Indiana University Athletics
Quoted: Western Kentucky
9/22/2021 4:09:00 PM | Football
Nick Sheridan Press ConferenceCharlton Warren Press ConferenceMatthew Bedford Press ConferencePeyton Hendershot Press ConferenceCaleb Jones Press ConferenceRaheem Layne Press ConferenceMicah McFadden Press Conference---Media Monday: at Western KentuckyGame Notes: at Western KentuckyNOTEBOOK: Western Kentucky Week‘Honored and Blessed’ – Peyton Hendershot Finding His Way
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – With a trip to Western Kentucky awaiting on Saturday (Sept. 25), the Indiana football program spoke to the media. Below are quotes from coordinators Nick Sheridan and Charlton Warren, along with student-athletes Matthew Bedford, Peyton Hendershot, Caleb Jones, Raheem Layne, and Micah McFadden.
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
On evaluating Penix's performance thus far…
NS: Little bit inconsistent obviously, the completion percentage wasn't what we want to be. I thought there were some spectacular plays that Mike made, but I thought he pressed and turned the ball over. That's basically what happened. I thought he made some phenomenal plays, but we need to be more efficient.
On what he likes about Peyton Hendershot's play this season…
NS: I think he just had an awesome offseason. He prepares really hard; he practices really hard. So, it's no surprise that he's playing well. And I thought he played tough. He's been reliable catching the football, he's had some run after catch.
Charlton Warren | Defensive Coordinator
On losing Micah McFadden and how he adjusted…
CW: Not really any adjustments. We have a lot of capable guys on our defense. Everything we do is about concepts of defense. We don't have a play designed for one player. The defense is designed for the guys to make the plays based on what happens with the offense. For our guys, it was the next man up [mentality]. We have a lot of experienced football players and what we need is guys to make plays. Period. We hated to lose Micah in that situation, for sure. He brings a lot of leadership, juice, and energy to our defense, there's no discounting him at all. But, that's no reason or excuse for us not performing the way we need to perform on defense or finishing the game. We have to make plays.
On the challenge of going against a really good passing Western Kentucky team…
CW: I look forward to the challenge. For our guys, what a tremendous opportunity. The best passing team in the country. One of the best third down teams in the country. A seasoned quarterback. That group of receivers and that quarterback have been together for years, lighting the scoreboards up. For our guys, it's a tremendous challenge to go out there and to be able to execute.
Matthew Bedford | OL | Jr.
Evaluating the team after the first three games…
MB: Just focusing on communicating, keeping the communication going. I felt like last weekend we focused on communication all week and we communicated well. I just feel like we need to keep that going. In terms of improvements, I'd say that we need to work on executing what the coaches tell us to do. I feel like everything is in front of us, so practice this week, we are making the adjustment and changes we need to make.
On the moving to the interior…
MB: I feel like it was a great change. I feel like I am able to help this team more in terms of run blocking. I feel like I'm able to bring more to the run game. It makes it easier for me because I don't have to make as many calls as I did at tackle. I'm just executing the call and doing what the coaches need me to do. I feel like I enjoy it.
On confidence level of the team…
MB: Our confidence level is still at an all-time high. We know who we are. We know how we play, and we just need to focus on executing the way that we play. When we do that we make yards, we make touchdowns. We just need to keep our confidence at an all-time high. We need to keep each other together as a family and execute.
Peyton Hendershot | TE | Sr.-R
On being a captain and taking a leadership role…
PH: That's a big thing. Last year, I didn't really feel invested in the team and so it was kind of hard to go out there on Saturday's and give it my all. This year, I feel very invested in the team. I feel like I've built a lot of relationships with my brothers on the team. I feel like I've done the most by hanging out with the guys and getting to know them. I feel like that's a big part of me being a captain, but it's also just working so hard. I wanted to let everyone know that what I did last year wasn't going to happen again, so I did everything I could. I just built relationships with my teammates and that played a big part in my becoming a captain this year. It's the biggest thing ever. I cried when they told me that. Growing up you never thought you'd be the captain of a Big Ten football team, so I'm very honored and blessed and I'll do whatever I can for this team.
On buying in to the weight room…
PH: I think it was just the feeling after last year, feeling like I let the team down. I feel like I just didn't play to the standard that I should have last year. Whenever I got done with the season (last year), I just told myself every little opportunity I get this offseason, I'm going to do something to work and to make myself a better player. I didn't feel good. I wasn't happy about how I played last year, and I didn't want to have that feeling in my gut again at the end of this season.
Caleb Jones | OL | Sr.-R
On what to expect from Western Kentucky…
CJ: Western Kentucky is a really good defensive team. They've got a lot of guys returning, a lot of older guys. The strong point I would say is their defensive line. They've got a lot of returning guys that have a lot of games played. Besides that, we're going to go out there, execute our game plan and the scheme to the best of our ability.
