Indiana University Athletics
Quoted: Offense
12/17/2024 8:00:00 PM | Football
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. –––– As No. 10 Indiana Football's first round College Football Playoff matchup at No. 7-seed Notre Dame on Friday (December 20) approaches, Kurtis Rourke, Elijah Sarratt, Justice Ellison and Zach Horton addressed the media inside the Don Croftcheck Football Team Room on Tuesday (December 17).
Below is a full transcript of the press conference, while video of the media sessions can be found on the right sidebar at IUHoosiers.com.
Kurtis Rourke | QB | R-Sr.+
On Coach Shanahan's play calling…
KR: I think it depends on the strengths of the offense and, you know, what -- how we can attack him best that week.
I really like Coach Shanahan's mindset and the way he approaches different plays and, you know, one of the reasons why I wanted to come here in the first place, and so definitely the way that he calls plays and our red zone success is attributed to that. Coach has definitely played a big part in that.
On the expectations throughout the season…
KR: I would say kind of the first, second week of fall camp, honestly. We had a lot of new pieces in the spring, so trying to understand the offense and trying to understand the way everything works and understand the players around each other and stuff.
So, it was tough in the spring a couple times with just getting time and chemistry and all of that, and then progressing through the summer and get to go fall camp, we hit stride and we're playing against one of the best defenses in the league, and we knew that, they were going to be really good this year.
And so when we started to move ball on them and make some plays, I think that built confidence in ourselves knowing that we can execute at such a high level against a really good defense.
And so that just continued on, and as the season went on we just really built confidence every week.
On playing in the snow…
KR: I actually never played in snow, like when it was actually snowing. I definitely played in some cold games in my college career. Played at Buffalo last year. That was not fun. I always try to keep the mindset of not letting the environment affect me and going out and execute and playing.
If I feel comfortable enough in what I'm wearing, there shouldn't be any issue in everything moving forward. I thought Purdue was a really awesome environment, having the snow fall down in the stadium. That was pretty cool. Snow games are pretty fun itself. Looking forward to it if that's the case.
On balancing soaking in the moment in his last ride and staying locked in…
KURTIS ROURKE: Answering your question, I really have cherished this year, cherished all my years in college. Just knowing this could be the last possible college game definitely comes to my mind but also I'm taking it as a positive and motivating, that it's one more chance to have a great opportunity to play with the guys and this team that's been so successful.
Just really using it to motivate me even more than I already have to go out there, have fun, enjoy it. We'll talk about my last college game in four games.
On the buzz around the Indiana-Notre Dame matchup…
KR: I think so. This game comes with a lot of things, in-state rival, and being the first game of the Playoff. Those things combined create a lot of buzz and excitement both inside the building and outside. I know we are excited to get ready and going.
On what makes the offense effective…
KR: Yeah, I think this offense really excels because we have so many different options. We're very versatile. We've got a lot of different playmakers that we can just give the ball to in play and be able to rotate in for more playmakers.
One of the deepest offenses in the country and guys that are always fresh and always ready to go, and it's just my job to throw and give the ball.
And so I think that's one of the big reasons why this offense is so successful.
And then I know in Purdue, I had a couple opportunities to change the play, just kind of completely wipe it. But for the most part, pretty confident that we have answers against any coverage, any look, based on the play that's called.
On working on pre-snap reads and callouts…
KR: For sure. We've worked on a lot of ditch blitz looks, basically everything they have done this year, and we'll be very prepared to handle anything that they throw at us.
On Zach Horton's importance…
KR: Yeah, he's awesome. He's one of those guys that will give 110 percent every single game, every single play. He works harder than anybody I know. I remember watching him when I first got here when he was at JMU and just wanting to play with a guy like that because he's definitely some would say undersized for a tight end but he makes his presence known for sure and everyone on this team just really wants to play for him and be on same team. He's just a fun guy to be around outside, off the field, as well.
On the similarities between Ohio State and Notre Dame and approach…
KR: I think Notre Dame is a very talented team and Ohio State is also very talented and they do a lot of good things and have been able to make some plays on defense and turn the ball over, or turn other teams over. It's been tough for some offenses to move the ball and that's similar in what they do.
I think we left some things out there at Ohio State, and things that have been corrected, and so going into Notre Dame, we're really just looking forward to executing at our level and the way that we know how to.
On representing Canada in his career…
KR: Football in Canada is definitely rising but it's been hard to get exposure coming out of high school. So very lucky that my brother was excelling at Ohio already, so I had a foot in the door already and just an opportunity to show what I can do.
But obviously growing up in Canada, playing the Canadian football rules and all that stuff, so that was a lot of fun.
Just being able to be a Canadian player and knowing that I'm able to motivate and help the younger generation in showing that you can make it to different levels and that you can excel at different levels, I'm glad to be that part and hopefully I can be a good role model to a lot of aspiring Canadians, as well.
