Indiana University Athletics
Quoted: Michigan
11/3/2021 4:00:00 PM | Football
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – In the midst of Indiana football's preparations for a road matchup with Michigan on Saturday (Nov. 6), the Hoosiers talked to the media throughout the week and below are quotes from coordinators Nick Sheridan and Charlton Warren, along with quarterback Donaven McCulley.
Below is a partial transcript of the press conferences, while video of the full media sessions can be found on the right sidebar at IUHoosiers.com.
Nick Sheridan | Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks
On how important Peyton Hendershot's leadership has been…
NS: He's been great. I don't think there's any doubt. Every week it seems like there's some new record that he sets for a tight end here, that he's the record holder for. So, his production has been outstanding. His leadership has been even better. He's done a phenomenal job. Kevin [Wright] has done an awesome job with that whole room. It's a really good room. Those guys are contributing to our team. Not just on offense but on special teams, too. Matt Bjorson, AJ Barner, all those guys, [Caleb] Murphy. All those guys are contributing to our team. Certainly, Peyton has led the way. His maturity, and just how far he's come, not just on the field but off the field, it's what coaching's all about. It's why you do it. He's been great and he's played great. Made a lot of big catches, runs after catch, and done a really nice job [with what we have asked him to do]. It's going to have to continue. He's been one of our best players, there's no doubt about it. He's been one of the most productive players at his position in the conference this year. We need big things from him moving forward and we expect that. He's been fantastic.
On the impact of coaching Donaven McCulley on the sideline…
NS: I thought it was a positive being able to be there for him and be able to communicate to him directly and not over a phone, to be able to look him in the eyes and ask him what he's seeing, how he's feeling, those types of things. There are pros and cons to being up in the box or down on the field, both ways. Certainly, in the box it's a little calmer, your vantage point is a little bit better, you can see a little bit better. I didn't have an issue seeing things on the field Saturday, but there's certain parts of the field where, you know, the far side, you need to rely on the people in the box. The information we got from up top was outstanding, so that was productive. More than anything, just to be there for him, to look him in the eye and talk to him, or whatever he needed, encouragement, motivation, whatever, just to be there for that. I thought that was good and I thought he had some moments in the game where he did a nice job and certainly there were some plays where we have to improve. We have to get better. We don't just sweep some of the mistakes under the rug and not address them. We think there were a few plays where the ball bounced our way where we probably didn't make as good of decisions, or as good of a throw, and fortunately they were just broken up passes, but they could have been turnovers. We recognize that, but certainly for a young player to go out there, I thought he was competitive, he was tough, and those are great qualities to have playing that position. He demonstrated the ability to compete for four quarters, for s60 minutes, to be tough, to continue to play the next play. I was impressed by that. Sometimes you don't know until they get out there. Being down [on the field], I was just impressed by his competitiveness, and I was proud of him for that.
On the difficulty of playing four quarterbacks…
NS: That's been a little bit of a challenge certainly. You're trying to feature the things that each guy feels most comfortable with and where that can really be a challenge is for the other players, for them to get into a groove on all the different types of schemes that you're trying to run. They are trying to get comfortable and familiar with those types of things. We've played different guys at that position, the guys have adjusted, they've put the work in, they've prepared hard, and we'll continue to work to improve. I wouldn't say it's wholesale changes. Some of the schemes are still similar to what we've run in the past, just maybe a different way to do it. There are some things we ran Saturday that we hadn't with the previous guys that were playing. You're always looking for ways to try to help the players that are in there to feature what they do best and that's been a process all year.
Charlton Warren | Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers
On adjusting the defense due to injuries…
CW: You've got to find creative ways to get our guys on the field and put them in positions to make plays and have coverage concepts that play to the strengths of the guys that have to be out there. When you lose two cornerbacks, you didn't have [Josh] Sanguinetti and then there are just a lot of core components of guys that have played hundreds of snaps for you [not out there]. But our job is to go out and find ways to win games, get off the field, and get the ball back to our offense. So, you keep finding creative ways to put those guys in positions to really focus on what they do well. That will give us a chance to win the football game.
