Hawkeyes talk Michigan
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00:00 Just happy to be here.
00:02 I mean, obviously proud of my team
00:04 for putting themselves in a position like this
00:07 to play in such a big game
00:08 and can't wait to play in front of my family
00:11 back in Indianapolis.
00:12 - As a reminder, if you would like to ask a question
00:15 at any point of the next three student athletes,
00:17 please raise your hand in the chat.
00:18 Our first question goes to Scott Dockterman.
00:21 - Good afternoon, Jay.
00:25 I hope you're doing well.
00:26 I wanted to ask about Michigan's running game.
00:30 They've typically been one of the better offensive lines
00:33 in the country the last few years,
00:34 and Blake Coram and Donovan Edwards
00:37 are among the best running backs that you've faced this year.
00:40 What makes them special
00:42 and what are you guys going to have to do it
00:45 both at all three levels,
00:46 but specifically the front seven to slow it down?
00:50 - I think it starts with the offensive line up front.
00:54 I think those guys do a good job
00:56 of moving defense alignment out of their gaps.
01:00 And obviously they have some really talented running backs
01:04 who kind of are really good at just making things happen
01:07 and reading and reacting off their offensive line.
01:10 So it's going to be up to us
01:12 to dominate the line of scrimmage like it is every week.
01:16 And, you know, just my job is really just
01:19 to help my defense alignment.
01:20 So the faster I can get those guys off double teams,
01:24 the better off we'll be.
01:25 - Our next question goes to Chad Lystico.
01:29 - Hey, good morning, good afternoon, James.
01:35 Good afternoon.
01:36 Used to talk to you in the morning.
01:38 Michigan has only fumbled twice all year
01:40 and they just don't turn it over.
01:42 What do they do differently from other teams
01:44 that allows them to protect the football so well?
01:46 And what challenge is that for you guys?
01:49 - We know going into it
01:51 that Michigan's a disciplined football team.
01:55 And obviously they've had a lot of success
01:58 and that's really how things work.
02:00 If they're really good at the details
02:03 and they obviously value the details.
02:05 So it's up for us to get to the football,
02:08 obviously have bad intentions when we get there
02:12 and make these good running backs work
02:14 for every yard that they get.
02:19 - Our next question is from John Steppe.
02:21 - AJ, what's this experience gonna be like for you
02:25 coming back home and choosing to be more excited,
02:27 you or Roy?
02:28 - My dad would probably be more excited.
02:32 He's been bugging me about tickets already,
02:34 but it'll be a great opportunity
02:37 to play in front of my family.
02:38 I mean, I think we got 40 people
02:42 who already bought tickets
02:44 and probably another 20 more that are coming to the game.
02:48 But it's just a great opportunity to play in my backyard.
02:51 And I'm just happy to return to Indianapolis
02:56 at the end of the season,
02:57 just knowing how far this team has come.
03:00 - Our next question is from Tyler Tashman.
03:08 - Hey, Jay, I hope you're doing well.
03:14 You were at Big Ten Media Days.
03:17 At that point, you had only started two games
03:19 in your Iowa career.
03:20 Now you're going to obviously a lot more accomplished.
03:24 I guess, can you just kind of put in the words
03:27 what this regular season has been like for you?
03:30 - I'd say probably the most fun I've had
03:35 in Iowa so far, obviously.
03:37 I mean, I love my experience here.
03:41 But when you're the guy that's just learning
03:43 and you're in the system,
03:45 you're watching Jack Campbell and Seth Benson,
03:48 watching those dudes make all the plays, have all the fun,
03:52 it gets a little challenging.
03:54 But just having that opportunity
03:56 to go out there and play this year,
03:58 I mean, just those memories in Kinnick
04:00 when you're out there and you're the one making plays
04:03 and you know how much you sacrifice for the moment,
04:07 it just means a little more.
04:08 So just really excited how the season has gone so far.
04:13 And I'm really, really looking forward
04:15 to having a good game Saturday.
04:17 - Our next question is from Blake Hornstein.
04:21 - You got me, Jay?
04:24 - Yeah, I got you.
04:25 - Awesome.
04:26 I'm just, you know, the Indianapolis stuff aside,
04:28 what would it mean for this Iowa football team
04:31 to see the confetti fall and win a Big Ten championship?
04:35 - Obviously it'd mean the world to this program,
04:38 to the Iowa fan base.