Just going off of that, just really blessed and honored and thankful just to be in the conversation and be in the Top-10 in the Heisman. A year ago, around this time, I committed to come here, and I never would have thought that I could be in the Top-10, and so that's just -- it means a ton. It's a tribute to everything, the coaches and the players around me to help me get to that point, get to this point, and just ready to continue this journey on.
On the perspective looking back…
KR: Yeah, you know, going back to a year ago and deciding to see what was out there in the transfer portal and then deciding if I wanted to do that or go to the draft and kind of just bet on myself in that way, you know, looking back, I'm glad I made the decision to come here.
But it just showed me and put into perspective how amazing God is and that His plan always turns out for good in the end, no matter what it is.
So just trusting Him no matter what, and that whatever happens this week, that, you know, I gave it my all and I play for His glory and all and just be grateful that I'm able to be playing a sixth year at Indiana against Notre Dame.
Yeah, just very grateful.
Elijah Sarratt | WR | Jr.
On his journey to this point…
ES: Yeah, honestly, I haven't really -- I haven't thought about it much. But you saying that, it is pretty special to be here right now.
I came from a school with less than 5,000 kids to playing in the College Football Playoff. So can't do nothing but thank God for where I'm at here right now honestly.
On what has made this season so successful for him…
ES: Just putting in the work every single day, off-season workouts, when we go out by ourselves, me working out, taking care of my body, all of that. Just putting a lot into this stuff every single day, clocking in and out. That's what I can attribute it to.
On his impressions of Notre Dame's secondary…
ES: Yeah, they are a great defense from D-Line all the way to the back end. Coached well. They are ranked for a reason. They are in this College Football Playoffs for a reason. They run a lot of man, so keys for us is winning our one-on-ones when we get a chance, and whenever the quarterback throws the ball, just going up and making a play and going from there.
On what makes D'Angelo Ponds a special corner…
ES: I say to this day, he's the best corner I went against since I stepped foot in college. No disrespect to anyone else, but that's just how good of a player D-Lo is. He's twitchy and he knows the game, and I could see him playing on Sundays in a couple years for sure.
On attacking Notre Dame's single coverage…
ES: Yeah, they have younger corners but they play with a lot of confidence. They're coached well. They have great technique and changing up what I'm giving them each play, changing up my releases and just making plays, really.
I'm going to have my chances to make my plays and just got to do it when it happens, you know.
On his thoughts on Kurtis Rourke…
ES: Puts his time in. He's a vet. Played a lot of football. His brother is a quarterback in the league. From a football family and he really just puts his time in every single day. He has a great coach behind him telling him what to do. Loves the game. Tells me what I'm doing right. Tells me what I'm doing wrong. He's a good leader out there, and I wouldn't want anyone else being my quarterback.
On when things clicked in fall camp…
ES: Things, the process of things were starting to get better. Little stuff that we were messing up in the beginning we were finally getting our timing down on routes, timing down on blocking and run game and everyone just started to gel, and it really took off from there.
Of course, we were kind of slow in our first game but made some adjustments and we were on from there.
On the chemistry between him and Kurtis Rourke…
ES: It took a while to connect on some deep routes. Honestly, it was like the first deep route we connected on we were like, okay, this is how it's supposed to be, and it clicked from there.
Took a lot of reps after practice. We got work in after practice and those built in overtime and a lot of stuff starts to seed in, you know.
On what he learned from playing in the snow against Purdue…
ES: I mean, practice-wise, you can't really prepare for it. Cold is cold regardless. I have a couple tricks, Vasoline maybe, look a little shiny out there. But the heated benches, they help out a lot. You can't really do much. It's mind over matter at that point. Just got to go out there and play some football.
On the excitement of the Indiana-Notre Dame matchup…
ES: Yeah, I see it every day. I have to get off Twitter. I see it a little too much. I see the importance to everyone who is involved with both programs and I'm as excited to be able to play in this game. Who knows next time we're going to be able to play? I just want to go out there and compete for the fans and do my best, you know.
On if he had a vision for this type of season…
ES: Definitely receiver-wise and team. I personally, I had 2024 goals, football goals, and that was one of my goals. It's like hanging up kind of on my locker so I see it damn near every single day -- sorry, excuse my language. I'm sorry.
That was a goal we set. You don't really think about it throughout the season because you go week-by-week trying to compete and win games, and you know, we're not really treating it any different. You know, treating this game just like any other game. Going to try to go out there and put the work in and do our thing, you know.
On this team playing with a chip on its shoulder…
ES: We know we're supposed to be here. We know we belong. But we're always going to have that chip. We remember what everyone was saying during the season and remember what everyone is saying now.
