Indiana University Athletics
Media Wednesday: Rutgers
10/28/2020 2:15:00 PM | Football
Below are partial transcriptions of Zoom press conferences with Indiana CB Jaylin Williams, WR Jacolby Hewitt, DL Sio Nofoagatoto'a and WR Javon Swinton on Wednesday, Oct. 28.
CB Jaylin Williams
Q. On Jacolby Hewitt's comeback…
WILLIAMS: It was like a dream come true for me because I have been waiting to see him out there on the field for almost three years now. For him to do that and make a really big play, I was probably more excited for him than he was for himself. It was a blessing to see him out there and I am really proud, to say the least.
Q. On his interception…
WILLIAMS: I was Cover 2, I was walling off number one, and then I saw in my peripheral that the offensive line was coming towards so I knew it was a screen and I ran up. Sean Clifford threw the ball and it was a little overthrown. I realized it was coming to me so I got ready, picked it and got what yards I could. It got the offense back on the field and they did their thing. Our coaches are good at putting us in the right position to make plays. Coach Kane Wommack did a great job of calling the game.
Q. On the Rutgers offense and quarterback Noah Vedral…
WILLIAMS: Vedral was the quarterback for Nebraska when we played them last year. He hurt us with his legs, so that is what we have been practicing for. He can throw the ball, too, best of both things. We are just being cautious of those two things because he can run and throw the ball. He is a big piece of that offense, so we have to keep our eyes on him.
WR Jacolby Hewitt
Q. On getting on the field following an injury…
HEWITT: Just like Jaylin said, it was a dream come true because as a freshman I thought that I was going to get in and play, but God had other plans for me. So, when I got in I just, I capitalized off my time that I was in. Made at least one or two plays, just go out there a do your all, and try your best to do whatever the team needs you to do.
Q. On his first catch of his career…
HEWITT: It was a post. I just knew I was supposed to cross the safety's face and when I crossed his face, I looked at Michael Penix Jr. and I saw, I just felt it. You know how it is, just one of those plays, just felt like it is coming to you. I just stayed prepared mentally and physically before the ball even snapped, and when it was my time to shine, I shined.
Q. On if the game is slowing down for him…
HEWITT: The game is starting to slow down now, so I am starting to just play football. More than just thinking. Freshman year, last year I said I used to think a lot. Now I am just going out there and playing, knowing that I can make any play possible.
DL Sio Nofoagatoto'a
Q. On trying to keep in shape during the pandemic…
NOFOAGATOTO'A: D.K. Bonhomme and I were in Florida. We went to high school in Florida, so it is like a second home for us whenever we need. We were doing push-ups and sit-ups. We were able to find a field where we could do some field workouts. Coach Aaron Wellman and the staff did a good job of sending body-weight workouts that we could do so that was great. It gave us the opportunity to realize how lucky we are to have everything that we have. The facilities, the coaches and the gear, so it was great.
Q. On confidence in each other…
NOFOAGATOTO'A: I think the confidence in our team has grown. I can attest for every player that has been recruited under Coach Tom Allen that he sat in our homes and said that we would go out and do these things like we did Saturday. Over time the coaches stressed that during these times when it comes to the game it is not going to matter what we went through or how many days we sat out because of COVID-19. We are expected to go out there, make plays, and come out with the win. We are just grateful to have come out with the win.
Q. On stopping the run and getting in the backfield…
NOFOAGATOTO'A: As a group we felt we needed to elevate our focus this year. We wanted to emphasize our physicality. We felt like we showed little glimpses on Saturday of what we can do when we are playing as a defensive line and a defense, but we have a lot to work on. It is going to be a fun year for our defense.
WR Javon Swinton
Q. On making big contributions in his first college game…
SWINTON: It definitely was like a dream come true, especially just being on that big of a stage. I felt like it was a make or break moment, and when I got the chance, I made a play. It was just a dream come true for me honestly.
Q. On switching to wide receiver in college…
SWINTON: After talking to the coaching staff a lot, like through my recruitment and stuff, when I did find out Indiana is the place to be for me, I felt like the choice was pretty easy from there on. Then after I got here and became a full-time receiver, I just had to work really hard and all the coaches helped me out. Just getting comfortable at my position.
Q. On learning the playbook…
SWINTON: For me honestly it was just going home and studying it even after practice. Because I felt coming in I did not want to be one who just sat on the bench, and I know that the quicker you learn the playbook, the better chance you have at getting on the field. It was more of the determination and the grind to get better and learn the stuff.