04:41 I mean, I just feel like we do things the right way
04:44 around here and, you know, it may not be pretty
04:47 and people may not like how it looks,
04:51 but it would just be a testament to, you know,
04:53 us just doing the right things
04:55 and making sure that we stayed focused throughout the season.
04:59 I mean, there were so many ups and downs,
05:02 so many guys offensively,
05:04 big, big key factors that went down this year.
05:07 And I mean, obviously that hasn't affected
05:10 because we're still a Big Ten West champion.
05:14 So it'd be pretty big for the team and, you know,
05:17 just happy, happy for everybody who was involved.
05:20 - Our next question comes from Andrew Chernoff.
05:25 - Hey Jay, you mentioned, obviously,
05:29 you're from Indianapolis, we're in Indianapolis as well.
05:32 I got two for you.
05:33 The first, what did you learn during your time at Burr Buff
05:36 that is helping you now?
05:39 And also what's led to your success
05:40 this season?
05:41 - I'd say what I learned at Burr Buff
05:45 was really just how to communicate
05:48 with people off the field.
05:51 I feel like that helps me out
05:52 in my leadership role here on the team.
05:55 Just having that ability to be able to connect
05:57 with everybody.
05:59 You know, there's 120 guys on the team,
06:01 so you gotta be able to treat people
06:04 how they want to be treated.
06:05 And, you know, I feel like Burr Buff did a great job
06:08 instilling that into me.
06:10 And also my coaches at Burr Buff, football and basketball.
06:15 I was coached by a college coach for basketball
06:20 in the same way that he preaches details
06:23 and what a practice should look like.
06:27 It was the exact same way when I came up here.
06:29 So obviously I knew how to be coached hard
06:32 and I knew how to take coaching.
06:35 And, you know, one thing that's helped me this year
06:38 is just the guys that come before me.
06:40 I feel like I do a pretty good job
06:42 of looking up to the right people
06:44 and having the right models in my life.
06:47 And fortunately for me, the guy in front of me
06:50 was a really good linebacker.
06:52 So I think that just helped me out.
06:54 - Got time for one or two more here for Jay.
06:58 Our next question comes from Scott Docterman.
07:03 - Jay, the discussion nationally and regionally
07:07 is that this is a mismatch, at least on paper.
07:12 I think Michigan's a 23 point favorite.
07:14 Has any of that discussion filtered its way to you guys
07:19 as being the extreme underdog or is it block the noise out
07:23 and we don't care what anybody says
07:25 or is it a little bit of both?
07:27 - I'd say it's blocked the noise out.
07:29 I mean, we're at Iowa,
07:31 so we understand the type of love we get from the media.
07:36 I don't think that's no surprise.
07:39 I mean, we were expected to lose last week as well.
07:42 So, I mean, if we listen to what people are gonna say,
07:47 what people say about the games
07:49 before they actually happened,
07:51 then, you know, there'd be no point
07:53 of going out there and competing.
07:55 But I mean, I know where my locker room is at.
07:57 I know where our guys are thinking,
07:59 how we're thinking and how we're going about this week.
08:01 So I'm excited.
08:02 - Our last question for Jay goes to Tyler Tashman.
08:07 - Jay, I think you had made the comment earlier this season,
08:11 like you're gonna play to the wheels fall off
08:14 in terms of, you know, just how physically you play.
08:18 What goes into the recovery process for you?
08:22 What are some things that you've done this season
08:24 just to kind of make sure you've been able
08:26 to stay on the right physically?
08:29 - I feel like we have a great training staff here at Iowa.
08:33 And obviously they do a great job of tailoring
08:36 treatment and recovery, like for each player.
08:41 And, you know, I just try to use the hours in the day wisely,
08:46 making sure that any spare time I can get, you know,
08:50 staying in the training room as much as possible.
08:53 And then also with our strength and conditioning coaches,
08:57 just making sure they always watch our reps
09:00 and how fast we've been running
09:02 and how much energy we've been using during practice.
09:06 So just a community of people
09:09 who are really helping us as football players.
09:13 I feel like that's the biggest thing for me.
09:16 - Jay, we really appreciate you joining us.
09:19 Look forward to seeing you back in Indianapolis this weekend.
09:23 - Thank you.
09:24 - Okay, next joining us is Hawkeyes Junior Offensive
09:29 tackle Mason Richmond.
