Category
🥇
SportsTranscript
00:00 We're excited to get back on the field this Thursday night in front of our home
00:03 crowd.
00:03 It's another big football game and we gotta go out and try to find a way to win.
00:06 I think our guys have played hard here recently.
00:09 We've worked hard to improve and get better each and every week.
00:12 We gotta continue to stay on the same path.
00:15 The team we're playing is very competitive.
00:17 They lost five games, about less than four points,
00:19 to beat North Carolina on the road.
00:21 And they will challenge us.
00:24 So we're gonna play well, practice well.
00:25 It's quick, it's a quick turnaround.
00:26 But I think our guys understand what's at stake.
00:30 And winning is very important.
00:33 We gotta go out and win the football game.
00:37 >> Jeff, watching your teams at Western Kentucky and Purdue,
00:40 have you ever had a team that running the football was such a huge
00:45 component to what you guys do to lean on?
00:48 And is it comfortable for you to kind of start with that running game?
00:53 >> Well, I think every team is different.
00:55 You analyze and evaluate who your playmakers are, make sure they get the ball.
01:00 What are your strengths, defense, special teams, offense, all those things.
01:03 I think right now, whatever form that we've been using has been working.
01:09 I just think not turning the ball over.
01:13 We have three possessions in the first half.
01:15 That rarely happens.
01:17 So possessions are becoming less and less with the,
01:19 I don't know if it's the time clock change or what.
01:22 But three possessions, one half is not allowed.
01:24 So you gotta make it work.
01:25 And we have the last few games.
01:28 So I just think having balance, moving the chains, getting first downs,
01:33 getting points, not turning over is vital in offense.
01:36 Playing great defense, aggressive, getting sacks, negative plays is important.
01:39 And we saw on the special teams and right now, we've been doing something pretty well.
01:47 We wanna continue to build off that at the same time.
01:50 We work the passing game, we work the play action game.
01:53 We gotta make sure we're still have the ability to be effective at that as well.
01:57 >> Jeff, you said you liked this defense from day one.
02:02 Was there any particular aspect or reason that this defense is really,
02:09 they're kinda getting pretty nasty now in the way they play?
02:12 >> Well, I think we have good athletes on defense.
02:17 They like to play aggressive.
02:19 We have really a kind of perfect mix of,
02:22 got a few veterans that have played football, but
02:23 really a lot more guys that didn't have experience.
02:27 But yet, they were hungry and they're out to prove themselves.
02:31 And you want that on your defense, on your team.
02:35 So a lot of these guys are trying to make a name for themselves and
02:38 help their unit perform at a high level.
02:42 We'll continue to rotate multiple guys in there as much as we can,
02:46 which I think we have in multiple positions.
02:50 The depth has helped us not only keep guys fresh, but
02:52 when guys have gone down with injuries, whether it be temporarily or
02:56 for multiple games, we've had the ability to adapt and pick the pieces up pretty good.
03:01 So I just think that and the scheme we're trying to run,
03:06 I think it's gelled well together and they're playing a lot of confidence right now.
03:09 >> With the quick turnaround, what are the sacrifices you have to make in terms of
03:15 having less time to prepare and your biggest concerns without those two extra days?
03:20 >> Well, I think we can adjust and adapt to that pretty well.
03:25 We try to be forward thinkers in what we do and how we prepare all year.
03:30 And get guys ready, but yet take care of their body,
03:33 get them to game healthy and fresh and able to go full speed.
03:36 So I think without question, it's a short week.
03:38 We've had some physical gains here.
03:40 The pads won't be on as much.
03:43 It'll be a little more mental learning, but we will be on the field and
03:46 we'll go through all the same scenarios and
03:48 make sure that we're not missing a bullet on that at all.
03:53 And you have to prepare that way.
03:55 So I think we'll prepare hopefully just as hard and just as long as we can without
04:01 banging guys around on the field and being physical in practice and
04:06 try to get guys to this game fresh and ready to play physical in the game.
04:12 >> Jeff, Garindo has really upped his game the last couple of weeks.
04:18 And obviously, you liked him when he was at Wisconsin and he's coming here.
04:22 And man, he had his best game.
04:25 What did you like about him?
04:26 And I asked the Virginia Tech coach, he said, man,
04:28 we would have liked to have had him, we recruited him.