On the importance of Micah McFadden to the defense…
CW: It's been huge for us. He's that rock in our defense. He's a general on the field and he's the guy that's been able to be disruptive on any down and distance and any situation in the game: third-and-short, fourth-and-short, third-and-long, first down. His level of play, his level of communication and execution are huge. I think it gives guys that have to come in the game at non-traditional positions, he gives them confidence because he's able to get us lined up, set the defense, and set the calls. Having a guy like him is what has kept us in games and allowed us to be successful against the run, on third down, to get TFLs. His aura on the field with our players has really helped and as the younger guys come in, they have to lean on him a little bit, and I think he shows him how to play the game.
On stopping the run versus Michigan…
CW: I think one, at least we get lucky where the fans will be quieter cause they are on offense, hopefully. From a communication [standpoint], that is always paramount to what we do. I think for the run, it starts with when we play games versus Michigan State and other teams where you have to have set edges, keep the ball in between your defenders, and you have to swarm with effort and energy on every play. They have two unbelievable running backs, and they have a two-headed monster at quarterback. One runs the ball extremely well, and they give you a ton of different formations you have to deal with. So, for us it's about playing our base fundamentals and rules, setting edges, and allowing our defense to run the ball down from inside out. We can't let that ball crease us with their gap scheme. We also can't let it out flank us with their perimeter run.
Donaven McCulley | QB | Fr.
On the process over the last month...
DM: It kind of went fast. I didn't think I was going to be a starter at this level that fast. I thought I was going to play a little bit, but I had to adjust, and you can't blink. That is all it is, you just can't blink.
On how he feels things have progressed since he arrived on campus...
DM: When I came in to fall camp, Michael [Penix Jr.], Jack [Tuttle], and everybody in the quarterback room helped me. They made sure I learned all of my plays and made sure I was studying and caught up. They have done a good job of preparing me.
On what his emotions were like coming in against Michigan State...
DM: I was just thinking protect the ball and get as many yards as I can.
On how he keeps the moments in perspective...
DM: The guys around me have helped so much. The upperclassmen like Peyton Hendershot, Ty Fryfogle, and Dylan Powell, they just helped me and said they have my back. Stephen Carr is a big part of that, too. They told me they have my back and I know that I have theirs.
Below is a partial transcript of the press conferences, while video of the full media sessions can be found on the right sidebar at IUHoosiers.com.
Nick Sheridan | Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks
On how important Peyton Hendershot's leadership has been…
NS: He's been great. I don't think there's any doubt. Every week it seems like there's some new record that he sets for a tight end here, that he's the record holder for. So, his production has been outstanding. His leadership has been even better. He's done a phenomenal job. Kevin [Wright] has done an awesome job with that whole room. It's a really good room. Those guys are contributing to our team. Not just on offense but on special teams, too. Matt Bjorson, AJ Barner, all those guys, [Caleb] Murphy. All those guys are contributing to our team. Certainly, Peyton has led the way. His maturity, and just how far he's come, not just on the field but off the field, it's what coaching's all about. It's why you do it. He's been great and he's played great. Made a lot of big catches, runs after catch, and done a really nice job [with what we have asked him to do]. It's going to have to continue. He's been one of our best players, there's no doubt about it. He's been one of the most productive players at his position in the conference this year. We need big things from him moving forward and we expect that. He's been fantastic.
On the impact of coaching Donaven McCulley on the sideline…
NS: I thought it was a positive being able to be there for him and be able to communicate to him directly and not over a phone, to be able to look him in the eyes and ask him what he's seeing, how he's feeling, those types of things. There are pros and cons to being up in the box or down on the field, both ways. Certainly, in the box it's a little calmer, your vantage point is a little bit better, you can see a little bit better. I didn't have an issue seeing things on the field Saturday, but there's certain parts of the field where, you know, the far side, you need to rely on the people in the box. The information we got from up top was outstanding, so that was productive. More than anything, just to be there for him, to look him in the eye and talk to him, or whatever he needed, encouragement, motivation, whatever, just to be there for that. I thought that was good and I thought he had some moments in the game where he did a nice job and certainly there were some plays where we have to improve. We have to get better. We don't just sweep some of the mistakes under the rug and not address them. We think there were a few plays where the ball bounced our way where we probably didn't make as good of decisions, or as good of a throw, and fortunately they were just broken up passes, but they could have been turnovers. We recognize that, but certainly for a young player to go out there, I thought he was competitive, he was tough, and those are great qualities to have playing that position. He demonstrated the ability to compete for four quarters, for s60 minutes, to be tough, to continue to play the next play. I was impressed by that. Sometimes you don't know until they get out there. Being down [on the field], I was just impressed by his competitiveness, and I was proud of him for that.