09:36 Mason, if you wouldn't mind making a brief opening
09:39 statement and then we'll open it up for questions.
09:41 - Jeez, put on the spot.
09:44 I'm really excited for this weekend.
09:46 I mean, two opportunities out of my last, you know,
09:50 four years, half my years I've been able to be a participant
09:52 in this game, which is something incredible
09:54 and speaks to Coach Ferentz.
09:55 I think the whole team's really excited to play.
09:58 You know, I think you guys had Jay and he's one of the,
10:00 our, you know, number one leaders on the team,
10:02 one of our team captains.
10:03 So he said a lot of things when I was in here and,
10:05 you know, him talking about us not hearing noise,
10:09 that's the biggest thing for us.
10:10 And I know the whole, we know what the narrative
10:12 is going to be, but we really don't care.
10:14 And yeah, I'll take questions at this time.
10:16 - Okay, our first question comes from Chad Lystico.
10:20 (silence)
10:23 - Chad, you're muted and unmuting right now.
10:33 - Yeah, I blame the Big Ten, they keep muting.
10:37 - Yeah, something about that.
10:39 - I'm just kidding.
10:40 The, you got to play in this game,
10:43 one of four guys who started,
10:45 current Hawkeyes who started that game two years ago.
10:48 Does that experience help you?
10:50 What can you take from, you know,
10:53 being in that spotlight two years ago, you know,
10:55 at left tackle?
10:56 - Yeah, I think it's definitely, you know,
11:00 something to carry over.
11:01 Obviously, you know, they have a great defensive line.
11:04 I wouldn't, I think they'd agree,
11:05 they don't have Aiden Hutch in there,
11:06 but they have really balanced, you know,
11:08 talent on both ends and in the inside, you know,
11:11 those inside guys are really talented.
11:12 So, you know, for me, I think it's just a matter of focus
11:15 and comfortability, like knowing how it's all going to work.
11:18 You know, it's a little bit different, you know,
11:20 it's kind of the show of the town for the weekend,
11:23 bigger city, just kind of a neutral site.
11:25 Like I think two years ago,
11:26 it was more of a home game for them, I'll be honest.
11:28 Like it was less, like I thought we thought it would be
11:31 a half and half, but we had to go a little bit
11:32 of silent count, like we're on the road.
11:34 But, you know, I think for other guys,
11:36 it's just about understanding,
11:37 it's just a bonus week, I think, you know,
11:40 it's obviously a championship game,
11:41 but just to treat it as another week, you know,
11:43 the same kind of preparation we've always had,
11:45 and just to win the week, you know,
11:47 in terms of preparation,
11:48 I think that's something Coach Barrett's
11:49 been preaching about, which is definitely something,
11:51 you know, smart to say about it.
11:52 And, you know, for me, I think it's a night game
11:55 and that factors in, and you don't want to be
11:57 playing the game before the game.
11:58 So on Saturday, definitely just making sure
12:00 you're taking care of yourself,
12:01 while also, you know, staying a little locked in,
12:03 but we've had two night games now this year.
12:06 So I think we'll be ready for it.
12:08 And, you know, I'm just really excited to go over there.
12:10 - Our next question goes to John Steppe.
12:14 - I'll also, sorry, John,
12:15 I'm going to throw this in there too.
12:16 I'll also mention, I like the black jerseys a lot better.
12:18 They're way more slimming than those white jerseys.
12:21 I can't stand those things sometimes.
12:22 Like Connors is like a size medium.
12:24 We'd see it on film and it was like his whole belly button
12:26 and, you know, his underwear was showing.
12:28 So the black jerseys definitely are going to be awesome.
12:31 - Hey Mason, how have you seen this offense grow
12:36 since the last time you went up against a ranked opponent?
12:38 Obviously not an ideal result in State College.
12:41 - I think it's kind of just been about, you know,
12:46 working on ourselves, not against our opponents
12:48 or anything like that, and just understanding,
12:50 you know, what we wanted to accomplish.
12:51 I think a lot of guys have bought into our identity
12:54 and how we want to go about winning these games,
12:56 kind of grinding out some teams and, you know,
12:59 for the offensive line specifically,
13:01 we've just gotten a lot better, a lot deeper this year.
13:03 Obviously we've had guys go up in and out of the lineup
13:05 and, you know, we haven't really missed a beat
13:07 in terms of improvement.
