IAFB Player Post Purdue Interviews
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00:00 Obviously, I think it's pretty shaky, especially in the first half, but I'm going to learn a lot from it.
00:07 It was a great opportunity to proceed and grow as a player and as a person.
00:11 I think we got the win, fortunately, and so I think there's a lot of room for growth, but I thought I grew a lot as well.
00:18 Was there anything that Purdue was doing that you weren't really expecting them to do?
00:22 Not really. We were expecting man coming into the game.
00:26 Probably thought they were going to run a little more too, but they decided to just go a lot more man.
00:30 So that was probably the biggest thing.
00:32 Walk us through the touchdown pass to Eric.
00:35 Yeah, so we had worked that play all week.
00:38 And just play action, and Eric was going to slip through on the rail route.
00:43 I was just trying to get him the ball and let the playmaker score.
00:47 So obviously, it was a great, huge momentum boost for our team.
00:52 That was a great drive, great job by Eric all around.
00:56 Was there any wisdom he'd had when things weren't really going so well?
01:00 Yeah, he was just like, "This is what comes to being a starter, but you've just got to put your head down
01:04 and keep getting out there and keep helping this offense move."
01:07 He's like, "Stay calm. You've been doing a great job of that."
01:09 So I think having him on the sideline was great. It was really nice to have.
01:13 You feel like you did stay calm?
01:15 Yeah, I think first half I was a little jittery, but I think when we came back in the second half,
01:20 I did a great job of trying to be a calm presence for the team, not getting too rattled.
01:26 The O-line always apologizes if you get hit, but I told them, "I don't mind.
01:29 Just keep doing what you're doing. I trust you guys 100 percent."
01:32 How big was that, I think, the first drive and the second half, even though you guys got a field goal,
01:36 but just kind of get some of that offensive momentum going?
01:39 Yeah, I think that was huge coming out of half.
01:41 I think Purdue has outscored their opponents 49 to 14, I believe, coming out of half.
01:47 So I think that was huge for our team to be able to go out there and strike first in the second half.
01:53 So I think that was a big momentum boost for both of us and just carried us the rest of the game.
01:58 What did you feel like wasn't working in the first half when you were just missing on some passes?
02:03 I'm going to eat that one. That was on me.
02:06 I just got a little jittery, but I've got to be better.
02:10 The great play calls, great receivers, so I've got to grow there.
02:15 But yeah, I'm just going to take that one on the chin.
02:18 That was me. I've got to grow and be better.
02:20 How big was that Caleb Johnson touchdown to start off that was the second drive of the game?
02:23 Oh, yeah. I mean, I turned around.
02:25 There was a ginormous hole, and Caleb just took off.
02:28 The O-line did a phenomenal job today with the run game, both and pass.
02:32 I think Caleb, you know, we got him back, and he just kind of got right back to it.
02:36 But I think any running back we had would have scored on that as well.
02:39 The O-line blew a hole up in there.
02:41 How much of the jitters, like, were you, like, really nervous?
02:44 Or just what all kind of--how would you explain that?
02:48 Yeah, I think it was just kind of everything that comes with being a starter your first game.
02:53 But, you know, I was just a little--probably too excited, you know, to be out there.
02:58 But, you know, it's not an excuse.
03:00 I've got to be able to hit all those throws and continue us down the field.
03:04 What did you think of the offensive line's performance overall?
03:06 Because that team had 17 sacks coming into this game.
03:10 I thought they did a tremendous job.
03:13 I mean, the run game was definitely there.
03:15 I think we almost had 200 yards or something like that.
03:17 Don't quote me.
03:18 But the pass game, I felt great back there.
03:22 I had no issues with--you know, I didn't feel a ton of pressure.
03:25 They did a great job.
03:27 But, yeah, I thought they did a tremendous job overall.
03:29 A couple more questions.
03:30 Mason was pretty banged up.
03:32 How much does it help you guys just to have him out there as your secure coming up side?
03:36 Yeah, I think he brings a veteran presence as well
03:39 because he's played so much.
03:42 And, you know, having him on the backside, you know,
03:44 I can trust that that side's going to be locked out.
03:48 You know, I have all the faith in the world in him.
03:50 So it's definitely a blessing to have him out there.
03:52 There were a couple of drives inside the 10 that you guys didn't finish.
03:55 Would you like to incorporate a sneak or two in there?
