Iowa players after Illinois game
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00:00 - Yeah, definitely stood out, but that's what we have to do.
00:04 - Talk about your physical play.
00:05 You get the ball, and you look like a running back
00:08 like you did in high school.
00:09 Is that your mentality?
00:11 - Oh, yeah, definitely.
00:12 I feel like I haven't really lost that kind of edge on me.
00:16 It's just a part of the way I play.
00:18 So, you know, I always --
00:19 It's probably been a big thing for me,
00:20 just running after the catch,
00:22 and what I can do after the catch.
00:23 I probably say that that's the biggest thing
00:24 to highlight about me.
00:25 - I think his forecatch is in the first quarter.
00:27 How did it feel to have such a dominant start to this game?
00:31 - Oh, it felt great.
00:32 I feel like it's what --
00:34 It's a part of what got us going.
00:36 So, you know, it was definitely good to be a part of it,
00:39 for one, and, you know,
00:40 just get the offense going at the end of the day.
00:42 - What's this mean to you,
00:44 to be able to be a part of a Big Ten West championship?
00:48 - It means a whole lot.
00:49 What we just had in the locker room is crazy.
00:51 Like, I wish I could be there, honestly.
00:54 And we just had a good time.
00:55 That's all. I got water all over my hat.
00:57 Like I said, it's great just to see the improvement
01:00 of the guys next to me, you know, even myself,
01:02 just to step up and be the guy
01:04 that everybody needs me to be.
01:05 So, even myself needs me to be.
01:07 So, it's just been great.
01:09 That's all. I'm super excited.
01:11 Definitely super excited.
01:12 I'm out of breath and everything from the locker room,
01:14 but super excited, definitely.
01:16 - You had to wait your turn throughout the season,
01:18 but, you know, to come full circle,
01:20 you had the most yards for an Iowa wide receiver this season.
01:23 And to do that in the biggest game of the season,
01:25 I guess, how full circle is kind of just
01:28 when you kind of look back at your journey
01:29 throughout the season to now?
01:31 - Yeah, it's crazy to think about.
01:32 I mean, nobody, even what just happened,
01:35 nobody really expected that, you know,
01:37 but, you know, just the, how do I say it?
01:41 Just the whole patience, like, aspect of it.
01:44 You know what I mean?
01:45 Like, it will come around full circle.
01:47 And I just, I have faith in that pretty much.
01:49 And just to actually see it come before me,
01:51 it's just, words can't explain how exciting it is.
01:54 - What did Coach Farran say in the locker room
01:55 to you guys after, how emotional was it?
01:58 - It was super emotional, I can say that, that's for sure.
02:01 The way Phil bought him up and gave him the game ball,
02:04 it was definitely something that I'll remember forever.
02:06 And he just said that he'll be talking about us
02:07 10 years from now, definitely.
02:09 So that was just something great to be a part of,
02:12 and just to take pictures with the guys next to me,
02:13 you know, my receivers and everything like that,
02:15 you know, dap them up,
02:16 it's just something that I'll remember forever.
02:18 - I know you've been publicly backing Brian Ferrence
02:22 these last couple of weeks, which I know has been tough.
02:24 What does it mean for you guys to deliver on offense,
02:26 for you to deliver for him at the end of that game?
02:29 - Yeah, it's a whole lot.
02:31 You know, like I said, it's only so much
02:33 that I can't really, you know, say about it.
02:36 It kind of almost is what it is at this point now,
02:38 where we're at, but, you know,
02:40 just to finish the season strong
02:41 and do what we can do with him, you know what I mean?
02:43 That's what's most important to us, and here we are.
02:45 - How exciting was that last touchdown there?
02:48 - Ooh, you probably, y'all probably seen me.
02:51 It was super exciting,
02:53 just to see, you're talking about Caleb Johnson, right?
02:56 Yeah, that was crazy.
02:58 I was super excited for him,
02:59 definitely hawking him all the way down
03:01 from the end of the end zone,
03:02 all the way back to the sideline.
03:03 Like, yeah, it was great, though.
03:05 Definitely just to celebrate with all the guys,
03:08 not only just him, you know what I mean?
03:09 But it was definitely good to see him
03:11 get back on the field as well, too.
03:12 - It's been actually a pretty chippy game,
03:16 pretty much from the opening gun.
