Iowa Offense 112123

Inside The Hawkeyes
Inside The Hawkeyes
  • last year
Iowa offensive players
Transcript
00:00 in November and get this last win this week.
00:02 Any revenge factor?
00:03 I mean, when you lose to a team the previous year, does that come up in your minds even?
00:10 Maybe a little bit.
00:11 All the games are important, though.
00:12 I know it sounds cliche, but every time you play a Big Ten opponent, it's a big game.
00:18 They had our number last year, and maybe it's in the back of our minds a little bit, but
00:24 just another game on the schedule.
00:25 We got to do what we got to do and get the win.
00:28 In that sense, is there, I guess, not thinking about it as revenge, but there is an opportunity
00:33 to keep them out of a bowl game?
00:34 They came in here last year, kept out of a Big Ten championship game.
00:37 Is that something you think about at all?
00:41 I guess we just know they're not going to come in and just...
00:45 They care about their...
00:46 They have something to play for, too.
00:47 We both have something to play for.
00:49 We know they're going to come in and give us their best shot just like every time we
00:52 play them.
00:53 They're a good team.
00:54 They lost their first two games and then won the next five out of six Big Ten games.
00:59 That's pretty impressive.
01:02 We know they're going to come in and give their best shot, and we're ready for it.
01:05 Is there something to be said for getting another game under your belt as an offense,
01:11 especially?
01:12 Instead of sitting out, you're actually improving by playing another game and preparing yourself
01:16 for the Big Ten championship game.
01:18 I haven't thought about it that way, but now that you say it, it makes sense.
01:23 Just continuing to keep the rhythm we've got going and continuing to grow every single
01:26 week is what we harp on all the time, so 100%.
01:30 You guys don't play worrying about injuries, do you?
01:32 You can't do that.
01:33 Yeah.
01:34 I mean, at this point in the season, everybody's banged up.
01:37 We got our injuries.
01:39 I'm sure Nebraska has theirs.
01:40 Illinois, I'm sure, had theirs last week.
01:43 The team will play the week after that.
01:44 I'm sure they'll have their injuries, too.
01:45 I can't make excuses about it.
01:46 I just got to play.
01:47 That's football.
01:48 All the receivers are getting a little more involved now.
01:49 Caleb Brown, especially.
01:53 As a fellow receiver, what do you see out of him?
01:55 What does he do on the field that impresses you?
01:57 He's just a gamer.
01:59 I mean, I feel like you could line him up anywhere on the field.
02:04 Even if you put him on defense, he'll be a good player.
02:07 He's a baller, and he's awesome to be around, for sure.
02:11 He's one of my best friends on the team.
02:14 Every time he talks, I feel like I'm cracking up at what he says, so I'm happy for him.
02:18 He stepped in at center and stuff like that.
02:20 There's tons of stories like that.
02:21 We had Guard, me, Rusty, and Logan all went down for Northwestern.
02:25 Then Rutgers, Logan went down.
02:28 Connor went down last week.
02:29 There's just guys stepping up.
02:30 We're all ready to play.
02:31 That's the fun thing about late in the year.
02:33 Everyone's got experience, and we know exactly what we're trying to do, what our identity
02:36 is.
02:37 As long as that's uniform across the board, the sky's the limit for this group.
02:40 I'm just really appreciative that everyone's truly bought in and playing really hard out
02:44 there.
02:45 There's clips on there that look really good for us.
02:47 Obviously, there's things we can work on, and that's the things we're focused on in
02:51 practice, and Coach Varen's especially.
02:53 We've got more to do, but obviously up to this point, I've been really proud of this
02:56 group.
02:57 You've been among those banged up.
02:58 Was there any thought or even conversation like, "Hey, should I sit out this game and
02:59 play the Big Ten title game?"
03:00 Did you guys even discuss that?
03:01 No.
03:02 Not at all.
03:03 Never a thought.
03:04 No, I'd never want to give up on the guys out there.
03:10 I know we've got 120 guys.
03:12 I'm guaranteeing at least 100 of them would play through with the things that I got.
03:16 The guys in the past would do the same thing, so just trying to live up to that standard
03:19 and what it means to be a Hawkeye.
03:21 Their defense looks pretty tough, their rush defense.
03:23 What is difficult about what you're going to face on Friday?
03:26 I think they lost a couple guys on the edge, but they've done a good job filling in there.
03:29 Then, obviously, up front, the two inside guys are pretty big players.
03:33 They're both pretty athletic.
03:35 They've gotten a lot better and stronger and faster, I think, since last year.
03:38 They show some different things in the back end with their defense.
03:41 Coach White or something, he does a great job with his defense and schemes up multiple
03:45 things for us to get.
03:46 We're going to have to be ready for a lot of things, but at the same time, it's just
03:49 about what we do and how we go out there and compete.
03:51 Does KF talk about getting a 10th win or anything like that with the guys?
03:55 Do you guys talk about that?
03:56 Yeah, I mean, just a little bit.
03:58 It's something definitely historic that here at this program with him coaching, I think
04:02 he said it only happened four times.
04:05 For us, it's just about going 1-0, maybe not the 10, because obviously there's another
04:08 9 in the past.
