Indiana University Athletics
Virginia Week Quotes
9/5/2018 10:13:00 PM | Football
PEYTON RAMSEY:
On the offense:
"I think we played well. I think we did a good job of executing the game plan. Obviously, week 1, there are going to be hiccups. And there were, but I think overall we did a good job of executing the game plan.
On getting plays downfield:
"It is important. It's been a point of emphasis for us to be able to push the ball down the field and create explosive plays. At the same time, we're not going to force anything down the field. We're not going to force a deep ball in there. But we're going to take our shots. It is going to be a big part of who we are this year."
On shaking off his early interception:
"I had to bounce back. Especially being that we were down 7-0, I knew we needed points. It was just a matter of moving onto the next play and executing every single play after that. I think I did a good job of responding there."
On Donavan Hale's TDs:
"The first one, just going through my progression, he popped open and I just thought I could fit one on the top shelf and he went and got it. The second one, I had to squeeze one in there. He made a big time play. He made me right there. That's what the receivers talk about, if I make a bad ball. He made me right on that one."
On Michael Penix Jr.:
"He did a good job. He just showed what he's been doing all spring and all fall camp. He was calm. He looked calm out there and I think he did a good job."
Is it unusual for a freshman to have that poise?
"Yes, I would say so. I think having a whole spring underneath his belt has helped him more than most true freshmen, too."
On staying engaged when Penix played:
"I was just standing next to our signal-caller, making sure I was getting every single call. I was still looking at what they were playing on defense and keeping my arm loose just knowing that eventually I was going to go back in the game."
On the final drive:
"It's awesome. I think that's a testament to how hard our offensive line has worked ever since Coach Ballou has been here. They've bought into what he's doing and ultimately it was just big on big. Tough man wins. They proved how tough and big and strong that they were."
On the running backs:
"I think that room is talented. There's guys in there that can make plays with the ball in their hands. Now it's just stepping up. I think there's guys in there that are going to prove themselves."
On Cole Gest's injury:
"It's tough. Man, he's one of the hardest working guys on our team. He's improved so much. You saw for however long he was in there, just his burst. It's sad for a guy like that just because of how hard he worked and the kind of person that he is."
On Reese Taylor bouncing off a big hit:
"It was cool. He said that was the hardest he's ever been hit. Somehow, he stayed up still. He said he knows harder hits are coming. He had fun out there and he showed what he's able to do with the ball in his hands.
"It was loud. That guy popped him pretty good.
On the tight ends:
"It was awesome. Those are two guys that had really good fall camps. It's not surprising for us to see them go out and make plays and make catches because we've been seeing it for the last month."
On big bodies in the red zone:
"It's another point of emphasis. Get the ball in the end zone. you got play-makers, just get them the ball. That makes my job a little bit easier."
On Reese Taylor:
"He's quick and he's shifty. I would say, with the ball in his hands, he's smart. He's got good vision more than anything. If you couple that with his quickness, he's a really good player."
On Hale feeding off the crowd:
"I think him being home helps a lot too. A lot of the Florida guys don't get the opportunity to play in front of their family like that all the time. I think that helped a lot. It was really cool for those guys.
On the fans at FIU:
"We had a really good crowd. It was cool to see."
On Donavan Hale:
"He's a big play guy, especially in the red zone. That's probably where we've seen it the most throughout fall camp, where we can just put a ball up and let him take it out of the air."
Was that the most comfortable you've felt as IU's QB?
"Absolutely. I felt ... Obviously, you can say whatever. I threw a pick on the first drive, but still I walked off the sideline as comfortable and confident as I've been knowing that I've got to go out and put points on the board."
On having Westbrook back:
"It's awesome for him, first of all, to be back out there. But when you put him alongside Luke Timian, Whop, Donavan … they all allow us to stretch the field so much, because we have so many weapons out there."
JONATHAN CRAWFORD
On playing in Miami:
"It was great. Last game in Florida as a college football player. It was great."
What did you see on the INT?
"Really, I was reading the receiver's hips. He slipped and once I saw him slip, I knew I could gain leverage on him. Seeing the ball, then I got it."
(Did you think about it while running it in?
"Oh, I knew I was taking it in as soon as I caught it. I've been thinking about that all summer, a pick-6. I knew I was running in."
On freshmen getting in the game:
"Really just playing hard. I feel like that's the bottom line. Everything else you can teach. I feel like, basically having the mindset to go out there and give effort, I feel like that's a start."