04:31 He had a great game, obviously, on Saturday.
04:34 He obviously followed his blocks well and did things the way he was supposed to.
04:40 >> Well, he's a great young man.
04:42 He's come in here and been a fantastic teammate from day one, been very selfish.
04:46 We feel like we have some depth at the running back room and
04:51 they all play a vital role.
04:53 Of course, Juarez made some big plays, he's very elusive.
04:57 But Isaac's a different runner.
04:58 He's physical, he can run downhill, he'll lower his pads.
05:01 He actually has good hands and good agility for that size.
05:05 And as far as straight ahead, he has really good speed.
05:09 That is surprising to a lot of people.
05:12 So when they try to tackle him and take an angle on him,
05:13 they normally don't take the angle that they probably should have.
05:17 So I just think he's been hungry, he's healthy, he's out to prove himself.
05:21 He's a really good teammate, he's fitting well.
05:23 And we gotta continue to feed those guys and
05:28 get them touches and let them go make plays.
05:30 >> Jeff, the home field advantage that has been created here,
05:35 when you coach here as an assistant in this place, it's always been loud.
05:39 Especially in the night games.
05:40 But this year, it seems like it is the energy, the buzz.
05:45 Do you notice that?
05:46 Do you notice the crowd?
05:47 And is it an advantage for your guys the way it has been?
05:50 >> Well, first off,
05:52 Ellen and Cardin Stadium is a great venue to watch a football game.
05:56 I mean, it's a fantastic venue, as good as anywhere in the country.
06:00 So we take pride in that.
06:01 Our players have loved coming out in front of our fans who have always been into
06:06 the game and been loud and been vocal of wanting to win and
06:11 wanting to do great things.
06:14 So if we can give that to them, they're even louder.
06:16 They continue to make a lot of noise and
06:22 stand up and cheer on this football team.
06:27 So I just think all those things matter.
06:30 If we can create a tremendous home field advantage from here until whenever,
06:35 it's a huge plus.
06:36 And we've gotta just continue to build that.
06:38 I think right now we're in the process of building that to the level that we want.
06:43 And we've gotta stay on that path.
06:44 That's gonna take good football play, teams that play hard and tough and smart and
06:49 play to the end.
06:50 And then fans that appreciate that style of playing football.
06:53 And yes, we wanna win as many games as we can, but we have to play that style.
06:57 A style that people wanna watch and wanna come pay the hard work money,
07:04 hard earned money to be a part of.
07:06 And that will have to continue this Thursday.
07:08 >> Hey Jeff, you mentioned on Saturday there were quite a few guys
07:13 nicked up after Duke.
07:14 And obviously there was game time decisions for some of them.
07:17 How do you try and manage some of those guys on a short week like this and
07:20 a quick turnaround?
07:21 >> Well, it's part of the game.
07:23 And yes, after the Duke game, we took some lumps as far as guys
07:30 maybe not being able to play and having to really deal with some
07:34 things that have popped up.
07:35 And they were key players.
07:38 But we're gonna continue to try to still get them healthy and
07:41 get them on the field.
07:42 When that'll happen with a few, I'm not for sure.
07:46 Some of them are day to day, some of them may be longer.
07:49 I think we got out of this game, for the most part,
07:54 as healthy as we could considering the circumstance.
07:57 And there were a lot of new people that stepped in that were fresh,
07:59 that did well, and that are continuing to be healthy.
08:02 So I just think we'll work through it as much as we can.
08:05 Every day is valuable.
08:07 But to our guys' credit, even the guys that didn't play
08:12 have tried to get healthy as fast as they can.
08:14 They wanna get on the field.
08:15 And some of them are suffering some pretty good nicks and
08:20 bruises and probably more than that.
08:23 So I give them a lot of credit.
08:24 They wanna go out there and help their team win.
08:26 And the other guys are ready in case they can't go.
08:29 >> Jeff, to follow up to the running game question,
08:31 when did it become apparent to you that maybe you needed to tweak your offense
08:36 some here and run the ball more?
08:38 And did you have any team that's similar to this at Purdue,
08:44 that's just balanced or not?
08:46 >> Well, like I said, I think, believe it or not, it was to Kentucky.
08:50 One of our graduate assistants here, Ace Wells, who played at Central.