13:09 And I think that's really appreciative of, you know,
13:12 myself and Coach Barnett and, you know, Coach Ferentz
13:15 and everyone who's had a hand in that.
13:16 And then, you know, others on offense,
13:18 obviously Deacon's had a awesome year, I think.
13:21 It's just been a great year of growth for him
13:22 and he's definitely learned a lot.
13:24 And we got rooms really stepping up in terms of, you know,
13:27 losing injuries like Jay had mentioned before,
13:29 but yeah, just really appreciative of, you know,
13:32 Coach Ferentz and Coach Bryan and what they've proved
13:34 in terms of leadership, you know, for our offense this year.
13:37 So I really appreciate the both of them
13:39 and just about, you know, knowing our identity
13:42 and just sticking to it and going out there
13:44 and just competing is the most important thing
13:46 for us at this rate.
13:47 - Our next question comes from Scott Dockterman.
13:51 - Hey Mason, you already kind of mentioned a little bit
13:56 about the narrative, the narratives out there.
13:59 It's pervasive, I think, in the world of college football.
14:04 How much of that do you guys pay attention to?
14:06 Do you use it to kind of fuel you and us against the world?
14:10 Or is it, we're not even cognizant
14:14 of what the betting line says
14:16 and what everybody's discussing?
14:17 - Yeah, I think it's definitely, you know,
14:20 we kind of turn away from that.
14:22 I'll say the only thing I've heard, you know,
14:23 we were watching the, everyone on our team, I'm sure,
14:25 was watching the Ohio State mission game last weekend.
14:27 And for Joe Klatt to say that we're the little engine
14:30 that could, I think that's great.
14:31 I love that.
14:33 Definitely going to be using that one
14:34 as a little chip on our shoulder.
14:35 But, you know, we've been talking about a train all year
14:38 and how we've just been chugging along
14:40 and on our way to Indy.
14:41 But, you know, in terms of noise, Scott, I think,
14:44 you know, that's all good in there.
14:46 And, you know, as always, we're really going to turn our,
14:48 turn our eyes to that, away from that.
14:50 But, you know, I think the only noise that we hear from
14:53 is really Coach Ferenc and what he tells us to expect
14:56 from the game, what, you know, people he respects
14:58 in the industry are saying about our team
14:59 and just understanding, you know, what our identity is
15:02 and just going out there and competing.
15:03 And I know it's the same answer as I gave last time,
15:05 but, you know, I mean, yeah, we understand
15:08 that these guys are a pretty good team,
15:10 probably the best team we're going to face all year.
15:12 You know, I don't think we're going to be
15:14 just completely changed the entire way we play.
15:17 I think, you know, we're going to work hard
15:18 and prepare this week and go out there
15:20 and give them an Iowa Hawkeye football game.
15:23 - Our next question is from Tyler Tashman.
15:27 - Hey Mason, hope you're doing well.
15:31 You've worked with LeSean Williams for a while.
15:34 Just curious of what stands out about him
15:37 and kind of how you've seen him develop at Iowa.
15:41 - Yeah, I think LeSean's done a great job this year.
15:44 You know, we've had a flurry of backs in and out of there,
15:46 and I think he's been pretty consistent throughout the year
15:49 in terms of his effort and preparation
15:50 and, you know, what you can expect from men on the field.
15:53 And I think he does a great job in pass protecting.
15:55 Was it something, you know, I know they take pride
15:57 in the running backs room, especially, you know,
15:58 Coach Betts coaching them up.
16:00 And yeah, LeSean, I mean, he didn't,
16:02 I don't think he didn't play much two years ago.
16:05 Last year he played a little bit more,
16:07 and this year he's obviously, you know,
16:08 almost kind of been our lead cat in that room.
16:10 And, you know, I think from him,
16:12 I've just seen him be a little more patient
16:15 while also going forward most of the time.
16:17 And I think that's something that really speaks to him
16:19 and what he's worked on in the off season.
16:21 You know, I know he's been working with
16:22 like our nutritionist and our trainers
16:24 to try to stay on the field as much as he can.
16:27 Me and Duncan have been trying to tell him
16:28 to eat more carbs the night before a game
16:29 and everything like that.
16:30 So, you know, for him,
16:32 it's just going out there and competing.
16:34 And I think I've been seeing it in practice for a while.
16:37 You know, during camp, he had a great fall camp
16:39 and spring ball too.
16:40 So, you know, I've just seen nothing
16:42 but progress from that guy.