04:10 At the same time, we know we're a good football team and there's a certain way we have to
04:13 go out there and practice and compete in these games and practices.
04:18 For us, it's just about upholding our own standards, going 1-0 and going over there
04:22 and stealing one from Nebraska.
04:23 Why?
04:24 Yeah, I think it's just how close they are as a group.
04:28 They do everything together.
04:29 They go to meals.
04:30 They have O-line dinner every Thursday night.
04:34 This week, they've probably bumped up since we're traveling Thursday.
04:38 They spend almost every day together.
04:40 They're in the room early, maybe 30-45 minutes earlier, just talking, hanging out.
04:45 I think that's one of the biggest things that people don't really understand is how, when
04:48 you're closer, you play together better.
04:51 Are you ever invited to the O-line dinner?
04:53 Yeah, I pop in.
04:54 We play some board games and stuff like that.
04:57 What board games?
04:58 Usually, it's like, I shouldn't say board, I should say card games.
05:03 Play Uno.
05:04 Uno's a big one.
05:07 That's probably the main one we play is Uno, just because it's fun.
05:12 Do you guys go to restaurants?
05:13 We go to Logan's house and everybody meets up, brings some food and stuff like that.
05:19 Is it like a potluck type thing?
05:21 Kind of.
05:22 You kind of just get your own food and bring it.
05:23 Usually, the Thursday night game's on, so we'll turn that on.
05:28 If you're not watching that, you're playing Uno.
05:29 Are we talking cooking or are we bringing food from restaurants?
05:34 Food from restaurants, but Bo will cook.
05:37 Bo Stevens will cook some steaks.
05:39 Nick will cook.
05:40 Nick DeYoung will cook a lot, too.
05:41 It kind of just depends on what you're feeling that night.
05:43 Who's the best Uno player?
05:44 It's hard to not say myself, but probably Lojo.
05:45 Deacon, you're obviously not from the other squad.
05:46 What have you been told from other guys that this game turned out to be good?
05:57 Yeah, I think anybody who, even when I was at Wisconsin, you know what the rivalry is
06:02 between Nebraska and Iowa.
06:05 We got a lot of respect for it.
06:06 It's a big game.
06:07 But we're not going to blow it out of the water.
06:08 It's another game on the schedule.
06:09 I'm sure they're looking at it the same way.
06:10 It's another game on the schedule.
06:11 We've got to keep moving forward each step.
06:12 Deacon, are you a Celtics fan?
06:13 I am a big Celtics fan, yeah.
06:14 How did a kid from Santa Barbara become a Celtics fan?
06:26 My dad's favorite player was Larry Bird growing up.
06:29 I grew up watching the Celtics.
06:32 Watching the trio, Roger Allen Rondo, Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen, Rondo.
06:39 Rondo's my favorite player to watch growing up.
06:41 Celtics are definitely my NBA team.
06:43 Did you see him?
06:44 Probably.
06:45 I like the smoke cam over Turkey.
06:48 Least favorite?
06:49 Stuck in.
06:50 Okay.
06:51 Perfect.
06:52 Let's talk football.
06:53 A chance to win a 10-game in the regular season does not happen often here.
06:58 How much pride does this team have in that ability to get that done this weekend against
07:02 a rival?
07:03 We're always looking to come out with a victory.
07:06 Having a double-digit victory season would be big for us because we're always constantly
07:11 working and improving.
07:12 Getting what we work for would be a big accomplishment.
07:16 The receivers have really started integrating themselves more into the offense compared
07:21 to how the season started.
07:23 Is there anything that's happened behind the scenes that we're not seeing?
07:25 What has caused this change?
07:28 I think nothing really changed.
07:30 We've always been working.
07:31 Since the offseason, we've been constantly improving, constantly working with the QBs,
07:34 with the offense, and things like that.
07:37 Just getting able to put our talent out there is a good showcase.
07:41 Caleb had a big game.
07:43 Obviously, had the big touchdown.
07:44 First touchdown since October 7th, so over a month for him.
07:47 That's rare.
07:48 When he's able to get going and have those big breakout runs, just how much of an added
07:52 benefit is it to the offense?
07:54 It's a great benefit because when somebody's out there making plays, it adds juice and
07:58 momentum to the offense.
07:59 It encourages other players to make plays as well.
08:02 When you have that momentum for the offense, we can really get rolling.
08:07 Can you see, in practice, this thing evolving?
08:10 You get a quarterback change during the season.
08:13 That takes some time, right?
08:14 Do you guys see that coming together now on Saturdays?
08:18 Seeing it all gel together as an offense and see us constantly improving, improving, and
08:22 just focus on ourselves, really.
08:26 Being able to execute plays that we couldn't normally execute.
08:29 Seeing us do things like that really gives us motivation and helps us keep going.
08:34 It's really nice.
08:35 Where can it go from here?
08:37 What are you thinking moving forward here?
08:39 It's only up from here, is what I'm thinking.
08:41 How good can it be?
08:42 What else can you guys do offensively?
08:45 Obviously, you want to score more points.
08:46 We're really striving just to be the best we can be.