CB Jaylin Williams
Q. On Jacolby Hewitt's comeback…
WILLIAMS: It was like a dream come true for me because I have been waiting to see him out there on the field for almost three years now. For him to do that and make a really big play, I was probably more excited for him than he was for himself. It was a blessing to see him out there and I am really proud, to say the least.
Q. On his interception…
WILLIAMS: I was Cover 2, I was walling off number one, and then I saw in my peripheral that the offensive line was coming towards so I knew it was a screen and I ran up. Sean Clifford threw the ball and it was a little overthrown. I realized it was coming to me so I got ready, picked it and got what yards I could. It got the offense back on the field and they did their thing. Our coaches are good at putting us in the right position to make plays. Coach Kane Wommack did a great job of calling the game.
Q. On the Rutgers offense and quarterback Noah Vedral…
WILLIAMS: Vedral was the quarterback for Nebraska when we played them last year. He hurt us with his legs, so that is what we have been practicing for. He can throw the ball, too, best of both things. We are just being cautious of those two things because he can run and throw the ball. He is a big piece of that offense, so we have to keep our eyes on him.
WR Jacolby Hewitt
Q. On getting on the field following an injury…
HEWITT: Just like Jaylin said, it was a dream come true because as a freshman I thought that I was going to get in and play, but God had other plans for me. So, when I got in I just, I capitalized off my time that I was in. Made at least one or two plays, just go out there a do your all, and try your best to do whatever the team needs you to do.
Q. On his first catch of his career…
HEWITT: It was a post. I just knew I was supposed to cross the safety's face and when I crossed his face, I looked at Michael Penix Jr. and I saw, I just felt it. You know how it is, just one of those plays, just felt like it is coming to you. I just stayed prepared mentally and physically before the ball even snapped, and when it was my time to shine, I shined.
Q. On if the game is slowing down for him…
HEWITT: The game is starting to slow down now, so I am starting to just play football. More than just thinking. Freshman year, last year I said I used to think a lot. Now I am just going out there and playing, knowing that I can make any play possible.
DL Sio Nofoagatoto'a
Q. On trying to keep in shape during the pandemic…
NOFOAGATOTO'A: D.K. Bonhomme and I were in Florida. We went to high school in Florida, so it is like a second home for us whenever we need. We were doing push-ups and sit-ups. We were able to find a field where we could do some field workouts. Coach Aaron Wellman and the staff did a good job of sending body-weight workouts that we could do so that was great. It gave us the opportunity to realize how lucky we are to have everything that we have. The facilities, the coaches and the gear, so it was great.
Q. On confidence in each other…
NOFOAGATOTO'A: I think the confidence in our team has grown. I can attest for every player that has been recruited under Coach Tom Allen that he sat in our homes and said that we would go out and do these things like we did Saturday. Over time the coaches stressed that during these times when it comes to the game it is not going to matter what we went through or how many days we sat out because of COVID-19. We are expected to go out there, make plays, and come out with the win. We are just grateful to have come out with the win.
Q. On stopping the run and getting in the backfield…
NOFOAGATOTO'A: As a group we felt we needed to elevate our focus this year. We wanted to emphasize our physicality. We felt like we showed little glimpses on Saturday of what we can do when we are playing as a defensive line and a defense, but we have a lot to work on. It is going to be a fun year for our defense.
WR Javon Swinton
Q. On making big contributions in his first college game…
SWINTON: It definitely was like a dream come true, especially just being on that big of a stage. I felt like it was a make or break moment, and when I got the chance, I made a play. It was just a dream come true for me honestly.
Q. On switching to wide receiver in college…
SWINTON: After talking to the coaching staff a lot, like through my recruitment and stuff, when I did find out Indiana is the place to be for me, I felt like the choice was pretty easy from there on. Then after I got here and became a full-time receiver, I just had to work really hard and all the coaches helped me out. Just getting comfortable at my position.
Q. On learning the playbook…
SWINTON: For me honestly it was just going home and studying it even after practice. Because I felt coming in I did not want to be one who just sat on the bench, and I know that the quicker you learn the playbook, the better chance you have at getting on the field. It was more of the determination and the grind to get better and learn the stuff.
Players Mentioned
LB
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WR
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DL
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QB
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WR
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DB
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