Media Monday: Ohio State
10/18/2021 3:58:00 PM | Football
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Indiana head football coach Tom Allen met with the media on Monday (Oct. 18) inside Memorial Stadium to preview the upcoming sold-out home game versus No. 5/5 Ohio State.
Below is the transcript of the press conference. Video of the full media session can be found on the right sidebar at IUHoosiers.com.
Tom Allen | Head Coach
Opening Statement
TA: TA: Good morning, I appreciate you being here. After watching everything, we continue to be disappointed in the outcome. Obviously the goal is to win the game, and we didn't play good enough to win the game. That is what we have to do, look at everything very openly and honestly with the staff.
I was proud of our defense. I thought our defense played extremely well but can play better. We still made some mistakes that gave up some things against a very hot offense that was playing really well. A really good running back [for Michigan State] and did a great job against them, not giving things up. Only gave up 13 points and felt like it could have been less than that if things had been executed correctly. At the same time, I feel like we have to get more takeaways. Needed one more to try and create an opportunity for ourselves. Obviously offensively not getting the job done. Got to protect the football. Not doing that. That's costly, been very costly again. Not scoring in the red zone.
Special teams, still feel like our punt team was not what it needed to be in terms of quality of the punts. Missed a chance to down the ball inside the five. Thought we were going to, didn't. Kind of mishandled that. That changes drives. That was a field goal drive for them because it started on the 20 when it should have started inside the five.
Those kinds of things, that's how you win games like that, close games that come down to [a few] possessions, being able to get the job done there.
Just spent a lot of time the past couple days working on that, and we will not stop. Excited about the opportunity we have coming up against a great football team coming to Bloomington for a night game. Love that type of atmosphere. Excited to have the stadium packed and our guys are going to be ready and we're going to have a great week of practice. Welcome this challenge with an excitement and intensity that I know it's going to demand.
Want to make sure I don't forget to give out our scout team players of the week. Those guys played a critical role. Defensive scout team player of the week was Race Stewart, offensive scout team player of the week was Charlie Spegal and the special teams scout was Matt Hohlt. Three in-state guys that have come here from high schools here in Indiana, working extremely hard for us, helping us get ready. Excited for those guys' futures here.
Questions.
On his assessment of Jack Tuttle's first start of the season…
TA: He did some good things. The two picks were costly. One was pressured, one was not. We have to protect the football, even when you're pressured. A sack is not a bad thing. Got to punt [in that situation]. Defense is playing at a high level, so just protect the football. That's the biggest takeaway. Decisions, he made some mistakes, but it's his first time starting this year.
Still at times he looked like he was a guy that hasn't played a lot of football collectively, which he has not. But still expect him to play a little better than he did. He's got to rise up. He'll learn it from and play better.
He had open receivers and didn't hit them at times. That hurt us even in the red zone. Some of that was protection, but mostly it was getting his eyes to the right spots.
A solid performance, but not good enough. He'll get better. We have to coach better and give him some better options. We need to do a better job. I have to do a better job. The buck stops with me.
On what the defense needs to do to be successful against Ohio State…
TA: Yeah, [Ohio State] creates a lot of issues. They're just so explosive. Their receiver core is different than you usually will see. They have three receivers that are as good as anybody you're going to face in the country. So that puts a lot of stress on you. Talented quarterback and talented running backs, as well.
I just think not allowing those explosive pass plays to me is really [going to be key]. They just get guys so wide open it seems. It's tough and puts a ton of stress on you. Obviously, you have to stop the run, there's no doubt about that. Just giving [explosive plays] up, that's where they can really pile it on, score fast and make it difficult on you.
I think that core concept of pressuring the quarterback, being able to do things there with stressing him out mentally and physically is going to be key.
On where the offensive line can improve this week…
TA: I think just continuing to work. I mean, we have to find some ways schematically to take some pressure off and to give them the ability to execute.
When you go through and look and evaluate, the phrase that came back to me was 'consistent execution.' That to me is where we continue to get better at times, but not good enough. I think the end was kind of glaring because that's what you remember, the finish. That didn't give us a chance to be able to get the ball down the field and make the throws we needed to make.
I feel like you've got to look at the big picture of it all to try to continue [and improve]. There's certain guys you might say, 'Hey, we're going to try to put a guy in, get him some more reps with that unit.' That's a possibility for sure. But just to continue to find ways not to allow the defense to be able to gang up and tee off. [We need to have] faster reads and be able to cause a pause in those reads to me is something we really want to do a better job of as an offense.
It starts up front. We did some good things, but not good enough. It's got to be consistent. Timely mistakes, miscommunication, the ability to not pick up a twist here or there at the wrong time when it really shows up. Sometimes those things can happen, and it doesn't create a game-changing negative play. It seemed to happen more frequently in this one when those things did occur.
