IAFB OFF 11-7-23

  • last year
iowa football offense nov 7 2023
Transcript
00:00 like that come together where he throws that perfect pass to win the game.
00:03 So it's awesome.
00:04 >> When you look at Rutgers, I mean,
00:06 you're kind of looking at some ways kind of a mirror image of your guys,
00:09 of yourselves just because they play really physical hard.
00:13 Four down, up front, so it's a lot of times, and Northwestern plays that way too.
00:17 >> Yeah.
00:18 >> So is it in some ways kind of like going against Iowa?
00:21 Not the same, but- >> Right, they don't have Max Lillen, but
00:24 I mean, I know what you're saying.
00:25 They definitely play tough and it's gonna be kind of the same thing,
00:28 which is nice.
00:28 That's what you practice against all fall camp.
00:31 So yeah, in a sense, kind of.
00:34 >> What have you spotted from them as far as defensively, what do they do well?
00:38 How have they been able to really stop the run as effective as they have?
00:42 >> Well, they have some really good, they do a really good job of, I'm sorry,
00:46 squeezing down the gaps like their DMs and D tackles do a really good job.
00:49 And then their linebackers play off of that too really well.
00:51 So that's how they've been able to stop the run.
00:54 So and they also, I think they're a high percentage of a boy's team, I think.
00:57 That's positive.
00:58 Yeah, so that too, you gotta be able to play the blitz.
01:01 So that's how they're stopping the run.
01:03 >> You said something about Ellsbury being like an encyclopedia or
01:06 whatever you said.
01:06 >> Dictionary, yeah.
01:07 >> Dictionary.
01:08 >> Dictionary.
01:09 >> Like what, can you expand on that?
01:11 Like is it, like does he, like what does he know?
01:15 >> Everything.
01:17 Yeah, so I mean, we'll get some super goofy look or something.
01:19 And I'm just like, I don't even know what I'm looking at.
01:20 And he'll be like, he'll give us the call that we would have for it.
01:24 And then he'd say like, who's doing what?
01:26 Like why we're doing it.
01:26 Maybe we have a seal back or something.
01:28 Like he knows everything.
01:29 So it's pretty impressive.
01:30 >> Probably a good guy to jump in at center.
01:32 >> That's who you want at center.
01:33 >> Okay. >> Yeah.
01:34 >> Who was that?
01:35 >> Ellsbury.
01:36 >> Okay. >> Yeah.
01:37 >> What was that like?
01:38 I think you probably asked about this, but having like three-fifths of the guys go
01:42 out early in the game and you guys having to adjust.
01:45 >> Sure, I mean, we have a ton of depth, so that was nice.
01:47 Cuz we got guys that know what they're doing and they can jump in and
01:49 play ball too.
01:50 So, I mean, it's not something that you worry about mid-game cuz you just
01:54 gotta move forward.
01:54 But we got guys that can play, so it wasn't a huge deal.
01:58 >> With Bo Stevenson not gonna be able to make it,
02:01 Cade Piper jumped up, at least on the depth chart.
02:04 I know he's probably a ways away from playing, but
02:07 what has he been able to do that's enabled him to at least get his name on paper?
02:10 >> He works really hard.
02:11 He's a really hardworking kid.
02:12 I mean, he's kind of a goofball, but he works really hard and he hits people.
02:16 He likes to hit, so that's why.
02:18 >> So he's- >> Doing everything they do,
02:19 and Luke and Eric.
02:20 But last year, I just think working on my tempo and staying under control and
02:26 not getting overwhelmed in the huddle and stuff like that.
02:29 I think all those guys have taught me to just stay under control, stay focused,
02:33 and it's helped me a lot this year.
02:36 >> What did you say you were recruited for?
02:38 >> I was actually recruited to play baseball here first.
02:41 And then going into my junior year, I decided to make the switch to football.
02:47 >> Wow.
02:48 >> Edison, how did you guys handle the news last week?
02:51 And how are you guys,
02:52 are you guys kind of rallying around that situation moving forward?
02:55 >> We're not really focused on that.
02:57 We're just focused on improving every day in practice and
03:00 coming together as a team and trying to get better every single day.
03:04 >> How do you keep your emotions in check when something like that happens?