Evaluation of offensive line…
CJ: I think Matt [Bedford] touched on it. I think it's the consistency. I think a lot of people who have watched our games have seen us do a lot of things well and have also seen us do a lot of things that aren't up to standard. I think that's going to be the biggest thing for the rest of the season, just continuing to be consistent and making sure everyone in our room, everyone that touches the field as an offensive lineman for Indiana University, meets the standard that we need them to meet.
On relationship with Matthew Bedford…
CJ: It always been a lot of fun having Matt on the line. Even though he's two years younger than me, we've played the same amount of games. So, in terms of me being out there and getting a feel for the game, he's kind of always been by my side to a certain extent. We've worked our way through all of our struggles. Having him right next to me definitely helps me because I feel very comfortable having someone that I'm very close to next to me. The communication between us, even though it's good now, it needs to continue to improve as the season goes on so that we can be as dominate as it needs to be.
Raheem Layne| DB | Sr.+
On overcoming adversity…
RL: We just have to play the full 60 minutes. I feel like we showed great things out there on film for 50 minutes. We just had a couple plays here and a couple plays there that the Hoosiers beat the Hoosiers. We can't have that as a defense.
On transition from corner to safety…
RL: The transition has been pretty smooth because the coaching staff did a really good job of making sure we are prepared from week-to-week. Just being out there on Saturday's, it just feels natural back there. I like just being able to come down and make tackles. I have fun and I feel the transition was very smooth.
Looking ahead at Western Kentucky…
RL: It's a very important game because it's the next game, but they do a lot of good things in the passing game. We just have to do a good job as a defense in keeping the ball in front of us and just going out there and executing our game plan. We will do a good job doing that on Saturday.
Micah McFadden | LB | Sr.
On Western Kentucky's offense…
MM: A really good offense that's a big pass threat. They're looking to take shots and threaten you down the field, so we definitely have to be on point on the back end and communicate and be on the same page so we can cover them over the top.
On what changes need to be made defensively for this weekend…
MM: I think part of [the Cincinnati game] was just the momentum swing. That penalty got them a first down that they hadn't had for a while. They kind of started to hit it on some plays and get in the groove, but I think defensively we played pretty well for that first half and even in the second half. We did some really good things. I think some guys just have to lock in and focus on their job and just keep communicating. We can't get down when something like that happens. There are 11 guys on the field and one player doesn't make the team. Guys have to step up and make their play when it comes to them.
Mood of the team after opening the season 1-2…
MM: Definitely not where we expected to be, but we know that all of our goals for this season are still out in front of us. I think the guys are ready to attack and get this win at Western Kentucky and continue on to Big Ten play. I think we are just focused on the next game as it is every week. I think that's all we can control. As tough as this start is, how cool would it be for the Indiana Hoosiers to turn around their season and come back even stronger because of it.
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
On evaluating Penix's performance thus far…
NS: Little bit inconsistent obviously, the completion percentage wasn't what we want to be. I thought there were some spectacular plays that Mike made, but I thought he pressed and turned the ball over. That's basically what happened. I thought he made some phenomenal plays, but we need to be more efficient.
On what he likes about Peyton Hendershot's play this season…
NS: I think he just had an awesome offseason. He prepares really hard; he practices really hard. So, it's no surprise that he's playing well. And I thought he played tough. He's been reliable catching the football, he's had some run after catch.
Charlton Warren | Defensive Coordinator
On losing Micah McFadden and how he adjusted…
CW: Not really any adjustments. We have a lot of capable guys on our defense. Everything we do is about concepts of defense. We don't have a play designed for one player. The defense is designed for the guys to make the plays based on what happens with the offense. For our guys, it was the next man up [mentality]. We have a lot of experienced football players and what we need is guys to make plays. Period. We hated to lose Micah in that situation, for sure. He brings a lot of leadership, juice, and energy to our defense, there's no discounting him at all. But, that's no reason or excuse for us not performing the way we need to perform on defense or finishing the game. We have to make plays.
On the challenge of going against a really good passing Western Kentucky team…
CW: I look forward to the challenge. For our guys, what a tremendous opportunity. The best passing team in the country. One of the best third down teams in the country. A seasoned quarterback. That group of receivers and that quarterback have been together for years, lighting the scoreboards up. For our guys, it's a tremendous challenge to go out there and to be able to execute.
Matthew Bedford | OL | Jr.
Evaluating the team after the first three games…
MB: Just focusing on communicating, keeping the communication going. I felt like last weekend we focused on communication all week and we communicated well. I just feel like we need to keep that going. In terms of improvements, I'd say that we need to work on executing what the coaches tell us to do. I feel like everything is in front of us, so practice this week, we are making the adjustment and changes we need to make.