03:59 You know, I'm just going to run, you know, whatever the coach needs me to run.
04:02 You know, my job's not to call the plays.
04:06 The first round all, did that work a lot in practice?
04:09 Like, were you pretty confident that you guys--
04:11 Yeah, I was pretty confident.
04:12 You know, I came out of the play fake.
04:15 And in practice, you know, it's always wide open.
04:18 But I came out of the play fake.
04:21 They had two guys kind of sandwiching him.
04:23 But then they kind of released, and he just broke through.
04:26 So I had trust that he was going to get there.
04:28 So just let it play develop and then give him the ball.
04:31 You're going to be asked for the next week about going to Wisconsin.
04:33 How do you feel about it?
04:35 Yeah, you know, I haven't really been thinking about it too much.
04:38 I've been a lot of focus on Purdue.
04:41 And so we'll see Monday or tomorrow when we start looking at some film.
04:44 But I haven't really thought about it much.
04:47 All right, thanks, Steve.
04:48 Thank you guys so much.
04:49 How do you feel about what you did out there?
04:50 You know, six-point win, but defense played pretty well, didn't they?
04:54 Yeah, I mean, any time you go out there and you get a win, I mean, it feels good.
04:56 So coming back to the locker room and having that win is big
05:00 and a good starting point for the halfway part.
05:02 It seemed like the defensive line was kind of living in the backfield today,
05:05 especially compared to those first few games.
05:07 What was working for them?
05:09 Yeah, I mean, those guys just got after it up front.
05:11 I mean, they're playing with a chip on their shoulder every single day.
05:13 And it goes back to their preparation.
05:15 And this week they just done an amazing job.
05:17 And I'm really proud of those guys that they finally got to experience that
05:20 getting back home.
05:21 And, I mean, shoot, they've been living for that all year.
05:25 What was kind of the feeling after the big play to end the first half
05:29 and then going into the locker room?
05:31 How were you guys kind of grasping that, I guess?
05:33 Yeah, just got to reset, just get back to the locker room, recalibrate,
05:36 and then just get ready to go back out there.
05:38 We knew we were up first, and you can't let a play or a drive beat you twice.
05:42 So we got beat on that drive, and we knew we had to get back out there
05:45 and get back on our P's and Q's and just be able to go.
05:48 Only 96 rushing yards allowed, 40 carries.
05:51 What was the key to stopping their ground attack?
05:53 I mean, it all starts with those guys up front.
05:55 I mean, they played very physical, very fast.
05:57 They were disruptive in the past game.
05:59 And they just did a heck of a job in making my life and Jay's life
06:03 and everybody in the back end's life a lot easier.
06:05 So big props to those guys up front.
06:08 Man, they were making plays.
06:10 What was the defense state of mind after Purdue pulled within six points
06:14 and then supported them to the fourth quarter?
06:16 I mean, just any time you get back on the field, just get in the stop.
06:18 That's all we wanted to do, get a stop.
06:21 It looked like a lot of those moments provided teachable moments,
06:25 but it was right at the end of the first half where you're up 10 to nothing
06:28 and then, boom, they go down the field.
06:30 And then late in the game, they score again.
06:32 They get the ball with an opportunity to win.
06:34 I mean, what does it say about this team and the adversity you're facing
06:38 and the ability to shut it down?
06:40 Yeah, I mean, every time we want to step on the field, we want to get a stop.
06:43 So, I mean, just in those crucial situations, we want to be on our P's and Q's
06:46 and be ready to see whatever we see and be able to react to it
06:50 and make the right play and the right adjustment
06:52 and do whatever it takes to get off the field.
06:54 So, I mean, I think that at the end of the day,
06:56 we're just happy to come out with a win.
06:58 So, as long as we came out with a win, we can get back to the film room and adjust.
07:03 Jay finally got that pick.
07:04 What was his reaction?
07:06 I mean, it's Jay Higgins.
07:07 I mean, at this point, are you surprised with anything that he does?
07:09 I mean, he's a football player.
07:12 It goes back to his preparation.
07:14 He's up late night watching film.
07:16 He's up early in the morning watching film.
07:18 So, he's going to be in the right spot every time.
07:22 So, you know, it's Jay Higgins.
07:23 I'm proud of him and excited for him.
07:25 And he got it done.
07:27 I think you mentioned a couple weeks ago that Jay likes to yell in the basement
07:31 when he's watching film or something like that.