Did anyone step up?
"Khalil Bryant had his first start. He played up to his expectations. We all can improve, but I feel like he caught my eye, honestly.
What's been different with him this year?
"Honestly, I think he has more confidence. I feel like he wasn't in the right position last year. Now that they moved him to free safety he's a lot more comfortable and having more confidence. That's a start."
On Hale's TDs:
"It was good. It motivated me to go out there and play harder and do everything I can to hopefully get in the end zone."
What did the defense do well and not so well?
"I feel like takeaways. That was a big emphasis from last season. We went out there and did that. The thing I didn't like was probably the missed assignments. Lot of MAs. Those things can be fixed though. It was nothing physically, but the mental mistakes need to be fixed."
What was it like seeing Ball back?
"He plays hard. Honestly, I missed that about him. Having that energy on the field (from) someone like him, he's always flying around and it just motivates you to play harder and do everything you can for the team."
On guys in the NFL:
"It motivates me to go harder. I'm sure it motivates our other teammates, too, just seeing guys that came through here are now on the big stage and going to live out our dream."
On the Excellence Academy:
"We like it. It gives the stadium a better look. I like it personally, especially that section of the stadium. It looks really nice.
DONAVAN HALE:
On the quarterbacks:
"Both of them are great, to me. Both guys can run. Strong arms. With either one out there, we're rolling."
At any point in camp did you feel you were fully back?
"It took me a little bit, some time to get back into the swing of things. But other than that, I felt pretty good."
Did you, as another big receiver, use Simmie's example to kind of mold your game?
"Yeah. Really, the big thing with Simmie, his confidence was through the roof … and he said I just needed to keep my confidence up and believe in myself. That was the big thing when he talked with me, the way he kind of molded me.
"After (listening to) him, Coach Heard and Coach Allen, they really … Coach Heard was obviously the (main) guy boosting my confidence. (To have me) just going out on the field and believing nobody could stop me. Ever. No matter who's in front of me.
"That comes through coaching, and just repeatedly saying it – it's probably just stuck.
Coach Allen says he has challenged you. In what ways?
"Really to believe in myself. Using my size and my speed and, really, just believing that when I'm out on the field, nobody can stop me."
Did playing in front of friends and family give you a boost?
"Yeah! (laughs). It really did. Honestly, it felt just like high school, and it was really nice having them there.
"It was exactly like high school. And I wasn't even, like, looking at them. Then when I saw (Crawford) get that pick and run it into the end zone, and kind of just throw it up in the air (I saw them). And it was just like high school.
On his first TD:
"That was actually my first catch and, after that, I was just ready to play, honestly. I was ready.
On his second TD:
"I was just over there by myself and pretty much knew it was coming to me. I just had to get open and make a play."
On red zone success:
"We've got athletes all over the field. Whether it's at running back, QB who can get out of the pocket, making throws, receivers, tight ends. Really, I think if we give everybody a chance, we'll make it every time. You've got to have that confidence."
On having a 'pitch-count' during camp:
"I was kind of OK with it … I was just trying to get back out there, trying to get back into the flow of things, being out there, conditioning-wise and stuff.
Did you ever doubt you could come back and be the player you felt you could be?
"Kind of. A little. I wasn't super hard on myself. I knew that everything happens for a reason.
"Watching the team play, I was like, 'Man, I could be out there helping the team.' But I couldn't. This year, I'm planning to be out there every single game.
Nick said, for him, getting through the first play meant it was better than last year. Did he say anything about you being back, too?
"They're just happy to see me back out on the field. The past is the past. Just looking forward to the future, and what the future holds.
MIKE DeBORD
What do you know about using Reese Taylor in the offense and how much does he know about the offense at this point?
"Well, we know a lot about him, because we have used him already. And as Coach said, we'll use him more … I'm not going to elaborate on that to help Virginia with their preparation."
Did the tight ends meet or exceed your expectations, especially down in the red zone?
"It's amazing. Going through camp, those guys have really been working hard, with their preparation, and it was good to finally put it into a game situation to see what they were going to do.
"Because you never know, going into a game – especially game one – what guys will be like. I thought all three guys played well, played hard. Great effort. I was proud of what they did."
On Stevie Scott and the other freshmen who played:
"Coach addressed that and all I can really do is echo that. Same guys.