08:54 One year, led the nation in touchdowns.
08:57 So he was a running back.
08:59 So we've had the ability to do that.
09:00 But we've had good receivers where we've been at.
09:03 We've been able to throw the ball.
09:05 It's about scoring points.
09:06 When you're playing a high level football, you've gotta find ways to score points.
09:12 We've had a few games where the play action shot has been very effective.
09:15 And we've had some others where maybe it hasn't.
09:17 We've had a few games where return overs kinda hurt us.
09:20 And I just think it got to the point where, okay,
09:23 let's make sure we're getting points.
09:26 So whether that's by air, by ground, let's get it to our playmaker's hands.
09:29 We're trying to make very many mistakes that we can prevent it.
09:34 Let's be efficient in our drives.
09:36 And I think the defense will dictate what we can do a little bit more of and not.
09:39 And I just think having the ability to throw and run is vital to success.
09:44 You can't be one dimensional, no matter what you think about it.
09:47 At some point, teams are gonna take away what you're doing well, and
09:50 you have to be able to do the other.
09:52 So we gotta continue to work through that.
09:55 But getting points and taking advantage of limited possessions is important,
10:00 especially early on.
10:01 You can set the tone early on and get a lead.
10:04 It allows the defense to play more aggressive, get after the quarterback and
10:10 the offense to be slightly more conservative and
10:13 make sure we're not giving anything to the defense.
10:15 And if our special teams are solid,
10:18 then it helps us hopefully win the football game.
10:21 But like I said, that's not always gonna happen.
10:22 We're not always gonna get the lead.
10:23 We're not always gonna get off to a fast start.
10:25 So when you don't, you have to be able to adjust, and
10:27 that's what we gotta make sure we can do.
10:28 >> Jeff, you discussed the home field advantage.
10:32 Maybe the electricity is nothing like the beginning of the fourth quarter when
10:35 they're playing Joe from the Thief.
10:36 I saw some coaches dancing, the players dancing.
10:39 What's that done for morale, and when are you going to dance?
10:45 >> [LAUGH] >> That's a good question.
10:48 >> After I watched a few of the coaches dance,
10:50 we've had to pull the rope back on a little bit, embarrass our staff.
10:55 But you know what?
10:56 Truthfully, the energy the fourth quarter brings,
11:00 especially when the game's going the way you want, is tremendous.
11:04 And I just think the fans are hyped up, our players are.
11:07 We kinda have to push them back to the sideline a little bit to make sure that
11:11 we don't step over the line.
11:12 But we want them to have that energy and that juice.
11:15 And we still have a lot more games to win before,
11:20 and you might see me dance.
11:22 >> Jeff, everybody has this next man up mentality.
11:26 You guys have kind of lived it, whether it's running back, offensive line,
11:30 defensive backfield, wide receiver.
11:32 What do you think that does for the entire team?
11:34 >> Well, we try to pre-state year round that there's gonna be some starters,
11:40 some backups, some guys that maybe don't play as much as you want.
11:43 But at some point, you're gonna get on the field.
11:45 And then when you do, you gotta be ready.
11:47 And if you're ready, then you're probably gonna play a whole lot more.
11:50 And that's kind of the role of a backup quarterback to a certain degree,
11:53 where if you enjoy that backup role too much, and
11:58 you're not working as hard as you should as a starter,
12:00 well, eventually it's gonna catch up with you.
12:02 But if you're putting in the work and the time, and you're just hungry as heck to
12:06 get that opportunity, normally you're gonna take advantage of it.
12:08 So I just think we do play quite a few guys, a lot of positions.
12:13 I think our team sees that.
12:15 If guys can prove to us they're ready mentally and physically to go in there and
12:18 play and make plays and be aggressive, we're gonna try to put them in there.
12:21 And we wanna always be that way.
12:24 And we got a good nucleus of guys that work hard, that wanna win,
12:29 that wanna showcase what they're all about, and wanna give them that opportunity.
12:32 And when you face good football teams, you find a way to win,
12:35 it provides even more energy and incentive to go out there and work hard.
12:38 So I hope that we can build on that, and
12:40 even more guys can step up in this near future when we need it to.
12:43 >> Jeff, you guys have now had three home games where you haven't allowed
12:48 a touchdown, I ask this a bit tongue in cheek.
