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00:00 Okay, well very proud of our football team.
00:07 It was a great win for us today.
00:09 I thought our guys came ready to play.
00:11 Without question last week's game was physical.
00:15 And our guys roasted the challenge and played a physical game to get that win.
00:18 And because of it we had some guys nicked up.
00:20 And not for sure if they were going to play, but I give our guys a lot of credit.
00:25 All of them tried to get ready.
00:28 And they wanted to go out there.
00:30 Some could, some couldn't.
00:32 So I give them a lot of credit.
00:33 They showed a lot of courage.
00:35 And we hope to get those guys, other guys back as fast as we can.
00:39 As far as our team, I tip my hat to them.
00:43 These guys maybe hadn't played as much, rose to the challenge,
00:47 stepped up when their number was called from our running back room,
00:50 from our receiver room, from our defensive back room.
00:55 All those guys stepped up and did a really good job.
00:58 So that's a sign of a really good football team.
01:00 That's a sign of a team that cares.
01:02 They came ready to play.
01:04 And it was another really great win in front of a tremendous crowd that was into it
01:08 and our players feet off of it.
01:10 So, you know, very proud of them.
01:12 And it was a really good day of football.
01:16 Jeff, you guys haven't given up a touchdown I think in 123 minutes.
01:21 What have you seen from the defense over the course of the season that's allowed
01:26 them to have a stretch like this?
01:29 Well, I know I've explained it a few times before, not to get technical,
01:32 but, you know, we've prepared hard in the off season to get a plan together that
01:39 we believed in, that some of it's traditional, some of it's not.
01:44 And we wanted to be multiple in what we did.
01:46 And I just think to talk general realities, it's about getting pressure on the
01:51 quarterback.
01:52 It's about getting in front of receivers and not allowing free releases,
01:58 easy completions, making the quarterback hold it a little bit longer than he would
02:02 like to that will allow our defense to get in there and create sacks and get
02:08 after the quarterback.
02:10 Our linebackers have been able to play downhill.
02:12 We play multiple fronts.
02:13 We shift.
02:14 We stem.
02:15 We prioritize coverages.
02:16 And all those things matter.
02:17 You know, from a former quarterback and someone on offense, you know,
02:20 I know what we don't like to see.
02:22 And I think right now our defense are doing a lot of those things that you don't
02:24 want to see, and they're doing it very well.
02:27 So, eventually, of course, teams will game plan and try to do things,
02:32 but we do a lot.
02:33 So, you know, you can prepare for a few things, but it's hard to prepare for all
02:36 of it.
02:37 And we have some wrinkles every week that we throw in there.
02:39 So I just think our coaches have done a great job, our players,
02:43 because we've worked this for so long, understand it, they know it.
02:47 We get the calls in, they execute it, and we're in the right position at the
02:50 right time.
02:51 You know, we play well.
02:53 Now, I do think playing complementary football has helped us.
02:56 We've gone back to pounding the ball, running the ball, controlling the clock,
03:00 trying to get positive plays, trying to get up early and not have turnovers
03:04 and give them something easy.
03:06 And when that happens, it allows your defense to tee off even more.
03:09 So I just think all those things matter, the complementary football
03:12 and unselfish play by some of our receivers and skill guys on offense mean a lot.
03:17 And eventually we're going to need to chuck it around a lot as well.
03:21 But right now it's very good complementary football.
03:24 Jeff, a lot of teams are going through some kind of attrition right now with
03:28 injuries or what have you.
03:30 Did you feel comfortable?
03:32 Like how well did you feel equipped to handle that with some of the depth,
03:37 especially guys that you've got in the transfer portal?
03:42 What was the last part, especially the guys that have --?
03:46 Well, you know what, you try not to think too much of what you have to get done
03:53 at the very end.
03:54 We just -- you know, when we got here we knew we had to go look at the transfer
03:57 portal and help improve our team.
03:59 And I don't think that really changes every year.
04:01 You know, you analyze your team, you try to help it improve and get better.
04:04 You may need some positions, you may not.
04:06 But at the same time you always need depth and you always need guys that can
04:09 help you play.
04:10 And if there's guys that are really good players that want to come here and play
04:12 that we think can help us, we're going to add them to the mix as long as we can
04:15 fit them in.
04:16 And we're fair to everybody.
04:18 We give everybody a fair chance.
04:19 Our players on the team know when we bring them in, if you're playing well and
04:24 you're doing good, well you'll be out there.
04:25 If someone else comes in and is playing better, then they're going to be out
04:28 there.
04:29 And we like to play a lot.
04:30 So in a perfect world we can play a lot of guys.
04:33 And you see that on defense.
04:34 We rotate a lot of guys on the defensive line.
04:37 We've been able to play a lot of guys in the secondary because we've had
04:39 injuries.
04:40 We can rotate at the linebacker position.
04:42 We haven't as much, but we can.
04:44 Our nickel positions, we rotate that.
04:46 So we have built depth, and that's through development of our team, some
04:51 experience, and then the transfer portal.
