Harlon Barnett Press Conference Coverage
11/6/2023 3:51:00 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 No. 1/3/3 Ohio State.
Michigan State (3-6, 1-5 Big Ten) travels to Ohio State (9-0, 6-0 Big Ten) on Saturday, Nov. 11 at 7:30 p.m. in Ohio Stadium. The game will be televised on NBC and streamed on Peacock.
Michigan State interim head coach Harlon Barnett press conference transcript:
Opening statement…
Obviously, coming in on a different note this week compared to the previous multiple weeks, with a victory. We're looking forward to playing a very good Ohio State team, another top-10 team. We'll be playing our third one this season, so looking forward to the challenge and going down to Columbus.
On Sam Leavitt's future, if he's going to play again, or be shut down to save his redshirt status…
You know, we can't share that information, keep them preparing, keep them preparing. We're going to do what's best for the team, that's what he wants to do as well, and for him as well. We're still working through it, to be honest with you.
On quarterback depth if Leavitt doesn't play the rest of the year…
We still have Andrew Schorfhaar as a player, who's a disciplined quarterback as well. No decision has ultimately been made concerning Sam yet, so we'll just keep working.
How good does Saturday feel and the energy in the locker room post-game…
It feels really good, winning does a lot, heals a lot of wounds and pain. The energy in the locker room was outstanding, everybody was excited, happy, and joyful. It was good to see those guys having fun for a change. It was great, a great feeling.
On how they plan to carry the momentum into Ohio State…
Well, I told them this in today's team meeting, we want to keep the positive energy going. That's what we want, positive energy at all times from everybody, to coaches, staff, support staff, training room, and weight room. Positive energy is how you're going to keep it going; and your body language speaks, we're going to have great body language, positive body language. There's a quote I heard out there before, 'be positive, or be quiet,' that's what we're going to be this week and moving forward.
What does the team need to do to win on Saturday…
Great attention to detail. You got to have great attention to detail. The previous two top-10 teams that we played in Washington and Ann Arbor, 11 penalties in both games, we can't beat ourselves. Great attention to detail will help us not beat ourselves and get those costly penalties. So, give us a chance, don't help them beat us, make them beat us, earn the right to beat us. That's where we got to start, then we move from there. Great attention to detail is always going to be a factor, that means doing your job, playing with discipline, great eye control, and great physicality.
The difference between this Ohio State team compared to previous years…
I see what you see. They're a good team regardless, they always get great talent down there. Marvin Harrison is an outstanding football player, and they have others as well. They're not lacking for talent on offense, defense, or anywhere. Like I said, have great attention to detail and execute on every opportunity we get a chance to execute.
Is Ohio State more like Washington or more like Michigan…
I see them as a mixture, I guess, they're a little bit of both, they can throw it around obviously. Different quarterback with Washington and Ohio State, he's been the quarterback there for a lot longer (Michael Penix Jr.), he understands their offense probably better, more experience. It's kind of a combination between the two.
On how a team goes a whole game with no penalties…
You tell me, I don't know, I don't know. But good for them, maybe they coach it up and do a good job at it.
On what he did with the game winning ball…
It is getting painted, and they'll give it to me later. They took it from me, and I don't have it anymore. I have to wait to get it back.
On the plan to cover Marvin Harrison…
I can't tell you that (smiling). But I will say this, he's a very good football player and we know that. That's what I'll say.
On does the conference need to take action sooner rather than later on Michigan's alleged sign stealing…
I'll reverse it back to you, what do you think? I caught you off guard with that (smiling). I'm thinking like most people in this room are hopefully thinking. I'll leave it at that.
What it feels to have the weight lifted off their shoulders and how it helps moving forward…
It can help. Like I said, the guys been coming to practice even when we were going through the tough times every week with energy, passion, and ready to go. But you can feel, 'man we finally got one,' and feel the weight off your back, a little bit. We still expect the same energy and passion at practice like they been doing, but like you said, it's a win under the belt and it feels a little bit better.