16:43 I'm really excited.
16:44 We get really excited when he comes in the huddle
16:45 and just like the other backs,
16:46 like every time you see a new one coming,
16:48 it's like, you know how this guy's kind of going to run.
16:50 It's not going to change, you know, how we block per se,
16:53 but, you know, you know what kind of a play
16:55 this guy can make each and every time
16:57 out there on the field.
16:58 So, no, love all those backs in the room
17:00 and La'Shawn's done a great job this year.
17:02 - Good time for one or two more for Mason.
17:04 Our next question is from Adam Rittenberg.
17:07 - Mason, I hope you're doing well.
17:10 I'm just wondering, as you think about a way
17:12 for Iowa to win this game,
17:13 how does the number of possessions
17:16 or possession time staying on the field,
17:18 how does that factor in given how you guys
17:20 operate offensively and how Michigan does as well?
17:23 - Yeah, thanks.
17:25 That's a great question.
17:26 I think last game, obviously we had a pretty good time
17:30 possession in the first half
17:31 and the second half not so much.
17:32 And that kind of speaks to, you know,
17:33 how much success we had.
17:34 And, you know, for us, there's the ABCs
17:36 of how we do offense are possess the football,
17:39 advance the football, score the football.
17:40 So you can't do the next two without doing the first one.
17:43 So obviously, you know, taking care of the football,
17:45 just advancing it forward is the most important thing for us.
17:48 And then once we get down there
17:49 and we have opportunities to score, you know,
17:51 we can take advantage of something that they did wrong,
17:53 you know, on a big explosive play or something.
17:55 I think our guys will be ready to do it.
17:56 I think, you know, we always want to possess the ball.
17:59 Shoot, if we could possess the ball for 40 minutes,
18:01 that'd be great.
18:01 And obviously we'd feel pretty dominant in that sense.
18:03 And, you know, those guys on the other side
18:06 would be hands on hips, a little bit more tired.
18:08 And I think just making sure that we possess in advance
18:11 and then score the football when we get opportunities
18:12 like that is the most important thing we can do,
18:14 you know, to come out successful on Saturday night.
18:17 - Our last question for Mason goes to Elliot Clough.
18:21 - Hey, Mason, not quite related to the game ahead,
18:27 but was on the field at the end of the game on Friday
18:31 and heard you chatting with the Nebraska fans a little bit
18:34 and said, go home, celebrate Christmas.
18:37 I just wanted to ask you about that.
18:38 If you were hearing them chirp during the game
18:40 or what you were thinking there.
18:42 - Oh yeah, I mean, not dwell on it too much.
18:47 I just think, you know, I have a lot of respect for,
18:49 you know, their program and obviously what it means
18:51 to those fans around there.
18:52 And, you know, I think Coach Ruhl is,
18:53 I think honestly he's going to do a great job out there,
18:55 you know, from what I've been hearing about
18:57 how he conducts business in that building,
18:59 I think he's going to be really tremendously successful there.
19:02 You know, for me, it was just a big rivalry and, you know,
19:05 maybe let the emotions get the best of me,
19:07 but I think in that moment, you know,
19:09 I don't think Coach Ferencz is going to bat an eye
19:10 to anything like that.
19:11 And, you know, those fans, they're really rowdy
19:15 and getting into it.
19:16 And, you know, we had a security guy right behind us
19:18 and he was chirping our offensive lineman.
19:20 And I'm just like, what are we doing?
19:22 I mean, this guy was supposed to be protecting us from,
19:25 I don't know, maybe like an object or something coming in
19:27 or, you know, I don't know,
19:28 maybe someone rushing the field
19:29 and he's chirping our offensive lineman.
19:31 I'm like, what are we, like, what is this show out here?
19:33 But that's like why, like, Kinnick, it's the same thing.
19:37 Like, we got the security guard right behind us,
19:40 chirping us, but in Kinnick, you know,
19:41 there's not enough space on the sideline.
19:42 People complain about it all the time, I'm sure.
19:44 It's the same thing, even if, like,
19:45 there you have 30 yards in between you and the stands,
19:48 but no, just definitely the emotions,
19:51 the rivalry and everything like that.
19:53 And just to send them home for Christmas
19:54 is one of the better feelings I think we've had this year.
19:57 And obviously Marshall, I had no idea even,
19:59 I'll also mention this,
20:00 I had no idea Marshall was kicking that ball.
