Indiana University Athletics
Quoted: Fall Camp Edition - Student-Athletes
8/5/2021 1:28:00 PM | Football
Below are partial transcripts from quarterback Michael Penix Jr. and defensive back Macelino McCrary-Ball from the Thursday, Aug. 5, media session at Memorial Stadium.
Marcelina McCrary-Ball | DB | R-Sr.+
On what being an older player provides him…
MMB: I would say mostly knowledge, experience, perspective, all of the above. I've kind of seen it all. I've seen the dark times and the good times, most recently the 2019 and 2020 seasons. I also know who I am and how I work and what I bring to the table. As far as the young guys, I get to show them how to produce. Alongside my work ethic we have guys like Tiawan Mullen and Ty Fryfogle, the list goes on that know how to work. It's not like I'm alone [as one of the older guys on the team]. But, as far as being here for a while, I'm the old one.
On the excitement of last season and the progress made…
MMB: It was exciting, yet hard. If you are a kid and you are grounded, but all your friends get to go out, it's exciting for your friends and you are not jealous of them, but you're like "dang, I have to stay in the house." I think it was like the fourth game last season, we just got another interception, and I was on my third month [of rehab]. I was frustrated that I couldn't go out there and play because they were making so many plays. I looked up "is there any chance do anything athletic three months post-ACL surgery." I didn't get any results. Coming back now, going into fall camp there are going to be hard days … It's tough, but the perspective I have for it to be taken away, I know what it feels like. My excitement is through the roof regardless of what happens. Obviously, we are striving for everything. We are striving for a Big Ten Championship and the Rose Bowl. I've seen what they have done without me, so me coming back is nothing but sheer joy.
On being a part of the program for so long…
MMB: It hits me in a way like, coming in as a freshman wanting to just take over the world and we ended up short. We went to a bowl game but ended up short. In my sophomore year we didn't go [to a bowl game], and it hurt. Junior year we ended up short again. I know what it feels like to be a loser. In 2019 we took that leap. We fell short in 2019 and 2020, but we still took that leap like you have all seen. It was an obvious leap. My perspective is different. You always want to be around winners. I was always a follower. I always wanted to follow someone who was going to lead me to success. Now, I'm that guy and people are looking to me in some way, shape or form to be the leader. All those years following guys that are successful, now it's time for me to take on that torch. Going into this year I feel like I can be an asset as far as leading us to success and continuing to win.
Michael Penix Jr. | QB | R-Jr.
On how cool it was participating in the Manning Academy and what you learned from Eli and Peyton that has helped develop you as a quarterback…
MP: It was a great experience. I definitely had a great time meeting the Manning's and all the other college quarterbacks that were there. There were also other high school coaches and some college coaches that were there helping out, too. It was a great experience being out there with the kids and seeing all of them work. I was there once upon a time. Just seeing them put in the work reminded me of where I came from. One thing I took away was how organized and detailed they were. As quarterbacks, that is one of the main things you should have, being organized and detailed. Seeing how they managed that, in the meetings and how they were talking, I was soaking it all up. There was a lot going on, but it really went smoothly.
On what he has tried to gain these past few months mentally as a quarterback…
MP: Mentally, I am trying to make sure I stay sharp in my film study. In this offseason, I couldn't do as much as I wanted to with the injury, so taking as many mental reps as possible [was big for me]. Also, watching and encouraging the guys whenever I wasn't in on a rep. Making sure that everyone stayed sound and that we stayed together so that everything flows smoothly. Even though I might not have been on the field in the rep, I still took that rep [with them mentally]. If I saw something that I liked or that I didn't like, I made sure that I talked to the guys, so we could correct it. I know that is what it's going to take to win the Big Ten this year.
On establishing a relationship with Camron Buckley and D.J. Matthews Jr. over the summer…
MP: That is critical with new guys coming in. As the starting quarterback, I made sure that I got as much time as I could with them. We spent a lot of time this offseason making sure we got our chemistry together. I feel like it is very good and that we have a good connection. They bring a lot to the team and are going to be guys that are on the field and can make big plays on big stages. That is definitely what we are looking forward to and can't wait to see those guys out there.