Does he expect Maliq Carr or Tre Mosley back this week…
Maliq Carr will be back this week. Tre will still be out.
Anything he learned besides beating themselves facing Washington and Michigan…
That's the main thing as far as penalties and beating ourselves. I told our guys, we were a younger team, especially when we played Washington, inexperienced in some areas, a lot of areas for that fact. But now I say no longer, it's no longer an excuse, we got a lot of guys that put in a lot of time in this year and played a lot of football. So now we got to go out and execute; again, great attention to detail and perform under that type of situation of playing Ohio State, a top-10 team. I think our guys, hopefully learned, and got that experience and feel comfortable, and confident to go out there and get the job done on Saturday.
On the decision for Scottie Hazelton to move from the sideline to the booth…
I brought it up to him a few weeks back, I told him to think about it, think about it. He came back and said, 'I feel more comfortable staying down,' initially. Then Minnesota, I told him to go up. As a coordinator you watch so much film and when you're up in the booth, it's like watching film again, you see everything. I said, 'you'll be outstanding in the box, as much film you watch, you'll be outstanding.' It's not like he never done it; he was probably concerned about sideline adjustments. We assured him that the guys who will be doing it, will get the job done. I think it's been good, it's been two weeks in a row now, I know he sees everything. Nobody knows the defense better than him; he brought this defense here. He sees things right away, calls it out and get it fixed. As opposed to the sideline, you're seeing it right away, like I said he been in the defense for so long, he knows the good, the bad, and the adjustments and all that. I think it has been really good.
On increase in takeaways from last year to this year…
We talked about it, and not like we didn't do it last year, we talk about getting the ball all the time. We say, 'the ball, the ball, the ball,' we got signs in the meeting room. We always stress getting the ball back for the offense and give them multiple possessions, get the ball, get the ball, get the ball. Turnovers in my time as a coach and as a player, always come in bunches, it comes in bunches it seems like. Now we're intentional at going after the ball, but at the same time that's how they come. Some people say, 'if you're living right, you're living right,' you get tip-balls and all that stuff. Our guys are trying to be intentional about going after football, not only interceptions but causing fumbles.
On the challenge of Ohio State's wide receivers
Again, they're past the young stage now so it's going to be a great challenge. It will be another great experience to play against a top-10 team and I look forward to it. I tell the guys all the time, this is why you play college football, if you're a competitor, so competitors will be out there for us on Saturday, having fun and going to get the job done.
How does three and outs affects a team rhythm and how they can make progress to keep moving the ball…
Well, we constantly talk about the mindset, I said this a few weeks back about where our mindset is. Special teams: maximum effort, offense: score, defense: three and outs and takeaways. Just trying to get the mindset to, 'hey if I go out, execute and do my job, that's going to help move the ball down the field.' Obviously, they're not trying to go out there and get three and outs. They're working, we're getting better and progressing. Had some things we did to open it up a little bit on Saturday, had a halfback pass and all of that, pass back to the quarterback. We're doing anything and all things we can to help us move the ball and score the ball.
On playing Ohio State in recent years…
With the last seven games, I'm going to tell you where my mind goes. Let's go back to 2012, we should've won, had a scoop-and-score that was called back, it was a bad call, should've been a touchdown, it was a close game. In 2013, we won. Fourteen (2014), should've won, they called a touchdown back when we should've been leading at halftime. Fifteen (2015) we won down there. Sixteen (2016) we should've won here, close game. That's where my mind goes. I know what it is to go down, compete and play hard against these guys. They're beatable guys just like anybody else, we're going to go down with the mindset to go attack them and get a win. That's my mindset, it will never change. I said last week, somebody mentioned spoiler, I'm like, 'that's a scrub mentality,' that has never been my mentality and it will never be.
On what he sees in Jalen Thompson to trust him in his current role…
We've seen that he has been getting better and better. Diron Reynolds does a great job coaching those guys up, and he's going to be a very good football player. As you guys saw on Saturday and the best is still yet to come because he's still learning. Really good player, smart, tough physical, fast everything you want in a defensive end. We're really excited for Jalen Thompson.