Still, just not to where we have to be. Obviously we know what the objective is. We need to score points. We did move the football. But, especially in the first half, 46 snaps, 46 plays, nine points. It's not good enough. We need to score points. Can't be kicking those field goals as many as we did. Glad we made them, but at the same time you knew it was going to take more than that.
On the depth in the secondary and if Taiwan Mullen or Reese Taylor will be available this weekend…
TA: I would say hopeful with those two guys. It's one of those situations where we don't know for sure. I don't know right now. Definitely need them and want to get them ready. Whatever we can have them play will be huge for us. They're two very talented players and are working every day, man. They're working their tails off. Our staff is doing everything they can do. Like to at least get one of them if we can.
Then, Noah Pierre really sticks out to me. As a matter of fact, I mentioned him yesterday [to the team]; nine tackles, huge interception at the end. No question they were going after him. So proud of him. A few weeks ago, he was playing a different position. He has played multiple positions in our secondary and third down package.
Just a tough, hard-nosed kid we loved when we saw him out of high school and thought he was a competitive guy. Knew he was a little undersized, but loved his heart, loved his passion and the way he played the game, how physical he played the game. Just thought he was always a competitor. That's proven to be true. Did a heck of a job for us. Made plays for us the previous week and this week when he was called upon.
We thought Reese was going to be able to go a lot more than he did. Wasn't quite ready yet when he tried to get out there and play.
Josh [Sanguinetti], the same thing. He's showing up all over the place and in different situations. Got a huge pick. I think those guys, we needed them. He had to play early in the season and now he's playing a more expanded role on third downs, and we are moving him around, [he is] learning different things and trying to make adjustments.
Those guys have to continue to show up. We need more guys to do that at other positions, as well. That's part of recruiting guys. We need them. This team has to rise up. Everybody has a role to play, everybody has an opportunity. Opportunity is created because oftentimes there are injuries from other guys around you. When this opportunity comes, we're going to see who is going to step up and take advantage of it.
On if they are trying to manage the redshirt situation with Donaven McCulley…
TA: We were going to. Now we're not. When Michael [Penix Jr.] went down, we had to make the decision that he's going to have to go. But before that, that was kind of the thought, to just use those four games in a judicious way. Now he's the number two guy, training to be the next guy in.
Expect to see him more. Really kind of even thought we might use him a little bit more Saturday. I wanted to see us do that, and we will. Obviously, that was his first time ever playing in a game collegiately. He did some good things. Just have to get him to be able to get out there and play football. Very talented guy.
We have to maximize our roster. To me he's one of the guys that can make plays with the ball in his hand. That's the decision we had to make when [Penix] got hurt.
On what he sees as the issues offensively in Big Ten play…
TA: To me, we're turning the ball over. You can go through, look at those games, that's number one. Number two, the red zone issues … you can go ahead and say what you want about those three Big Ten teams, but they have really good defenses, all three of them and they are really good in the red zone.
You get in that area of the field, it's even harder to score on those really good defenses. At the same time that's reality, that's what it is. You just have to be able to do some things.
I will say this. You talk about Saturday's game, we had three opportunities where receivers were open. I thought wide open. We needed to get them the football for a variety of reasons. That's where you have to execute. To me, that's really what it comes back to, consistent execution at critical times. Obviously the red zone is a critical time.
Whether it's the fact you get a long drive, we had several of those, you have to be able to finish through that drive and execute when it counts the most. Right now, we're not doing that. You have to evaluate why. You look at those things, play calling, the scheme, the guys executing. It's a combination of everything for sure.
At the end of the day players have to make those plays. We have to put them in position to make those plays. You make those plays when you're confident and decisive. That's what we have to get to. That's the part, the numbers are what they are. You see them, I agree with it. Definitely a huge emphasis, going to change some things structurally, how we practice, the things we do down in there. A huge point of emphasis, no question.
On Ohio State being a young team…
TA: We are at home. That's a positive thing. There's no question they do have some youth, some very talented youth, mind you. But it is youth. Youth is youth. I think you play on the road, expecting a big crowd, a loud crowd. The intensity and the energy, like we had this past Saturday, like we had at all of our home games, which has been awesome. That plays into that.
That's the best part of it. We have to be able to, in that moment, play our best football. There's no doubt that's the objective. That's the goal. That's why we're going to do everything within our power to do that against a team that is very talented, has a lot of really good football players, and are very well coached.
On what changes fans might see with just six games remaining…
TA: Not too specific for obvious reasons, but at the same time, to me you have to do everything you can do to be able to maximize this opportunity in front of us against Ohio State. Whatever we need to do to be able to help us score points, how many quarterbacks we use, how we use them, how we scheme things, design things, has to be with that objective in mind.
There's no question we understand the big picture, but the bottom line is it is total, absolute, 100% focus on what we got ahead of us. This is the biggest game of the season because it's the next one. Just happens to be against Ohio State.