04:53 On offense we needed to get more depth on the offensive line.
04:55 We went out and got it.
04:56 And they've done a really good job.
04:58 And so proud of that.
04:59 We needed to get a few more receivers to add to the mix.
05:02 We did.
05:03 Isaac in the running back room, he helped.
05:05 I mean, every little thing matters.
05:07 We got Jack at quarterback, you know, even the tight end position.
05:11 With Joey, you know, he's athletic.
05:13 We're trying to get him involved a little bit more.
05:15 So I just think all those things matter.
05:17 It's nothing more than selling this program and what we can do for guys and
05:21 help them achieve their goals.
05:22 And you've got to attack it every day, and it can get tiresome.
05:27 But, you know, coaching matters, but, you know, you have to have players.
05:31 And, you know, I think we've been able to build some depth at key positions,
05:36 and it's helped us.
05:38 Jeff, when did you know that Juwar would be able to go today?
05:41 And moving forward, what you saw from Isaac today,
05:44 what does it do for his confidence and your confidence, maybe, you know,
05:48 if you have to deal with that situation, if that's kind of a lingering thing
05:50 with Juwar?
05:51 Well, unfortunately we had at least a handful of guys that, you know,
05:55 were nicked up in the last game that, you know, we had concerns about.
05:59 And today's age, you know, you don't want to tell the other team too much
06:03 what's going on because there was some pivotal positions.
06:06 So we tried to get them ready as fast as we could,
06:10 which really just meant rehabbing them, and they didn't really practice.
06:13 You know, I give Juwar a lot of credit.
06:15 You know, he's nicked up in multiple spots.
06:19 He tried to give it a go.
06:21 He went out there and played.
06:23 Luckily Isaac and Maurice stepped in and kind of took it over.
06:27 We didn't have to use him as much.
06:29 So that was great to see.
06:31 So I'm proud of that running back room.
06:33 At the receiver position, you know, Jamari couldn't go.
06:36 When can he go?
06:37 I don't know.
06:38 You know, but, you know, Jaden has worked hard.
06:41 When he stepped in, kind of he's been his backup all year
06:43 and had the touchdown catch.
06:45 Caught another one down low.
06:46 Didn't have to throw the ball a lot.
06:47 Our other receivers played hard.
06:49 They've been unselfish.
06:51 I'm sure they like to catch more balls.
06:53 And we'd like to throw more balls to them.
06:55 But right now the formula that we've used has been efficient and effective.
06:59 And so they've been very unselfish.
07:01 Had some linemen that couldn't practice at all that sucked it up
07:05 and went to the game again.
07:07 And in the secondary we were down some spots there.
07:09 And Storm stepped in and did well.
07:12 And then he got hurt a little bit, had to come in and get a shot
07:15 or whatever he had to get done.
07:16 And some other guys came in.
07:18 So, you know, it's that time of the year.
07:20 You know, we try not to make excuses.
07:22 It's going to happen to everybody.
07:23 Everybody has injuries.
07:25 You get the next guy in there and they've got to go play.
07:27 And, you know, I'm proud of today they went in there and played well.
07:32 Coach, since the loss at Pittsburgh,
07:34 the team has really seemed to find its groove, especially defensively.
07:38 You know, while Ashton gets a lot of the attention,
07:41 it seems like everybody's making plays.
07:43 TJ Quinn made an unbelievable interception today.
07:45 What makes the defense so good and so many guys seem to come in
07:49 and play so well just from a pass rush standpoint,
07:51 defensing the run and in the passing game?
07:54 Well, believe it or not, in my opinion, first off, we've coached better.
07:59 I didn't think I coached well in the Pittsburgh game.
08:02 We were too aggressive.
08:03 We had turnovers, gave the other team the ball.
08:07 On defense, we were probably too aggressive, let them throw it over our head.
08:11 So, we needed to coach better.
08:13 So, now that we're coaching better, you know, our players are executing very well.
08:20 We're a little more conservative in our approach, believe it or not,
08:24 but we're smarter in what we're doing while still being aggressive to a certain degree,
08:30 and our guys are executing.
08:31 So, right now, we really haven't had to, you know, open the playbook, so to speak,
08:36 in the passing game.
08:37 We really haven't had to bring the house, so to speak, on defense.
08:41 We've just kind of ran our package.
08:44 So, I just think because of that, they understand it.
08:47 They're playing well.
08:49 The mixture of all the things we've done has helped us kind of throw the offense
08:52 and defense off, and I just think, you know, it starts with me and our coaches
08:56 and our players have done a really good job.
09:00 Jeff, I guess mentioning TJ Quinn, you know, obviously he's a leading tackler,
09:03 had another good game, first career interception, first career sack.
09:07 I guess what's been the most impressive or exciting part about his growth this season?
09:12 Well, TJ, I mean, it's eerie.
09:18 He reminds me so much of his dad, who I played with.
09:21 His dad was hard-nosed.