We're all we need. We going to go down there, just focus on us and try to handle business, you know.
On the kind of belief this team has had throughout the season…
JE: Without a doubt. We had a scrimmage in the summertime, and the offense, we kind of like -- that was our second scrimmage going into the season and we didn't look too great.
And so we had an offensive meeting, just players, and you know, that was a moment that I knew that we were going to be a very talented team. I knew that we were going to be a team that had fought through a lot of adversity and be really resilient.
So we had a team meeting and we let everybody know, hey, I believe in you, you believe in me, and we can do it together. We don't need the media and everyone else to believe is us, but we believe in each other.
That moment right there, me and a few other guys, we led the meeting and we locked the doors. We had a heart to heart and we went around the room, explained to each other what do we want to get out of this season? Why are we here? Why come to Indiana?
So we had that in the back of our mind every time se step on that field.
On that meeting…
JE: It was in here actually. We cut off this part and this was this side, the offense side.
On what the last couple weeks have been like…
JE: It's been amazing for me. I've been dreaming of this moment since a little boy and my mom and dad always told me take advantage of every opportunity, be thankful for everything you have and cherish the moment, whether it's an interview, whether it's a run, whether talking to the team or I'm in the film room or even getting treatment.
Just me accepting and taking it all in. You can't play football forever. I've just been enjoying it, and that's the reason why I came here. I came here for this. I came here to win. I came here for the playoffs. I came here to do it with guys that I haven't done a lot of football with.
I'm just thankful and that's the overall message.
On the Indiana-Notre Dame matchup…
JE: It's amazing. Best of Indiana. When they made that selection, I was on the phone with my mom and Dad and they told me who we were playing. I was excited. I was so excited. It's an opportunity. Our best against their best.
They are ranked; we're ranked. They have a great program and we have a great program.
Just to be able to duke it out at and compete a high level, that's something traditional and I'm excited. Hopefully we can make this a great rivalry and we play them every year.
On preparing for Notre Dame's pressure…
JE: It's just about technique and trusting your eyes, you know. You play on the road it's a little tough because a lot of times, one, they are able to jump the snap count. They are able to do different things that kind of throw the offense off.
We have been doing a really good job as just the running backs of just who do we have to block? What's our assignment? Communicating the with O-Line. Because at the end of the day we have to be on the same page as them.
When you are both on the same page, after that, it's about technique and your athletic ability to take over. For us bits being focused. You're going to have mistakes. I knew that was going to happen. We're going to hit some adversity down the road. I knew that was going to happen.
We're going to do everything that we can do and I know we're going to execute come Friday.
On faith and confidence…
JE: It's amazing. Being an older guy, I've always challenged myself, coming into this year, to make sure -- I'm going to let people know that, hey, man, you've got to believe in something that you cannot see. You know, when you're able to have that mindset it doesn't matter what anybody else telling you you can't do.
There's a lot of people who have a lot of careers and they have gone and done a lot of wonderful things in the world and that's because they believed in themselves first. I've been trying to harp on all the guys like maybe we haven't had a great play, maybe we haven't had a great series, but we have to stay in the middle, can't get too high, can't get too low, and continue to be playing.
That's been my motto and my mindset, and I'm going it continue encouraging the guys whether we up 74-4 or it's a tie game 13-13 at the half.
On the running back room's growth…
JE: I would say attention to detail. Coach John Miller, he's been telling us it's great to look at the good things you do, but really think about the things that you could do better. There's always things you can critique in your game.
That's what makes us I would say professionals in a way. We are always trying to grow. Everybody has something to work on, no matter how great of a game you had the day before or maybe how bad of a game you had. It's attention to detail and guys are hungry to get better. You're seeing it week-in and week-out, you know what I mean. So that's why the running backs are able to show up every single week.
On the last time he faced Notre Dame when at Wake Forest…
JE: I would say when we played them last year, it was -- I soaked it all in. It was an historical game as well. Wake Forest was playing -- Sam Hartman was playing his old school, Wake Forest. Being in the atmosphere with a packed crowd, I think it was one of the largest crowds they had had in a really long time when we played them.
I took it all in. I was thankful. We went out there and was pretty much tied for are the majority of the game and they ended up stretching out the lead so it happened. I knew I was going to come back. I knew I was going to come back and get another shot at it. To see it all full circle I think is amazing.
On the success of Coach Cignetti and what stands out…
JE: Definitely. I was telling somebody the other day, he's taught me how to be a man. You know, be the same guy every single day. A lot of people want to work with you. A lot of people want to have you in the head of their offense. A lot of people want to look up because you come off the evident single day the same guy, who wouldn't want be with that guy. Same guy, no matter positive or negative that you had the day before.