Obviously we know who they are, what they have done in the past. But we're playing the Ohio State team that's on this field in 2021. That's the group we're attacking, that's the film we're studying. It's a great opportunity, great challenge, one I expect our team to be fully prepared for.
On if Donaven McCulley is in get ready mode rather than maybe thinking about bringing him along slower…
TA: Being honest in the fact that we don't know the length of time [Penix will be out]. When you don't know ... We've been told it could be shorter, could be longer. We don't know that right now. It truly is week to week.
I think because of that, knowing he is the number two, and he is the next guy in the game if something happens to Jack, you have to prepare him as such. To me you have to have a long-term mindset with that. How we scheme and develop things, and not think we're still going to try to protect him for those four games. To me you take that out of your head, and you just assume that would be the case.
If Michael is back sooner, that's great, but at the same time [Donaven] has to have that mindset. We want him to have that mindset. That's the way we're approaching it. We want to make sure he's ready. We're also doing things to him allow him to be successful on the field: gain reps, get that valuable experience, and in a way to help us find a way to score points and win games.
On what went into moving Noah Pierre from safety to cornerback…
TA: I just think the first quality that stuck out to me for him was his competitive toughness. He's got a very good football mind. He's able to play multiple positions. That's what's allowed us to move him around.
Some guys you move them from one position to another, it takes too long for them to pick things up. He's not that way. Noah has a really high football IQ, understands the game and anticipates. What he might lack in size, he makes up for in toughness. He is a very good tackler and you saw that on Saturday.
Tough kid, physically tough, strong, showed up on special teams all last year. To me that's always a great indicator of how well they're going to play if they're a young guy in our defense moving forward.
I think if a guy like Maurice Freeman that's a true freshman right now. We're going to find more ways to get him involved on special teams. A guy like him that shows up in practice, when you go live, just has a knack to make plays. That's how Noah was.
We're always trying to find [ways to get those type of guys on the field]. We had those corners in front of him that were pretty good players. You are like, 'Okay, let's move him to where we have a chance to get him on the field.' We had him at husky position, he has played safety position, does things on third down.
He came here as a corner out of high school. Hey, now when those guys were out, we had to move him back to corner. Josh [Sanguinetti] is the same thing. He was a guy that came here as a corner, moved him to safety, and he's a guy you could move back to corner if you had to for certain situations. You try to get as many corners as you can, and the guys that outgrow that position, move to safety.
That cover skill set that you like, the toughness it takes to play that position, they got the size to grow into safety, that often happens. In recruiting that's what you're trying to do that helps you with your flexibility of your positions. When things like this happen, you got a guy you can move around.
The nickel position, what we call our husky, falls in line. Kind of a bigger, thicker corner, that allows things we're trying to do. That's where it helps you as a football team defensively.
On how Donaven McCulley's role was viewed heading into the Michigan State game…
TA: Yeah, I would say as you go through the feel of the game, it's obviously the tightness of the game that creates a certain type of situation you have for a young guy like that.
But, yeah, I'd like to see him play more. I know we will. I really do believe that. Just kind of grow him as a player. He was nervous. We talked about that yesterday. But now he's got that first snap out of the way, wasn't a very accurate throw, had a couple decent runs.
We just want to be able to do that, he's a quarterback, he can throw it, he can run it. That's what we wanted to see him do. To me, yeah, I expect that role to grow, the things we can do with him to expand each and every week, we'll see where it goes from there.
On another ranked opponent on the schedule this weekend…
TA: You keep punching yourself. I think that's key. We're swinging hard. This team believes in what we're doing. There's a lot of toughness and character in that locker room. Yeah, they're hurting after that game Saturday, as well as myself and the whole coaching staff.
I will tell you what, there's a toughness to this group. It's got to start with us as leaders. Yeah, it's a bit hard, there's no doubt about it. Not what any of us expected or wanted. You find yourself in it, what are you going to do? That's where you keep on swinging. As you're swinging, you got to make adjustments, you got to go through and get things corrected and fixed, not just keep doing the same old thing.
At the same time when you talk about the team, that's where you draw on your leadership and the guys on this team. I went around to all the key guys after the game, after responsibilities with the media, talking with guys one on one, getting in their head. Same thing yesterday.
That's one thing I will say, you don't know obviously how the season is going to play itself out. We made a change where we went from Sunday as our off day to Monday as our off day. Thankful we did because I needed to be with this team the day after these close losses as they continue to put us in a tough spot. Just to be able to be in front of them, I think that's been critical, very important.
I've loved the way our guys have responded. Even they come in feeling a certain way in the early afternoon, I want them to leave when we're done at seven o'clock that their mindset is where it needs to be. We had a chance to be with them, we lifted, were on the field and in meetings. Just got to pray for wisdom to be able to know how to say things to them to be able to.