"Starting at tight end. Peyton Hendershot has really stepped his game up. Early in camp, Peyton was running routes to feel his way, looking to find the holes, rather than running full speed and then reacting. So we had to get him out of that and he did that this game – he played fast. Did a great job with his routes. Did a great job with his blocking. I was impressed with his blocking technique.
"Coach mentioned Matt Bjorson, also. You never really know with a freshman, especially a true freshman, just what they'll be. And what they will learn. He's learned very well and he's put that to use. He has a few things to clean up, technique-wise, as does any football player. But I was proud of the way he played.
"You mentioned Stevie. For his first game out there … he didn't really get that many reps leading up to it in training camp. Toward the end of training camp, he started getting a lot more reps. He'll just continue to get better.
"And I think Coach mentioned Ty Fryfogle. Every day I see more confidence coming with him. Just seeing him make more plays."
On Richmond only having 34 yards rushing against Virginia:
"Virginia, No. 1, they've got a whole different scheme. It all starts off the odd front. Last year, they blitzed every blitz known to mankind.
"I believe their scheme is very good and they've got good players. We're still in our preparation right now and we've got to find ways to gain yards and getting the run game going. The run game is important in every football game. And it'll be very important in this one."
On the quarterbacks:
"I thought they both played winning football.
"On Peyton's interception, they're always going to say Peyton shouldn't have thrown it. Really, what he saw, he should have, but we didn't have good spacing on that one particular play. The (linebacker) fell off (into coverage) and he didn't see him, and I put that on myself and our coaches. We've got to do a better job designing the play, and we will.
"I thought he played very well. I think he completed something like nine in a row there (after that). Just did a really good job.
"I thought that throw to Donavan for the touchdown, the first one, was an unbelievable throw. To rip it in there. He had a safety that cheated back a little bit and to get that ball in there that quick was a great throw.
"Then when Mike went in, he was very poised. Nothing's too big for him. Went in and executed the offense, and it wasn't as if we ran the ball all the time. He put the ball down the field. He had the one overthrow to Luke but, other than that, great throws and did a great job of running the offense.
"Then Peyton comes in to finish it up and does a great job to run the offense there, especially with six minutes to go in the game. I thought we did a great job of clock management, snapping the ball with just a couple of seconds left every time."
On red zone success with tight ends and weapons such as Donavan Hale:
"Yeah, and with Nick (Westbrook), too. When you've got big wideouts – in the red zone, that's where that sticks out more than anything, going up and making plays like that.
"That catch that Donavan made was a great catch, back behind (him). That's a tough catch, now. But Peyton had to put the ball back there because the linebacker was starting to leak toward Donavan. If he'd put the ball out front, it could've been tipped or who knows what happens.
"Peyton made a good throw putting it on the back shoulder, or really back hip, but it was just a great catch. Those two guys (Hale and Westbrook) should be great weapons for us, but especially down in the red zone."
On Ronnie Walker Jr.:
"Obviously, he's learning. He's got things, some strengths that way, but he's just got to continue to learn the offense, especially his reads in the run game and also his protections. With all the different multiple blitzes you get nowadays, you've got to be (ready.) He's learning that. It's just a learning process for him right now."
Donavan Hale's health held him back but it this what you expected to see?
"Yeah. And I will say, and I think Donavan would tell you, that … early in training camp, he was inconsistent. And then, as Coach said, we've all been pushing him to make plays like that. That's what he should be. He should be a play-maker.
"That's why it was so great to see him do that. I saw him today and asked, 'What are you going to be like this week?' And he said, 'Better.' And I said, 'Great. That's the right answer.' He has (to make plays) for us."
MIKE HART:
On asking more of Mike Majette:
"I think, last year going into the Virginia game, Mike Majette's the starter, right? So, to me, it's nothing we haven't asked him to do in the past. He's going to have more reps, more on his plate from that standpoint, but it's nothing he can't do. He's done it before.
"We believe in him. We trust him. I know he knows what he's doing. He's going out there and there is no question he's going to play good.
It's also an all-hands-on-deck situation, too, right?
"This week's big for the young guys. All of them. This is a tough team we're playing. You can't just step in and just expect to do all the things you'll have to do against these guys because they do a lot, they blitz a lot, got a lot of different fronts, a lot of different schemes.
"You've got to be mentally prepared for this game. And the guys that are going to play are the guys who are ready – whether it's Craig (Nelson), whether it's Ronnie (Walker), whether it's Stevie (Scott), whether it's Mike (Majette), whether it's Ricky (Brookins). Against a team like this, you can't have guys out there who don't know what they're doing.