03:19 Does that sort of motivate you to, you know,
03:21 pop him back, or how chippy was it,
03:24 like, actually on the field?
03:25 Like, was it unsportsmanlike ever?
03:28 - I wouldn't say that.
03:31 I mean, from my point of view,
03:33 it was a football game, though, that's for sure.
03:36 You know, it was definitely about, you know,
03:39 how do we, the way that we respond, you know?
03:42 Just the way we respond throughout the whole game,
03:44 and that's, you know, just to see the final score,
03:46 that's what it came down to, you know what I mean?
03:48 Effort and toughness, so, you know,
03:50 it was just something that we had to stick with,
03:52 you know what I mean?
03:53 So, that was all we could do, and here we are, so.
03:55 - Spend next man in all year.
03:56 You've done it.
03:58 Today, Caden Weejian had to fill on punt returns.
04:00 Can you talk about the impact of his punt return
04:03 to set up that gangling drive?
04:05 - Oh, yeah, I told him personally, like, without that,
04:07 like, I feel like that was the spark,
04:08 you know what I mean, to the beginning of that drive.
04:10 Him and Nico, actually, on his, like, quick slam route.
04:13 Without those, I don't know where we would be, honestly.
04:15 So, you know, I gave him his pops personally, straight up.
04:17 So, that definitely helped us out a lot.
04:20 That got us going.
04:21 - A couple questions.
04:22 - What did it mean for you guys to be able to do this
04:24 based on the season?
04:26 There's been so many injuries.
04:28 You guys have faced, collectively,
04:30 your own individual adversities as a team.
04:32 You have, as well, and then to come through
04:35 when everybody else is falling, you're winning.
04:37 What does it mean for you and for this team?
04:40 - I know it means a whole lot to the team, you know,
04:43 just 'cause, obviously, for me, you know,
04:45 I'm glad to just come out of it healthy,
04:48 you know what I mean?
04:48 I'm glad for the other guys to come out healthy,
04:51 just as far as long,
04:52 just as far as all the things that we've been through,
04:54 like, this whole season, you know.
04:56 People just dropping left and right,
04:57 but just to get out of this game and be going forward,
05:00 like, it's a blessing, honestly.
05:04 It's a blessing that a lot of people
05:06 don't even really notice, honestly, I feel like.
05:07 But, yeah, just to be on the field and just to,
05:10 you know, be moving forward and healthy,
05:12 definitely, it's good.
05:13 - Did you say Kirk was giving the game ball?
05:16 - Yes.
05:17 - Who gave it to him?
05:18 - Kirk?
05:19 - Yeah, he, yeah.
05:20 It was super emotional.
05:22 It was, yeah, I like it.
05:23 It was good.
05:25 That's all I can say.
05:26 - All right, thanks again.
05:27 - How does it feel to be Big 10 West champions?
05:30 - I mean, I just feel like this team's
05:32 been through so much this season,
05:34 and it's just a testament to how we stayed together
05:38 in the locker room, and I just feel like we're player-led.
05:42 We're led by a good head coach.
05:45 I just feel like we just did a great job
05:47 staying together this year.
05:49 I mean, countless opportunities
05:52 where guys could have started separating,
05:54 but that never happened.
05:56 - What do you credit that to?
05:57 - I don't know how, but I just feel like
06:01 they recruit really nice guys.
06:03 I mean, I kind of speak on it
06:05 when I talk about Campbell and Benson.
06:08 I feel like everybody in the linebacker room,
06:10 like off the field, probably the nicest people I know,
06:15 and that's just how the team is.
06:17 We have a bunch of rooms, a bunch of positions,
06:20 with really good kids,
06:21 and when you have really good kids like that,
06:23 I feel like that helps.
06:24 - You guys aren't so nice on the field.
06:26 - No, no, no.
06:27 - I know you guys will probably say
06:28 you got another game to go for Nebraska,
06:31 but how do you feel about getting another shot
06:34 at Indianapolis?
06:36 - It definitely feels good to be able to go home.
06:41 I have a lot of family there,
06:42 and probably going to start asking for tickets tonight,
06:46 and I'll probably end up 30 short.
06:48 But just excited for this team.