20:02 I came off the field and I ran over the D-line bench
20:05 and I'm like, someone pray with me right now.
20:07 So like, we were all just praying down our heads
20:09 and all I could see was the ball fly in the air
20:11 and the ball flies in.
20:12 I'm like, great, we won, you know, like we said,
20:15 the emotions, and then I saw Marshall getting carried off.
20:17 I'm like, why is, I'm like, oh my gosh, you know,
20:19 he just made that.
20:20 So no, just a great moment for our team.
20:23 And like you're saying on the field,
20:25 just that was just, you know, emotional support, I guess,
20:27 for my guys and against those fans and everything like that.
20:30 So yeah, we're just excited to be able to participate
20:34 this Saturday and all eyes ahead to Michigan now.
20:37 - Mason, really appreciate you taking the time.
20:40 Good luck this week and we'll see you in Indianapolis.
20:43 - Thanks guys, appreciate it.
20:44 - Okay, our final representative
20:57 from the Big 10 West champions
20:59 is Iowa Senior Defensive End, Joe Evans.
21:02 Joe, thanks for joining us.
21:03 If you could give a brief opening statement
21:05 about this weekend's game
21:07 and then we'll open it up for questions.
21:09 - Absolutely.
21:10 Just a brief opening statement.
21:13 We're just really excited to play in this game.
21:16 Had some really good games here in the past couple of weeks,
21:20 you know, clinching it against Illinois
21:22 and then beating a rival over at Nebraska.
21:25 But we're really fired up, you know, playing this game
21:28 and all the guys are excited and preparing as such.
21:31 - As a reminder, if you'd like to ask a question,
21:34 please raise your hand in the chat.
21:35 Our first question for Joe will be from John Steppe.
21:38 - Hey Joe, good to see you.
21:42 Wanted to ask you about the 2021 game.
21:45 What do you kind of remember from that?
21:48 And are there any takeaways that you can take
21:50 from having that experience then
21:52 as you prepare for it again in 2023?
21:55 - Great question.
21:56 Yeah.
21:58 You know, going into the game, you know,
22:00 me being a huge Iowa fan,
22:02 I'm going to be honest with you,
22:03 I was a little starstruck, you know,
22:04 playing in the Big 10 Championship.
22:06 I remember watching, you know, Iowa in 2015.
22:08 So when we got there, a little starstruck,
22:12 a little, you know, wide-eyed and stuff like that.
22:14 And obviously we all remember in the facility, you know,
22:18 how much we lost that game by.
22:20 42 to three, we lost by 39 points.
22:22 So that definitely is going to stick with us.
22:25 And, you know, me being a leader and me being a captain,
22:27 it's my duty and my job to, you know,
22:30 let the guys know who weren't there, you know,
22:32 what that feeling, you know, what that felt like,
22:34 you know, coming off that field, losing by 39 points.
22:36 And another thing too, is to not have the guys understand,
22:40 like, you know, we're there to win a football game.
22:43 And for me, you know, when I went there,
22:45 I was a little wide-eyed and stuff like that.
22:47 But, you know, at the end of the day, it's another game.
22:50 And, you know, the stakes are higher, but, you know,
22:52 that's how it should be, you know, when it's week 14.
22:56 -Our next question goes to Chad Winch.
22:59 -Hey, Joe.
23:00 Overcoming adversity has been such a part
23:03 of the Iowa story for this season.
23:05 How do you approach the pressure
23:06 of such a critical game like this?
23:09 -That's a great question.
23:12 Honestly, I don't know.
23:14 Obviously, we all understand, you know,
23:16 how big of a game it is in our facility.
23:19 Everyone understands that.
23:21 But I think it really comes down to how we practice
23:24 and just kind of, you know, coming in every single day
23:27 and improving and just working on, like, the little things
23:32 and not really viewing it as such as, like,
23:35 "Oh, my God, like, we're playing for a Big Ten championship."
23:39 Kind of viewing it, you know, obviously, as a big game,
23:43 you have to, but, you know,
23:45 that's just going to all start in practice.
23:49 -Our next question comes from Scott Docterman.
23:53 -Hey, Joe.
23:55 Even compared to what you guys experienced two years ago,
23:58 you're a bigger underdog in this game.
24:01 There was some rhetoric the last time
24:03 that you got a chance to win.