"The biggest thing is preparation. And whoever has the best week of preparation is going to play in the game.
Stevie helped you guys run out the clock the other night:
"Overall, he played good. And I say good, but he's got a long way to go. He led us in rushing. But when you have 24 snaps and 20 carries, you'd better lead us in rushing. Right?
"He has a lot of room to grow and that's what he needs to understand, and I think he takes that to heart. But you don't just (go out there on talent.) This is big-time football.
Have you had a chance to speak with Cole?
"Yeah. I love Cole, man. He's a great kid, hard worker. You'll hear that from everybody. Your heart just goes out to him. Nothing that was his fault – it happens, you know?
"But he's going to come back stronger next year. He's going to stay positive. We'll have him back next year and he'll be better than ever. I promise you that.
MIKE MAJETTE:
I assume you don't mind being asked for more, especially heading into Virginia week?
"Right. It's Virginia week, and that's where I'm from. But it's another game and it's nothing personal. It's another Saturday. We're preparing and working hard in practice to get the outcome we want to get, just like any other Saturday.
"I do know a couple of those guys over there on that side, though, yes sir. Won't be much communicating with those guys during the week, obviously, but we'll see each other on Saturday. I'll keep their names private.
Have you been able to talk with Cole?
"I have. Cole is a very upbeat guy. This isn't going to bring him down. Cole has a lot of faith. His faith is huge. So he's going to continue to work hard, continue to strive to get to where he wants to get at the end of the day.
Are you about as healthy as you've been for a while?
"Yes sir. This is the healthiest I've been in a long while. I feel different, and I like the way I'm feeling right now. But I can't get complacent about how I feel. I need to keep working hard, working on my body, to continue feeling the way I do now.
Catching Michael Penix Jr.'s first career TD pass:
"It was a perfect ball. We were talking about it earlier (today) … but, Mike P., he's going to be great. As you could see. He came in, doing his thing. You can just tell by the way he throws the ball.
"It was definitely an honor to catch the (first) touchdown pass from Mike P.
The only really off throw was the long one to Luke that was overthrown, maybe with a bit of adrenaline?
"Right, he wanted that one. And he's got a cannon for an arm. He lets it rip.
Talk about some of the young guys:
"We need everybody, myself included. From Stevie (Scott), to Ricky Brookins, to Ronnie (Walker), to Craig (Nelson) – we all need to step up and take care of business.
If it's all-hands-on deck, do you think Coach Hart might want to suit up?
"Oh, yeah! (laughs). He'd definitely be into that.
MICHAEL PENIX JR.
What was that like, at 10:55 of the third quarter, trotting out onto a college field for the first time in front of family and friends?
"No, really, I was zoned in. I was ready. I was well-prepared.
On his first TD:
"That was a great play call. I just got the ball to Majette, who is a play-maker, and he made a play for me, for the team.
8 out of 10. Only off-target with the long one to Luke?
"It was just a missed opportunity. We practiced it today and connected with it … we have to connect. Got to make the big plays. Got to make the special plays. Every Saturday. Every day in practice, to ensure we'll do a great job with it on Saturdays.
Your composure, so poised. Do you feel even more confident now with a game under your belt?
"Yeah. I feel real confident, but I've always had that confidence level that helps you play well. I don't want to put myself down, that's for sure. I come out here every practice confident, working my hardest, and benefiting from our defense giving us great looks.
"The team working together, giving our all, is showing me everything in practice that I need to see. So when we get in the game, it'll come easy for me and I'll be confident.
You and Peyton both showed well Saturday:
"It was great. Peyton works hard. We all work hard, all the quarterbacks, every single day. That's one of our main goals, obviously, completing the ball and that's what we did real well Saturday.
Get a chance to see family and friends post-game?
"I had a chance to see family and friends post-game. It was great. Great time. A lot of people showed up that I didn't know were going to show up, actually. They all came out and supported us. It was a great experience.
"They congratulated me after the game, said I did a great job, that the team did a great job. They were very happy, very excited.
"I'll remember everything about the game, really. First college game. It was great. When we walked out on the field, I knew it was going to be a great day. It just felt so good having my family there, having my first game in Miami, Fla., so close to home. Great all-around experience.
On the offense:
"I think we played well. I think we did a good job of executing the game plan. Obviously, week 1, there are going to be hiccups. And there were, but I think overall we did a good job of executing the game plan.