06:52 When you play hard and you put yourself in positions
06:56 like this, obviously the Big Ten Championship
06:59 is a team's goal in the Big Ten.
07:01 I mean, that's day one.
07:03 So at the end of the last year,
07:06 after a good bowl game win,
07:08 we understood what our goals were,
07:09 and I feel like we did a good job this year.
07:11 - Caleb shared that you guys gave a game ball
07:13 to Coach Ferentz.
07:15 What was the emotion like in the locker room with that?
07:18 - You can just feel his,
07:20 how much time he's put into it.
07:26 It just means so much to him.
07:29 He loves the game of football.
07:32 He loves his players.
07:33 He loves his coaches.
07:36 And you guys see that.
07:37 We definitely see that.
07:39 I get to see it every day.
07:40 So just when, you know, the players,
07:45 they like, the players get a lot of the credit,
07:47 but for a coach to do what he's done so consistently,
07:51 I just feel like it usually,
07:53 the moments like that,
07:55 I'm happy that he's able to receive credibility like that.
07:58 - When you look at the mentality of this team,
08:00 I mean, you guys have faced so much adversity
08:03 going all the way back to the off season,
08:05 and then, you know, the gambling situation,
08:08 to Brian getting let go, to all these injuries,
08:12 and yet you're still winning,
08:13 and you're winning every game.
08:14 And there were close games, but you're winning Iowa way.
08:18 What does it mean to have to go through all of that,
08:21 and here you are, you know, completing your journey?
08:24 - You know, we just try to stay focused.
08:30 We try to take it a game at a time.
08:32 And when you're hit with so many obstacles like that,
08:36 it's hard not to feel bad for yourself,
08:38 but I feel like our number one focus at the end of the day
08:41 is figuring out a way to win games.
08:43 And I mean, you can really rally a team who wants to win.
08:48 I feel like we have a lot of guys
08:49 who only care about winning the game.
08:52 They don't care who's out there.
08:53 I feel like every time we run the ball,
08:55 offense alignment's coming out,
08:57 holding the shoulder or something, just,
08:59 I mean, it's hard to go from the sideline
09:02 and go fill in just like that.
09:04 And I just think we have countless,
09:07 you have the tight end room, Luke Lachey, Eric Hall.
09:10 I mean, I would say two of the best tight ends
09:13 in the Big Ten, they're gone.
09:14 You lose Kate, Logan Jones,
09:17 he's trying to battle for 10 games, or 10 snaps a game.
09:22 You know, it's just a lot of ups and downs,
09:26 but I feel like we do a good job of staying together.
09:29 And at the end of the day, we're trying to win games,
09:31 and that's what keeps us moving forward.
09:33 The last stat sheet I saw said
09:35 that you guys had 13 pass breakups.
09:38 Is that not, I don't know, crazy?
09:41 We understood with the loss to Cooper,
09:46 how their game plan would change.
09:50 We understood they were getting that ball out fast.
09:52 I mean, obviously, after you give up a safety,
09:55 you're trying to get the ball out of that quarterback's hands
09:57 as quick as possible.
09:59 And I mean, if the D-line can't get to the quarterback,
10:01 obviously, they put their hands up.
10:03 And I feel like Coach Parker did a great job
10:05 of putting us in the right position.
10:08 News broke when Cooper got injured
10:11 before we were off the field,
10:12 so I don't know how they, you know,
10:15 but you could tell that their game plan changed.
10:18 So I feel like we did a great job getting out there,
10:21 seeing what they were running and adapting to that.
10:23 What would you guys suggest to losing Cooper
10:26 and trying to keep the team focused going into this game?
10:29 When you lose such a playmaker like that,
10:32 such a competitor, I mean, that's my best friend.
10:35 So when you lose somebody like that,
10:37 it's obviously hard on the team.
10:40 And I feel like this year has been
10:43 the most next-man-ins I've ever seen.
10:46 So when, I mean, being,
10:48 or you guys don't know him as being,
10:50 Deshaun comes back and starts for us.
10:54 I mean, he did that the first two seasons of the game.
10:56 So I was extremely confident.
10:58 We were confident in his ability,
10:59 and I think he did a great job today.
11:01 Two more questions.
11:02 You were part of a team that won the West in '21.
11:04 You played, but five tackles, you have four tackles.
