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00:00 Thanks everyone for being here today. We're preparing to start the season at home.
00:06 We're going to work hard in front of our fans.
00:10 We had a student event last week and the student session was packed.
00:14 So we could feel the excitement and the energy on campus.
00:17 Last week the band was practicing three times a day outside my window.
00:22 They're getting after it.
00:24 That's always a good sign. We had a good camp and we shifted our attention to CMU.
00:32 Sometime last week we already had two practices.
00:36 This week one of those guys will have a Tuesday practice today.
00:41 They're a very good coach. They have a good team.
00:46 I went against Coach McElwain a couple times when I was in the SEC.
00:50 We'll have to be at our best. We'll have to continue to prepare.
00:55 I know they'll be at their best. With that I'll open it up.
00:59 I was wondering if you've settled the starting quarterback competition and who you expect to be out there on Friday.
01:08 We'll see who runs out there first on Friday night and we'll go from there.
01:17 Mel, I'm wondering with the news last week about the availability report.
01:22 What are your thoughts on that? How it differs from your time in the NFL?
01:26 I don't know if that changes anything with you.
01:29 Do you have injuries during camp that might be season long that you wouldn't reveal?
01:33 It doesn't change anything for me right now today.
01:36 It's relatively new. We'll follow the rules as best we can.
01:41 I'm sure we'll have to iron some things out.
01:43 There's not as many categories as I understand it as we had in the NFL.
01:48 It doesn't change anything for me at this point.
01:50 Mel, you opened up talking about some of the off the field things that you and the team are doing.
01:55 Last week, Jacoby talked about how excited he was that he was able to go and be out in the community.
02:01 They have this thing where they talk about knowing your roommates.
02:03 How important are these off the field things as it leads to starting the season and being a part of the season?
02:08 It's important. The team, we have to be connected.
02:16 It's not just while they're at practice or in meeting rooms.
02:21 It's on campus and outside of football as well.
02:25 It's similar to a family.
02:30 We need to have a tight knit team with really good chemistry.
02:35 The guys love and care about each other.
02:38 It's very important.
02:40 Realizing you aren't going to tell us who you started with.
02:47 Without naming names, can you tell us if there's any separation?
02:52 Or do you still need to see more this week before you make that decision?
02:56 Between one quarterback and the others.
02:58 We'll just have to find out.
03:00 The offense, defense, and special teams are all better.
03:06 What about the head coach?
03:09 How are you better than you were a year ago?
03:11 How did you go about that evaluation and improvement?
03:14 We'll see if we're better and we'll see if I'm better.
03:18 How do I evaluate if I'm better?
03:21 It's really personal and internal.
03:26 We'll see how the season goes and we'll add it up at the end.
03:31 Does it come down to wins and losses?
03:33 With me?
03:34 Yeah.
03:35 In some regards it does, in some regards it doesn't.
03:37 Not a quarterback question, but special teams.
03:44 You got a kicker, punter.
03:46 [Laughter]
03:48 We're not going to talk about kickers and punters.
03:51 Let's talk to Ross Ellis about that.
03:52 He says, "Hi," and he kept it a second for 27 years.
03:55 I said, "I don't talk to kickers.
03:56 I don't talk to punters."
03:59 Is there anybody in both those positions that have separated themselves
04:02 to the point where you think one's better than the other
04:05 or are you playing multiple guys in each spot?
04:08 The competition at the quarterback, punter, kicker, has been very strong
04:13 throughout camp, so we feel good about all the guys that have been competing.
04:17 I feel like all those guys can do a good job in our force.
04:22 In your tenure here, you have yet to face Central Michigan.
04:25 Last time Michigan State played each other, you know,
04:27 guys played each other in 2018.
04:29 What do you think about having in-state schools to open up with like this
04:32 for a season opener?
04:34 And then have you done anything differently to prep for Central Michigan,
04:38 maybe with the guys, than anything else out of the box?
04:42 Well, we show the players, maybe the last time that Central came here,
04:49 we showed them the highlights and showed them the commentary
04:52 that the Big Ten Network had after the game
04:55 to make sure that everyone understands the challenge at hand.