07:33 Has he, like, woken you up watching film late night by him yelling?
07:35 I don't think he's necessarily woken me up.
07:38 But, yeah, he sees a play on film that he doesn't really like,
07:42 and he's like screaming downstairs.
07:43 So, I mean, he's just -- he's sending me clips all the time.
07:47 He's showing me pictures of film.
07:49 So, I mean, his preparation is unbelievable.
07:51 And just it goes back to him every single day, and just the character he is
07:55 and just the foundation he's laid.
07:56 So, I mean, he's just a definition of a Hawkeye.
07:59 A few more questions.
08:00 What about Logan Lee?
08:02 I mean, he ended up with 10-plus tackles for defensive tackle.
08:04 That's not easy.
08:05 But then two sacks, he seemed to be living in the backfield.
08:08 Yeah, I mean, Logan Lee, I mean, that's -- he's one of those guys that just --
08:12 he comes to work every single day.
08:14 I mean, it doesn't matter where he is.
08:16 He's not necessarily doing the prettiest things all the time.
08:19 He's in the trenches.
08:20 And he just goes to work.
08:22 So, every single day he's never complaining.
08:23 He's always the first one just to tell us, "Let's put out the fire.
08:26 Let's go.
08:27 And let's just go play football."
08:29 So, that's just his mentality.
08:30 And it's fun to play behind 85.
08:32 He's a world-class player.
08:34 How much does that rub off on other players, Logan's dedication?
08:37 How much does that rub off on the rest of the defense?
08:40 I mean, everyone.
08:41 I mean, I remember when I first got in here, we were doing drills and stuff like
08:43 that, and just in the weight room, and how hard he was pushing me,
08:47 just being in his work group.
08:48 And, I mean, I never forgot that from right there.
08:51 So, that was the first time I really had an interaction with him.
08:53 I kind of thought he was a coach, just the way he looks and how big he is.
08:56 But he's just -- I mean, that's just who he is.
08:59 He's going to come to work every single day.
09:01 And I'm thankful to be behind him.
09:03 You guys have been on this field for 35-plus minutes today.
09:07 You might have been on the field more than any team in the country this season.
09:12 Do you mind that at all?
09:14 I mean, whatever it takes.
09:16 I mean, we're a five-and-one football team right now.
09:18 So, whatever it takes to win, that's what we're going to do.
09:21 All right, thanks, T.
09:22 I missed this.
09:24 All right, questions for Caleb.
09:26 How does it feel to be back?
09:28 Words.
09:29 I can't even say none.
09:31 I just love being back because it gives me a chance to do what I do.
09:35 How about that hole and how big were your eyes when you saw that?
09:40 I was thinking in my head, "I'm gone."
09:43 Looks like you slowed down maybe at the end there.
09:45 Yeah, I already knew I was going to score.
09:47 I was like, "Let me slow down a little bit.
09:49 Just keep it safe."
09:51 You always looked like you were about to head back to the sideline,
09:53 turned around, came to give the crowd a little bit of air kiss.
09:56 What made you decide to come back and show them some love?
09:58 Just because they always been there, even when we was horrible back then
10:02 when we was back, they was always there for us.
10:04 So, I can give love to them.
10:06 Were you surprised to see how big that hole was?
10:09 No, I really wasn't.
10:11 It was just like stuff happens like that all the time with them.
10:14 It was just a blessing just for it to be open like that
10:16 and just for me to score like that.
10:18 This is the second time that you've really taken it to Purdue in particular.
10:22 I think last year 200 yards against them.
10:24 Is there something about this defense that you can exploit
10:28 or is that just sort of dumb luck?
10:31 It's just like I feel like against them it's just personal to me
10:35 because I got a lot of people that I know on that team.
10:37 So, it's just like we a lot of just stuff talking to each other
10:40 on the phone for the games.
10:41 So, it's just that's what it is basically.
10:45 How do you keep your edge or get it back after being out for a while?
10:51 Just my family, my teammates just motivate me,
10:54 encouraging me to stay on top of my treatments and stuff like that
10:57 because I was down, I was hurt, I was just down.
11:00 I was sad to be back and they just kept me encouraged
11:03 and told me what to do.
11:05 So, I got it done and now I'm on the field.
11:07 So, thank them.