11:09 (laughter)
11:10 You're a team captain this year
11:12 and leading a team that won the West division.
11:14 What does that mean to you compared to '21?
11:16 Yeah, it was one of my biggest goals this offseason
11:20 was just being the team captain.
11:22 And, I mean, just knowing that it's voted by the players,
11:27 that means the world to me.
11:28 And I remember that feeling last time
11:31 we were at the Big Ten Championship.
11:32 And I remember that whole process and traveling to Indy
11:36 and how the lights are really bright in there
11:39 and it's a bigger stage and all of that.
11:41 And I don't know, I told myself I'd come back
11:45 and, you know, kind of cliche, but it happened.
11:49 So I'm excited for the team, excited for the opportunity.
11:53 What was it like to see Noah get that moment pregame?
11:57 Yeah, we're big on Noah Shannon around here.
12:00 His situation's unfortunate, obviously,
12:04 but just the way the crowd rallied around him.
12:07 I mean, when your season's taken away from you
12:11 and you continue to stay with the program,
12:13 I mean, I don't think a lot of guys would do that.
12:16 I mean, having to come into the facility,
12:19 watching other guys do what you love,
12:21 I can only imagine how hard that is.
12:24 But, I mean, he showed true character
12:26 throughout this process.
12:28 Never, never complain, never, you know,
12:33 he always just helped the team and put the team first.
12:37 And that's what we appreciate.
12:39 I love that we made him the honorary captain.
12:42 All right, thanks, Jake.
12:43 All right, questions for Deacon.
12:49 This has got to feel great for you, right?
12:51 Oh, yeah.
12:52 It feels awesome, but the biggest part
12:55 that feels the best is being able to do it with the team.
12:58 You know, they welcomed me in,
12:59 whatever, six, seven months ago,
13:01 and I have never been more grateful or prideful
13:03 to be a part of a team in my life.
13:05 Is there any added sweetness to this,
13:07 considering kind of the adversity
13:08 that you've gone through kind of throughout the season,
13:10 individually and as a team?
13:12 Yeah, I think so.
13:14 You know, not just individually, but as a team,
13:16 you know, we've gone through a lot this year
13:18 with injuries and, you know, whatever else.
13:21 But I think it just shows the resiliency of this team
13:23 and how determined everybody is.
13:25 Just keep pushing forward each and every day.
13:27 You really got the wide receivers involved a lot,
13:29 Caleb, Nico, Seth.
13:31 Was that the game plan,
13:32 or did some of you adjust it to during the game?
13:34 Or how did that come about?
13:35 Yeah, you know, it was part of the game plan all week.
13:37 You know, we saw what defense they were going to be in,
13:40 drew up some plays, and, you know,
13:41 it just happened to be whatever, what defense they were in,
13:43 that's who the ball was going to,
13:44 whether it was Nico, Caleb, Addy, Seth, or whatever.
13:48 Can you talk about the third down conversion
13:49 and how big that was, the one to Nico?
13:51 On the last drive? Yeah.
13:52 Yeah, so we had double slants to the backside.
13:57 We knew if they brought a backer blitz,
14:01 they were going to play zero behind it.
14:04 And so it was the one time they brought it,
14:06 we had to be ready for it.
14:07 One time they brought it, I threw the ball,
14:09 Nico made a hell of a catch, just boost momentum for him,
14:13 and then K2 did the rest.
14:14 So, Brian got a Gatorade bath,
14:17 and he was really emotional after the game.
14:19 I'm sure you got to share a moment with that.
14:21 What was that like for you?
14:22 Yeah, I mean, it was awesome.
14:24 You know, the way things are, you know,
14:26 it's his last game here in Kinnick,
14:27 but I couldn't be happier for the guy.
14:31 I haven't been this grateful in a while
14:33 to play for a coach in my life,
14:34 and I'm extremely grateful to play for him.
14:37 I love that guy to death.
14:38 You know, he puts me in some good spots.
14:40 He's taught me a lot so far, so.
14:41 Another coach you've talked quite a bit about is Coach Blythe.
14:44 I know you had that moment with him in Wisconsin.
14:47 After the win, how does it feel to be here with him as well?
14:50 Oh, yeah. I mean, it's kind of just like
14:52 a full-circle moment type thing.