On the difficulty of playing four quarterbacks…
NS: That's been a little bit of a challenge certainly. You're trying to feature the things that each guy feels most comfortable with and where that can really be a challenge is for the other players, for them to get into a groove on all the different types of schemes that you're trying to run. They are trying to get comfortable and familiar with those types of things. We've played different guys at that position, the guys have adjusted, they've put the work in, they've prepared hard, and we'll continue to work to improve. I wouldn't say it's wholesale changes. Some of the schemes are still similar to what we've run in the past, just maybe a different way to do it. There are some things we ran Saturday that we hadn't with the previous guys that were playing. You're always looking for ways to try to help the players that are in there to feature what they do best and that's been a process all year.
Charlton Warren | Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers
On adjusting the defense due to injuries…
CW: You've got to find creative ways to get our guys on the field and put them in positions to make plays and have coverage concepts that play to the strengths of the guys that have to be out there. When you lose two cornerbacks, you didn't have [Josh] Sanguinetti and then there are just a lot of core components of guys that have played hundreds of snaps for you [not out there]. But our job is to go out and find ways to win games, get off the field, and get the ball back to our offense. So, you keep finding creative ways to put those guys in positions to really focus on what they do well. That will give us a chance to win the football game.
On the importance of Micah McFadden to the defense…
CW: It's been huge for us. He's that rock in our defense. He's a general on the field and he's the guy that's been able to be disruptive on any down and distance and any situation in the game: third-and-short, fourth-and-short, third-and-long, first down. His level of play, his level of communication and execution are huge. I think it gives guys that have to come in the game at non-traditional positions, he gives them confidence because he's able to get us lined up, set the defense, and set the calls. Having a guy like him is what has kept us in games and allowed us to be successful against the run, on third down, to get TFLs. His aura on the field with our players has really helped and as the younger guys come in, they have to lean on him a little bit, and I think he shows him how to play the game.
On stopping the run versus Michigan…
CW: I think one, at least we get lucky where the fans will be quieter cause they are on offense, hopefully. From a communication [standpoint], that is always paramount to what we do. I think for the run, it starts with when we play games versus Michigan State and other teams where you have to have set edges, keep the ball in between your defenders, and you have to swarm with effort and energy on every play. They have two unbelievable running backs, and they have a two-headed monster at quarterback. One runs the ball extremely well, and they give you a ton of different formations you have to deal with. So, for us it's about playing our base fundamentals and rules, setting edges, and allowing our defense to run the ball down from inside out. We can't let that ball crease us with their gap scheme. We also can't let it out flank us with their perimeter run.
Donaven McCulley | QB | Fr.
On the process over the last month...
DM: It kind of went fast. I didn't think I was going to be a starter at this level that fast. I thought I was going to play a little bit, but I had to adjust, and you can't blink. That is all it is, you just can't blink.
On how he feels things have progressed since he arrived on campus...
DM: When I came in to fall camp, Michael [Penix Jr.], Jack [Tuttle], and everybody in the quarterback room helped me. They made sure I learned all of my plays and made sure I was studying and caught up. They have done a good job of preparing me.
On what his emotions were like coming in against Michigan State...
DM: I was just thinking protect the ball and get as many yards as I can.
On how he keeps the moments in perspective...
DM: The guys around me have helped so much. The upperclassmen like Peyton Hendershot, Ty Fryfogle, and Dylan Powell, they just helped me and said they have my back. Stephen Carr is a big part of that, too. They told me they have my back and I know that I have theirs.
Players Mentioned
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