When you know you are a team, you're connected with them, that helps. At the same time this is tough. That's part of it. Our guys got a ton of grit. Grit is perseverance and passion towards a long-term goal. It's going to take a lot of that for this team to be able to stay together, keep fighting, playing our best each week.
Even when you fall short, you have to keep persevering, fighting, working together, staying together, keep believing, and just stay the course. That's what we're going to do. To me you just don't blink. Talk about it all the time. Earmuffs and blinders. You have to have them on heavily at this time and do not blink.
On the two-point conversion…
TA: To me you had several options on the play. They brought pressure up the field. To me we got one of our pullers got stuck on the tackle which allowed them to have an extra guy for the shovel pass. You basically had several different things. Usually, you want several different options.
I felt like Peyton Hendershot was a guy we're trying to find a way to get involved, get him the ball. He's a big guy, can lean forward, get tough yards. Don't have a lot of big backs.
At the same time, it wasn't executed to the level it needed to be to get in the end zone. You don't ever know what you're going to call, they don't know what we're going to call. That was something we had worked on and felt good about. We just have to execute it. Those plays are tough.
Most two-point plays, it's usually some kind of a pass. You don't really load up on the run on those. Usually, as a defensive minded person, you look at people as they do those things. You like to get pressure up the field. If that happens, you can dump it underneath and sneak in behind the guy and be able to get him in the end zone. Didn't execute it. That was huge.
Obviously we knew we needed to go for two. We had a plan, talked about it way before the drive was going and when we scored, make sure we go for two, to feel good about the call. Once again, execution at a high level in critical times, that's how you win those close games.
On how Chris Childers and Davion Ervin-Poindexter did in their expanded roles…
TA: They made some plays. Both had some solid runs Saturday that we needed. Again, opportunity has been presented to those guys and they've done some good things. Obviously they have to keep getting better, working, executing. They have to be able to pass protect, be able to catch the football, run the football and read their keys.
Especially Chris, he has done a good job of reading the keys and runs possible. Davion at times has hit some good ones, gets a little bouncy, needs to stick to the reads. We just feel like that room where you obviously had to have guys step up that we still need some other young guys to continue to be brought along, Whether it's David [Holloman] and Trent [Howland]. Those two guys continue to work with the ones and twos. We keep rotating them in and let those guys develop as well.
On if the future of the program ever comes into play in a situation like playing Donaven McCulley…
TA: Well, it definitely does. I feel like first and foremost you have to say, 'Okay, can this individual help us win games right now?' If he's in a position to do that, then that's what you need to do.
Bottom line is that the situation occurred, we got one of our other quarterbacks on scholarship that tore his ACL in Dexter Williams Jr. last spring. He's not available. When [Penix] had his injury, that leaves you those two scholarship guys that are healthy. That's the position we're in.
Other variables. That was the reason why initially the thought was to strategically use [Donaven]. We actually were going to use Donaven in the Idaho game. No, let's keep that to use those four games more judiciously moving forward where we may need him in Big Ten play, to be able to give us whatever might be needed at that point.
Then when Michael went down, now he's the number two and you just have to say, 'Okay, you know what, in an ideal situation you like to be able to keep that redshirt, but at this point where we're at, that doesn't appear to be the case.' We'll see what happens with Michael, how that all plays itself out. That could change in the short-term. As a mindset that we have, we just kind of say, 'Hey, we have to plan and get him ready, have a scheme and plan ready.'
I do think, there's no doubt, a big picture view of everything we do here in recruiting and roster management, which has dramatically changed in the last couple years with how you view those things with the transfer portal and the way things are. It's a very different landscape than it used to be and continues to be on a consistent basis. That's where you have to always be thinking about your current team, first and foremost, but also with the future in mind.
On what guys like Noah Pierre mean to the program…
TA: It means a lot. It has always meant a lot. I have been doing this a long time. A kid rewarded for persevering. He came here, he wanted to play. Especially after you're here for a couple years, you really want that. I think last year he accepted that role on special teams. Wanted a more expanded role, like they all do, but stayed the course.
We had a lot of good conversations. I don't know that it even dawned on him … Some guys sat down and talked about things like that. Just trying to help them with their future, where we saw them in our program.
I think it speaks to his commitment of who we are, his belief in our program, him wanting to graduate from here, getting a degree from here, being able to finish what he started. I respect that so much. I know it's become a different mindset for some guys. Understandably so in some situations, I get that.
I just feel like it speaks volumes to him believing in us and what we're doing here, then just the value of a guy like that staying the course. All those reps that he was taking in the past, whether it was a backup or in spring football or fall camp, when he would probably get more of his reps, and now this is his moment to be able to step up at critical times to be able to make game-changing plays, just consistent plays.
I just appreciate him so much. That's why I recognized him yesterday. Had nine tackles in the game. Commended him for his perseverance and passion towards his long-term goal, which was to find a way to get on the field and help us win games.
