Indiana University Athletics
Quoted: Kaelon Black, Justice Ellison & Ty Son Lawton
10/15/2024 7:00:00 PM | Football
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. –––– As Indiana Football's Week 8 matchup against Nebraska on Saturday (October 19) approaches, running backs Kaelon Black, Justice Ellison and Ty Son Lawton addressed the media inside the Don Croftcheck Football Team Room on Tuesday (October 15).
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.
Kaelon Black | RB | R-Jr.
On taking pride in the group success of the running backs...
KB: We all take pride in it. It's something that I've been used to for a while now in my college career. Being with such a great group of guys is very humbling and I'm very blessed to be a part of it.
On sharing the running back spotlight...
KB: I'm just grateful to be a part of this group. Everyone is having success together and it's very exciting to be a part of it. Like I said, it's something that I've been used to in the past, so I don't really mind it. As long as we're running and winning as a collective.
On the mental preparation of sharing carries with other running backs...
KB: The great thing about football is that there's other assets to the game like special teams and I feel like coach is doing a great job allowing me to be able to play special teams as well. Being able to play special teams while still playing running back, I'm just blessed to have the opportunity.
Justice Ellison | RB | Sr.+
On what to expect with Nebraska's defense and what to prepare for...
JE: Their defense is very powerful. They have great guys up front. They have great linebackers, as well. They do a really good job of swarming the football. I'm really excited to be able to go out there with our 11 guys and our locker room and be able to expose that. It doesn't matter who we play. As long as we focus on excelling at a high level.
On what has been the focus of work from last game...
JE: We need to be able to shut teams out and drive the ball downfield consistently. We definitely showed that last game as well but there were definitely sometimes where we were a little sluggish from certain drives.
On how important the bye week is when it comes to facing Nebraska...
JE: When you're on week five, you're thankful for these times. When I was a freshman, I always thought that it was taking too long until the next game, but now I'm enjoying the process of a bye week. I've been really trying to rest my mind and body. There's a lot of things that go into the game mentally as you get older, and this upcoming game has been a lot of mental preparation.
Ty Son Lawton | RB | R-Sr.+
On keeping the running back room on the same page...
TL: Staying consistent, knowing that we still got a goal. There's still people out there doubting us, you know, still think we're a fluke, we didn't play nobody. We just stay levelheaded, stay to ourselves, and you know just get the job done.
On being willing to share the spotlight in the running back room and the key ingredient in fueling the success in developing this characteristic…
TL: Yes, you know, definitely not be selfish. Definitely come out here every day and put your all into it. Cig (Curt Cignetti) is very big on that, just us coming out and practicing hard every single day, and we just get the job done. Well, coming in, we all knew that we'll rotate, and I feel like it definitely, probably does have to do with some character. We all were fine with it, we all trust each other to be out there on that field, so that's all that matters.
On what makes Coach Cignetti's philosophies work so well and quickly...
TL: Just his consistency, like he didn't change from JMU (James Madison University) or to here, he's been the same guy, you know, you need that. And just making sure everybody has the same goal and is on the same page.
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.
Kaelon Black | RB | R-Jr.
On taking pride in the group success of the running backs...
KB: We all take pride in it. It's something that I've been used to for a while now in my college career. Being with such a great group of guys is very humbling and I'm very blessed to be a part of it.
On sharing the running back spotlight...
KB: I'm just grateful to be a part of this group. Everyone is having success together and it's very exciting to be a part of it. Like I said, it's something that I've been used to in the past, so I don't really mind it. As long as we're running and winning as a collective.
On the mental preparation of sharing carries with other running backs...
KB: The great thing about football is that there's other assets to the game like special teams and I feel like coach is doing a great job allowing me to be able to play special teams as well. Being able to play special teams while still playing running back, I'm just blessed to have the opportunity.
Justice Ellison | RB | Sr.+
On what to expect with Nebraska's defense and what to prepare for...
JE: Their defense is very powerful. They have great guys up front. They have great linebackers, as well. They do a really good job of swarming the football. I'm really excited to be able to go out there with our 11 guys and our locker room and be able to expose that. It doesn't matter who we play. As long as we focus on excelling at a high level.
On what has been the focus of work from last game...
JE: We need to be able to shut teams out and drive the ball downfield consistently. We definitely showed that last game as well but there were definitely sometimes where we were a little sluggish from certain drives.
On how important the bye week is when it comes to facing Nebraska...
JE: When you're on week five, you're thankful for these times. When I was a freshman, I always thought that it was taking too long until the next game, but now I'm enjoying the process of a bye week. I've been really trying to rest my mind and body. There's a lot of things that go into the game mentally as you get older, and this upcoming game has been a lot of mental preparation.
Ty Son Lawton | RB | R-Sr.+
On keeping the running back room on the same page...
TL: Staying consistent, knowing that we still got a goal. There's still people out there doubting us, you know, still think we're a fluke, we didn't play nobody. We just stay levelheaded, stay to ourselves, and you know just get the job done.
On being willing to share the spotlight in the running back room and the key ingredient in fueling the success in developing this characteristic…
TL: Yes, you know, definitely not be selfish. Definitely come out here every day and put your all into it. Cig (Curt Cignetti) is very big on that, just us coming out and practicing hard every single day, and we just get the job done. Well, coming in, we all knew that we'll rotate, and I feel like it definitely, probably does have to do with some character. We all were fine with it, we all trust each other to be out there on that field, so that's all that matters.
On what makes Coach Cignetti's philosophies work so well and quickly...
TL: Just his consistency, like he didn't change from JMU (James Madison University) or to here, he's been the same guy, you know, you need that. And just making sure everybody has the same goal and is on the same page.
#NeverDaunted
Players Mentioned
Thursday, August 13
Thursday, August 13
Tuesday, August 11
Tuesday, August 11