12:51 How does it feel as a former quarterback to now be a defensive coach?
12:55 >> [LAUGH] >> Well,
12:57 I'll tell you, defense can really help the game go smoother.
13:01 And our defense is playing very, very good right now.
13:04 Each week they come ready to play, they played aggressive,
13:09 they've taken advantage of the situation, and they've done a really good job.
13:14 And like I said, every week is new.
13:18 So as soon as you start thinking that this is how it's gonna be all the time,
13:21 then you have a slip up.
13:22 So we have to make sure that the same hunger and focus and
13:25 preparations put in, there's still a lot of season left to play.
13:29 There's a lot to play for, but if you don't win Thursday,
13:33 then you take a punch in the gut.
13:37 We don't wanna take a punch in the gut, we wanna continue to push forward and
13:41 try to find a way to win this next one.
13:43 However we need to, whoever's working for us, and
13:46 continue to work our way through the season.
13:49 >> Yeah, Jeff, you guys have won the toss more than you've lost it this year, and
13:55 you generally defer to take the second half.
13:57 Why is that your preference, and
13:59 has that always been the way you've done it as a coach?
14:02 >> Well, the one-sided coin we gave the officials has worked very well for us.
14:05 >> [LAUGH] >> I've never won a toss that many times,
14:09 so every time, and trust me, when it happens, I'm watching.
14:13 It's amazing that we've won the toss as much as we have.
14:17 So we hope to continue to do that.
14:19 But you know what?
14:19 It used to be, you always would like to take the ball first.
14:23 It was a macho, manly thing to do.
14:26 Go out there, take it down to the field and score, and set the tone, and
14:29 do all those things.
14:30 And while that's still true to a certain degree, you know what?
14:36 Research and our history over the last ten years
14:41 has shown us that we were probably wrong.
14:43 >> [LAUGH] >> And there have been multiple games
14:46 where whether it was the other team took the ball first or
14:50 we had the toss and deferred, we have probably won more of those games.
14:54 And I think it's really nothing more than nowadays,
14:58 if the other team gets the ball and you can stop them, you're at the advantage.
15:04 You've already won the advantage.
15:06 And that's kind of the goal.
15:07 Our defense is playing well, they played aggressive, we've gotten stops.
15:11 And that has helped us win because now that you have the advantage then,
15:14 then start of the second half, you get the ball, which creates an advantage.
15:20 Vice versa, if you get the ball first, it's important to take it down and score.
15:23 Now, we got the ball first at Pittsburgh, took it down and score.
15:26 But we still lost the game.
15:28 So it doesn't always play out.
15:30 But it is important to do that because they're gonna get the ball,
15:33 start the second half.
15:35 I think we got the ball first.
15:37 Maybe we did.
15:39 Okay.
15:40 So I just think we've just done it by research and we believe in our defense.
15:45 We believe we can get that first stop and
15:48 hopefully get the momentum to create some advantage.
15:51 And fortunately, we've taken it down and scored after the last couple games.
15:55 And it's really kind of set the tone early.
15:57 So it's just kind of, I'm sure maybe in a couple years,
16:00 the pendulum may swing the other way, but right now we feel good about that recipe.
16:04 >> Jeff, kind of going back to talk about home field advantage,
16:09 you guys have played a lot stronger at home.
16:11 Whether it's the crowd or whatever it is, what do you feel like has gotten you guys
16:15 in that mode where you've been able to be so dominant at home?
16:18 >> I think it's a lot of things.
16:19 Yes, the home field advantage is big.
16:21 Yes, the crowd noise is huge.
16:23 The energy of the stadium is outstanding.
16:25 Our players do feed off that.
16:29 We like playing on a great surface with great footing as well.
16:32 Believe it or not, that matters when you're trying to make plays and
16:35 be effective.
16:36 No matter what the weather is, you normally have a good surface out here.
16:39 And any time you go on the road, I mean, you gotta adjust your cadence.
16:45 You cannot maybe change the play as much.
16:48 You could have a few more false starts than you want to.
16:51 There's just a lot of small things that can go into it that will affect
16:54 a couple of negative plays happen that can cost the game.
16:58 And here, with the noise on our side, it can affect it the other way.
17:02 So it is an advantage.
17:05 We need to use it as an advantage.