Have a great day. LEO.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports
113797-1-1004 2021-10-18 16:49:00 GMT
Below is the transcript of the press conference. Video of the full media session can be found on the right sidebar at IUHoosiers.com.
Tom Allen | Head Coach
Opening Statement
TA: TA: Good morning, I appreciate you being here. After watching everything, we continue to be disappointed in the outcome. Obviously the goal is to win the game, and we didn't play good enough to win the game. That is what we have to do, look at everything very openly and honestly with the staff.
I was proud of our defense. I thought our defense played extremely well but can play better. We still made some mistakes that gave up some things against a very hot offense that was playing really well. A really good running back [for Michigan State] and did a great job against them, not giving things up. Only gave up 13 points and felt like it could have been less than that if things had been executed correctly. At the same time, I feel like we have to get more takeaways. Needed one more to try and create an opportunity for ourselves. Obviously offensively not getting the job done. Got to protect the football. Not doing that. That's costly, been very costly again. Not scoring in the red zone.
Special teams, still feel like our punt team was not what it needed to be in terms of quality of the punts. Missed a chance to down the ball inside the five. Thought we were going to, didn't. Kind of mishandled that. That changes drives. That was a field goal drive for them because it started on the 20 when it should have started inside the five.
Those kinds of things, that's how you win games like that, close games that come down to [a few] possessions, being able to get the job done there.
Just spent a lot of time the past couple days working on that, and we will not stop. Excited about the opportunity we have coming up against a great football team coming to Bloomington for a night game. Love that type of atmosphere. Excited to have the stadium packed and our guys are going to be ready and we're going to have a great week of practice. Welcome this challenge with an excitement and intensity that I know it's going to demand.
Want to make sure I don't forget to give out our scout team players of the week. Those guys played a critical role. Defensive scout team player of the week was Race Stewart, offensive scout team player of the week was Charlie Spegal and the special teams scout was Matt Hohlt. Three in-state guys that have come here from high schools here in Indiana, working extremely hard for us, helping us get ready. Excited for those guys' futures here.
Questions.
On his assessment of Jack Tuttle's first start of the season…
TA: He did some good things. The two picks were costly. One was pressured, one was not. We have to protect the football, even when you're pressured. A sack is not a bad thing. Got to punt [in that situation]. Defense is playing at a high level, so just protect the football. That's the biggest takeaway. Decisions, he made some mistakes, but it's his first time starting this year.
Still at times he looked like he was a guy that hasn't played a lot of football collectively, which he has not. But still expect him to play a little better than he did. He's got to rise up. He'll learn it from and play better.
He had open receivers and didn't hit them at times. That hurt us even in the red zone. Some of that was protection, but mostly it was getting his eyes to the right spots.
A solid performance, but not good enough. He'll get better. We have to coach better and give him some better options. We need to do a better job. I have to do a better job. The buck stops with me.
On what the defense needs to do to be successful against Ohio State…
TA: Yeah, [Ohio State] creates a lot of issues. They're just so explosive. Their receiver core is different than you usually will see. They have three receivers that are as good as anybody you're going to face in the country. So that puts a lot of stress on you. Talented quarterback and talented running backs, as well.
I just think not allowing those explosive pass plays to me is really [going to be key]. They just get guys so wide open it seems. It's tough and puts a ton of stress on you. Obviously, you have to stop the run, there's no doubt about that. Just giving [explosive plays] up, that's where they can really pile it on, score fast and make it difficult on you.
I think that core concept of pressuring the quarterback, being able to do things there with stressing him out mentally and physically is going to be key.
On where the offensive line can improve this week…
TA: I think just continuing to work. I mean, we have to find some ways schematically to take some pressure off and to give them the ability to execute.
When you go through and look and evaluate, the phrase that came back to me was 'consistent execution.' That to me is where we continue to get better at times, but not good enough. I think the end was kind of glaring because that's what you remember, the finish. That didn't give us a chance to be able to get the ball down the field and make the throws we needed to make.
I feel like you've got to look at the big picture of it all to try to continue [and improve]. There's certain guys you might say, 'Hey, we're going to try to put a guy in, get him some more reps with that unit.' That's a possibility for sure. But just to continue to find ways not to allow the defense to be able to gang up and tee off. [We need to have] faster reads and be able to cause a pause in those reads to me is something we really want to do a better job of as an offense.
It starts up front. We did some good things, but not good enough. It's got to be consistent. Timely mistakes, miscommunication, the ability to not pick up a twist here or there at the wrong time when it really shows up. Sometimes those things can happen, and it doesn't create a game-changing negative play. It seemed to happen more frequently in this one when those things did occur.
Still, just not to where we have to be. Obviously we know what the objective is. We need to score points. We did move the football. But, especially in the first half, 46 snaps, 46 plays, nine points. It's not good enough. We need to score points. Can't be kicking those field goals as many as we did. Glad we made them, but at the same time you knew it was going to take more than that.
