Indiana University Athletics
Quoted: Fall Camp Edition - Offensive Line
8/2/2023 3:00:00 PM | Football
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – After day one of fall camp, run game coordinator/offensive line coach Bob Bostad and select offensive linemen addressed the media inside Memorial Stadium on Wednesday (August 2).
Below is a partial transcript of the press conference, while video of the media sessions can be found on the right sidebar at IUHoosiers.com.
Bob Bostad | Offensive Line
On the progress of Matthew Bedford since his injury last season…
BB: It's good to have him back. I never worked with him in the past, but it's just really good to have him out there. I think he's getting into it. Today was a good day to get it going. I like what I see so far.
On how the foundation of the spring has helped this fall…
BB: I think we had a good spring, and I do think that guys did a good job of retaining some information just based on today's practice. These guys have been here and have been doing a lot all summer with the new rules. There's a lot of player-led things that they're able to keep it alive. So, we were able to install a lot today and I saw some good retention.
On the development of the younger guys on the roster to fit into the rotation…
BB: It's going to be really hard for a true freshman to step in. Redshirt freshmen, we've got some guys that need to keep coming along. A couple of guys that I think have moved along. Bray Lynch and Carter Smith. Those are young guys that are going to be playing for us a lot that need to come along. Then there's some other guys that need to keep working. It's going to be a long camp and they're going to get their reps and get their work.
Matthew Bedford | R-Sr. | OL
On if he saw a lot of retention from spring ball to fall camp in the offensive line room...
MB: It was a great first day. You can tell everybody in the meeting was following along and had questions about things that they had been thinking about themselves at home. [You can tell] Guys have been watching film and getting into the playbook and trying to get ahead of the practice. I saw the majority of the group - not just the starters - the second-string, the third-string, those guys that are going to see time this [on the field[.
On his return to full activities after missing last season due to injury...
MB: It was amazing [to be back on the field]. I've been itching to get back out there and trying to get back home on the field. Being next to Kahlil [Benson] again, seeing my guys and being comfortable and understanding the mission. I just tried to have a high attention to drill work, high attention to detail, making it look crisp and putting the fine note details on those things. It felt so great to be back out there. I feel like I am actually moving again.
Kahlil Benson | R-Jr. | OL
On Coach Bostad's detailed approach to the game…
KB: He enforces it. If you're not on board, you're going to fall behind. It pushes us to want to be great. So, you follow your teammates, so you have people encouraging you to do more and more. I think that he pushes it in a way so you can understand it, but you have to work on it your own as well because if you don't you won't get it. The details matter, small things matter. Small things lead to big things.
On how he feels going into this season compared to last…
KB: I feel very motivated. I think I'm way ahead of my game compared to where I was last year. In 2020 I was injured, and in 2021 I redshirted again, and then last year was a big eye-opener for me. Last year was very exciting to get a taste of what college football is like. I think that I've improved so much in my technique since then so I think this year will be a big year.
Mike Katic | R-Sr. | OL
On what makes Bob Bostad such a good offensive line coach…
MK: I would say, just the experience he has. He coached at Wisconsin for a long time. He coached in the NFL for years, so I think he has seen so many different guys respond to his coaching. I think the way he brings it in and explains it; he knows it has worked for him in the past and it is going to work for us.
Like Matt [Bedford] and Kahlil [Benson] were saying, his details and everything [he talks to us about], you can tell he is just so smart about offensive line play and he has so much knowledge. We kind of just sit back, listen, and take notes. Everything he says, we listen to and follow it.
On guys asking questions in meetings...
MK: Yeah, it's very important that guys have questions [in meetings], because other guys in the room probably have the same question. When guys [are asking questions in meetings] it shows that they are very focused and locked in.
When we have questions, he [Coach Bostad] answers them very well and that helps us understand things better. He has an advanced understanding of what he wants from us, but sometimes it takes us a little bit to get on the level he wants us. The way he teaches and communicates with us is really good.
Max Longman | R-Sr. | OL
On his ease of transition from UMass to Indiana…
ML: Me and Coach (Walt) Bell have been together for a few years now. I'd say the biggest thing that helps now is just knowing the offense right away. I could also come in help and teach the other guys who maybe are stepping into more of a playing role this year.
