Brian Driscoll
Driscoll discusses Cal's offensive line against Auburn
Transcript
00:00 Brian Driscoll, if you have questions for Brian, let me know in the chat.
00:05 And we'll go ahead and get started.
00:08 So please go ahead and if you know you're gonna have a question,
00:11 just put it in there and we'll have it in the queue.
00:14 We'll go ahead and get started with Jeff Verado.
00:16 Go ahead, Jeff.
00:17 >> Hey, Brian, congratulations.
00:18 How you doing?
00:20 >> Thank you. Yeah, I'm doing good.
00:21 How are you doing?
00:22 >> All right.
00:23 Can you talk about how you thought the offensive line played Saturday and
00:28 how much bigger jump it's gonna be to play against Auburn on Saturday?
00:34 >> I think the whole line played really well.
00:36 I think we dealt with a lot of adversity.
00:38 We had a few guys go down.
00:39 A lot of guys stepped up and at the end of the game, a lot of guys got playing time.
00:43 I definitely think that was a step in the right direction.
00:45 But I think we know that we left a lot out there and
00:47 we're really excited to continue to grow this season.
00:50 Obviously, we're gonna play a really good defense and
00:53 we're really excited to take on that challenge.
00:56 >> Okay, we'll go to Matt Moreno from Cal Rivals.
00:59 >> There was a lot of support for you after you won the award yesterday.
01:02 A lot from teammates, a lot of different people.
01:04 What did it mean to you to see that support and then also win that award,
01:07 knowing that you had to switch positions in the course of a game?
01:11 >> It was really cool.
01:12 The award was a surprise to me.
01:14 I didn't know I was even nominated for it or anything.
01:16 I think I had a flat tire and I was trying to fix that and
01:20 I got a text from my parents.
01:21 So it was a big surprise.
01:24 But it's really awesome.
01:25 It's a really cool award.
01:28 I'm really thankful.
01:29 I think as well with O-line,
01:31 one thing that you also have to say is I wouldn't have had this award without my
01:34 teammates.
01:35 You can't play offensive line with one guy.
01:37 You can't have one performance without one guy on the offensive line.
01:40 So really, I mean, that award went out to everybody on the line.
01:42 I think we had seven guys rotate through that first group.
01:45 I'm really thankful and
01:48 really thankful just for my teammates and the other O-line.
01:51 That was a really fun day for us.
01:53 >> Okay, we'll go to Thomas Dunn for right for California.
01:58 >> Good morning, Brian.
01:59 Congrats on the award.
02:00 What was it like shifting positions once again?
02:04 There was some experience last season with doing so, but
02:07 what's like jumping back in words and with the unknown status of Sindo?
02:10 What's it gonna be like possibly doing it again this Saturday?
02:13 >> Well, I can't speak for the Saturday, but I think going from guard to center,
02:18 Blush has always prepared for everything.
02:21 In meetings, he's always talking to all the guys that could play center,
02:25 about what the calls are, what looks we're looking for.
02:27 I think that's just up for the way that we prepare as an offense and
02:31 the kind of standard that we set as an offensive line to always be prepared to
02:35 be that next man up.
02:36 >> Okay, we'll go to AP Stenum from Auburn.
02:39 Go ahead, AP.
02:41 >> Hey, hi, good afternoon.
02:43 What is it like to block for two different styles of quarterback?
02:48 >> I don't think it's necessarily something we think of in the moment.
02:52 I don't, it's definitely,
02:55 I haven't really ever played with a mobile quarterback like Sam.
02:57 I think it's something that you kind of see as the play goes on.
03:00 You just have to keep going.
03:03 But I think that's all, like I said,
03:04 kind of like the standard we set as an offensive line is to play through
03:07 the whistle.
03:08 Just sometimes the whistle is gonna be a little later for a mobile quarterback.
03:11 >> Is there anybody else with a first round question yet?
03:18 Okay, we'll start the second round and feel free, we'll entertain follow ups.
03:21 We'll go back to Jeff Ferrato.
03:23 >> There's a lot of talk through last year that the offensive line was
03:28 one of the weaknesses of the team, frankly.