You know, accomplishing the great moments and also be being able to add on to the adversities. He's a guy that I watch all the time and I kind of see how he handles when we do well and we don't do well. Coach Cignetti has taught me so much in one year. I wanted him to be my coach back in high school but I ended up taking my time to Wake Forest. But now it's full circle. I'm thankful to be at a place with Coach Cignetti for sure.
On elevating the brand…
JE: Definitely. The history has been made already but we have much more to do. When I first got here I wanted to leave a legacy, you know, be a part of something bigger than me and we're doing it as a team. You know, it's not me but it's the team and I'm so excited and happy to do more. People kind of say, like, oh, don't you get warm fuzzies a little bit that you've done a little bit. But we are staying focused in the moment. I have plenty of time down the road to look back on what we've done. But right now, it's time to lock in and stay focused. Yeah, it's been great.
On protecting the ball…
JE: It's pretty much your details, squeezing the football, protecting the quarterback. You keep up -- that's going to eliminate those turnovers. As a running back, you know, not even just the running back but the whole team, the whole program, you might have some issues here and there.
But you know, you've got to be able to squeeze the ball and be able to run hard at the same time and have low pads. All those details go into the play about protecting the football. They are a team that wins off turnovers. We go in there on Friday and take care of that, I know that we are not going to have any trouble down the road.
So I'm excited for the opportunity. I know the guys are, too. Focus on those details and we'll be able to come out on top.
On the revamped red zone offense…
ZH: From last year, JMU compared to this year, I would say it's getting -- I think we're more aggressive. I just see ourselves going for it more on fourth downs compared to last year. Definitely see us being more physical this year compared to last year. That's really about it. Calling the same things. Seen everything since then.
On the ambition and belief of this team…
ZH:It was pretty early for me, because I have a full belief in Coach Cig and the staff and everything they do. So just following them from JMU to IU, I knew from the get-go that whatever we do is going to be special. I knew that we were not going to be far behind or there would be much catching up that we needed to do.
I know Cig is going to get the people that he wants and he's going to run a tight business and everybody is going to follow along. He's going to get everybody to buy in and do everything that a coach could do. I knew from the spring when I got here we were going to do something special and they were going to see something they have never seen before.
On being a blood and guys type guy…
ZH: I've been playing the same way since I've been able to play. I would just say it came from, I guess, my family. I mean, how I was raised everything and I was taught. Just playing backyard football with my brother and the guys and always just taught to be tough. You know, you're representing a lot, not just you, but other people, so be careful what you do and just always play hard and smart.
On how rewarding this season has been…
ZH: It's been pretty fun and rewarding. Like you said, transferred high schools and transferred to college and was under-recruited from high school. For me to be able to be on this stage and my senior year to be playing for the College Football Playoffs, it's such a special thing to be a part of. It's truly been a blessing and I'll never take it for granted.
On what make Kurtis Rourke so good…
ZH: I see him always being calm. He's always calm, and he's always learning from his mistakes, and he takes coaching really well. That's what I notice when he's on the field.
He's a great guy, too. He's just a good leader all around. He's always encouraging us. Always picking up the energy. Yeah, he makes a lot of plays for us but even when he's out on the field he does a lot for us and he's always keeping us confident and being a great leader.
On how special it will be to play in the College Football Playoff with your family in the stands…
ZH: I mean, they have -- they haven't missed a game since this whole beginning of the season, and even when I was at JMU. I'm grateful for them. I'm glad that they are still healthy and be able to move like they are still be able to travel. For them to travel to Notre Dame and play at Touchdown Jesus, it's a special thing. For my parents to be there for the whole season means a lot to me.
On to play with his James Madison teammates through this journey…
ZH: That's what our whole team does. We just all make each other better. I mean, it's hard to block our defense, and I hope -- and I tell them, I hope I make you better by me trying to block them.
That's what we're all preaching since the beginning of season, trying to make each other better. Just go out there Friday and try to play to the best of our ability.
On emphasizing ball security….
ZH: Just got to keep in mind have a good tuck on the ball. We've been doing the same thing since the beginning of the season and since the whole season started, just really preaching it. Just making sure we have good ball security whenever we have the ball. Just be careful with the ball. Just basically doing the same thing, I would say.
On motivation to show people the team they really are…
ZH: Yeah, that we can play in these situations and that we can play in these type of games. Watching the Ohio State game that wasn't us. We felt like we have a lot to prove and that we are ready for these big-time games and that we can play no matter where we are at, and we can really stay confident.
On what has prepared him for this moment…
ZH: To keep everything the same. Just being, you know, fast, physical, relentless, and sticking to our brand of ball and just doing what we do best. Just sticking to the small things.
On the family and brotherhood this team has….