04:58 I think it's good to be able to play in-state schools.
05:03 It's important to us.
05:05 It's important to us.
05:06 It's good for our state.
05:08 It's going to be a dogfight.
05:10 It's going to be a challenge.
05:11 My dog bought it.
05:13 Always has been.
05:15 Now you've practiced already this morning, correct?
05:17 Yep.
05:18 How do you feel about the offense this week, now that you're out of camp
05:20 and you're preparing for an opponent?
05:22 Is there any extra energy because now they're in a game-weak environment?
05:25 I feel relentless focus with our coaches and with the players.
05:30 We know what we have to do.
05:32 We know what's at stake.
05:34 We've worked and prepared extremely hard this entire offseason during camp.
05:38 So we have a process, and it's one day at a time.
05:43 We had a solid day today.
05:45 I've got to watch the film to really see how good it was or not,
05:51 and then we'll move on to the next day.
05:54 Kind of bouncing off that, Coach,
05:56 how much more emphasis is there on detail because of this game-weak
06:00 meeting compared to camp?
06:02 Detail is every day.
06:03 It's all about the detail.
06:05 I mean, it's the little things that are going to make the difference.
06:12 It's going to be technique and fundamentals, pad level, hand placement,
06:17 footwork, communication, leverage, effort, hitting, adjustments, demeanor.
06:28 All those things, they all add up.
06:30 So that's our focus each and every day, attention to detail.
06:35 It doesn't just start on game week.
06:40 You last week, or maybe it was the week before, you expressed concern.
06:44 Well, not concern, but questioning where the running game is.
06:48 From an offensive line standpoint, how deep do you feel you can go
06:52 and how important is this week in terms of the future of the season
06:57 of trying to get more depth and get those guys black bullets
07:00 to see where they're at?
07:01 We're deeper than we were to start the season a year ago,
07:04 and I feel better about our running game than I felt a couple weeks ago.
07:10 I know you don't talk specific injuries and all that, but a couple weeks ago,
07:15 you did talk about the importance of getting guys to the game,
07:18 and also before that how you felt this team was deeper.
07:21 Where do you think you guys are now in terms of getting guys to the game?
07:25 Do you feel confident you're in a good spot with the opener coming up,
07:28 or is that still an issue?
07:30 We came out of practice fairly well today.
07:32 We had a full padded practice, and we did a significant amount of hitting today.
07:39 Talking to Rod, our head trainer, after practice,
07:42 it seems like we had a couple of constant bruises, but we came out today okay.
07:49 We have some guys that have been nicked up that are getting back for the game.
07:54 So we're in a better spot overall than we were a year ago going into the first game.
08:00 Now you've got some intriguing true freshmen.
08:03 I was wondering if there are any of these first-year guys you expect to game one,
08:07 be part of the mix, and maybe who you think is going to fill out some of those roles.
08:12 Some of the freshmen?
08:13 Yeah, the first-year guys.
08:14 The true guys, true freshmen?
08:16 Yeah, we'll have to see which guys show up.
08:19 I will look to see which freshmen show up on special teams first.
08:25 I don't really have any specifics for you right now.
08:28 We're still putting the game plan in, and we're competing to get on the field
08:31 and for the hotel travels and things like that.
08:35 So the guys are still working hard, but we do have some freshmen that maybe it helps this year.
08:41 So we'll have to see.
08:45 I've got a question for you.
08:46 I want to clarify real quick first if I could, though, with the report.
08:50 Can you tell us anything about the categories and everything?
08:52 I didn't see anything about that.
08:53 I don't think they said that in the press release.
08:55 I can't tell you really anything right now about it.
08:57 There's nothing that's super intriguing.
09:00 What I got from the Big Ten conference call last week with the coaches
09:04 and the commissioner and the staff is I don't think it's anything that's going to be newsworthy.
09:11 So coming out of camp, you know, that's one mode.
09:13 This is a different mode this week.