03:32 How determined are you guys to flip that and become perhaps a strength?
03:36 And how do you think you're progressing toward that?
03:40 >> Yes, I think that's something that we definitely took note of this offseason.
03:43 And I think it's something that we really weren't satisfied with last season at all
03:46 as well.
03:48 I don't think you can come back from last season being satisfied
03:52 with the record that we had.
03:53 So I think our goal this entire offseason starting in winter,
03:56 like as soon as Blush came in, he told us,
03:58 we wanna be the unit that wins games for this team.
04:00 I think that's something that we're gonna continue to strive for every week.
04:04 It's not something that you can just do one week and then next week expect it.
04:09 I think one thing that they've been really great about this week is continuing to
04:12 push us and making sure that we're never satisfied as an offensive line.
04:16 >> Does the Auburn game give you a measuring stick to how far you've come?
04:20 >> Well, I think they're gonna be a really good defense and
04:24 we're really excited to go against them.
04:26 It's gonna be a good challenge.
04:27 Measuring sticks, I don't know if we ever really think about that a lot.
04:34 I think we're more just focused on doing what we can to win and
04:36 doing everything we can to improve as an offensive line.
04:39 >> Thank you.
04:41 >> Okay, we'll go back to AP Stone.
04:44 What is your perception of an SEC team and
04:47 do you happen to know anybody on the Auburn team?
04:49 >> I don't know anybody on the Auburn team.
04:53 SEC, Southeastern Conference, no, they're another conference.
05:00 We're excited to play them.
05:01 I think Auburn has a very rich history.
05:03 It's really exciting to play against a big brand like that.
05:08 I remember watching Cam Newton a couple years ago when I was a little kid.
05:11 It was a lot of fun.
05:12 Now to be a college player playing Auburn, I think it's really,
05:15 it's something that I don't think a lot of people get to do.
05:18 And so I'm really thankful for it every day.
05:19 >> Okay, we'll go to Thomas Dunn from Rector, California.
05:25 >> You mentioned how Coach Blush talks about anyone who could tech who could play
05:28 center and having to deal with the accounts.
05:30 How multiple do you guys have to be under Coach Blush and
05:33 how crucial is that in your guys' preparation?
05:35 >> I think it kind of depends on the player.
05:38 I think there are a few guys that I think across the board actually,
05:43 most guys have played either left guard and right guard, left tackle and
05:46 right tackle.
05:47 It's not obviously the main thing that we focus on.
05:50 Obviously, everybody has a primary position, but it is something where it's
05:53 like you can't fall asleep in meetings when Coach Blush is given
05:56 the right side of note when you're a left guard.
05:58 You have to pay attention to everything.
06:00 And I think that just kind of goes to show what kind of like room he has,
06:02 where we're always paying attention and
06:04 commands attention to make sure we're paying attention.
06:07 >> Thank you.
06:09 >> Okay, we'll go to Matt Moreno from Cal Rivals.
06:11 >> How exciting is it as an offensive lineman to hear that the game plan is
06:15 gonna involve quite a bit of running and trying to do work on the ground?
06:20 >> Really exciting.
06:21 I mean, I played the wing team in high school, so I love running the ball.
06:24 [LAUGH] Yeah, I mean, it's great.
06:26 I think, like I said, running the ball is the most fun for an offensive line.
06:32 We just get a run block, don't have to worry about finesse or anything,
06:35 just kind of get to pound the rock, so that's always fun.
06:37 [BLANK_AUDIO]
06:39 >> Okay, anybody else with a question for Brian?
06:42 Got Jeff Ferrato, go ahead, Jeff.
06:44 >> Brian, after you won the award,
06:46 you said you heard from your parents when you were changing attire.
06:49 Did you ever hear from your grandfather?
06:50 >> Yeah, he sent me a text, just congratulations, very nice of him.
06:55 And I have a very, I think, I couldn't have asked for
06:59 a more thankful family across the board.
07:02 My family's always supported me, and I'm very thankful for it.
07:06 All right, thanks.
07:07 >> Okay, anybody else with the last question?
07:10 Okay, I think we're good.
07:13 We'll have Brett Johnson.