ZH: Just like any team if you're really tight with your teammates you're going to be there for each other. That's really what we've been this whole year. It's hard for teams that bring in a lot of transfers, but within minutes and moments in practices, we all connected as one. It's huge for games like this knowing we have each other's backs regardless and that we'll always be there for each other.
Below is a full transcript of the press conference, while video of the media sessions can be found on the right sidebar at IUHoosiers.com.
Kurtis Rourke | QB | R-Sr.+
On Coach Shanahan's play calling…
KR: I think it depends on the strengths of the offense and, you know, what -- how we can attack him best that week.
I really like Coach Shanahan's mindset and the way he approaches different plays and, you know, one of the reasons why I wanted to come here in the first place, and so definitely the way that he calls plays and our red zone success is attributed to that. Coach has definitely played a big part in that.
On the expectations throughout the season…
KR: I would say kind of the first, second week of fall camp, honestly. We had a lot of new pieces in the spring, so trying to understand the offense and trying to understand the way everything works and understand the players around each other and stuff.
So, it was tough in the spring a couple times with just getting time and chemistry and all of that, and then progressing through the summer and get to go fall camp, we hit stride and we're playing against one of the best defenses in the league, and we knew that, they were going to be really good this year.
And so when we started to move ball on them and make some plays, I think that built confidence in ourselves knowing that we can execute at such a high level against a really good defense.
And so that just continued on, and as the season went on we just really built confidence every week.
On playing in the snow…
KR: I actually never played in snow, like when it was actually snowing. I definitely played in some cold games in my college career. Played at Buffalo last year. That was not fun. I always try to keep the mindset of not letting the environment affect me and going out and execute and playing.
If I feel comfortable enough in what I'm wearing, there shouldn't be any issue in everything moving forward. I thought Purdue was a really awesome environment, having the snow fall down in the stadium. That was pretty cool. Snow games are pretty fun itself. Looking forward to it if that's the case.
On balancing soaking in the moment in his last ride and staying locked in…
KURTIS ROURKE: Answering your question, I really have cherished this year, cherished all my years in college. Just knowing this could be the last possible college game definitely comes to my mind but also I'm taking it as a positive and motivating, that it's one more chance to have a great opportunity to play with the guys and this team that's been so successful.
Just really using it to motivate me even more than I already have to go out there, have fun, enjoy it. We'll talk about my last college game in four games.
On the buzz around the Indiana-Notre Dame matchup…
KR: I think so. This game comes with a lot of things, in-state rival, and being the first game of the Playoff. Those things combined create a lot of buzz and excitement both inside the building and outside. I know we are excited to get ready and going.
On what makes the offense effective…
KR: Yeah, I think this offense really excels because we have so many different options. We're very versatile. We've got a lot of different playmakers that we can just give the ball to in play and be able to rotate in for more playmakers.
One of the deepest offenses in the country and guys that are always fresh and always ready to go, and it's just my job to throw and give the ball.
And so I think that's one of the big reasons why this offense is so successful.
And then I know in Purdue, I had a couple opportunities to change the play, just kind of completely wipe it. But for the most part, pretty confident that we have answers against any coverage, any look, based on the play that's called.
On working on pre-snap reads and callouts…
KR: For sure. We've worked on a lot of ditch blitz looks, basically everything they have done this year, and we'll be very prepared to handle anything that they throw at us.
On Zach Horton's importance…
KR: Yeah, he's awesome. He's one of those guys that will give 110 percent every single game, every single play. He works harder than anybody I know. I remember watching him when I first got here when he was at JMU and just wanting to play with a guy like that because he's definitely some would say undersized for a tight end but he makes his presence known for sure and everyone on this team just really wants to play for him and be on same team. He's just a fun guy to be around outside, off the field, as well.
On the similarities between Ohio State and Notre Dame and approach…
KR: I think Notre Dame is a very talented team and Ohio State is also very talented and they do a lot of good things and have been able to make some plays on defense and turn the ball over, or turn other teams over. It's been tough for some offenses to move the ball and that's similar in what they do.
I think we left some things out there at Ohio State, and things that have been corrected, and so going into Notre Dame, we're really just looking forward to executing at our level and the way that we know how to.
On representing Canada in his career…
KR: Football in Canada is definitely rising but it's been hard to get exposure coming out of high school. So very lucky that my brother was excelling at Ohio already, so I had a foot in the door already and just an opportunity to show what I can do.
But obviously growing up in Canada, playing the Canadian football rules and all that stuff, so that was a lot of fun.
Just being able to be a Canadian player and knowing that I'm able to motivate and help the younger generation in showing that you can make it to different levels and that you can excel at different levels, I'm glad to be that part and hopefully I can be a good role model to a lot of aspiring Canadians, as well.