On getting plays downfield:
"It is important. It's been a point of emphasis for us to be able to push the ball down the field and create explosive plays. At the same time, we're not going to force anything down the field. We're not going to force a deep ball in there. But we're going to take our shots. It is going to be a big part of who we are this year."
On shaking off his early interception:
"I had to bounce back. Especially being that we were down 7-0, I knew we needed points. It was just a matter of moving onto the next play and executing every single play after that. I think I did a good job of responding there."
On Donavan Hale's TDs:
"The first one, just going through my progression, he popped open and I just thought I could fit one on the top shelf and he went and got it. The second one, I had to squeeze one in there. He made a big time play. He made me right there. That's what the receivers talk about, if I make a bad ball. He made me right on that one."
On Michael Penix Jr.:
"He did a good job. He just showed what he's been doing all spring and all fall camp. He was calm. He looked calm out there and I think he did a good job."
Is it unusual for a freshman to have that poise?
"Yes, I would say so. I think having a whole spring underneath his belt has helped him more than most true freshmen, too."
On staying engaged when Penix played:
"I was just standing next to our signal-caller, making sure I was getting every single call. I was still looking at what they were playing on defense and keeping my arm loose just knowing that eventually I was going to go back in the game."
On the final drive:
"It's awesome. I think that's a testament to how hard our offensive line has worked ever since Coach Ballou has been here. They've bought into what he's doing and ultimately it was just big on big. Tough man wins. They proved how tough and big and strong that they were."
On the running backs:
"I think that room is talented. There's guys in there that can make plays with the ball in their hands. Now it's just stepping up. I think there's guys in there that are going to prove themselves."
On Cole Gest's injury:
"It's tough. Man, he's one of the hardest working guys on our team. He's improved so much. You saw for however long he was in there, just his burst. It's sad for a guy like that just because of how hard he worked and the kind of person that he is."
On Reese Taylor bouncing off a big hit:
"It was cool. He said that was the hardest he's ever been hit. Somehow, he stayed up still. He said he knows harder hits are coming. He had fun out there and he showed what he's able to do with the ball in his hands.
"It was loud. That guy popped him pretty good.
On the tight ends:
"It was awesome. Those are two guys that had really good fall camps. It's not surprising for us to see them go out and make plays and make catches because we've been seeing it for the last month."
On big bodies in the red zone:
"It's another point of emphasis. Get the ball in the end zone. you got play-makers, just get them the ball. That makes my job a little bit easier."
On Reese Taylor:
"He's quick and he's shifty. I would say, with the ball in his hands, he's smart. He's got good vision more than anything. If you couple that with his quickness, he's a really good player."
On Hale feeding off the crowd:
"I think him being home helps a lot too. A lot of the Florida guys don't get the opportunity to play in front of their family like that all the time. I think that helped a lot. It was really cool for those guys.
On the fans at FIU:
"We had a really good crowd. It was cool to see."
On Donavan Hale:
"He's a big play guy, especially in the red zone. That's probably where we've seen it the most throughout fall camp, where we can just put a ball up and let him take it out of the air."
Was that the most comfortable you've felt as IU's QB?
"Absolutely. I felt ... Obviously, you can say whatever. I threw a pick on the first drive, but still I walked off the sideline as comfortable and confident as I've been knowing that I've got to go out and put points on the board."
On having Westbrook back:
"It's awesome for him, first of all, to be back out there. But when you put him alongside Luke Timian, Whop, Donavan … they all allow us to stretch the field so much, because we have so many weapons out there."
JONATHAN CRAWFORD
On playing in Miami:
"It was great. Last game in Florida as a college football player. It was great."
What did you see on the INT?
"Really, I was reading the receiver's hips. He slipped and once I saw him slip, I knew I could gain leverage on him. Seeing the ball, then I got it."
(Did you think about it while running it in?
"Oh, I knew I was taking it in as soon as I caught it. I've been thinking about that all summer, a pick-6. I knew I was running in."
On freshmen getting in the game:
"Really just playing hard. I feel like that's the bottom line. Everything else you can teach. I feel like, basically having the mindset to go out there and give effort, I feel like that's a start."
Did anyone step up?
"Khalil Bryant had his first start. He played up to his expectations. We all can improve, but I feel like he caught my eye, honestly.
What's been different with him this year?