Marcelina McCrary-Ball | DB | R-Sr.+
On what being an older player provides him…
MMB: I would say mostly knowledge, experience, perspective, all of the above. I've kind of seen it all. I've seen the dark times and the good times, most recently the 2019 and 2020 seasons. I also know who I am and how I work and what I bring to the table. As far as the young guys, I get to show them how to produce. Alongside my work ethic we have guys like Tiawan Mullen and Ty Fryfogle, the list goes on that know how to work. It's not like I'm alone [as one of the older guys on the team]. But, as far as being here for a while, I'm the old one.
On the excitement of last season and the progress made…
MMB: It was exciting, yet hard. If you are a kid and you are grounded, but all your friends get to go out, it's exciting for your friends and you are not jealous of them, but you're like "dang, I have to stay in the house." I think it was like the fourth game last season, we just got another interception, and I was on my third month [of rehab]. I was frustrated that I couldn't go out there and play because they were making so many plays. I looked up "is there any chance do anything athletic three months post-ACL surgery." I didn't get any results. Coming back now, going into fall camp there are going to be hard days … It's tough, but the perspective I have for it to be taken away, I know what it feels like. My excitement is through the roof regardless of what happens. Obviously, we are striving for everything. We are striving for a Big Ten Championship and the Rose Bowl. I've seen what they have done without me, so me coming back is nothing but sheer joy.
On being a part of the program for so long…
MMB: It hits me in a way like, coming in as a freshman wanting to just take over the world and we ended up short. We went to a bowl game but ended up short. In my sophomore year we didn't go [to a bowl game], and it hurt. Junior year we ended up short again. I know what it feels like to be a loser. In 2019 we took that leap. We fell short in 2019 and 2020, but we still took that leap like you have all seen. It was an obvious leap. My perspective is different. You always want to be around winners. I was always a follower. I always wanted to follow someone who was going to lead me to success. Now, I'm that guy and people are looking to me in some way, shape or form to be the leader. All those years following guys that are successful, now it's time for me to take on that torch. Going into this year I feel like I can be an asset as far as leading us to success and continuing to win.
Michael Penix Jr. | QB | R-Jr.
On how cool it was participating in the Manning Academy and what you learned from Eli and Peyton that has helped develop you as a quarterback…
MP: It was a great experience. I definitely had a great time meeting the Manning's and all the other college quarterbacks that were there. There were also other high school coaches and some college coaches that were there helping out, too. It was a great experience being out there with the kids and seeing all of them work. I was there once upon a time. Just seeing them put in the work reminded me of where I came from. One thing I took away was how organized and detailed they were. As quarterbacks, that is one of the main things you should have, being organized and detailed. Seeing how they managed that, in the meetings and how they were talking, I was soaking it all up. There was a lot going on, but it really went smoothly.
On what he has tried to gain these past few months mentally as a quarterback…
MP: Mentally, I am trying to make sure I stay sharp in my film study. In this offseason, I couldn't do as much as I wanted to with the injury, so taking as many mental reps as possible [was big for me]. Also, watching and encouraging the guys whenever I wasn't in on a rep. Making sure that everyone stayed sound and that we stayed together so that everything flows smoothly. Even though I might not have been on the field in the rep, I still took that rep [with them mentally]. If I saw something that I liked or that I didn't like, I made sure that I talked to the guys, so we could correct it. I know that is what it's going to take to win the Big Ten this year.
On establishing a relationship with Camron Buckley and D.J. Matthews Jr. over the summer…
MP: That is critical with new guys coming in. As the starting quarterback, I made sure that I got as much time as I could with them. We spent a lot of time this offseason making sure we got our chemistry together. I feel like it is very good and that we have a good connection. They bring a lot to the team and are going to be guys that are on the field and can make big plays on big stages. That is definitely what we are looking forward to and can't wait to see those guys out there.
Players Mentioned
WR
/ Football
WR
/ Football
WR/RS
/ Football
DB
/ Football
QB
/ FootballFB: Fernando Mendoza - Heisman Trophy Press Conference (12/15/25)
Monday, December 15
FB: Curt Cignetti - Pre-Heisman Press Conference
Wednesday, December 10
FB: Fernando Mendoza - Pre-Heisman Press Conference
Tuesday, December 09
FB: CFP Quarterfinals (Rose Bowl) - Student-Athlete Press Conference
Monday, December 08