08:49 We go out there and execute everything we can do.
08:51 There's not much else to ask for.
08:55 How are you feeling?
08:56 You seem like Saturday was a nice day for you.
08:59 Yeah, thank you.
09:00 It was a good win we had.
09:02 A good team win.
09:03 I feel like we all played well.
09:05 Going in there, last home game, senior night, putting on for the seniors and coming out
09:09 with a big win was nice.
09:10 It clenched the dub.
09:12 When you came here, is this kind of what you were envisioning?
09:14 Big 10 West champs?
09:15 Yeah.
09:16 I can't hear the words.
09:17 We're doing that.
09:18 We're doing that, so we're just only up from here for real.
09:23 What's the culture like?
09:24 What's the locker room like?
09:25 You guys have been through a lot of adversity, but staying together.
09:29 I really love these guys.
09:30 I know they all love each other, too.
09:32 It's a nice team camaraderie.
09:34 We have great chemistry in the locker room all the time.
09:37 I just love being around them.
09:38 It's just fun with them.
09:39 Going from backup and utility guy, I'm backup at pretty much every position, to teammate
09:45 goes down and I have to step in there and perform for the guys.
09:49 It's really special.
09:50 It means a lot to me.
09:52 It's also part of the job.
09:53 That's why I came here.
09:54 I came here to play snaps.
09:56 I get that opportunity now to do that and go perform in front of my teammates and in
10:00 front of the crowd.
10:01 It's been exciting.
10:02 It's been definitely a boost of energy for me.
10:04 How quickly did it take to feel comfortable?
10:06 You play all five spots.
10:08 Centers and no slouch.
10:11 You know what I mean?
10:12 How long did the transition period take for you?
10:15 First couple snaps, a lot of adrenaline is going.
10:18 Legs start to shake a little bit, but you settle in.
10:20 At the end of the day, football is football.
10:22 It's the same game.
10:23 No matter what position you play, you've got to block the guy in front of you.
10:26 You settle in pretty fast.
10:27 Like I said, the first five or so snaps are pretty amped up.
10:31 You've got your adrenaline going.
10:32 Pretty exciting.
10:33 What is the biggest adjustment you've made?
10:37 I'd say the biggest adjustment is just having to snap and step.
10:41 You've got to see the defense, obviously.
10:43 Not just one guy.
10:44 You've got to see everything.
10:45 You've got to see the front.
10:46 You've got to be consistent.
10:47 You can't have snaps flying everywhere.
10:48 You've got to be pretty athletic to play that position.
10:49 Be low to the ground and whatnot.
10:50 Not every guy can play inside.
10:51 You're probably not going to put Jennings at center.
10:52 He's a pretty big dude.
10:53 There's a lot of things that factor into it.
10:54 How much do you and Logan help each other?
10:55 A ton.
10:56 Me and Logan, just last week I was helping him with drills and stuff like that.
10:57 We talk all the time.
10:58 At the end of the day, we're just trying to help each other.
10:59 I think we're a good team.
11:00 I think we're a good team.
11:01 I think we're a good team.
11:02 I think we're a good team.
11:03 I think we're a good team.
11:04 I think we're a good team.
11:25 I think we're a good team.
11:26 I think we're a good team.
11:27 I think we're a good team.
11:28 I think we're a good team.
11:29 I think we're a good team.
11:30 I think we're a good team.
11:31 I think we're a good team.
11:32 I think we're a good team.
11:33 I think we're a good team.
11:34 I think we're a good team.
11:35 I think we're a good team.
11:36 I think we're a good team.
11:37 I think we're a good team.
11:38 I think we're a good team.
11:39 I think we're a good team.
11:40 I think we're a good team.
11:41 I think we're a good team.
11:42 I think we're a good team.
11:43 I think we're a good team.
11:44 I think we're a good team.
11:45 I think we're a good team.
11:46 I think we're a good team.
11:47 I think we're a good team.
11:48 I think we're a good team.
11:49 I think we're a good team.
11:50 I think we're a good team.
11:51 I think we're a good team.
11:52 I think we're a good team.
11:53 I think we're a good team.
11:54 I think we're a good team.
11:55 I think we're a good team.
11:56 I think we're a good team.
11:57 I think we're a good team.
11:58 I think we're a good team.
11:59 I think we're a good team.
12:00 I think we're a good team.
12:01 I think we're a good team.
12:02 I think we're a good team.
12:03 I think we're a good team.
12:04 I think we're a good team.
12:05 I think we're a good team.
12:06 I think we're a good team.
12:07 I think we're a good team.
12:08 I think we're a good team.
12:09 I think we're a good team.
12:10 I think we're a good team.
12:11 I think we're a good team.
12:12 I think we're a good team.
12:13 I think we're a good team.
12:14 I think we're a good team.
12:15 I think we're a good team.
12:16 I think we're a good team.
12:17 I think we're a good team.
12:18 I think we're a good team.
12:19 I think we're a good team.
12:20 I think we're a good team.
12:21 I think we're a good team.
12:22 I think we're a good team.
12:23 I think we're a good team.
12:24 I think we're a good team.
12:25 I think we're a good team.