11:08 What was this month like for you to go from you were the starter,
11:12 you played your first two games, then you get a high ankle sprain
11:14 and you got to sit and watch.
11:17 What was that like for you to deal with it?
11:19 I was kind of hurting inside, but at the same time I was cheering on
11:22 La'Shawn Williams and all the other running backs
11:24 because they're like family to me.
11:26 So, I just love to see them progressing too with me.
11:30 And then this week to get the word that, okay, you're back at practice.
11:34 What was it like for you?
11:35 Was it like reborn type of thing?
11:37 Yeah, it was just like I was saying I'm back.
11:39 So, it was like now I had to do good this game.
11:42 Were there any specific conversations with coaches, family members,
11:46 anything like that that just kind of uplift you during?
11:49 It was my grandfather.
11:51 He always called me every day to make sure I was good,
11:53 keep me encouraged and tell me to stay on top of my treatments too.
11:56 So, big thanks to him.
11:58 How does the ankle feel?
12:00 Are you 100%?
12:01 Yeah, I'm 100% good.
12:03 How was it feeling to get that first quarter touchdown?
12:08 I'm not going to lie, I felt amazing.
12:10 I felt amazing.
12:13 As you look at the first couple of games this year,
12:18 the numbers didn't come for you very easily.
12:20 It was kind of a struggle, kind of a grind.
12:23 Now for today you get 134 yards, kind of looking back,
12:28 what does this mean to you?
12:31 It just means a lot because before in fall camp my ankle had been hurting me
12:36 since fall camp because of why he landed on me by accident.
12:39 I was going through the hole and it really just affected me and my game.
12:42 So, then I really got hurt and then going back to the heel,
12:46 handling the process and it feels better now.
12:48 So, back in the hunt.
12:49 So, it feels great.
12:54 Joe, the sacks in the first few weeks, really not a lot of opportunities.
12:57 I guess how was it for – it looked like the whole defensive line
13:00 was just exercising some pent up frustration.
13:03 How would you kind of assess the D line today?
13:06 I'm just very proud of everyone in that defensive line room.
13:10 We kind of got together as a unit, like a player led little meeting on Thursday
13:16 and just said how important it was just to play for each other,
13:19 play for each other out there and have some fun.
13:21 Obviously, winning is fun, so that was our big thing too.
13:25 Just win games, have fun and be productive.
13:27 Just really proud of those guys and how we all competed today.
13:31 Logan Lee has ten tackles, that's kind of abnormal for a D tackle.
13:35 What about his performance today?
13:39 Just really proud.
13:40 I didn't know he had ten tackles, that's crazy as a D tackle.
13:43 Just really proud of him.
13:45 You should see how he works every single day in practice.
13:48 So, honestly, that's crazy for a D tackle to have ten tackles,
13:51 but really not that surprised.
13:53 Did you feel like one of these games was going to happen here sooner
13:56 rather than later?
13:57 Were you guys really filled the stat sheet?
13:59 Absolutely.
14:02 Just based off of how hard all those guys work in the defensive line room.
14:07 So I had a feeling that eventually it was going to come,
14:09 just continue just to keep pushing it and pushing it and pushing it in practice,
14:13 and one of these days it will fall for us.
14:16 Who called the meeting?
14:19 That was just kind of a meeting between--it was really like me, Logan Lee,
14:23 I mean all the guys, we kind of knew that we needed to have a meeting.
14:26 So we meet together as a unit on Thursdays,
14:32 and then it may have been Friday that we went in the team room
14:35 and just kind of had a nice talk.
14:38 What was the message, what was said?
14:40 Just play for each other.
14:43 You know, a lot of us, we don't like--we stay off our phones with the media
14:49 and stuff, but it's hard not to see sometimes people on social media
14:56 criticizing us for not getting to the quarterback and not being productive.
14:59 But at the end of the day, it's us in that room, and just play for each other,
15:06 and then like I said, one of these games will happen for us.
15:09 Would you say that the D-line had wounded pride, or is that exaggerating?
15:17 I would say that's exaggerating.
15:21 We, as a defensive line, know how hard we play every single game,
15:24 so I don't think we had wounded pride per se.
15:27 But just like I said, we know how hard we play,
15:32 and that's kind of what the message was, just play for each other
15:35 and just keep--keep it on.
15:37 Joe, I think you had three tackles for loss in the first eight and a half minutes.