03:08 >> I think for us, it's just trying to forget about everything outside of this
03:13 building and just focusing on what's inside this building and
03:16 what we can do to get better.
03:17 >> I mean, how does it feel to be in this position right now where you guys have
03:21 three games and if you do, you win, you're gonna be in Indianapolis?
03:24 How does it feel to be seven and two right now?
03:27 >> I mean, it feels great to have wins.
03:29 But right now we're really just focused on getting the next win this week and yeah.
03:34 >> What do people say about the offense inside this building?
03:37 >> We're just focused on trying to get better in practice and yeah.
03:45 >> When you look at, I'm sure you're a receiver if I recall.
03:48 >> Yeah, yep.
03:49 >> Moving to tight end, you're not developing, it has to happen here.
03:53 But first things first, and that's blocking.
03:55 >> Yeah.
03:56 >> Where did that mentality kind of start for you?
03:58 Was that in summer, as soon as you arrived in summer with Ray and
04:03 everything like that?
04:03 >> Yeah, I'd say, yeah, definitely the weight room was the biggest thing.
04:08 Cuz I came in probably 230 pounds and I put on probably 20 pounds.
04:12 So just being able to focus in the weight room and
04:16 then put it on to the field once the summer came was definitely the biggest
04:20 transition I'd say, according to my freshman year.
04:23 >> Did that impact your movements or your lateral movements or
04:29 your overall speed?
04:30 And it or did it actually improve despite putting it all that way?
04:34 >> I'd say that it did improve.
04:36 I think at first it took me a little bit to transition and feel that way.
04:40 But I think as time went on, it's definitely improved.
04:43 >> I feel like Deacon definitely stepped up and did what he was supposed to.
04:46 Just in general, putting the team on his back and making things work.
04:50 So I mean, it's been smooth for me, definitely.
04:53 I feel like Deacon has been that.
04:55 So I like Deacon just as well as Cade, so no big deal, speed move.
05:00 >> Can you just take me through what you saw on the catch head?
05:04 >> What I saw?
05:04 >> Is that for you?
05:06 >> Yeah, definitely.
05:07 I was just definitely pushing through the leverage of the corner.
05:09 And did what I do best and made my move at the top of the route and
05:14 the ball was right there.
05:17 So like I said, I can't really take credit for it.
05:18 I just did what I was supposed to do, my job.
05:21 >> How did it feel in that moment to make that catch to really get you guys in
05:24 position to win the game?
05:26 >> It felt great knowing that it was definitely needed.
05:29 I mean, somebody had to do it.
05:30 So I was glad to be put in that position.
05:33 Definitely got to give glory to God.
05:35 You know what I'm saying?
05:38 Just the way that he straightened my path in general leading up to that because
05:42 the opportunity was there.
05:43 But for me to be put in that situation at the time that I did,
05:46 it was just a great feeling.
05:49 >> How about the throw by Deacon?
05:50 >> Great, it was there.
05:52 I had to do much, you know what I'm saying?
05:54 It was right there on me.
05:55 So I definitely wanted to score though, but we're gonna get there.
06:01 >> How much does this game help from a confidence standpoint,
06:04 kind of moving forward to these next three games?
06:07 >> A whole lot.
06:08 I would say I probably got more shots than usual.
06:12 So just getting the feeling of being on the field, just another game.
06:16 It's like growing up.
06:18 So I would say that was probably a super confidence thing, definitely.
06:26 >> Deacon mentioned after the game that the offense is growing and
06:30 it might not be fast enough for some people outside of this building.
06:34 But I mean, you were right there for what ended up being sort of a game breaking
06:40 catch, you guys won the game off that.
06:42 Does that sort of feel like validation for the offense, for Deacon, for
06:47 the team in your eyes?
06:49 >> Yeah, I would say that it gives us all confidence.
06:53 I mean, how could I say this?
06:57 I would say it's more about what's going on in the building rather than outside.
07:00 We only have so many opportunities to execute,
07:08 but when it needs to be done, it happens.
07:11 And it might not be, I'm sorry.
07:14 It might not happen for everybody on the outside the way it wanted to happen.
07:19 But as long as it's working for us on the inside, we gain the confidence.
07:23 And guys, let's just, I think that's all that matters.
07:25 >> That's good.