09:14 I'm just wondering what's the thing that you're most comfortable about with this team
09:18 or most confident in, and what is something that you just can't learn about a team maybe in camp
09:23 until you face another team that you're really interested to see on Friday?
09:27 I'm not sure if I'm really comfortable about anything.
09:30 I am confident in our coaching staff and our preparation
09:33 and the approach that our players have taken is very, very focused.
09:37 And we have better team chemistry, and I think our focus is where it needs to be at this point in the week.
09:50 And, you know, we'll have to see.
09:52 I'm encouraged by what I've seen this offseason in Newark camp and from our players
09:56 and our coaching staff, support staff.
09:59 So, you know, it's really one day at a time for us right now.
10:04 It's a new season, and we're treated that way.
10:07 Anything you're specifically wanting to see on Friday, though,
10:09 that you just can't get out of a camp setting?
10:12 Yeah, I mean, well, you know, it's hard to simulate a game.
10:17 We do the best we can in scrimmages, but there's nothing like going into a woodshed
10:22 in front of 75,000 people on TV.
10:26 You really can't simulate that.
10:28 And so we'll have to see how our guys react.
10:31 I'm interested and looking forward to seeing how they perform on Friday.
10:36 Thank you.
10:37 You know, you were quoted in the Lansing State Journal over the weekend
10:41 asking for more NIL from MSU fans.
10:45 What specifically are you looking for in that regard?
10:47 Yeah, I mean, it's game week right now, and that's not my focus right now.
10:51 I was asked some questions specifically about that.
10:54 And so, you know, I mean, I've talked about the realities of major college football
10:58 right now, but today that's absolutely not my focus.
11:03 Now, no specifics about players or even position groups,
11:06 but early in the season, if the game script allows,
11:10 would you like to play lots of players, or would you rather have a group
11:13 and give them as many reps as you can to get ready for the rest of it?
11:17 Yeah, I mean, we are going to do what we need to do to win the game,
11:24 and that's our focus.
11:26 And so, you know, the starters are going to start,
11:28 and then we're going to rotate as many guys that end as we can,
11:31 the guys that deserve to play, and we're going to keep our guys fresh,
11:34 and we'll take it one series at a time.
11:36 One play at a time means six seconds of play for 60 minutes in the game,
11:40 four quarters, and that's the focus.
11:42 So, you know, we'll see who hits the field,
11:45 but it's about winning the game, and whoever plays plays.
11:54 I don't want you to personalize this because you have a large coaching staff
11:57 and over 100 players, but how much pressure do you feel to get this thing back
12:02 on track to where you want it and where it was two years ago?
12:05 How much pressure do I feel?
12:08 I put a tremendous amount of pressure on myself all the time.
12:12 So, the pressure I feel is the same pressure I feel every day
12:17 and for the last 27 years is to coach hard
12:21 and get the people that are around me to coach hard and play hard.
12:25 And I said, I mean, no one can put more pressure on me than I put on myself.
12:28 I mean, no one.
12:29 There's no situation possible.
12:31 So, I mean, I've coached at the highest level.
12:34 The smallest place I've coached was Miami, Ohio, for one year at 99.
12:37 I've never been anywhere where you weren't expected to win games.
12:40 And so, I expect to win, and that's what we're doing here.
12:46 So, it's not even about the pressure for me.
12:50 I mean, it just comes with the deal.
12:53 But, I mean, I can't even -- pressure's not even a word.
13:00 I'm not sure what the word is, but it's not pressure that I feel.
13:08 You mentioned that you feel better about the run game than you did a few weeks ago.
13:12 Why?
13:14 Well, I feel like the receivers have gotten better at blocking,
13:19 digging out the safeties and blocking the corners
13:22 and our tight ends seem more coordinated, got better pad level, more drive.
13:28 We have more guys coming to the party in terms of running the ball.
13:32 In our backfield, guys are running hard and falling forward on contact,
13:37 running through the smoke, stepping through the trash, things like that.
13:40 And the offense line seems to be in sync and physical.
13:46 Coach Kapp had him in his shoes today, which was good.
13:49 And so, I expect to see really good pad level.