24:04 This time, I haven't found anybody
24:06 who thinks you're going to win except what you guys think.
24:09 And how do you get this done, and what's it going to take,
24:13 and have you paid any attention
24:15 to maybe the rhetoric out there at all?
24:19 -Um, yeah, we love that, to be honest.
24:22 Everybody in the facility loves that,
24:24 and we love that narrative of being the underdog.
24:28 I'm going to be honest with you.
24:29 I don't think anybody thought we were going to be
24:30 in this situation after we lost 31-0 over at Penn State.
24:35 I remember getting a question asked of me,
24:37 and, you know, "What's the next step here?"
24:39 And I said that, you know,
24:41 "We still have all of our goals ahead of us.
24:42 We can still win the Big Ten West,
24:43 and we can still win a Big Ten championship."
24:45 And I know a lot of people kind of laughed at that.
24:48 So, um, we love being the underdog.
24:52 We don't really care what anyone else thinks
24:54 outside the facility.
24:56 All that matter -- all the opinions that matter
24:58 are the people that are in the facility.
24:59 And, you know, when you say, like,
25:01 "What is it going to take for us to win a game,
25:03 win this, you know, big game like this?"
25:06 It's just all going to come down to, you know,
25:07 how we prepare and how we do things in the week.
25:10 And, um, I think just a bunch of --
25:13 all these guys are -- we're just really pumped up to play.
25:17 -Our next question is from Chad Lystico.
25:22 -Hey, Joe.
25:23 Obviously, you were on the field two years ago.
25:25 I think you played, looked it up, 28 snaps.
25:28 And you got to face them last year at Kinnick Stadium,
25:30 so a little bit of familiarity with Michigan.
25:32 What is the key defensively to kind of slowing them down?
25:38 -Yeah.
25:40 I mean, Michigan, I mean, they're obviously a tremendous team.
25:44 Everyone sees that.
25:46 You know, you turn on the tape, you watch a game on Saturday,
25:49 you can see how, you know, just how well-coached they are.
25:52 I think a big part of it is, you know,
25:55 being able to stop the run.
25:57 That's really where they, you know, get things set up.
25:58 And, you know, Quorum's a -- he's a tremendous back.
26:03 I think that's where it really starts.
26:04 I think there was a stat against when they played Penn State
26:07 in the second half, all they did was run the ball.
26:08 So we just have to be really sound there and just,
26:12 you know, like we always say,
26:14 just be playing tough, smart, and physical the whole day.
26:17 -Next question goes to Matthew McGowan.
26:22 -Hey, Joe. Going back to that game
26:23 against Michigan last year,
26:24 what do you remember from J.J. McCarthy,
26:26 and what do you expect to see from him on Saturday?
26:29 -Yeah. I mean, I just remember how gifted
26:33 and tremendous of an athlete he is
26:37 and how he is able to escape the pocket at any moment.
26:40 And, you know, it's not like he's escaping
26:42 to go throw the ball out.
26:43 He's escaping to go make a big play down the field.
26:45 So that's what I remember.
26:47 And, you know, for us, I think a big thing,
26:51 you know, that we've been talking about
26:52 is just trying to, you know,
26:55 keep him in the pocket as much as possible
26:57 and trying to, you know, affect him
26:59 as much as possible in the pocket.
27:00 -Next question is to Tyler Tashman.
27:07 -Hey, Joe. Hope you're doing well.
27:09 We're just curious how you've kind of seen
27:11 J. Higgins grow over his time at Iowa and, you know,
27:15 just kind of what he's done this season,
27:16 how he's gotten to this point.
27:20 -I'm going to be honest with you.
27:22 I'm really not surprised at all with the season he has.
27:27 And, you know, that might shock some of you guys,
27:30 but, you know, I've been here, what, for six years.
27:34 You know, I'm an old guy.
27:36 And I've seen how he has come to work every single day.
27:41 And, you know, when a guy is working his tail off
27:44 like he has and when he goes out there
27:46 and he's making big play after big play,
27:49 leads power five in tackles, to me, it's not shocking
27:53 because I see all the work that he's been putting in.
27:55 And he means so much to this team.
27:57 He's a tremendous leader on and off the field.
28:00 So we're just really lucky to have him.
28:05 -Joe, we really appreciate you taking the time.
28:06 Good luck this week.
28:07 We will see you in Indianapolis this weekend.
28:10 -Absolutely. Thank you.