Just going off of that, just really blessed and honored and thankful just to be in the conversation and be in the Top-10 in the Heisman. A year ago, around this time, I committed to come here, and I never would have thought that I could be in the Top-10, and so that's just -- it means a ton. It's a tribute to everything, the coaches and the players around me to help me get to that point, get to this point, and just ready to continue this journey on.
On the perspective looking back…
KR: Yeah, you know, going back to a year ago and deciding to see what was out there in the transfer portal and then deciding if I wanted to do that or go to the draft and kind of just bet on myself in that way, you know, looking back, I'm glad I made the decision to come here.
But it just showed me and put into perspective how amazing God is and that His plan always turns out for good in the end, no matter what it is.
So just trusting Him no matter what, and that whatever happens this week, that, you know, I gave it my all and I play for His glory and all and just be grateful that I'm able to be playing a sixth year at Indiana against Notre Dame.
Yeah, just very grateful.
Elijah Sarratt | WR | Jr.
On his journey to this point…
ES: Yeah, honestly, I haven't really -- I haven't thought about it much. But you saying that, it is pretty special to be here right now.
I came from a school with less than 5,000 kids to playing in the College Football Playoff. So can't do nothing but thank God for where I'm at here right now honestly.
On what has made this season so successful for him…
ES: Just putting in the work every single day, off-season workouts, when we go out by ourselves, me working out, taking care of my body, all of that. Just putting a lot into this stuff every single day, clocking in and out. That's what I can attribute it to.
On his impressions of Notre Dame's secondary…
ES: Yeah, they are a great defense from D-Line all the way to the back end. Coached well. They are ranked for a reason. They are in this College Football Playoffs for a reason. They run a lot of man, so keys for us is winning our one-on-ones when we get a chance, and whenever the quarterback throws the ball, just going up and making a play and going from there.
On what makes D'Angelo Ponds a special corner…
ES: I say to this day, he's the best corner I went against since I stepped foot in college. No disrespect to anyone else, but that's just how good of a player D-Lo is. He's twitchy and he knows the game, and I could see him playing on Sundays in a couple years for sure.
On attacking Notre Dame's single coverage…
ES: Yeah, they have younger corners but they play with a lot of confidence. They're coached well. They have great technique and changing up what I'm giving them each play, changing up my releases and just making plays, really.
I'm going to have my chances to make my plays and just got to do it when it happens, you know.
On his thoughts on Kurtis Rourke…
ES: Puts his time in. He's a vet. Played a lot of football. His brother is a quarterback in the league. From a football family and he really just puts his time in every single day. He has a great coach behind him telling him what to do. Loves the game. Tells me what I'm doing right. Tells me what I'm doing wrong. He's a good leader out there, and I wouldn't want anyone else being my quarterback.
On when things clicked in fall camp…
ES: Things, the process of things were starting to get better. Little stuff that we were messing up in the beginning we were finally getting our timing down on routes, timing down on blocking and run game and everyone just started to gel, and it really took off from there.
Of course, we were kind of slow in our first game but made some adjustments and we were on from there.
On the chemistry between him and Kurtis Rourke…
ES: It took a while to connect on some deep routes. Honestly, it was like the first deep route we connected on we were like, okay, this is how it's supposed to be, and it clicked from there.
Took a lot of reps after practice. We got work in after practice and those built in overtime and a lot of stuff starts to seed in, you know.
On what he learned from playing in the snow against Purdue…
ES: I mean, practice-wise, you can't really prepare for it. Cold is cold regardless. I have a couple tricks, Vasoline maybe, look a little shiny out there. But the heated benches, they help out a lot. You can't really do much. It's mind over matter at that point. Just got to go out there and play some football.
On the excitement of the Indiana-Notre Dame matchup…
ES: Yeah, I see it every day. I have to get off Twitter. I see it a little too much. I see the importance to everyone who is involved with both programs and I'm as excited to be able to play in this game. Who knows next time we're going to be able to play? I just want to go out there and compete for the fans and do my best, you know.
On if he had a vision for this type of season…
ES: Definitely receiver-wise and team. I personally, I had 2024 goals, football goals, and that was one of my goals. It's like hanging up kind of on my locker so I see it damn near every single day -- sorry, excuse my language. I'm sorry.
That was a goal we set. You don't really think about it throughout the season because you go week-by-week trying to compete and win games, and you know, we're not really treating it any different. You know, treating this game just like any other game. Going to try to go out there and put the work in and do our thing, you know.
On this team playing with a chip on its shoulder…
ES: We know we're supposed to be here. We know we belong. But we're always going to have that chip. We remember what everyone was saying during the season and remember what everyone is saying now.
We're all we need. We going to go down there, just focus on us and try to handle business, you know.
On the kind of belief this team has had throughout the season…
JE: Without a doubt. We had a scrimmage in the summertime, and the offense, we kind of like -- that was our second scrimmage going into the season and we didn't look too great.