09:22 He was tough.
09:24 He would hit you harder than anybody could hit you.
09:26 He didn't say boo, but he worked his butt off.
09:29 And, you know, TJ, you know, is probably even better.
09:34 He's been a starter for us.
09:35 He plays hard.
09:36 He's all over the field.
09:37 He'll tackle.
09:38 He'll run.
09:39 He'll work his tail off.
09:40 You can coach him hard if you want to.
09:41 You can lead him in the right way, and he'll continue to do it.
09:44 He's unselfish as well.
09:45 His teammates love him.
09:47 He's just a really good leader that I don't think has played a whole lot to this year,
09:51 but we've thrown him in there, and, you know,
09:53 he's been a big difference maker for us each and every week,
09:58 and, you know, somebody that we rely on and count on to play well because he helps us win.
10:04 Jeff, Jack had another really efficient day today, 11 of 12.
10:09 What have you liked from him after the bye week in these last couple of games?
10:13 Well, I think Jack really did a really good job again.
10:16 That's two weeks in a row, and, you know, you can say, well, we didn't throw a whole lot.
10:21 You know what?
10:22 We've asked to change up the formula a little bit and see if it's effective.
10:28 He's taken care of the ball.
10:29 He's made good decisions.
10:30 He's got us in the right play.
10:32 He's got us in the right play in the run game.
10:33 He's very smart in his approach to the game.
10:37 He's distributed the ball accurately when he's had to.
10:40 And like I told him, you know, we're going to have some games at some point
10:44 where we're going to have to air it out and you're going to have to be efficient
10:46 and throw a bunch of darts and all those things.
10:49 It's still not turnover very much, but he's done a great job.
10:54 I mean, because of his experience, because of his knowledge, his intelligence,
10:59 because he wants to win so bad, and the fact that he's a really good teammate,
11:02 he does what we've asked him, and he understands his offense as good as me,
11:07 if not better.
11:08 And when you have that guy out there on the field, it really helps.
11:12 I'm just really proud of his performance,
11:14 and really all of our quarterbacks have worked hard,
11:16 and we feel comfortable putting any of them in.
11:19 Jeff, you mentioned that you guys are playing complementary football right now,
11:22 but it almost feels like the offense and the defense are almost feeding off of
11:25 each other, and, you know, when good teams can have that,
11:30 it can kind of reach another level.
11:32 Do you sense that they're doing that?
11:34 I think so.
11:35 I mean, I think this team has really gelled together lately very well.
11:40 I think they understand what we're good at, what we're trying to do,
11:43 what we need to improve at, and then we go out there and do what we do best
11:46 and hope that it works, and if we've got to adjust, then we adjust.
11:50 But I just think the special team has done a really good job as well.
11:53 All three segments have stepped up and performed at a high level the last few weeks.
11:59 They understand that each and every week the bar gets raised due to your
12:03 performance, and you have to come out and do it again.
12:06 So we challenge our guys every week, man.
12:07 You can't, you know, rest on what happened last week or what you've done in the
12:11 past.
12:12 It's about what are you going to do in the future.
12:14 What are you going to do today?
12:15 That's what matters.
12:16 That's what everyone wants to see.
12:18 So don't doubt that you can play better than you have.
12:22 If you are, you're cheating yourself.
12:24 So I just think we challenge our guys to raise the bar each and every week.
12:28 They've stepped up to the challenge.
12:31 It will continue to -- the bar will have to be raised even higher,
12:34 and we'll see just how high we can take it.
12:39 Jeff, you've talked about Brian's toughness before.
12:42 How much has he --
12:43 One more time.
12:44 Oh, yeah.
12:45 Brian Hudson, you've talked about his toughness before.
12:47 How much has he shown you as a leader this season to keep going out there and
12:50 play?
12:51 Well, with Brian, you know, he's not able to practice a whole lot during the week.
12:57 When we get to some walk-through stuff, he kind of goes through it and takes
13:00 mental reps.
13:01 I mean, you'd have to amputate his leg for him not to play.
13:04 I mean, that's -- like he's going to go out on the field and play.
13:07 Like of all the people, like with Brian, it doesn't matter what he has,
13:11 he's going to play in the game on Saturday.
13:13 I mean, that's just kind of what you get, which is impressive,
13:15 because that's a hard job, playing center, making all the calls.
13:18 You've still got to be athletic.
13:20 You've still got to get some type of mental work or film work to make sure
13:24 you're ready to go.
13:25 It's hard not to, you know, be able to practice as much as you like.
13:28 But, you know, he's got experience.
13:30 He's got knowledge.
13:31 He's also a quiet team leader who exemplifies what that position is all about,
13:40 just toughness and grit, unselfishness.
13:43 It doesn't matter whether he's healthy or not, he's going to be on the field.
13:48 So, very proud of him.
13:49 And so is our team.
13:50 Our team looks up to him.
13:51 He's a really good leader.
13:52 Thank you.
13:53 Thank you.
13:54 [Applause]