Michigan State (3-6, 1-5 Big Ten) travels to Ohio State (9-0, 6-0 Big Ten) on Saturday, Nov. 11 at 7:30 p.m. in Ohio Stadium. The game will be televised on NBC and streamed on Peacock.
Michigan State interim head coach Harlon Barnett press conference transcript:
Opening statement…
Obviously, coming in on a different note this week compared to the previous multiple weeks, with a victory. We're looking forward to playing a very good Ohio State team, another top-10 team. We'll be playing our third one this season, so looking forward to the challenge and going down to Columbus.
On Sam Leavitt's future, if he's going to play again, or be shut down to save his redshirt status…
You know, we can't share that information, keep them preparing, keep them preparing. We're going to do what's best for the team, that's what he wants to do as well, and for him as well. We're still working through it, to be honest with you.
On quarterback depth if Leavitt doesn't play the rest of the year…
We still have Andrew Schorfhaar as a player, who's a disciplined quarterback as well. No decision has ultimately been made concerning Sam yet, so we'll just keep working.
How good does Saturday feel and the energy in the locker room post-game…
It feels really good, winning does a lot, heals a lot of wounds and pain. The energy in the locker room was outstanding, everybody was excited, happy, and joyful. It was good to see those guys having fun for a change. It was great, a great feeling.
On how they plan to carry the momentum into Ohio State…
Well, I told them this in today's team meeting, we want to keep the positive energy going. That's what we want, positive energy at all times from everybody, to coaches, staff, support staff, training room, and weight room. Positive energy is how you're going to keep it going; and your body language speaks, we're going to have great body language, positive body language. There's a quote I heard out there before, 'be positive, or be quiet,' that's what we're going to be this week and moving forward.
What does the team need to do to win on Saturday…
Great attention to detail. You got to have great attention to detail. The previous two top-10 teams that we played in Washington and Ann Arbor, 11 penalties in both games, we can't beat ourselves. Great attention to detail will help us not beat ourselves and get those costly penalties. So, give us a chance, don't help them beat us, make them beat us, earn the right to beat us. That's where we got to start, then we move from there. Great attention to detail is always going to be a factor, that means doing your job, playing with discipline, great eye control, and great physicality.
The difference between this Ohio State team compared to previous years…
I see what you see. They're a good team regardless, they always get great talent down there. Marvin Harrison is an outstanding football player, and they have others as well. They're not lacking for talent on offense, defense, or anywhere. Like I said, have great attention to detail and execute on every opportunity we get a chance to execute.
Is Ohio State more like Washington or more like Michigan…
I see them as a mixture, I guess, they're a little bit of both, they can throw it around obviously. Different quarterback with Washington and Ohio State, he's been the quarterback there for a lot longer (Michael Penix Jr.), he understands their offense probably better, more experience. It's kind of a combination between the two.
On how a team goes a whole game with no penalties…
You tell me, I don't know, I don't know. But good for them, maybe they coach it up and do a good job at it.
On what he did with the game winning ball…
It is getting painted, and they'll give it to me later. They took it from me, and I don't have it anymore. I have to wait to get it back.
On the plan to cover Marvin Harrison…
I can't tell you that (smiling). But I will say this, he's a very good football player and we know that. That's what I'll say.
On does the conference need to take action sooner rather than later on Michigan's alleged sign stealing…
I'll reverse it back to you, what do you think? I caught you off guard with that (smiling). I'm thinking like most people in this room are hopefully thinking. I'll leave it at that.
What it feels to have the weight lifted off their shoulders and how it helps moving forward…
It can help. Like I said, the guys been coming to practice even when we were going through the tough times every week with energy, passion, and ready to go. But you can feel, 'man we finally got one,' and feel the weight off your back, a little bit. We still expect the same energy and passion at practice like they been doing, but like you said, it's a win under the belt and it feels a little bit better.
Does he expect Maliq Carr or Tre Mosley back this week…
Maliq Carr will be back this week. Tre will still be out.