On the depth in the secondary and if Taiwan Mullen or Reese Taylor will be available this weekend…
TA: I would say hopeful with those two guys. It's one of those situations where we don't know for sure. I don't know right now. Definitely need them and want to get them ready. Whatever we can have them play will be huge for us. They're two very talented players and are working every day, man. They're working their tails off. Our staff is doing everything they can do. Like to at least get one of them if we can.
Then, Noah Pierre really sticks out to me. As a matter of fact, I mentioned him yesterday [to the team]; nine tackles, huge interception at the end. No question they were going after him. So proud of him. A few weeks ago, he was playing a different position. He has played multiple positions in our secondary and third down package.
Just a tough, hard-nosed kid we loved when we saw him out of high school and thought he was a competitive guy. Knew he was a little undersized, but loved his heart, loved his passion and the way he played the game, how physical he played the game. Just thought he was always a competitor. That's proven to be true. Did a heck of a job for us. Made plays for us the previous week and this week when he was called upon.
We thought Reese was going to be able to go a lot more than he did. Wasn't quite ready yet when he tried to get out there and play.
Josh [Sanguinetti], the same thing. He's showing up all over the place and in different situations. Got a huge pick. I think those guys, we needed them. He had to play early in the season and now he's playing a more expanded role on third downs, and we are moving him around, [he is] learning different things and trying to make adjustments.
Those guys have to continue to show up. We need more guys to do that at other positions, as well. That's part of recruiting guys. We need them. This team has to rise up. Everybody has a role to play, everybody has an opportunity. Opportunity is created because oftentimes there are injuries from other guys around you. When this opportunity comes, we're going to see who is going to step up and take advantage of it.
On if they are trying to manage the redshirt situation with Donaven McCulley…
TA: We were going to. Now we're not. When Michael [Penix Jr.] went down, we had to make the decision that he's going to have to go. But before that, that was kind of the thought, to just use those four games in a judicious way. Now he's the number two guy, training to be the next guy in.
Expect to see him more. Really kind of even thought we might use him a little bit more Saturday. I wanted to see us do that, and we will. Obviously, that was his first time ever playing in a game collegiately. He did some good things. Just have to get him to be able to get out there and play football. Very talented guy.
We have to maximize our roster. To me he's one of the guys that can make plays with the ball in his hand. That's the decision we had to make when [Penix] got hurt.
On what he sees as the issues offensively in Big Ten play…
TA: To me, we're turning the ball over. You can go through, look at those games, that's number one. Number two, the red zone issues … you can go ahead and say what you want about those three Big Ten teams, but they have really good defenses, all three of them and they are really good in the red zone.
You get in that area of the field, it's even harder to score on those really good defenses. At the same time that's reality, that's what it is. You just have to be able to do some things.
I will say this. You talk about Saturday's game, we had three opportunities where receivers were open. I thought wide open. We needed to get them the football for a variety of reasons. That's where you have to execute. To me, that's really what it comes back to, consistent execution at critical times. Obviously the red zone is a critical time.
Whether it's the fact you get a long drive, we had several of those, you have to be able to finish through that drive and execute when it counts the most. Right now, we're not doing that. You have to evaluate why. You look at those things, play calling, the scheme, the guys executing. It's a combination of everything for sure.
At the end of the day players have to make those plays. We have to put them in position to make those plays. You make those plays when you're confident and decisive. That's what we have to get to. That's the part, the numbers are what they are. You see them, I agree with it. Definitely a huge emphasis, going to change some things structurally, how we practice, the things we do down in there. A huge point of emphasis, no question.
On Ohio State being a young team…
TA: We are at home. That's a positive thing. There's no question they do have some youth, some very talented youth, mind you. But it is youth. Youth is youth. I think you play on the road, expecting a big crowd, a loud crowd. The intensity and the energy, like we had this past Saturday, like we had at all of our home games, which has been awesome. That plays into that.
That's the best part of it. We have to be able to, in that moment, play our best football. There's no doubt that's the objective. That's the goal. That's why we're going to do everything within our power to do that against a team that is very talented, has a lot of really good football players, and are very well coached.
On what changes fans might see with just six games remaining…
TA: Not too specific for obvious reasons, but at the same time, to me you have to do everything you can do to be able to maximize this opportunity in front of us against Ohio State. Whatever we need to do to be able to help us score points, how many quarterbacks we use, how we use them, how we scheme things, design things, has to be with that objective in mind.
There's no question we understand the big picture, but the bottom line is it is total, absolute, 100% focus on what we got ahead of us. This is the biggest game of the season because it's the next one. Just happens to be against Ohio State.
Obviously we know who they are, what they have done in the past. But we're playing the Ohio State team that's on this field in 2021. That's the group we're attacking, that's the film we're studying. It's a great opportunity, great challenge, one I expect our team to be fully prepared for.