17:07 And we need to make sure we're continuing to keep our crowd in the game because
17:10 they can definitely be a very helpful factor to help us win the game.
17:15 >> Jeff, we talked a lot about the tight end position earlier.
17:18 One guy that I think has gone, I don't think he's an age back,
17:21 he's the winning guard.
17:22 His snaps have gone up the last few weeks.
17:25 And it appears it looks like a couple touchdowns, he's the one kinda leading
17:29 the way, he's kinda the battering ram.
17:31 How has he progressed and what have you seen from him?
17:34 >> Well, Dwayne Barton has done an outstanding job.
17:37 And I think maybe early on, myself and
17:41 us as coaches didn't recognize how valuable he is.
17:44 So we kinda sold him short early on.
17:46 And every time he's been in there, he has produced, he blocks hard,
17:50 he knows the package.
17:52 He plays aggressive, he's more athletic than we even initially thought.
17:58 And we need to continue to use him in a lot of roles.
18:00 So I just think he's very valuable to this team.
18:03 Very unselfish, the guys look up to him.
18:05 He's a quiet, confident young man that just plays hard.
18:09 But he knows his role, he plays it well, he understands what we're doing.
18:13 He doesn't have mental mistakes.
18:14 He's very sharp.
18:19 And we gotta continue to use him more.
18:20 So I think you'll see him in there as much as we can.
18:22 And he's been very valuable and he's helped us win a lot of games by playing
18:30 as well as he has, and that's just due to his hard work and work ethic.
18:35 >> Hey Jeff, I know this is your first year coaching Ashton Jolade, but
18:40 he's really taken a leap even from showing flashes last year and
18:44 consistently producing.
18:45 Just what has impressed you about his growth and his development this season?
18:50 >> Well, Ashton reminds me a lot of George Karloff,
18:52 the suit we had at Purdue, who was first round pick of the Chiefs.
18:56 Kinda can play defensive end, but maybe move inside as well.
19:01 He has that dual threat ability to do both, where he's a strong end that can,
19:09 in our opinion, play on the edge of the defense, set the edge,
19:12 come off the line of scrimmage with power and pop, and
19:14 yet has some speed and quickness as well.
19:17 You wanna move him inside and create some mismatches,
19:19 he can do that very good also.
19:23 He creates push, he's got quickness and agility, he understands football,
19:28 he's really strong, doesn't miss practice, doesn't miss reps.
19:32 I mean, he's just very durable.
19:34 So I just think, and he's played, so he's already played quite a bit.
19:37 So he had experience before we got here, and
19:40 he's proved very valuable to his defense.
19:42 Now we rotate guys in there and try to keep them fresh as well, but
19:46 he's a dominant player for us, and it shows up every week.
19:51 >> Last two, Kendrick and Kent.
19:53 >> Jeff, you keep going one and O the next few weeks,
19:56 you have a chance to play in the ACC Championship.
19:58 How do you address that with your team coming down the stretch of the season?
20:02 >> Well, I think everyone reads and
20:03 sees what's out there on Twitter and all those things.
20:06 There's nothing wrong with that.
20:07 I think for us, it's simple.
20:09 If you win, you take care of business, then good things can happen.
20:13 So we gotta come back over a short week and try to win this next football game.
20:17 If we do that, then good things are still possible.
20:20 But it's important that we understand that none of this can happen if you're not
20:24 winning.
20:25 >> With the short week, and as important as Juar is to you,
20:28 how do you manage that week?
20:29 And do you maybe take some confidence from what you saw from Isaac,
20:32 knowing that if you do have to rest him, that Isaac can certainly-
20:37 >> Well, I think we wanna try to get
20:38 Juar even more healthy, and we'll try to do that.
20:42 We used him some, but we were able to use other running backs,
20:44 which helped to take the load off.
20:46 I think even Juar enjoyed watching the other running backs play and
20:51 do some good things, and he wants to win football games, so he's very unselfish.
20:54 So we'll still try to get him ready as much as we can to play this Thursday and
20:59 see how he is.
21:00 He still has the unique ability to make guys miss in the hole,
21:04 he's very elusive, and we need all the elements we can to win football games.
21:08 So we'll definitely go into this game trying to use everyone that we can at our
21:13 disposal that's healthy enough to play.
21:14 >> All right, questions?