On the moving to the interior…
MB: I feel like it was a great change. I feel like I am able to help this team more in terms of run blocking. I feel like I'm able to bring more to the run game. It makes it easier for me because I don't have to make as many calls as I did at tackle. I'm just executing the call and doing what the coaches need me to do. I feel like I enjoy it.
On confidence level of the team…
MB: Our confidence level is still at an all-time high. We know who we are. We know how we play, and we just need to focus on executing the way that we play. When we do that we make yards, we make touchdowns. We just need to keep our confidence at an all-time high. We need to keep each other together as a family and execute.
Peyton Hendershot | TE | Sr.-R
On being a captain and taking a leadership role…
PH: That's a big thing. Last year, I didn't really feel invested in the team and so it was kind of hard to go out there on Saturday's and give it my all. This year, I feel very invested in the team. I feel like I've built a lot of relationships with my brothers on the team. I feel like I've done the most by hanging out with the guys and getting to know them. I feel like that's a big part of me being a captain, but it's also just working so hard. I wanted to let everyone know that what I did last year wasn't going to happen again, so I did everything I could. I just built relationships with my teammates and that played a big part in my becoming a captain this year. It's the biggest thing ever. I cried when they told me that. Growing up you never thought you'd be the captain of a Big Ten football team, so I'm very honored and blessed and I'll do whatever I can for this team.
On buying in to the weight room…
PH: I think it was just the feeling after last year, feeling like I let the team down. I feel like I just didn't play to the standard that I should have last year. Whenever I got done with the season (last year), I just told myself every little opportunity I get this offseason, I'm going to do something to work and to make myself a better player. I didn't feel good. I wasn't happy about how I played last year, and I didn't want to have that feeling in my gut again at the end of this season.
Caleb Jones | OL | Sr.-R
On what to expect from Western Kentucky…
CJ: Western Kentucky is a really good defensive team. They've got a lot of guys returning, a lot of older guys. The strong point I would say is their defensive line. They've got a lot of returning guys that have a lot of games played. Besides that, we're going to go out there, execute our game plan and the scheme to the best of our ability.
Evaluation of offensive line…
CJ: I think Matt [Bedford] touched on it. I think it's the consistency. I think a lot of people who have watched our games have seen us do a lot of things well and have also seen us do a lot of things that aren't up to standard. I think that's going to be the biggest thing for the rest of the season, just continuing to be consistent and making sure everyone in our room, everyone that touches the field as an offensive lineman for Indiana University, meets the standard that we need them to meet.
On relationship with Matthew Bedford…
CJ: It always been a lot of fun having Matt on the line. Even though he's two years younger than me, we've played the same amount of games. So, in terms of me being out there and getting a feel for the game, he's kind of always been by my side to a certain extent. We've worked our way through all of our struggles. Having him right next to me definitely helps me because I feel very comfortable having someone that I'm very close to next to me. The communication between us, even though it's good now, it needs to continue to improve as the season goes on so that we can be as dominate as it needs to be.
Raheem Layne| DB | Sr.+
On overcoming adversity…
RL: We just have to play the full 60 minutes. I feel like we showed great things out there on film for 50 minutes. We just had a couple plays here and a couple plays there that the Hoosiers beat the Hoosiers. We can't have that as a defense.
On transition from corner to safety…
RL: The transition has been pretty smooth because the coaching staff did a really good job of making sure we are prepared from week-to-week. Just being out there on Saturday's, it just feels natural back there. I like just being able to come down and make tackles. I have fun and I feel the transition was very smooth.
Looking ahead at Western Kentucky…
RL: It's a very important game because it's the next game, but they do a lot of good things in the passing game. We just have to do a good job as a defense in keeping the ball in front of us and just going out there and executing our game plan. We will do a good job doing that on Saturday.
Micah McFadden | LB | Sr.
On Western Kentucky's offense…
MM: A really good offense that's a big pass threat. They're looking to take shots and threaten you down the field, so we definitely have to be on point on the back end and communicate and be on the same page so we can cover them over the top.
On what changes need to be made defensively for this weekend…
MM: I think part of [the Cincinnati game] was just the momentum swing. That penalty got them a first down that they hadn't had for a while. They kind of started to hit it on some plays and get in the groove, but I think defensively we played pretty well for that first half and even in the second half. We did some really good things. I think some guys just have to lock in and focus on their job and just keep communicating. We can't get down when something like that happens. There are 11 guys on the field and one player doesn't make the team. Guys have to step up and make their play when it comes to them.
Mood of the team after opening the season 1-2…
MM: Definitely not where we expected to be, but we know that all of our goals for this season are still out in front of us. I think the guys are ready to attack and get this win at Western Kentucky and continue on to Big Ten play. I think we are just focused on the next game as it is every week. I think that's all we can control. As tough as this start is, how cool would it be for the Indiana Hoosiers to turn around their season and come back even stronger because of it.
Players Mentioned
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LB
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