On if Donaven McCulley is in get ready mode rather than maybe thinking about bringing him along slower…
TA: Being honest in the fact that we don't know the length of time [Penix will be out]. When you don't know ... We've been told it could be shorter, could be longer. We don't know that right now. It truly is week to week.
I think because of that, knowing he is the number two, and he is the next guy in the game if something happens to Jack, you have to prepare him as such. To me you have to have a long-term mindset with that. How we scheme and develop things, and not think we're still going to try to protect him for those four games. To me you take that out of your head, and you just assume that would be the case.
If Michael is back sooner, that's great, but at the same time [Donaven] has to have that mindset. We want him to have that mindset. That's the way we're approaching it. We want to make sure he's ready. We're also doing things to him allow him to be successful on the field: gain reps, get that valuable experience, and in a way to help us find a way to score points and win games.
On what went into moving Noah Pierre from safety to cornerback…
TA: I just think the first quality that stuck out to me for him was his competitive toughness. He's got a very good football mind. He's able to play multiple positions. That's what's allowed us to move him around.
Some guys you move them from one position to another, it takes too long for them to pick things up. He's not that way. Noah has a really high football IQ, understands the game and anticipates. What he might lack in size, he makes up for in toughness. He is a very good tackler and you saw that on Saturday.
Tough kid, physically tough, strong, showed up on special teams all last year. To me that's always a great indicator of how well they're going to play if they're a young guy in our defense moving forward.
I think if a guy like Maurice Freeman that's a true freshman right now. We're going to find more ways to get him involved on special teams. A guy like him that shows up in practice, when you go live, just has a knack to make plays. That's how Noah was.
We're always trying to find [ways to get those type of guys on the field]. We had those corners in front of him that were pretty good players. You are like, 'Okay, let's move him to where we have a chance to get him on the field.' We had him at husky position, he has played safety position, does things on third down.
He came here as a corner out of high school. Hey, now when those guys were out, we had to move him back to corner. Josh [Sanguinetti] is the same thing. He was a guy that came here as a corner, moved him to safety, and he's a guy you could move back to corner if you had to for certain situations. You try to get as many corners as you can, and the guys that outgrow that position, move to safety.
That cover skill set that you like, the toughness it takes to play that position, they got the size to grow into safety, that often happens. In recruiting that's what you're trying to do that helps you with your flexibility of your positions. When things like this happen, you got a guy you can move around.
The nickel position, what we call our husky, falls in line. Kind of a bigger, thicker corner, that allows things we're trying to do. That's where it helps you as a football team defensively.
On how Donaven McCulley's role was viewed heading into the Michigan State game…
TA: Yeah, I would say as you go through the feel of the game, it's obviously the tightness of the game that creates a certain type of situation you have for a young guy like that.
But, yeah, I'd like to see him play more. I know we will. I really do believe that. Just kind of grow him as a player. He was nervous. We talked about that yesterday. But now he's got that first snap out of the way, wasn't a very accurate throw, had a couple decent runs.
We just want to be able to do that, he's a quarterback, he can throw it, he can run it. That's what we wanted to see him do. To me, yeah, I expect that role to grow, the things we can do with him to expand each and every week, we'll see where it goes from there.
On another ranked opponent on the schedule this weekend…
TA: You keep punching yourself. I think that's key. We're swinging hard. This team believes in what we're doing. There's a lot of toughness and character in that locker room. Yeah, they're hurting after that game Saturday, as well as myself and the whole coaching staff.
I will tell you what, there's a toughness to this group. It's got to start with us as leaders. Yeah, it's a bit hard, there's no doubt about it. Not what any of us expected or wanted. You find yourself in it, what are you going to do? That's where you keep on swinging. As you're swinging, you got to make adjustments, you got to go through and get things corrected and fixed, not just keep doing the same old thing.
At the same time when you talk about the team, that's where you draw on your leadership and the guys on this team. I went around to all the key guys after the game, after responsibilities with the media, talking with guys one on one, getting in their head. Same thing yesterday.
That's one thing I will say, you don't know obviously how the season is going to play itself out. We made a change where we went from Sunday as our off day to Monday as our off day. Thankful we did because I needed to be with this team the day after these close losses as they continue to put us in a tough spot. Just to be able to be in front of them, I think that's been critical, very important.
I've loved the way our guys have responded. Even they come in feeling a certain way in the early afternoon, I want them to leave when we're done at seven o'clock that their mindset is where it needs to be. We had a chance to be with them, we lifted, were on the field and in meetings. Just got to pray for wisdom to be able to know how to say things to them to be able to.
When you know you are a team, you're connected with them, that helps. At the same time this is tough. That's part of it. Our guys got a ton of grit. Grit is perseverance and passion towards a long-term goal. It's going to take a lot of that for this team to be able to stay together, keep fighting, playing our best each week.