"Honestly, I think he has more confidence. I feel like he wasn't in the right position last year. Now that they moved him to free safety he's a lot more comfortable and having more confidence. That's a start."
On Hale's TDs:
"It was good. It motivated me to go out there and play harder and do everything I can to hopefully get in the end zone."
What did the defense do well and not so well?
"I feel like takeaways. That was a big emphasis from last season. We went out there and did that. The thing I didn't like was probably the missed assignments. Lot of MAs. Those things can be fixed though. It was nothing physically, but the mental mistakes need to be fixed."
What was it like seeing Ball back?
"He plays hard. Honestly, I missed that about him. Having that energy on the field (from) someone like him, he's always flying around and it just motivates you to play harder and do everything you can for the team."
On guys in the NFL:
"It motivates me to go harder. I'm sure it motivates our other teammates, too, just seeing guys that came through here are now on the big stage and going to live out our dream."
On the Excellence Academy:
"We like it. It gives the stadium a better look. I like it personally, especially that section of the stadium. It looks really nice.
DONAVAN HALE:
On the quarterbacks:
"Both of them are great, to me. Both guys can run. Strong arms. With either one out there, we're rolling."
At any point in camp did you feel you were fully back?
"It took me a little bit, some time to get back into the swing of things. But other than that, I felt pretty good."
Did you, as another big receiver, use Simmie's example to kind of mold your game?
"Yeah. Really, the big thing with Simmie, his confidence was through the roof … and he said I just needed to keep my confidence up and believe in myself. That was the big thing when he talked with me, the way he kind of molded me.
"After (listening to) him, Coach Heard and Coach Allen, they really … Coach Heard was obviously the (main) guy boosting my confidence. (To have me) just going out on the field and believing nobody could stop me. Ever. No matter who's in front of me.
"That comes through coaching, and just repeatedly saying it – it's probably just stuck.
Coach Allen says he has challenged you. In what ways?
"Really to believe in myself. Using my size and my speed and, really, just believing that when I'm out on the field, nobody can stop me."
Did playing in front of friends and family give you a boost?
"Yeah! (laughs). It really did. Honestly, it felt just like high school, and it was really nice having them there.
"It was exactly like high school. And I wasn't even, like, looking at them. Then when I saw (Crawford) get that pick and run it into the end zone, and kind of just throw it up in the air (I saw them). And it was just like high school.
On his first TD:
"That was actually my first catch and, after that, I was just ready to play, honestly. I was ready.
On his second TD:
"I was just over there by myself and pretty much knew it was coming to me. I just had to get open and make a play."
On red zone success:
"We've got athletes all over the field. Whether it's at running back, QB who can get out of the pocket, making throws, receivers, tight ends. Really, I think if we give everybody a chance, we'll make it every time. You've got to have that confidence."
On having a 'pitch-count' during camp:
"I was kind of OK with it … I was just trying to get back out there, trying to get back into the flow of things, being out there, conditioning-wise and stuff.
Did you ever doubt you could come back and be the player you felt you could be?
"Kind of. A little. I wasn't super hard on myself. I knew that everything happens for a reason.
"Watching the team play, I was like, 'Man, I could be out there helping the team.' But I couldn't. This year, I'm planning to be out there every single game.
Nick said, for him, getting through the first play meant it was better than last year. Did he say anything about you being back, too?
"They're just happy to see me back out on the field. The past is the past. Just looking forward to the future, and what the future holds.
MIKE DeBORD
What do you know about using Reese Taylor in the offense and how much does he know about the offense at this point?
"Well, we know a lot about him, because we have used him already. And as Coach said, we'll use him more … I'm not going to elaborate on that to help Virginia with their preparation."
Did the tight ends meet or exceed your expectations, especially down in the red zone?
"It's amazing. Going through camp, those guys have really been working hard, with their preparation, and it was good to finally put it into a game situation to see what they were going to do.
"Because you never know, going into a game – especially game one – what guys will be like. I thought all three guys played well, played hard. Great effort. I was proud of what they did."
On Stevie Scott and the other freshmen who played:
"Coach addressed that and all I can really do is echo that. Same guys.
"Starting at tight end. Peyton Hendershot has really stepped his game up. Early in camp, Peyton was running routes to feel his way, looking to find the holes, rather than running full speed and then reacting. So we had to get him out of that and he did that this game – he played fast. Did a great job with his routes. Did a great job with his blocking. I was impressed with his blocking technique.
