Indiana University Athletics
Quoted: Fall Camp Practice #6
8/7/2019 5:39:00 PM | Football
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Associate Head Coach/Offensive Coordinator/QBs Kalen DeBoer
On the value of the live reps in practice…
"They're huge and you're seeing receivers and quarterbacks gelling. Like knowing based on where the defender is at and where the quarterback may try and throw the ball; when they are going down the field when they should turn and look and the timing when the ball is going to be thrown. It happened one time when we weren't on time, but there were so many today where we did a great job. That timing is coming together. I can tell those guys worked their tails off this summer. All the positions and the focus from the quarterbacks, I love where we are at right now."
On the three of four things that are most important when evaluating the quarterbacks…
"The fundamental things, so throwing the football, the arm talent, all that kind of stuff. But in the end, does the team believe in you. It's a matter of doing it over and over again and being consistent. I think Peyton has that work ethic, that tough minded mentality and you are seeing Mike develop that. Jack is the same way. They know that I am loving them up, I'm in their corner and I'm fighting with them, locking arms with them, but also there's going to be times when I try to put some pressure on them because when they are in a stadium with 100,000 fans, it's them and I'm in the press box and I can't be out there holding their hand. So, I try and put them in those adverse situations, and to me, that's a big part that you look for in a quarterback. That moxie, that feel, when a game is the on line, yes, there's pressure, but you believe in yourself that you can get it done. As you do that, the team is going to buy into you and that's when you have great defenses, great quarterback play, a great offensive line and here we go."
On where the offense is at this juncture…
"If you would have told me the amount of practices that we had, six practices, I would have been ecstatic. I don't like to sugarcoat things. I just feel that there's a mindset right now and we are going this way (up). I told the guys after day three, we've had three back-to-back practices, the first two with no pads. But day three we got out there and I can tell they put a lot of time in this summer and things were natural in running the offense. There was a rhythm to us. Then I was like, can you do it day four? They came out, they brought the energy, and the focus, and then executed. It's not perfect. It's not perfect by any means. There's a mindset that we can be really good and they are going that direction. When something adverse happens, we're responding and making a play they very next play. We're not going in a corner and feeling sorry for ourselves. And then practice five, we came out here and I like where I can just be honest with them. I don't feel the energy, but there's great focus. Let's just lift the energy and this practice will be great. And we killed it. And then today, another very solid practice. So, I'd rather be (going up) than (inconsistent). I feel like that's what we've done. You have to step on the field and know what you've got each and every day. And I feel like our guys have done that."
Assistant Head Coach/Running Backs Coach Mike Hart
Thoughts on the first week of fall camp…
"It's fun to get the pads on for the running backs because the first two days, you can't tell what a back can do with no pads on. Once you get the shoulder pads, it gets a little more physical, but especially the last two days where we are in full pads, see guys starting to break tackles when we do go live. Obviously, everything hasn't been live. Getting to see guys, how strong are they, how physical are they, do they deliver the blow? Those are the things you look forward to when we get full pads on, especially moving in to all these scrimmages the next couple weeks."
On how much ball security is emphasized to the running backs going through camp the first time…
"I think ball security is No. 1. I think anytime a freshman comes in, the first thing they do is fumble the ball because when you talk about it, they don't understand. Until they go through it, they don't understand. Especially against our defense, they are going to strip at the ball, they are going to punch at the ball even when the whistle blows. They are going to go the extra mile to get the ball out of your hands. They are going to rip at it and the thing is, you have to hold the ball, it doesn't matter. That's what we preach every day and that's what they have to do. Again, they don't know, until they know. I think every freshman that's been here has learned. And they learned the hard way."
RB Stevie Scott III
On the offensive line so far in camp…
"The line is looking very perfect. They are blocking, doing their job. I'm enjoying running behind those guys because they are just doing their thing and I know they are locked in and focused and just want to help change this program."
RB Cole Gest
On how the running backs are gelling and competing through six practices…
"Like I tell the RB group all the time, I think we are the closest and have the most potential. We talk about the brotherhood all the time. We are just stacked and loaded. We just have to get more consistent, take care of that football and we'll be, hands down, the best group on the field."
RB Ronnie Walker Jr.
On the development of the running back group through six practices…
"I think the running back group is doing great right now. We just have to be consistent, day in and day out – get treatment, catching the ball, blocking. We have to be running on all cylinders."
