Indiana University Athletics
Quoted: Cincinnati
9/15/2021 4:32:00 PM | Football
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – With No. 8 Cincinnati coming to Memorial Stadium for a sold-out showdown, the Indiana football program spoke to the media. Below are quotes from coordinators Nick Sheridan, Kasey Teegardin, and Charlton Warren, along with student-athletes Ty Fryfogle, Marcelino McCrary-Ball, Tiawan Mullen, and Michael Penix Jr.
Below is a partial transcript of the press conferences, while video of the full media session can be found on the right sidebar at IUHoosiers.com.
Nick Sheridan | Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks
On the offensive line…
NS: I thought the five guys that were out there Saturday were the five guys that played primarily throughout camp. It was good to get that group back out there together. I thought Matt [Bedford] did some good things, he has explosiveness, he has power, he was able to create movement inside and I thought he did a nice job. That group is continuing to get better. Coach Hiller is doing a fantastic job with them stressing the fundamentals, stressing the technique, the effort, what it takes down in and down out to be an effective and a dominating offensive line. I thought there were steps in the right direction. I thought the group played harder Saturday. We got a great challenge ahead. I thought having Luke [Haggard] back was good, just getting that group back together again was a positive. There's a lot of young guys that got in Saturday and showed some things, as well. We're just trying to get better each and every day, all positions, coaches included, and I thought Saturday was a step in the right direction, still a lot of work to be done.
On what to prioritize against a talented Cincinnati defense…
NS: I think we have to play clean. I think when you're playing really good teams, they can take advantage of your mistakes. You have to play clean, you have to limit the mistakes, you have to protect the football, you can't have penalties, you can't have missed assignments. I think that first and foremost the most important. And I think you have to take advantage of the opportunities that you do get. They do such a good job defensively, Coach Fickell, and Coach Freeman last year, and Coach Tressel this year, they're outstanding coaches, as good as there is. You just have to execute and take advantage of the opportunities that you get. And know that it's going to come down to a few plays and you don't know which ones those are. So, what you do schematically to put your guys in a position you have to execute in those moments because you're not going to get a ton of them. They do a great job, it's a huge challenge, we have to play clean, and we have to take advantage of the opportunities when we get them.
Kasey Teegardin I Special Teams Coordinator/Outside Linebackers
On the special teams effort against Idaho…
KT: Just exciting because I think our players have bought into what we're trying to do, what we have been selling, and to finally see those guys get the opportunities to make plays [was great]. To see that all the hard work and all the drills, you just do drills over and over and it becomes monotonous at times, but to see those drills pay off [is exciting]. We even pulled up drill tape yesterday of Noah Pierre blocking a punt in practice on a drill and it was the exact same situation that happened on Saturday. Just to reiterate to those guys, 'look, we practice these things for a reason and every little detail counts.' Just really excited for that group of guys because they work their tails off. Our players, man, they deserve it. They're just a great group of young men that buy in, that was the best part about it.
On the importance of setting the tone early with special teams success…
KT: It's critical because you preach it. As a coach, you tell them over and over and over, it only takes one. Getting down early at Iowa, I kept challenging our kickoff return unit. I said, 'look guys if he kicks one that we got returnable, he doesn't kick one out of the end zone or five yards deep, we're taking it.' All it takes is one play because I do believe that one play can spark, it really can. You could see just the impact. I know the offense was rolling and Micah [McFadden] and [Weston Kramer] did an unbelievable job on the strip sack forced fumble on the fifth play of the game, but when that punt was blocked now that stadium was loud. Just the impact and how fast it can change the game and just the environment alone, especially when you're at home. Special teams play make such a significant impact in just the spin and movement of the game. It's critical for those guys to see that. And we talk about that all the time and just to have them execute at a high level is going to be critical for us moving forward. You get to set the tone from the opening play. The first play of every single game is special teams and you've got to set the tone whether it's on kickoff or kickoff return. We expect to do that.
Charlton Warren I Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers
What he has learned from coaching against Cincinnati in the Peach Bowl…
CW: I've learned that they have a quarterback that's played a lot of football. It's hard to trick him. He's seen a bunch of things and he can make checks. He's one of those guys, he can truly hurt you with his arm, with his legs, and with his brains. He is very accurate, very tough, very fast. He has a supporting cast around him that has been together a long time, the receiving core, the running back. They're a group that's very mature, they all came back, they're on a mission and they've had a lot of success. I think playing them last time tells you how much you've got to respect what they do schematically, how hard and well they're coached, and how well [Desmond Ridder] can execute under pressure, under zone, he just sees it a lot. So, you're dealing with a very capable group, very smart quarterback, one of the best in the country.
On takeaways all being fumbles, still looking for an interception as a defense…
CW: I think when guys are covered, our guys have done a great job of being in position on balls. We've missed probably, in the last two games, we've missed three takeaway opportunities by taking the ball out of the air. Josh [Sanguinetti] missed one the other night that went right through his hands. I think it's a product of how we're playing a little bit right now and the teams we've played. At the same time, it's something we're always stressing, we have to do better to get more of them. Those are game-changing plays that help set up our offense to make plays and we have to do a better job of taking it out of the air.