On where he feels strongest on the line…
ML: Any of the five. I've played left tackle the last two years, right guard the year before that. So, inside and out, I'm comfortable. I've kicked right, left and can be anywhere.
Below is a partial transcript of the press conference, while video of the media sessions can be found on the right sidebar at IUHoosiers.com.
Bob Bostad | Offensive Line
On the progress of Matthew Bedford since his injury last season…
BB: It's good to have him back. I never worked with him in the past, but it's just really good to have him out there. I think he's getting into it. Today was a good day to get it going. I like what I see so far.
On how the foundation of the spring has helped this fall…
BB: I think we had a good spring, and I do think that guys did a good job of retaining some information just based on today's practice. These guys have been here and have been doing a lot all summer with the new rules. There's a lot of player-led things that they're able to keep it alive. So, we were able to install a lot today and I saw some good retention.
On the development of the younger guys on the roster to fit into the rotation…
BB: It's going to be really hard for a true freshman to step in. Redshirt freshmen, we've got some guys that need to keep coming along. A couple of guys that I think have moved along. Bray Lynch and Carter Smith. Those are young guys that are going to be playing for us a lot that need to come along. Then there's some other guys that need to keep working. It's going to be a long camp and they're going to get their reps and get their work.
Matthew Bedford | R-Sr. | OL
On if he saw a lot of retention from spring ball to fall camp in the offensive line room...
MB: It was a great first day. You can tell everybody in the meeting was following along and had questions about things that they had been thinking about themselves at home. [You can tell] Guys have been watching film and getting into the playbook and trying to get ahead of the practice. I saw the majority of the group - not just the starters - the second-string, the third-string, those guys that are going to see time this [on the field[.
On his return to full activities after missing last season due to injury...
MB: It was amazing [to be back on the field]. I've been itching to get back out there and trying to get back home on the field. Being next to Kahlil [Benson] again, seeing my guys and being comfortable and understanding the mission. I just tried to have a high attention to drill work, high attention to detail, making it look crisp and putting the fine note details on those things. It felt so great to be back out there. I feel like I am actually moving again.
Kahlil Benson | R-Jr. | OL
On Coach Bostad's detailed approach to the game…
KB: He enforces it. If you're not on board, you're going to fall behind. It pushes us to want to be great. So, you follow your teammates, so you have people encouraging you to do more and more. I think that he pushes it in a way so you can understand it, but you have to work on it your own as well because if you don't you won't get it. The details matter, small things matter. Small things lead to big things.
On how he feels going into this season compared to last…
KB: I feel very motivated. I think I'm way ahead of my game compared to where I was last year. In 2020 I was injured, and in 2021 I redshirted again, and then last year was a big eye-opener for me. Last year was very exciting to get a taste of what college football is like. I think that I've improved so much in my technique since then so I think this year will be a big year.
Mike Katic | R-Sr. | OL
On what makes Bob Bostad such a good offensive line coach…
MK: I would say, just the experience he has. He coached at Wisconsin for a long time. He coached in the NFL for years, so I think he has seen so many different guys respond to his coaching. I think the way he brings it in and explains it; he knows it has worked for him in the past and it is going to work for us.
Like Matt [Bedford] and Kahlil [Benson] were saying, his details and everything [he talks to us about], you can tell he is just so smart about offensive line play and he has so much knowledge. We kind of just sit back, listen, and take notes. Everything he says, we listen to and follow it.
On guys asking questions in meetings...
MK: Yeah, it's very important that guys have questions [in meetings], because other guys in the room probably have the same question. When guys [are asking questions in meetings] it shows that they are very focused and locked in.
When we have questions, he [Coach Bostad] answers them very well and that helps us understand things better. He has an advanced understanding of what he wants from us, but sometimes it takes us a little bit to get on the level he wants us. The way he teaches and communicates with us is really good.
Max Longman | R-Sr. | OL
On his ease of transition from UMass to Indiana…
ML: Me and Coach (Walt) Bell have been together for a few years now. I'd say the biggest thing that helps now is just knowing the offense right away. I could also come in help and teach the other guys who maybe are stepping into more of a playing role this year.
On where he feels strongest on the line…
ML: Any of the five. I've played left tackle the last two years, right guard the year before that. So, inside and out, I'm comfortable. I've kicked right, left and can be anywhere.
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