"Coach mentioned Matt Bjorson, also. You never really know with a freshman, especially a true freshman, just what they'll be. And what they will learn. He's learned very well and he's put that to use. He has a few things to clean up, technique-wise, as does any football player. But I was proud of the way he played.
"You mentioned Stevie. For his first game out there … he didn't really get that many reps leading up to it in training camp. Toward the end of training camp, he started getting a lot more reps. He'll just continue to get better.
"And I think Coach mentioned Ty Fryfogle. Every day I see more confidence coming with him. Just seeing him make more plays."
On Richmond only having 34 yards rushing against Virginia:
"Virginia, No. 1, they've got a whole different scheme. It all starts off the odd front. Last year, they blitzed every blitz known to mankind.
"I believe their scheme is very good and they've got good players. We're still in our preparation right now and we've got to find ways to gain yards and getting the run game going. The run game is important in every football game. And it'll be very important in this one."
On the quarterbacks:
"I thought they both played winning football.
"On Peyton's interception, they're always going to say Peyton shouldn't have thrown it. Really, what he saw, he should have, but we didn't have good spacing on that one particular play. The (linebacker) fell off (into coverage) and he didn't see him, and I put that on myself and our coaches. We've got to do a better job designing the play, and we will.
"I thought he played very well. I think he completed something like nine in a row there (after that). Just did a really good job.
"I thought that throw to Donavan for the touchdown, the first one, was an unbelievable throw. To rip it in there. He had a safety that cheated back a little bit and to get that ball in there that quick was a great throw.
"Then when Mike went in, he was very poised. Nothing's too big for him. Went in and executed the offense, and it wasn't as if we ran the ball all the time. He put the ball down the field. He had the one overthrow to Luke but, other than that, great throws and did a great job of running the offense.
"Then Peyton comes in to finish it up and does a great job to run the offense there, especially with six minutes to go in the game. I thought we did a great job of clock management, snapping the ball with just a couple of seconds left every time."
On red zone success with tight ends and weapons such as Donavan Hale:
"Yeah, and with Nick (Westbrook), too. When you've got big wideouts – in the red zone, that's where that sticks out more than anything, going up and making plays like that.
"That catch that Donavan made was a great catch, back behind (him). That's a tough catch, now. But Peyton had to put the ball back there because the linebacker was starting to leak toward Donavan. If he'd put the ball out front, it could've been tipped or who knows what happens.
"Peyton made a good throw putting it on the back shoulder, or really back hip, but it was just a great catch. Those two guys (Hale and Westbrook) should be great weapons for us, but especially down in the red zone."
On Ronnie Walker Jr.:
"Obviously, he's learning. He's got things, some strengths that way, but he's just got to continue to learn the offense, especially his reads in the run game and also his protections. With all the different multiple blitzes you get nowadays, you've got to be (ready.) He's learning that. It's just a learning process for him right now."
Donavan Hale's health held him back but it this what you expected to see?
"Yeah. And I will say, and I think Donavan would tell you, that … early in training camp, he was inconsistent. And then, as Coach said, we've all been pushing him to make plays like that. That's what he should be. He should be a play-maker.
"That's why it was so great to see him do that. I saw him today and asked, 'What are you going to be like this week?' And he said, 'Better.' And I said, 'Great. That's the right answer.' He has (to make plays) for us."
MIKE HART:
On asking more of Mike Majette:
"I think, last year going into the Virginia game, Mike Majette's the starter, right? So, to me, it's nothing we haven't asked him to do in the past. He's going to have more reps, more on his plate from that standpoint, but it's nothing he can't do. He's done it before.
"We believe in him. We trust him. I know he knows what he's doing. He's going out there and there is no question he's going to play good.
It's also an all-hands-on-deck situation, too, right?
"This week's big for the young guys. All of them. This is a tough team we're playing. You can't just step in and just expect to do all the things you'll have to do against these guys because they do a lot, they blitz a lot, got a lot of different fronts, a lot of different schemes.
"You've got to be mentally prepared for this game. And the guys that are going to play are the guys who are ready – whether it's Craig (Nelson), whether it's Ronnie (Walker), whether it's Stevie (Scott), whether it's Mike (Majette), whether it's Ricky (Brookins). Against a team like this, you can't have guys out there who don't know what they're doing.
"The biggest thing is preparation. And whoever has the best week of preparation is going to play in the game.