Ty Fryfogle | WR | Sr.+
On coverage opening up against Idaho…
TF: It felt really great to get the run game going and to get those guys confidence built up. It was great seeing Stephen Carr get his first 100-yard rushing yard game. I'm really excited about the team we have going forward.
On creating separation, cutting loose in the passing game…
TF: I feel like everything is still the same. Early on we're just trying to get everybody situated, everybody is just trying to iron things out, get the offense going. We have a lot of plays in our playbook that we're going to run going forward.
On establishing better rhythm in week two…
TF: We had a great week of practice last week coming into [Idaho]. The rhythm was great. We had a lot of great passes, had a lot of great catches in practice. We're just going to keep building off that going forward.
Marcelino McCrary-Ball I DB I Sr.-R+
On what he has learned over the years of his career…
MMB: Calmness. I've learned a lot of things, obviously. Just being an understanding teammate and controlling my emotions. Understanding when it's time to go and when it's time to listen.
On the defensive takeaways so far with no interceptions…
MMB: You could take it as a compliment if you're insinuating that the quarterbacks are being careful. We still want to take the ball away. I feel like those plays at Iowa you could go back to, maybe we could have taken one or two [interceptions]. Even at Idaho, there were a few we left on the table that we need to emphasize. New challenge. New week. Let's go do it.
Tiawan Mullen I CB I Jr.
On how to handle Cincinnati's passing attack…
TM: It's all about just doing your job at the end of the day. Not doing anybody else's job. Communication, trusting the person beside you to do his job. What's so special about this game is that it's just the next play. So, we are just preparing, and we just have to keep communicating and everything will play a part.
On the sense of urgency to get things right vs. Cincinnati…
TM: We're always prepared to get a win. We're not changing nothing out of the ordinary. They have a great team, a very great offense, and a great receiving core. We're going to stick to who we are, truly, and we're just going to go out there and communicate. Like I said before, just go out there and play Hoosier football.
Michael Penix Jr. I QB I Jr.-R
On the progress he made over the first two weeks…
MP: This past game was a great game, a great team win. As far as progress from week one to week two, I feel like we just executed better, executed at a more high-level. We just continued to play the full 60 minutes. We made sure that we didn't let up coming out of halftime. We made sure that we started fast and just kept it going. We just made sure that everybody did their assignments and we just had fun playing out there.
On the student section and crowd…
MP: That means a lot. Just shows the support that we have, people believing in us. All the work that we've been putting in. I remember when we first went out there, when we came back into the locker room, and we were pumped. We said, 'man, the student section is packed today.' We were very excited to go out there and play. We're glad that we could play well with all the fans in the stadium, and we just can't wait to this Saturday, as well.
Below is a partial transcript of the press conferences, while video of the full media session can be found on the right sidebar at IUHoosiers.com.
Nick Sheridan | Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks
On the offensive line…
NS: I thought the five guys that were out there Saturday were the five guys that played primarily throughout camp. It was good to get that group back out there together. I thought Matt [Bedford] did some good things, he has explosiveness, he has power, he was able to create movement inside and I thought he did a nice job. That group is continuing to get better. Coach Hiller is doing a fantastic job with them stressing the fundamentals, stressing the technique, the effort, what it takes down in and down out to be an effective and a dominating offensive line. I thought there were steps in the right direction. I thought the group played harder Saturday. We got a great challenge ahead. I thought having Luke [Haggard] back was good, just getting that group back together again was a positive. There's a lot of young guys that got in Saturday and showed some things, as well. We're just trying to get better each and every day, all positions, coaches included, and I thought Saturday was a step in the right direction, still a lot of work to be done.
On what to prioritize against a talented Cincinnati defense…
NS: I think we have to play clean. I think when you're playing really good teams, they can take advantage of your mistakes. You have to play clean, you have to limit the mistakes, you have to protect the football, you can't have penalties, you can't have missed assignments. I think that first and foremost the most important. And I think you have to take advantage of the opportunities that you do get. They do such a good job defensively, Coach Fickell, and Coach Freeman last year, and Coach Tressel this year, they're outstanding coaches, as good as there is. You just have to execute and take advantage of the opportunities that you get. And know that it's going to come down to a few plays and you don't know which ones those are. So, what you do schematically to put your guys in a position you have to execute in those moments because you're not going to get a ton of them. They do a great job, it's a huge challenge, we have to play clean, and we have to take advantage of the opportunities when we get them.
Kasey Teegardin I Special Teams Coordinator/Outside Linebackers
On the special teams effort against Idaho…
KT: Just exciting because I think our players have bought into what we're trying to do, what we have been selling, and to finally see those guys get the opportunities to make plays [was great]. To see that all the hard work and all the drills, you just do drills over and over and it becomes monotonous at times, but to see those drills pay off [is exciting]. We even pulled up drill tape yesterday of Noah Pierre blocking a punt in practice on a drill and it was the exact same situation that happened on Saturday. Just to reiterate to those guys, 'look, we practice these things for a reason and every little detail counts.' Just really excited for that group of guys because they work their tails off. Our players, man, they deserve it. They're just a great group of young men that buy in, that was the best part about it.