15:40 I mean, what allowed you personally to get going so quickly in this one?
15:45 Just a great question.
15:47 Just being able to play off the block, just kind of seeing things out there today.
15:53 Can't do it without the other ten guys on the field.
15:55 So I was just in the right position and was able to make the play.
15:59 You told me and others in here you came back to the package deal with no chance.
16:04 I know it's not final, but you got some good news this week.
16:07 What does that--did that give you guys a lift, I guess, as a D-line as well?
16:10 Absolutely.
16:12 We get Chris Reams back, too, after his suspension.
16:16 And just seeing that news, I was just so thrilled.
16:20 That's one of my best friends on the team,
16:22 and to be able to see that and see it in writing,
16:25 really hoping he can be back here.
16:28 I'm not sure when, but I'm really hoping he'll be able to play with us here soon.
16:32 So what does the performers like to do for the momentum
16:35 of the defense at the end of the next game?
16:39 It definitely helps.
16:42 We'll have to look at the tape, obviously enjoy the win,
16:45 check out the tape on Sunday, and then we'll be ready to go
16:48 and be ready to go and practice on Monday.
16:51 What's Logan Lee like as a leader?
16:54 You know, he's a guy I've been around for five years,
16:56 and he's just a tremendous leader.
16:58 He's a team-first guy in literally anything he does--
17:02 like anything he does, I'm not kidding, just team-first.
17:06 He's one of my all-time favorite teammates because I know when he got that sack
17:10 on the U game, I was pretty excited at the end of the game.
17:14 But he does everything for the team and always puts the team first.
17:17 You've been a great defense here.
17:22 Is this year's defense close to getting there?
17:28 Are you just saying from past defenses?
17:31 Yeah, I mean, they obviously had great years.
17:35 Is this one approaching that?
17:38 I'm not--I won't comment on that because I've said this to about everyone in here,
17:45 but we're so focused on improving, so we're not going to look at that.
17:48 But I am very happy with our performance today,
17:52 and hopefully we can continue that.
17:54 It looks like you guys really have made strides, though.
17:57 Week over week you can kind of tell.
17:59 Do you feel that out there that either things are clicking
18:03 or the way you guys rally to the ball is better?
18:06 Even last week to this week, do you see it?
18:09 Do you feel it?
18:10 Yeah, I mean, I think things are clicking better out there today.
18:14 And honestly, like I say a lot, it starts in practice.
18:19 And with the group of guys that we have, it's just let's just keep going.
18:24 Let's keep on improving.
18:25 And that really all started for me--I've said this all the time, but Jack Campbell.
18:31 Jack Campbell was like that last year.
18:33 We were 3-4, but we were still competing our balls off in practice every single day
18:37 and just giving just phenomenal looks and just knowing that we need to keep improving,
18:42 and that's what I see from this group too.
18:44 It seemed like Purdue was kind of creeping back.
18:47 They get the ball again, down only six.
18:50 It seemed like Logan sacked there on that first down,
18:52 that little bit of a momentum shift there.
18:54 It definitely was.
18:56 Like I said, just so happy for him.
18:58 We caught a little stunt that we were thinking that was going to work,
19:00 and he was able to beat his guy inside.
19:02 I came around and saw the play made, so that was definitely momentum.
19:05 It got us to, what, second and 17, I believe.
19:09 So that definitely helps.
19:12 All right, thank you, Joe.
19:13 Thanks, guys.
19:15 Really great, yeah.
19:17 Took a few more games longer than I wanted it to, but, yeah, it was a really great feeling.
19:21 What enabled you guys to get the success?
19:25 Yeah, so we held a defensive line unit meeting on Friday before we left for the hotel.
19:31 We were just talking about how we've just been playing like super stuck up and tight
19:36 and super stressed about just messing up our jobs, and we just said we're going to go out there
19:41 and have fun and play together as a unit, and we're just going to have fun the whole game.
19:45 And we did that.
19:46 I think we -- I speak for everybody on the D-line,
19:49 say that we had more fun this game than we have any of the other ones.
19:53 That's a team that started early, too, early in the game.
19:56 Just getting your hands on the quarterback as a group, did that get you guys going a little bit?
20:01 Yeah, I think it definitely did.
20:04 I think it's very contagious.
20:06 Once you see one guy get a sack, you know, the other guys kind of start to get the ball running a little bit.