13:52 We have to be able to run the ball.
13:53 We have to be able to stop the run.
13:54 That's where everything starts for us.
13:56 I just have one quick follow-up.
13:58 With the two transfers and Karen Mayhem and then, of course, Nathan Carter,
14:03 are you starting to see any separation between those two?
14:06 They're different players, and so we're going to need them both.
14:11 We like to play three guys, maybe four if we can, to keep those guys fresh.
14:19 That's a tough position.
14:20 They take a lot of hits, and it's really physical.
14:23 But we need as many guys as we can to be prepared to go in there
14:26 and play running football.
14:28 So, we'll see who shows up and who gets the carries and touches and targets.
14:36 We'll take time for a couple more.
14:39 Central, I believe, brings back a good chunk of their defense from a year ago,
14:43 and it seems kind of hard to do at that level this era.
14:46 But I'm just wondering, what do you see from those guys on that side of the ball?
14:48 Where are they advanced?
14:50 Where are they a threat and whatnot with that experience?
14:52 They're going to play really hard.
14:55 They do a good job mixing the coverages in the fronts.
14:59 They have some really good pressure package on first and second down
15:03 and on third down.
15:05 And their will, of course, they do a good job with the scouts.
15:08 They've got spots on the ball.
15:09 They've got some active guys in the front.
15:11 Seven, they can flip guys one on one.
15:14 That's what they're shown on tape.
15:16 So, I mean, they're just well coached, and they play extremely hard.
15:21 They've got some good players.
15:22 I mean, everybody's got good players.
15:23 We know that; right?
15:25 So, we're no different.
15:27 They've got quite a few good players.
15:29 We'll have our hands full.
15:32 Not even who would have, you know, an edge on the other one.
15:36 But when you do look at your two quarterbacks, and you might say,
15:39 "Hauser does this well, Kim does this well,"
15:42 when talking about each of them separately,
15:44 what would you say their strengths are individually?
15:47 Yeah, I really try to avoid the comparisons
15:49 because I don't think it's really fair.
15:51 You know, the scouts are unique, and they're both really good players,
15:55 and we like them both.
15:57 So, you know, I just don't think it's good to make comparisons,
16:04 especially right now.
16:08 You mentioned about showing previous games against CMU to the guys.
16:13 What are the challenges in facing an in-state team that isn't in your confidence?
16:20 How does the coaching staff kind of get guys psyched up and prepared for that,
16:25 or does that just come natural with game one and having a long layoff between you?
16:33 You know, preparation, mentally and physically is very important.
16:39 Like I told the players yesterday, I said, "Hey, listen, I'm not one of those guys
16:43 who's going to come in here and rant and rave and yell and scream in front of you
16:47 and try to scare you to get you ready for a team because you might take them lightly."
16:53 We're not good enough to take anybody lightly.
16:55 We never have been and never will be.
16:58 So it doesn't make any sense.
17:01 We have to prepare our guys and show them, say, "Hey, this is what it's going to be."
17:06 Their elite level is going to be super high, they're well coached.
17:10 Coach Malcolm Landry, he's a coach, he's going to scheme you up.
17:14 The guy knows what he's doing and he's proven that.
17:18 They have good players, we can show them that.
17:22 So it's just delivery of the information to make sure that the players are informed
17:28 and that they're prepared.
17:31 I don't anticipate anyone not being prepared and ready to go on Friday.
17:39 I mean, that's our job is to make sure that we're able to put our best foot forward.
17:44 So that's all part of the preparation, showing them, "Hey, this is what you can expect."
17:51 We had Coach Novak, our head strength coach, was there.
17:54 He knows all about it.
17:56 He knows how they see the game.
17:59 He knows what their mentality is towards this game.
18:03 So that's important for our guys to understand that.
18:06 And also make sure the players understood what our mindset is going to be as well.
18:12 So like I said, it's going to be a tough battle.
18:17 We're expecting it to be a four-quarter game and we don't need to play harder or longer.
18:23 -All right, thanks Coach. -Thank you so much.
18:26 Appreciate it.