And so we had an offensive meeting, just players, and you know, that was a moment that I knew that we were going to be a very talented team. I knew that we were going to be a team that had fought through a lot of adversity and be really resilient.
So we had a team meeting and we let everybody know, hey, I believe in you, you believe in me, and we can do it together. We don't need the media and everyone else to believe is us, but we believe in each other.
That moment right there, me and a few other guys, we led the meeting and we locked the doors. We had a heart to heart and we went around the room, explained to each other what do we want to get out of this season? Why are we here? Why come to Indiana?
So we had that in the back of our mind every time se step on that field.
On that meeting…
JE: It was in here actually. We cut off this part and this was this side, the offense side.
On what the last couple weeks have been like…
JE: It's been amazing for me. I've been dreaming of this moment since a little boy and my mom and dad always told me take advantage of every opportunity, be thankful for everything you have and cherish the moment, whether it's an interview, whether it's a run, whether talking to the team or I'm in the film room or even getting treatment.
Just me accepting and taking it all in. You can't play football forever. I've just been enjoying it, and that's the reason why I came here. I came here for this. I came here to win. I came here for the playoffs. I came here to do it with guys that I haven't done a lot of football with.
I'm just thankful and that's the overall message.
On the Indiana-Notre Dame matchup…
JE: It's amazing. Best of Indiana. When they made that selection, I was on the phone with my mom and Dad and they told me who we were playing. I was excited. I was so excited. It's an opportunity. Our best against their best.
They are ranked; we're ranked. They have a great program and we have a great program.
Just to be able to duke it out at and compete a high level, that's something traditional and I'm excited. Hopefully we can make this a great rivalry and we play them every year.
On preparing for Notre Dame's pressure…
JE: It's just about technique and trusting your eyes, you know. You play on the road it's a little tough because a lot of times, one, they are able to jump the snap count. They are able to do different things that kind of throw the offense off.
We have been doing a really good job as just the running backs of just who do we have to block? What's our assignment? Communicating the with O-Line. Because at the end of the day we have to be on the same page as them.
When you are both on the same page, after that, it's about technique and your athletic ability to take over. For us bits being focused. You're going to have mistakes. I knew that was going to happen. We're going to hit some adversity down the road. I knew that was going to happen.
We're going to do everything that we can do and I know we're going to execute come Friday.
On faith and confidence…
JE: It's amazing. Being an older guy, I've always challenged myself, coming into this year, to make sure -- I'm going to let people know that, hey, man, you've got to believe in something that you cannot see. You know, when you're able to have that mindset it doesn't matter what anybody else telling you you can't do.
There's a lot of people who have a lot of careers and they have gone and done a lot of wonderful things in the world and that's because they believed in themselves first. I've been trying to harp on all the guys like maybe we haven't had a great play, maybe we haven't had a great series, but we have to stay in the middle, can't get too high, can't get too low, and continue to be playing.
That's been my motto and my mindset, and I'm going it continue encouraging the guys whether we up 74-4 or it's a tie game 13-13 at the half.
On the running back room's growth…
JE: I would say attention to detail. Coach John Miller, he's been telling us it's great to look at the good things you do, but really think about the things that you could do better. There's always things you can critique in your game.
That's what makes us I would say professionals in a way. We are always trying to grow. Everybody has something to work on, no matter how great of a game you had the day before or maybe how bad of a game you had. It's attention to detail and guys are hungry to get better. You're seeing it week-in and week-out, you know what I mean. So that's why the running backs are able to show up every single week.
On the last time he faced Notre Dame when at Wake Forest…
JE: I would say when we played them last year, it was -- I soaked it all in. It was an historical game as well. Wake Forest was playing -- Sam Hartman was playing his old school, Wake Forest. Being in the atmosphere with a packed crowd, I think it was one of the largest crowds they had had in a really long time when we played them.
I took it all in. I was thankful. We went out there and was pretty much tied for are the majority of the game and they ended up stretching out the lead so it happened. I knew I was going to come back. I knew I was going to come back and get another shot at it. To see it all full circle I think is amazing.
On the success of Coach Cignetti and what stands out…
JE: Definitely. I was telling somebody the other day, he's taught me how to be a man. You know, be the same guy every single day. A lot of people want to work with you. A lot of people want to have you in the head of their offense. A lot of people want to look up because you come off the evident single day the same guy, who wouldn't want be with that guy. Same guy, no matter positive or negative that you had the day before.
You know, accomplishing the great moments and also be being able to add on to the adversities. He's a guy that I watch all the time and I kind of see how he handles when we do well and we don't do well. Coach Cignetti has taught me so much in one year. I wanted him to be my coach back in high school but I ended up taking my time to Wake Forest. But now it's full circle. I'm thankful to be at a place with Coach Cignetti for sure.