20:11 Is there anything that you guys saw on film that maybe you said, okay,
20:15 we can pin our ears back and get after this quarterback?
20:18 I don't think particularly there was anything different compared to the other ones.
20:22 I think it was just the mind-set that we had going into it was a lot different than the other games, for sure.
20:28 He's a mobile quarterback, too, and he really moved, not necessarily a runner.
20:32 But how did you guys' persistence really pay off in getting, I think, six double sacks?
20:38 Yeah, I think that was definitely a big part of our game plan.
20:42 We knew he would run the ball if we got in his face earlier than we did.
20:46 But I think we were relentless today as a group.
20:50 I think our pursuit of the quarterback was very good today, and that kind of had kind of played into our success there.
21:00 Purdue ran the ball with a little bit of success in the first half.
21:03 The second half seemed like a little bit of a different story.
21:07 Is there something--do you think that the unit got stronger as the game went on, the defensive line?
21:11 Yeah, I think we for sure did.
21:14 I think in-game, little changes we can make here and there.
21:20 Yeah, I think as the game went on, I think we progressively got better as well.
21:25 Did it feel like you guys were pressing a little bit as a defensive line?
21:28 Maybe that meeting kind of helped everybody relax a little bit?
21:31 Yeah, for sure. I think that's exactly what it did.
21:33 I think everybody was really just, like I said, just super stressed
21:37 and uptight about kind of the lack of production the past five weeks.
21:41 And so I think by allowing us to relax and not thinking so much about the numbers
21:45 and just going out there and having fun, we ironically had success today.
21:50 Who did most of the talking then?
21:52 Joe. Yeah, he took the point on that one.
21:55 A couple more questions.
21:56 What's it like having Joe and Mogan in particular that have been around forever,
22:01 but also just kind of have a perspective that I think is global that really works for you guys?
22:06 Yeah, I think those two for sure, and I would include Shanzo in that mix too.
22:12 Great leaders.
22:14 Those are guys that have been around a long time, so they've seen a lot of football
22:17 and they know what it takes to be a winning team.
22:20 And so I think they can bring that attitude to the practice field, to the game field.
22:25 They know the attitudes that we need to win football games.
22:29 Did Shanzo come to that?
22:31 And what do you think of the opportunity that he might be back with the team?
22:35 Yeah, I can't speak to the opportunity of him coming back.
22:38 I know the rule got changed, so hopefully we can get a breakthrough there.
22:44 But in terms of him just being around, he's been a huge help, I know, to me,
22:49 to a lot of the younger guys too because he comes to all our meetings, all our practices,
22:54 and again, Six-Tier knows the system better than anybody,
22:58 so he can give me little tips here and there to make my game better.
23:03 All right, thank you.
23:05 So, you know, we were trying to sell the short, like an inside zone
23:10 or just a play that we've ran before that we've put on film before.
23:14 And we knew they were going to come in hard.
23:17 You know, they're real big physical and they like to get to the ball.
23:20 And so really my main focus was getting out of that clean
23:24 and getting out behind the defense, and it worked.
23:28 And it was just a real route, a quick little wheel route,
23:31 get behind the defense, and Deacon put it on me.
23:34 And really all it was was just seeing it in and catching it
23:37 and walking into the end zone.
23:38 That was a bit of a dime from Deacon, and especially after the first half
23:41 where it looked like he'd been told it seems jittery and thrown it too hard.
23:46 Are you helping him calm down, especially during halftime,
23:49 or how is that interplayed between you guys?
23:53 Yeah, you know, every time we get off the field I walk up to him and talk to him,
23:58 like, "You know, we got this. Defense has our back. Let's have theirs."
24:03 Just stuff like that.
24:04 You know, it's just a game.
24:07 At the end of the day, you know, we're coming out here having fun
24:09 and focus on having fun more, and I tell all the guys that.
24:14 You had that one drive where I think it was two catches
24:16 that totaled like 60 yards, the two big catches there.
24:19 What did you see on each of those?
24:20 Was there something different that Purdue was kind of giving you on those?
24:27 Actually, I think, yeah, the guy that was guarding me, 21, he was real good.
24:35 I can't remember his name right now.
24:36 I know his name, but he was just--he had me pretty good,
24:40 and I just was selling that little out route that I kept running.
24:44 You know, he opened his hips that way,
24:46 and I just ran past him up to see him on the first one that I caught.