14:55 Obviously, I'm not trying to, like --
14:56 We still have two weeks left, or a week left.
14:59 But, yeah, it's cool to share moments
15:00 like this with Coach Bud.
15:02 You know, he knows everything I've been through.
15:04 I've known him before he had his two kids,
15:05 so, you know, we've known each other for a long time.
15:07 It's just great to be here with him.
15:09 How hard is it throughout the season
15:11 and throughout this particular game?
15:13 You're facing so much adversity and keep hunting.
15:16 To just stay locked in and stay focused
15:18 and on the flip side, have good even feel
15:19 to finally break through with the K2 touchdown.
15:22 Yeah, I think it's kind of been the story of our season.
15:24 Like, just keep punching forward each and every play,
15:26 each and every day, keep moving forward,
15:28 you know, one step in front of the other.
15:30 And I think we knew that today.
15:31 We knew at some point one was going to break,
15:33 and we just couldn't let up,
15:34 couldn't take our foot off the gas, you know,
15:35 no matter what the outcome of that drive was,
15:37 whether it was a punt, whether it was, you know, whatever.
15:39 We knew that we had to keep pushing forward
15:40 each and every play, and the K2 just popped one out.
15:44 20 years ago at this time, you were in a public gym,
15:48 getting your workouts in, finding the time,
15:50 you're the quarterback of the Big Ten World Champs.
15:51 What has this remind you of,
15:52 like, especially since you got on campus?
15:54 Yeah, I mean, it's been crazy, unreal,
15:57 from working out in the basement of the rec center
16:01 at Wisconsin to, you know,
16:03 being able to be a quarterback here
16:04 for one of the best teams.
16:06 But, yeah, just super grateful.
16:09 I think that's the word I would use the most to describe it,
16:11 is just I couldn't be happier to be here.
16:13 On the Caleb Johnson touchdown run,
16:15 was that something, a check at the line,
16:17 or just a call, was it --
16:19 Did you get the defense in line?
16:20 What was it?
16:21 Can you unfold what we each saw at the line of scrimmage?
16:23 Yeah, I mean, I got the call,
16:25 ran up, made sure the line was sliding to the right guy,
16:27 and then turn around, and Caleb's running free.
16:30 So, yeah, I mean, I honestly don't really see
16:34 what goes on at the line after I turn around.
16:36 You know, I kind of just turn around and see where the ball is.
16:38 But, yeah, but the O line did a great job,
16:40 and the K2 just did the rest.
16:41 It looked like it was somewhat of a counter,
16:43 that somebody at least was coming across the line to block.
16:47 And then Addison Ostranga had somebody at the second level
16:50 pretty much flat. Yeah.
16:52 I know you said he didn't really get a chance to see the play,
16:54 but how impactful was a counter, especially in that situation,
16:58 knowing number four is on the defensive line?
17:02 Yeah, I think it's just, you know, they do a great job.
17:04 The O line does a great job of building that wall,
17:05 being able to, you know, create that hole for the backside.
17:08 And then, you know, Addy's a tremendous blocker.
17:10 He just cleans up the rest.
17:12 But I think it's extremely important.
17:13 The way the O line played today was phenomenal.
17:15 I think they did a tremendous job.
17:18 And, you know, they're just going to keep moving forward
17:19 and get better each day.
17:20 Two more questions.
17:22 Caleb Brown said that Kirk was giving the game ball
17:24 in the locker room.
17:26 What all do you kind of remember from that?
17:29 Yeah, so, first of all, we couldn't find a ball.
17:32 So, couldn't find a ball.
17:34 It took us like five minutes to get one.
17:35 And then finally got it to him.
17:37 You know, him and Coach Parker gave it to him.
17:40 They had a big hug.
17:41 Everybody was cheering.
17:42 Water was flying.
17:44 It was just an awesome moment for him.
17:45 You were able to get that bat involved very into the game.
17:47 Was that sweet, or was this one knowing
17:48 that that was your final play, basically, at Kinnick Stadium?
17:51 This one's sweeter, for sure.
17:54 That one, I'm going to be completely honest with you.
17:56 I just kind of threw my hand up.
17:57 I didn't really read it.
18:00 I'm going to be honest. I threw my hand up, hit it.
18:01 I was excited about that.