Even when you fall short, you have to keep persevering, fighting, working together, staying together, keep believing, and just stay the course. That's what we're going to do. To me you just don't blink. Talk about it all the time. Earmuffs and blinders. You have to have them on heavily at this time and do not blink.
On the two-point conversion…
TA: To me you had several options on the play. They brought pressure up the field. To me we got one of our pullers got stuck on the tackle which allowed them to have an extra guy for the shovel pass. You basically had several different things. Usually, you want several different options.
I felt like Peyton Hendershot was a guy we're trying to find a way to get involved, get him the ball. He's a big guy, can lean forward, get tough yards. Don't have a lot of big backs.
At the same time, it wasn't executed to the level it needed to be to get in the end zone. You don't ever know what you're going to call, they don't know what we're going to call. That was something we had worked on and felt good about. We just have to execute it. Those plays are tough.
Most two-point plays, it's usually some kind of a pass. You don't really load up on the run on those. Usually, as a defensive minded person, you look at people as they do those things. You like to get pressure up the field. If that happens, you can dump it underneath and sneak in behind the guy and be able to get him in the end zone. Didn't execute it. That was huge.
Obviously we knew we needed to go for two. We had a plan, talked about it way before the drive was going and when we scored, make sure we go for two, to feel good about the call. Once again, execution at a high level in critical times, that's how you win those close games.
On how Chris Childers and Davion Ervin-Poindexter did in their expanded roles…
TA: They made some plays. Both had some solid runs Saturday that we needed. Again, opportunity has been presented to those guys and they've done some good things. Obviously they have to keep getting better, working, executing. They have to be able to pass protect, be able to catch the football, run the football and read their keys.
Especially Chris, he has done a good job of reading the keys and runs possible. Davion at times has hit some good ones, gets a little bouncy, needs to stick to the reads. We just feel like that room where you obviously had to have guys step up that we still need some other young guys to continue to be brought along, Whether it's David [Holloman] and Trent [Howland]. Those two guys continue to work with the ones and twos. We keep rotating them in and let those guys develop as well.
On if the future of the program ever comes into play in a situation like playing Donaven McCulley…
TA: Well, it definitely does. I feel like first and foremost you have to say, 'Okay, can this individual help us win games right now?' If he's in a position to do that, then that's what you need to do.
Bottom line is that the situation occurred, we got one of our other quarterbacks on scholarship that tore his ACL in Dexter Williams Jr. last spring. He's not available. When [Penix] had his injury, that leaves you those two scholarship guys that are healthy. That's the position we're in.
Other variables. That was the reason why initially the thought was to strategically use [Donaven]. We actually were going to use Donaven in the Idaho game. No, let's keep that to use those four games more judiciously moving forward where we may need him in Big Ten play, to be able to give us whatever might be needed at that point.
Then when Michael went down, now he's the number two and you just have to say, 'Okay, you know what, in an ideal situation you like to be able to keep that redshirt, but at this point where we're at, that doesn't appear to be the case.' We'll see what happens with Michael, how that all plays itself out. That could change in the short-term. As a mindset that we have, we just kind of say, 'Hey, we have to plan and get him ready, have a scheme and plan ready.'
I do think, there's no doubt, a big picture view of everything we do here in recruiting and roster management, which has dramatically changed in the last couple years with how you view those things with the transfer portal and the way things are. It's a very different landscape than it used to be and continues to be on a consistent basis. That's where you have to always be thinking about your current team, first and foremost, but also with the future in mind.
On what guys like Noah Pierre mean to the program…
TA: It means a lot. It has always meant a lot. I have been doing this a long time. A kid rewarded for persevering. He came here, he wanted to play. Especially after you're here for a couple years, you really want that. I think last year he accepted that role on special teams. Wanted a more expanded role, like they all do, but stayed the course.
We had a lot of good conversations. I don't know that it even dawned on him … Some guys sat down and talked about things like that. Just trying to help them with their future, where we saw them in our program.
I think it speaks to his commitment of who we are, his belief in our program, him wanting to graduate from here, getting a degree from here, being able to finish what he started. I respect that so much. I know it's become a different mindset for some guys. Understandably so in some situations, I get that.
I just feel like it speaks volumes to him believing in us and what we're doing here, then just the value of a guy like that staying the course. All those reps that he was taking in the past, whether it was a backup or in spring football or fall camp, when he would probably get more of his reps, and now this is his moment to be able to step up at critical times to be able to make game-changing plays, just consistent plays.
I just appreciate him so much. That's why I recognized him yesterday. Had nine tackles in the game. Commended him for his perseverance and passion towards his long-term goal, which was to find a way to get on the field and help us win games.
Have a great day. LEO.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports
113797-1-1004 2021-10-18 16:49:00 GMT
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