him and his injury. Day-to-day too, but I am not sure about this week.
On Nebraska's strong run defense…
Next man up, like always, we still have Nate Carter back there running the football, we still have Harold Joiner, we put Alante Brown back there a little bit, Davion Primm, we have some guys. Next man up mentality.
Reflecting on the journey of the seniors…
It's unique, like you said, Tre is a great example. A great young man voted captain by his teammates, straight forward, honest, hard worker, he is a true Spartan and will always be welcomed here. His journey is unique, and that is something you all need to ask him, when you get an opportunity, of how unique it is for him but still loving everything about the green and white. I really appreciate Tre Mosley on what he has done for this program, and he is going to be very successful in life.
On defensive lineup with Malik Spencer playing nickel and Angelo Grose playing safety…
It helps with Malik down there, he got adjusted down there; playing closer to the line of scrimmage is really his forte, I think. He will only get better and better as he continues to do it. Grose has been back there before, in the previous two seasons he played back there in the back end, so, he is back home you can say. It was not too bad of a transition; it was actually pretty good.
On how Sam using his legs more helps the running game…
That was good by Sam just by when he has an opening he can use his legs, those are weapons for him, as well as his arm. He saw a chance to take advantage of a situation and that is what he did. There are designed quarterback runs, we had Katin run a design quarterback run in the second half and picked up about 5 or 6 yards. You want to use all the weapons you can use to go down and get a score, that is what we're trying to do, score by any means possible.
On offensive tackle position…
All those guys that you been watching, paying attention throughout the season been rotating in and out. With Ethan (Boyd), Spencer (Brown), and (Ashton) Lepo, all those guys been getting experience playing, which is a good thing. Because coach Kap always kept them on a rotation, so if somebody does go down, they will be playing more, but it's not like they have not played at all. Because of that rotation throughout the course of the year, it is an easier transition for those guys to just play because they been playing all along anyhow.
How special it would be to get a win on senior night…
It would be awesome, awesome. Very special, send them out the right way, last home game in Spartan Stadium you'll never forget it, I still remember mine. It would be great; we definitely want to send them out of Spartan Stadium as winners in their last home games.
On what his senior game was like…
It was great. It snowed a lot the day before, there was snow on the side everywhere and the student section was throwing snowballs at the team, we played Northwestern, 1989. Sunny day, beautiful day and we had a big win, it was a crazy score, you can look it up, 1989 Spartans vs. Northwestern, 76-14.
On Jordan Hall and Chance Rucker's growth in their role and how they can have an impact against Nebraska…
Very, they been playing. They are not freshmen anymore, we told them they're past the freshman status. They been here a year because they both came early. They are going to be really good football players, there's a reason that we're playing them. They are playing because they're good players and I think going to be dominate type players as they move on into the future. Really glad they are here and looking forward to their development as the year progresses. I want to see them continue to play well against Nebraska and apply the coaching and execute the gameplan and show mark of improvement each week, and that's what they been doing.
On going 4-0 in November and trying to play "spoiler" …
I never think spoiler, personally. I just think, win. Let's win, we have four more opportunities to go out and win. I told the team, Michigan State has not gone undefeated (in November) since 2013, that is 10 years ago. Even the year we went to the playoffs (in 2015), we lost in November, lost at Nebraska actually, believe it or not. I just try to give them motivation, I am a very positive person, I am an encourager. My mind goes to positive, win, I never think lose or be a spoiler; being a spoiler means I am a scrub, and I am not no scrub, so I don't think spoiler, I just think, go win.
On how to keep the team thinking the roof is closing in…
Believe me, it has been tough. Credit it to them, these guys come out like today, energy, communicating, you are probably thinking "how much is it going to take to knock these guys out." They cannot be knocked out, and I love that about them, and we are on the back end of this thing now. They see what we see when we are watching film of the teams we are playing. If you just stay consistent, we showed them a play and they dominated the play, that same play late in the game, we give up big yards because guys did not stay consistent in their technique and discipline. Just do what you are doing, that's making a play. When we get there and get in their heads and playing the same way the whole game then they are going to see the results of that, and that is going to be a win. We must keep pushing them, they show up every day, nobody is late, nobody is being insubordinate.
On his appreciation for the seniors…
Absolutely, all the seniors, the entire team. We are on unsettled ground right now. You can tell the guys on the team right now, they love football. You must love football based on everything that is going. I love football, they love football, they love playing for their brothers next to them and that is what I love about this team and that is why I want to get a win for this group. Pray fully it will be this weekend.
On does he still loves football…
I do, I am nuts, I love football to the core. I been doing football every season since 1975, some form of football. One year I missed, '97, which was it. Ever since I been doing something football either playing or coaching since 1975, that's who I am.
On Noah Kim possible return…
I think so, it's still probably a few weeks off, if I had to guess. We want to make sure he is completely healthy; he is a tough guy. When he was out there, he was not being honest with us but I kind of like guys like that. He is a football player. He was more injured than what he should have been, so we are going to make sure he is completely healed before we put him back out there.
Anybody else he doesn't see coming back…
Darius (Snow) could come back; he is working at it. He is rehabbing.
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