18:03 But this one's a lot sweeter, just, you know,
18:05 with everything that we had going on,
18:06 you know, battling through adversity,
18:07 having the Big Ten West on the line.
18:10 Last game at Kinnick, so.
18:11 What was your pregame speech?
18:13 Like, what was the theme, I guess?
18:15 [laughter]
18:18 I just told the guys that, you know,
18:20 how much that we have to play for
18:22 and that we should be the hungriest team out here,
18:25 and we should be giving it our all.
18:28 There's a lot of people that would like to be
18:29 in our shoes right now,
18:30 so I'm not going to say exactly what I said,
18:33 but obviously, but that's the gist of it.
18:36 In your six years that you've been here,
18:40 you've played on some really good teams
18:41 that didn't get to Indianapolis.
18:43 There were one play here, one game there.
18:46 What separates this team, you know,
18:48 other than schedule or anything,
18:50 but what separates this team to be able to get there
18:52 from those that fell just short?
18:55 That's a great question.
18:57 You know, I have played on, you know, some really great teams,
19:00 and I think it's just how these guys battle with adversity,
19:04 and we just keep fighting, honestly.
19:08 I've never really been --
19:09 I mean, all those other teams we kept fighting,
19:12 but, I mean, this team, they just keep coming.
19:14 We just keep coming, and just so proud of these guys.
19:18 I can't say that enough, and you guys should --
19:21 I wish you guys were there during the week
19:23 because you would see what I'm seeing,
19:25 whether it be in the film room,
19:26 whether it be on the practice field,
19:28 just how these guys battle and fight,
19:30 and I'm so happy that I came back for my sixth year
19:33 because I'm able to witness it,
19:34 and I'm able to step out there and be a leader,
19:37 you know, so just so proud of these guys.
19:40 One of those guys that's fighting with you
19:43 is Deacon Hill, and, you know,
19:46 especially for a team that has had so much adversity,
19:50 you see your captain go down with injury,
19:54 brand-new QB comes in,
19:56 leads you guys to a division championship.
19:59 Does that sort of feel sweet, even as a defender,
20:01 to see somebody like the next man in accomplish that?
20:05 Yeah, I mean, I'm so happy.
20:07 I'll touch on both those guys.
20:09 I mean, thinking about a guy like Cade,
20:12 you know, who went down with injury,
20:14 and he's been nothing but a phenomenal teammate,
20:16 a great teammate, and I know, like,
20:19 it kills him not to be out there,
20:20 but he is such a great teammate
20:22 to every single person in that locker room,
20:25 and he's been like that ever since he got injured,
20:27 just trying to do whatever he can to help the team out.
20:30 And Deacon, you know, he's been tremendous for us.
20:35 He's a great leader in that locker room,
20:37 and he just keeps on improving and improving every single week,
20:40 and I'm just so happy for him.
20:42 Craig, if I could get back to your pregame discussion
20:45 on the field with your teammates.
20:47 What were you trying to do there?
20:50 I mean, I saw how animated you were
20:52 and how long that went on
20:53 and how the teammates had your full attention.
20:57 What did you want to get accomplished
20:59 that long before the game?
21:03 For me, it's just to fire the guys up,
21:06 and I want them to realize,
21:08 you know, how much that we had to play for.
21:12 I guess you can say I'm more of a raw, raw guy,
21:16 so just kind of firing them up
21:18 and kind of giving them a reminder of,
21:19 you know, how much that we had to play for.
21:21 You're in 21 on that team on the list.
21:24 You're the captain of the 2023 Big Ten
21:26 College Champions. What does that mean?
21:27 You was a walk-on from Aims
21:29 who had to hold TJ Hawkinson for 20 yards in practice
21:31 to get your welcome to the program.
21:34 Yeah, and worse, too.
21:36 Yeah.
21:39 That -- It means the world to me.
21:41 So, I sat down,
21:45 and I was just talking to Coach Braithwaite,
21:47 and we were getting teary-eyed in there.
21:49 I told Coach Braithwaite that before the game,
21:52 I couldn't really stand by him
21:54 just because how much he's meant to me,
21:55 but, you know, I had a long conversation
22:00 on whether I come back or not,
22:01 and, you know, I remember going into Coach Braithwaite's office
22:05 and we sat there, and I probably went in there
22:07 about five times, at least five times,
22:12 and we just had these conversations
22:14 on whether I come back or not.