Associate Head Coach/Offensive Coordinator/QBs Kalen DeBoer
On the value of the live reps in practice…
"They're huge and you're seeing receivers and quarterbacks gelling. Like knowing based on where the defender is at and where the quarterback may try and throw the ball; when they are going down the field when they should turn and look and the timing when the ball is going to be thrown. It happened one time when we weren't on time, but there were so many today where we did a great job. That timing is coming together. I can tell those guys worked their tails off this summer. All the positions and the focus from the quarterbacks, I love where we are at right now."
On the three of four things that are most important when evaluating the quarterbacks…
"The fundamental things, so throwing the football, the arm talent, all that kind of stuff. But in the end, does the team believe in you. It's a matter of doing it over and over again and being consistent. I think Peyton has that work ethic, that tough minded mentality and you are seeing Mike develop that. Jack is the same way. They know that I am loving them up, I'm in their corner and I'm fighting with them, locking arms with them, but also there's going to be times when I try to put some pressure on them because when they are in a stadium with 100,000 fans, it's them and I'm in the press box and I can't be out there holding their hand. So, I try and put them in those adverse situations, and to me, that's a big part that you look for in a quarterback. That moxie, that feel, when a game is the on line, yes, there's pressure, but you believe in yourself that you can get it done. As you do that, the team is going to buy into you and that's when you have great defenses, great quarterback play, a great offensive line and here we go."
On where the offense is at this juncture…
"If you would have told me the amount of practices that we had, six practices, I would have been ecstatic. I don't like to sugarcoat things. I just feel that there's a mindset right now and we are going this way (up). I told the guys after day three, we've had three back-to-back practices, the first two with no pads. But day three we got out there and I can tell they put a lot of time in this summer and things were natural in running the offense. There was a rhythm to us. Then I was like, can you do it day four? They came out, they brought the energy, and the focus, and then executed. It's not perfect. It's not perfect by any means. There's a mindset that we can be really good and they are going that direction. When something adverse happens, we're responding and making a play they very next play. We're not going in a corner and feeling sorry for ourselves. And then practice five, we came out here and I like where I can just be honest with them. I don't feel the energy, but there's great focus. Let's just lift the energy and this practice will be great. And we killed it. And then today, another very solid practice. So, I'd rather be (going up) than (inconsistent). I feel like that's what we've done. You have to step on the field and know what you've got each and every day. And I feel like our guys have done that."
Assistant Head Coach/Running Backs Coach Mike Hart
Thoughts on the first week of fall camp…
"It's fun to get the pads on for the running backs because the first two days, you can't tell what a back can do with no pads on. Once you get the shoulder pads, it gets a little more physical, but especially the last two days where we are in full pads, see guys starting to break tackles when we do go live. Obviously, everything hasn't been live. Getting to see guys, how strong are they, how physical are they, do they deliver the blow? Those are the things you look forward to when we get full pads on, especially moving in to all these scrimmages the next couple weeks."
On how much ball security is emphasized to the running backs going through camp the first time…
"I think ball security is No. 1. I think anytime a freshman comes in, the first thing they do is fumble the ball because when you talk about it, they don't understand. Until they go through it, they don't understand. Especially against our defense, they are going to strip at the ball, they are going to punch at the ball even when the whistle blows. They are going to go the extra mile to get the ball out of your hands. They are going to rip at it and the thing is, you have to hold the ball, it doesn't matter. That's what we preach every day and that's what they have to do. Again, they don't know, until they know. I think every freshman that's been here has learned. And they learned the hard way."
RB Stevie Scott III
On the offensive line so far in camp…
"The line is looking very perfect. They are blocking, doing their job. I'm enjoying running behind those guys because they are just doing their thing and I know they are locked in and focused and just want to help change this program."
RB Cole Gest
On how the running backs are gelling and competing through six practices…
"Like I tell the RB group all the time, I think we are the closest and have the most potential. We talk about the brotherhood all the time. We are just stacked and loaded. We just have to get more consistent, take care of that football and we'll be, hands down, the best group on the field."
RB Ronnie Walker Jr.
On the development of the running back group through six practices…
"I think the running back group is doing great right now. We just have to be consistent, day in and day out – get treatment, catching the ball, blocking. We have to be running on all cylinders."
Players Mentioned
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