On the importance of setting the tone early with special teams success…
KT: It's critical because you preach it. As a coach, you tell them over and over and over, it only takes one. Getting down early at Iowa, I kept challenging our kickoff return unit. I said, 'look guys if he kicks one that we got returnable, he doesn't kick one out of the end zone or five yards deep, we're taking it.' All it takes is one play because I do believe that one play can spark, it really can. You could see just the impact. I know the offense was rolling and Micah [McFadden] and [Weston Kramer] did an unbelievable job on the strip sack forced fumble on the fifth play of the game, but when that punt was blocked now that stadium was loud. Just the impact and how fast it can change the game and just the environment alone, especially when you're at home. Special teams play make such a significant impact in just the spin and movement of the game. It's critical for those guys to see that. And we talk about that all the time and just to have them execute at a high level is going to be critical for us moving forward. You get to set the tone from the opening play. The first play of every single game is special teams and you've got to set the tone whether it's on kickoff or kickoff return. We expect to do that.
Charlton Warren I Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers
What he has learned from coaching against Cincinnati in the Peach Bowl…
CW: I've learned that they have a quarterback that's played a lot of football. It's hard to trick him. He's seen a bunch of things and he can make checks. He's one of those guys, he can truly hurt you with his arm, with his legs, and with his brains. He is very accurate, very tough, very fast. He has a supporting cast around him that has been together a long time, the receiving core, the running back. They're a group that's very mature, they all came back, they're on a mission and they've had a lot of success. I think playing them last time tells you how much you've got to respect what they do schematically, how hard and well they're coached, and how well [Desmond Ridder] can execute under pressure, under zone, he just sees it a lot. So, you're dealing with a very capable group, very smart quarterback, one of the best in the country.
On takeaways all being fumbles, still looking for an interception as a defense…
CW: I think when guys are covered, our guys have done a great job of being in position on balls. We've missed probably, in the last two games, we've missed three takeaway opportunities by taking the ball out of the air. Josh [Sanguinetti] missed one the other night that went right through his hands. I think it's a product of how we're playing a little bit right now and the teams we've played. At the same time, it's something we're always stressing, we have to do better to get more of them. Those are game-changing plays that help set up our offense to make plays and we have to do a better job of taking it out of the air.
Ty Fryfogle | WR | Sr.+
On coverage opening up against Idaho…
TF: It felt really great to get the run game going and to get those guys confidence built up. It was great seeing Stephen Carr get his first 100-yard rushing yard game. I'm really excited about the team we have going forward.
On creating separation, cutting loose in the passing game…
TF: I feel like everything is still the same. Early on we're just trying to get everybody situated, everybody is just trying to iron things out, get the offense going. We have a lot of plays in our playbook that we're going to run going forward.
On establishing better rhythm in week two…
TF: We had a great week of practice last week coming into [Idaho]. The rhythm was great. We had a lot of great passes, had a lot of great catches in practice. We're just going to keep building off that going forward.
Marcelino McCrary-Ball I DB I Sr.-R+
On what he has learned over the years of his career…
MMB: Calmness. I've learned a lot of things, obviously. Just being an understanding teammate and controlling my emotions. Understanding when it's time to go and when it's time to listen.
On the defensive takeaways so far with no interceptions…
MMB: You could take it as a compliment if you're insinuating that the quarterbacks are being careful. We still want to take the ball away. I feel like those plays at Iowa you could go back to, maybe we could have taken one or two [interceptions]. Even at Idaho, there were a few we left on the table that we need to emphasize. New challenge. New week. Let's go do it.
Tiawan Mullen I CB I Jr.
On how to handle Cincinnati's passing attack…
TM: It's all about just doing your job at the end of the day. Not doing anybody else's job. Communication, trusting the person beside you to do his job. What's so special about this game is that it's just the next play. So, we are just preparing, and we just have to keep communicating and everything will play a part.
On the sense of urgency to get things right vs. Cincinnati…
TM: We're always prepared to get a win. We're not changing nothing out of the ordinary. They have a great team, a very great offense, and a great receiving core. We're going to stick to who we are, truly, and we're just going to go out there and communicate. Like I said before, just go out there and play Hoosier football.
Michael Penix Jr. I QB I Jr.-R
On the progress he made over the first two weeks…
MP: This past game was a great game, a great team win. As far as progress from week one to week two, I feel like we just executed better, executed at a more high-level. We just continued to play the full 60 minutes. We made sure that we didn't let up coming out of halftime. We made sure that we started fast and just kept it going. We just made sure that everybody did their assignments and we just had fun playing out there.
On the student section and crowd…
MP: That means a lot. Just shows the support that we have, people believing in us. All the work that we've been putting in. I remember when we first went out there, when we came back into the locker room, and we were pumped. We said, 'man, the student section is packed today.' We were very excited to go out there and play. We're glad that we could play well with all the fans in the stadium, and we just can't wait to this Saturday, as well.
Players Mentioned
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