22:16 And to be able to come back,
22:18 and my number-one goal was to be a team captain,
22:20 and I shared that with Coach Braithwaite.
22:23 I shared that with my parents.
22:24 I shared that with Coach Ferentz.
22:27 And for me, that's earned and not given.
22:30 And so being able to be a team captain
22:33 and being able to, you know, be a big-time West champion
22:38 feels so good.
22:39 It feels so good.
22:40 And like I said in the interviews,
22:44 I think I said that being a team captain
22:48 is my biggest accomplishment here
22:50 and my biggest accomplishment of my life,
22:53 and that's the damn truth.
22:56 Just being able to be out there and lead the guys
22:58 and, you know, lead a team
22:59 that's battled through so much adversity,
23:02 kind of just thinking to myself, like, I'm a walk-on.
23:05 You know, I'm not supposed to be here.
23:07 And just this team's battled through so much.
23:10 I've battled through so much.
23:12 And just being able to lead them out on the field
23:14 and lead them to a Big Ten West championship
23:16 is something that, you know,
23:18 I'll be talking about for the rest of my life.
23:20 What did the mean to you to have --
23:22 what did it mean to you to have Noah Shannon with you
23:25 walking to center field?
23:26 Oh.
23:29 Gosh, that kid. I'll tell you what.
23:33 That's one of my best friends.
23:34 And we also had a phone call before we both came back,
23:38 and it was kind of like, if you come back, I'll come back.
23:42 And just for him to have, you know,
23:48 I guess everything taken away from him this year,
23:52 just really hurts my heart.
23:53 And it's something that, you know --
23:57 Sorry, I'm getting a little emotional on that.
23:59 But just having him out there,
24:03 having his speech before the game
24:05 or the Friday before the game was huge for us.
24:08 And we're not in this position if it's not for him.
24:13 What was it like seeing Phil give the game ball to Kirk?
24:18 I mean, everything you would think, right?
24:21 It was amazing.
24:24 Those two guys are the best leaders and coaches
24:27 that I've ever been around.
24:28 And just to see Coach give the game ball to Coach,
24:35 you know, and how emotional he was
24:36 and how much this game means to him,
24:38 and it's something that I'll never forget.
24:41 I know some things are shared or are kept private,
24:45 but what was the gist of what Noah told you guys yesterday?
24:50 Um, just cherish everything.
24:55 Cherish these moments, you know,
24:57 they can be all taken away from you.
24:59 And just, you know, go out there and play for your brothers.
25:04 Was that to the entire team or just to D-line?
25:06 That was the entire team.
25:08 All right, thanks, Joe.
25:11 I just saw green grass. I just ran.
25:13 That's my thing. When I see green grass, I run.
25:15 So, saw green grass, took off, run, scored.
25:19 That was it.
25:20 It's been a little while.
25:22 How did it feel to get in the end zone
25:23 and to seal the game with that touchdown?
25:25 It was my first year scoring my first touchdown.
25:27 So, it was just amazing, man, just being back.
25:30 So, yeah.
25:32 It was kind of the same end zone.
25:34 It wasn't like seven hours of rain or anything like it was
25:37 when you did that before.
25:39 But when you hit that hole, and then I think
25:42 Addison was striking, had a block
25:44 that really sealed off kind of the back side for you,
25:47 and then took off to the right.
25:49 What were you reading at that point?
25:51 I was really just reading the safety right there.
25:52 I was reading if I should just press up and go in or go out.
25:55 So, I just messed with it and just went outside,
25:59 just pressed him and went outside of him
26:00 and used my speed.
26:02 Two weeks ago, you don't get a snap at Wrigley.
26:04 Today, you have a touchdown that wins the West.
26:07 What's the last 14 days been like?
26:09 Just me just focusing on the little things
26:11 and just grinding it out, being patient.
26:13 I know something like this is always going to come up,
26:14 so I just have to be patient.
26:16 And when my time comes, just take the opportunity
26:19 and use it to my full advantage.
26:21 You've got a huge group of seniors
26:23 and a great group of coaches that have been here a ton.
26:26 What does it mean to give them that touchdown
26:28 and celebrate on the field with that?