Stevie helped you guys run out the clock the other night:
"Overall, he played good. And I say good, but he's got a long way to go. He led us in rushing. But when you have 24 snaps and 20 carries, you'd better lead us in rushing. Right?
"He has a lot of room to grow and that's what he needs to understand, and I think he takes that to heart. But you don't just (go out there on talent.) This is big-time football.
Have you had a chance to speak with Cole?
"Yeah. I love Cole, man. He's a great kid, hard worker. You'll hear that from everybody. Your heart just goes out to him. Nothing that was his fault – it happens, you know?
"But he's going to come back stronger next year. He's going to stay positive. We'll have him back next year and he'll be better than ever. I promise you that.
MIKE MAJETTE:
I assume you don't mind being asked for more, especially heading into Virginia week?
"Right. It's Virginia week, and that's where I'm from. But it's another game and it's nothing personal. It's another Saturday. We're preparing and working hard in practice to get the outcome we want to get, just like any other Saturday.
"I do know a couple of those guys over there on that side, though, yes sir. Won't be much communicating with those guys during the week, obviously, but we'll see each other on Saturday. I'll keep their names private.
Have you been able to talk with Cole?
"I have. Cole is a very upbeat guy. This isn't going to bring him down. Cole has a lot of faith. His faith is huge. So he's going to continue to work hard, continue to strive to get to where he wants to get at the end of the day.
Are you about as healthy as you've been for a while?
"Yes sir. This is the healthiest I've been in a long while. I feel different, and I like the way I'm feeling right now. But I can't get complacent about how I feel. I need to keep working hard, working on my body, to continue feeling the way I do now.
Catching Michael Penix Jr.'s first career TD pass:
"It was a perfect ball. We were talking about it earlier (today) … but, Mike P., he's going to be great. As you could see. He came in, doing his thing. You can just tell by the way he throws the ball.
"It was definitely an honor to catch the (first) touchdown pass from Mike P.
The only really off throw was the long one to Luke that was overthrown, maybe with a bit of adrenaline?
"Right, he wanted that one. And he's got a cannon for an arm. He lets it rip.
Talk about some of the young guys:
"We need everybody, myself included. From Stevie (Scott), to Ricky Brookins, to Ronnie (Walker), to Craig (Nelson) – we all need to step up and take care of business.
If it's all-hands-on deck, do you think Coach Hart might want to suit up?
"Oh, yeah! (laughs). He'd definitely be into that.
MICHAEL PENIX JR.
What was that like, at 10:55 of the third quarter, trotting out onto a college field for the first time in front of family and friends?
"No, really, I was zoned in. I was ready. I was well-prepared.
On his first TD:
"That was a great play call. I just got the ball to Majette, who is a play-maker, and he made a play for me, for the team.
8 out of 10. Only off-target with the long one to Luke?
"It was just a missed opportunity. We practiced it today and connected with it … we have to connect. Got to make the big plays. Got to make the special plays. Every Saturday. Every day in practice, to ensure we'll do a great job with it on Saturdays.
Your composure, so poised. Do you feel even more confident now with a game under your belt?
"Yeah. I feel real confident, but I've always had that confidence level that helps you play well. I don't want to put myself down, that's for sure. I come out here every practice confident, working my hardest, and benefiting from our defense giving us great looks.
"The team working together, giving our all, is showing me everything in practice that I need to see. So when we get in the game, it'll come easy for me and I'll be confident.
You and Peyton both showed well Saturday:
"It was great. Peyton works hard. We all work hard, all the quarterbacks, every single day. That's one of our main goals, obviously, completing the ball and that's what we did real well Saturday.
Get a chance to see family and friends post-game?
"I had a chance to see family and friends post-game. It was great. Great time. A lot of people showed up that I didn't know were going to show up, actually. They all came out and supported us. It was a great experience.
"They congratulated me after the game, said I did a great job, that the team did a great job. They were very happy, very excited.
"I'll remember everything about the game, really. First college game. It was great. When we walked out on the field, I knew it was going to be a great day. It just felt so good having my family there, having my first game in Miami, Fla., so close to home. Great all-around experience.
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/ FootballFB: Spring Game - Postgame Press Conference
Thursday, April 23
FB: Bray Lynch - Spring Practice No. 11
Tuesday, April 21
FB: Drew Evans - Spring Practice No. 11
Tuesday, April 21
FB: Nico Radicic - Spring Practice No. 11
Tuesday, April 21