24:49 And I think someone took the ball, and that ball was like this spinner, real crazy.
24:54 I wanted to catch it and stay on the run, but I had to body it
24:58 and just take my medicine on that one.
25:01 And then on the next one--what, I forget the next one.
25:07 I think it was the jump ball.
25:09 Oh, the jump ball.
25:11 Yeah, Deke just put that on the money.
25:15 What do they call him, Sneakin' Deakin'?
25:17 He put that thing on the money, and I just wanted to catch it for him.
25:21 You know, he put that thing right there, and it was perfect.
25:25 Coming down with it was--I thank the Lord on that one
25:29 because I don't know how I came down with it.
25:31 You've had five of the team's six catches.
25:34 Do you like being the heavy load guy?
25:37 Heck yeah, I love it.
25:39 It's fun.
25:40 You know, any time when you're catching a ball at all,
25:43 whether it's six catches total or whether it's 20 catches total or whatever,
25:48 it's fun just getting out there and playing the game and winning.
25:52 Talk about Deakin's overall performance
25:55 and how he was able to bat it back in the second half.
25:59 Yeah, Deke, I'm surprised you said that he was jittery earlier
26:02 because he didn't show it a bit, like his demeanor was.
26:07 But he's just really a calm guy.
26:11 He never seems too high or too low.
26:15 He's always just someone you can rely on when it comes to bringing the team
26:21 together and calming us down and stuff like that.
26:24 So it wasn't really a surprise.
26:27 Obviously some balls could have been better,
26:30 but that's with every quarterback.
26:33 He's getting better day by day, and really not a doubt with Deakin with me.
26:41 I told him earlier before the game started,
26:43 I had no doubt that we were going to win this game,
26:45 and that we're not going to win this game.
26:48 And he's just going to be very good, and I'm very confident in him.
26:55 How big of a moment was that to get that touchdown, third and short,
26:58 four tight ends on this field, and to score a touchdown in that moment?
27:02 I mean, yeah, just to put the team up was just huge.
27:08 And we wanted to score more, and that's the goal every time we touch the field.
27:14 But you've got to just enjoy each touchdown.
27:19 Any time you get in the end zone, that's a step closer to the W.
27:23 So thank the Lord.
27:25 Go ahead.
27:26 How happy were you to get Caleb Johnson back this week?
27:29 It was great.
27:30 After sitting him down for two weeks -- two weeks, right?
27:34 Two or three?
27:35 Three.
27:36 Three?
27:37 And, you know, just down for a while.
27:38 You know, he's hungry, ready to get back.
27:40 And I was just excited to get out there and block for him.
27:45 And, you know, we're from the same hometown.
27:48 So that was just a great special moment, me just being on the field
27:52 and him scoring that touchdown.
27:54 And, you know, coming back after three weeks hurt, you know, it's tough.
27:58 And he did a great job.
28:01 I'm very proud of him.
28:02 One more question.
28:03 Overall, this is active on the run game.
28:04 How nice was it to get it moving after a couple of tough weeks on the ground?
28:08 It was great.
28:09 You know, we knew we had a great shot at them in the run game.
28:13 And we knew, you know, we just had to keep just fighting
28:17 and being physical with them.
28:21 It was just very -- because they're a team that likes to always have an extra man
28:26 in the box to block them.
28:28 So we knew we had to scheme up a great scheme for today.
28:33 And, you know, we were confident in it and just did our best.
28:37 This was a team that had 17 sacks coming in today.
28:41 How did you feel like the line competed to prevent a lot of --
28:46 I mean, five or six sacks against them?
28:48 You know, those guys, you know, they work hard every day.
28:52 They're always putting in extra drill work after practice.
28:58 You know, they're always focused in the huddle.
29:00 They're always, you know, lifting up the team.
29:03 And those guys are just going to dominate as the weeks go on.
29:11 And, you know, anytime when someone's going to -- or anytime when a line, you know,
29:17 is that close and works that hard and is, you know, set on getting better
29:22 and getting the team better every week, you know, they're going to --
29:25 it's going to be that way.
29:27 And, you know, I was confident.
29:28 I didn't know how many sacks Purdue had going into the game,
29:30 and I really didn't care because, you know, I was confident in our own line
29:34 and confident in the ring game and confident that they were going to protect Deke
29:37 in the passing game.
29:39 All right.