26:30 It means so much, especially to me
26:32 and especially to the seniors.
26:34 It's just their last time out here.
26:35 For me to do that for them, it's just my gift for them
26:38 when they leave.
26:40 So, it's just my gift.
26:41 Score a touchdown for you guys.
26:42 We're one in the Kinnick.
26:44 You guys have fought through so much adversity this year.
26:46 Noisiball, Brian, all the injuries
26:48 that just take for granted kind of tell,
26:51 but how have you guys been able to stay the course
26:53 to get to where you are now?
26:55 Just not worrying about that,
26:56 just staying focused on the little things
26:57 that we've got to work on, offense and defense.
27:00 So, that's really it.
27:01 Just us just staying focused on what we've got to do
27:03 and just coming up with the wins and stuff.
27:06 Almost as big as that touchdown run
27:08 was the one on the next possession, that third down run.
27:12 What happened on that play,
27:14 and what was kind of your thought process?
27:16 I just said to my head,
27:18 "Let me just get this first down run with efficiency."
27:21 So, just ran, saw a little crease, and just hit it.
27:25 And that sealed the game at that point.
27:27 Yep. Hit it.
27:29 What was it like when they had an injury,
27:33 and then you guys hit a delay game,
27:35 and then it seemed like everybody was gathered there
27:38 on the field and kind of counting down the clock,
27:41 and, "Oh, yeah, by the way,
27:42 you don't have to run another play other than a kneel."
27:44 What was that like, that moment?
27:46 It was just an awesome moment, especially for us,
27:48 and especially for Coach Ferentz, Coach Byron.
27:50 So, it was just a really important moment for us
27:53 because we knew that was his last time at Kinnick.
27:56 So, we just hugged around him and gave him love.
27:59 So, yeah, it was just a little special moment
28:01 that we had all together. We won't ever forget that.
28:04 Last year, you guys were so close
28:05 to getting back to the Big Ten Championship game.
28:08 This year, you did it. How does it feel?
28:11 It feels amazing, man.
28:13 I feel like I did something that was so valuable to the team
28:15 that all I could do was just thank everybody
28:17 for believing in me and giving me a shot.
28:18 So, all I can do is just sit back and be patient.
28:22 So, I did tonight.
28:24 What's it been like to see the growth of Deacon Hill
28:27 coming in, especially after Cade gets injured?
28:31 All the excuses are there to tank the season,
28:33 and instead you guys just win the division instead.
28:36 What's it been like to be in the same backfield as him?
28:38 It's just been amazing just seeing him progress
28:41 because he was at Wisconsin last year,
28:42 so he didn't really get a lot of playing time,
28:45 and here he wasn't going to get a lot of playing time
28:46 when he first came here.
28:48 So, for Cade to get hurt, it's kind of a devastating moment,
28:50 but it was an upsetting moment for him.
28:52 So, he come in and show what he can do.
28:54 So, I believe that when he's been in the backfield,
28:56 he's been showing a lot of progression,
28:57 and I can see that he loves football,
28:59 and he be in the rooms every day all day
29:03 asking coach what he can do to get better.
29:06 So, I believe in him completely now.
29:09 He's doing his thing now.
29:11 Two more questions.
29:13 After you scored your touchdown,
29:14 you went straight back to the wall.
29:15 You kind of put your helmet there,
29:16 and just for half a second before everyone got there,
29:19 was there something you were saying to yourself,
29:21 something you were thinking to yourself?
29:22 I would say, "Thank you, God."
29:24 Just being patient, just saying,
29:26 "Thank you so much for just giving me this."
29:28 And I took it with me, so it's just a blessing.
29:30 And it's just all that hard work
29:33 that I put in for the last 14 days that I haven't been playing.
29:35 So, it's just me just paying it off.
29:39 Kilo, I mean, a lot of players have attributed
29:42 Kirk's leadership over the past two months
29:44 to really kind of keep you guys together.
29:45 I guess, what does Kirk's leadership kind of mean to you,
29:47 and how has he kind of really embraced that role
29:50 and kept you guys staying in the course?
29:52 He just kept us calm, and all the little outside noise,
29:56 he just said, "Don't mess with it.
29:57 Just stay focused and stay locked in on what we got to do.
30:00 Stay locked in on the prize."
30:02 and that's what we did, so.