Anything he learned besides beating themselves facing Washington and Michigan…
That's the main thing as far as penalties and beating ourselves. I told our guys, we were a younger team, especially when we played Washington, inexperienced in some areas, a lot of areas for that fact. But now I say no longer, it's no longer an excuse, we got a lot of guys that put in a lot of time in this year and played a lot of football. So now we got to go out and execute; again, great attention to detail and perform under that type of situation of playing Ohio State, a top-10 team. I think our guys, hopefully learned, and got that experience and feel comfortable, and confident to go out there and get the job done on Saturday.
On the decision for Scottie Hazelton to move from the sideline to the booth…
I brought it up to him a few weeks back, I told him to think about it, think about it. He came back and said, 'I feel more comfortable staying down,' initially. Then Minnesota, I told him to go up. As a coordinator you watch so much film and when you're up in the booth, it's like watching film again, you see everything. I said, 'you'll be outstanding in the box, as much film you watch, you'll be outstanding.' It's not like he never done it; he was probably concerned about sideline adjustments. We assured him that the guys who will be doing it, will get the job done. I think it's been good, it's been two weeks in a row now, I know he sees everything. Nobody knows the defense better than him; he brought this defense here. He sees things right away, calls it out and get it fixed. As opposed to the sideline, you're seeing it right away, like I said he been in the defense for so long, he knows the good, the bad, and the adjustments and all that. I think it has been really good.
On increase in takeaways from last year to this year…
We talked about it, and not like we didn't do it last year, we talk about getting the ball all the time. We say, 'the ball, the ball, the ball,' we got signs in the meeting room. We always stress getting the ball back for the offense and give them multiple possessions, get the ball, get the ball, get the ball. Turnovers in my time as a coach and as a player, always come in bunches, it comes in bunches it seems like. Now we're intentional at going after the ball, but at the same time that's how they come. Some people say, 'if you're living right, you're living right,' you get tip-balls and all that stuff. Our guys are trying to be intentional about going after football, not only interceptions but causing fumbles.
On the challenge of Ohio State's wide receivers
Again, they're past the young stage now so it's going to be a great challenge. It will be another great experience to play against a top-10 team and I look forward to it. I tell the guys all the time, this is why you play college football, if you're a competitor, so competitors will be out there for us on Saturday, having fun and going to get the job done.
How does three and outs affects a team rhythm and how they can make progress to keep moving the ball…
Well, we constantly talk about the mindset, I said this a few weeks back about where our mindset is. Special teams: maximum effort, offense: score, defense: three and outs and takeaways. Just trying to get the mindset to, 'hey if I go out, execute and do my job, that's going to help move the ball down the field.' Obviously, they're not trying to go out there and get three and outs. They're working, we're getting better and progressing. Had some things we did to open it up a little bit on Saturday, had a halfback pass and all of that, pass back to the quarterback. We're doing anything and all things we can to help us move the ball and score the ball.
On playing Ohio State in recent years…
With the last seven games, I'm going to tell you where my mind goes. Let's go back to 2012, we should've won, had a scoop-and-score that was called back, it was a bad call, should've been a touchdown, it was a close game. In 2013, we won. Fourteen (2014), should've won, they called a touchdown back when we should've been leading at halftime. Fifteen (2015) we won down there. Sixteen (2016) we should've won here, close game. That's where my mind goes. I know what it is to go down, compete and play hard against these guys. They're beatable guys just like anybody else, we're going to go down with the mindset to go attack them and get a win. That's my mindset, it will never change. I said last week, somebody mentioned spoiler, I'm like, 'that's a scrub mentality,' that has never been my mentality and it will never be.
On what he sees in Jalen Thompson to trust him in his current role…
We've seen that he has been getting better and better. Diron Reynolds does a great job coaching those guys up, and he's going to be a very good football player. As you guys saw on Saturday and the best is still yet to come because he's still learning. Really good player, smart, tough physical, fast everything you want in a defensive end. We're really excited for Jalen Thompson.
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