On elevating the brand…
JE: Definitely. The history has been made already but we have much more to do. When I first got here I wanted to leave a legacy, you know, be a part of something bigger than me and we're doing it as a team. You know, it's not me but it's the team and I'm so excited and happy to do more. People kind of say, like, oh, don't you get warm fuzzies a little bit that you've done a little bit. But we are staying focused in the moment. I have plenty of time down the road to look back on what we've done. But right now, it's time to lock in and stay focused. Yeah, it's been great.
On protecting the ball…
JE: It's pretty much your details, squeezing the football, protecting the quarterback. You keep up -- that's going to eliminate those turnovers. As a running back, you know, not even just the running back but the whole team, the whole program, you might have some issues here and there.
But you know, you've got to be able to squeeze the ball and be able to run hard at the same time and have low pads. All those details go into the play about protecting the football. They are a team that wins off turnovers. We go in there on Friday and take care of that, I know that we are not going to have any trouble down the road.
So I'm excited for the opportunity. I know the guys are, too. Focus on those details and we'll be able to come out on top.
On the revamped red zone offense…
ZH: From last year, JMU compared to this year, I would say it's getting -- I think we're more aggressive. I just see ourselves going for it more on fourth downs compared to last year. Definitely see us being more physical this year compared to last year. That's really about it. Calling the same things. Seen everything since then.
On the ambition and belief of this team…
ZH:It was pretty early for me, because I have a full belief in Coach Cig and the staff and everything they do. So just following them from JMU to IU, I knew from the get-go that whatever we do is going to be special. I knew that we were not going to be far behind or there would be much catching up that we needed to do.
I know Cig is going to get the people that he wants and he's going to run a tight business and everybody is going to follow along. He's going to get everybody to buy in and do everything that a coach could do. I knew from the spring when I got here we were going to do something special and they were going to see something they have never seen before.
On being a blood and guys type guy…
ZH: I've been playing the same way since I've been able to play. I would just say it came from, I guess, my family. I mean, how I was raised everything and I was taught. Just playing backyard football with my brother and the guys and always just taught to be tough. You know, you're representing a lot, not just you, but other people, so be careful what you do and just always play hard and smart.
On how rewarding this season has been…
ZH: It's been pretty fun and rewarding. Like you said, transferred high schools and transferred to college and was under-recruited from high school. For me to be able to be on this stage and my senior year to be playing for the College Football Playoffs, it's such a special thing to be a part of. It's truly been a blessing and I'll never take it for granted.
On what make Kurtis Rourke so good…
ZH: I see him always being calm. He's always calm, and he's always learning from his mistakes, and he takes coaching really well. That's what I notice when he's on the field.
He's a great guy, too. He's just a good leader all around. He's always encouraging us. Always picking up the energy. Yeah, he makes a lot of plays for us but even when he's out on the field he does a lot for us and he's always keeping us confident and being a great leader.
On how special it will be to play in the College Football Playoff with your family in the stands…
ZH: I mean, they have -- they haven't missed a game since this whole beginning of the season, and even when I was at JMU. I'm grateful for them. I'm glad that they are still healthy and be able to move like they are still be able to travel. For them to travel to Notre Dame and play at Touchdown Jesus, it's a special thing. For my parents to be there for the whole season means a lot to me.
On to play with his James Madison teammates through this journey…
ZH: That's what our whole team does. We just all make each other better. I mean, it's hard to block our defense, and I hope -- and I tell them, I hope I make you better by me trying to block them.
That's what we're all preaching since the beginning of season, trying to make each other better. Just go out there Friday and try to play to the best of our ability.
On emphasizing ball security….
ZH: Just got to keep in mind have a good tuck on the ball. We've been doing the same thing since the beginning of the season and since the whole season started, just really preaching it. Just making sure we have good ball security whenever we have the ball. Just be careful with the ball. Just basically doing the same thing, I would say.
On motivation to show people the team they really are…
ZH: Yeah, that we can play in these situations and that we can play in these type of games. Watching the Ohio State game that wasn't us. We felt like we have a lot to prove and that we are ready for these big-time games and that we can play no matter where we are at, and we can really stay confident.
On what has prepared him for this moment…
ZH: To keep everything the same. Just being, you know, fast, physical, relentless, and sticking to our brand of ball and just doing what we do best. Just sticking to the small things.
On the family and brotherhood this team has….
ZH: Just like any team if you're really tight with your teammates you're going to be there for each other. That's really what we've been this whole year. It's hard for teams that bring in a lot of transfers, but within minutes and moments in practices, we all connected as one. It's huge for games like this knowing we have each other's backs regardless and that we'll always be there for each other.
#NeverDaunted
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