Kirby smart press conference week 2
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00:00 >> Thank you, appreciate it, Claw.
00:06 Owens Ball State for us, I think they've got a really good football team.
00:11 I don't know Coach Mike Newell, but we get to meet him obviously and
00:16 got a lot of respect for their conference.
00:18 We played Kent State out of this conference last year.
00:21 And the Mac has done an incredible job of creating a good football environment and
00:26 some really good football teams.
00:28 So we got to put last came to bed this morning, which we don't usually do on
00:33 Monday, but with the no school, we're able to jump ahead.
00:36 So this afternoon we'll jump straight into Ball State and
00:39 get these guys going and get prepared for them.
00:42 [BLANK_AUDIO]
00:44 >> Questions, raise your hand.
00:47 >> Yeah, Coach, when you went back and had a chance to watch the tape,
00:49 how'd you feel like the offensive line played, particularly the first half?
00:51 Seemed like they got things picked up in the second.
00:55 >> Probably not, less on them and more on us.
00:58 Team did a good job, UT Martin did a good job changing some things up.
01:03 We had some plans to handle some things a different way and
01:08 then they did a couple things that hurt us and
01:10 probably hurt our offensive line more than our offensive line didn't play well.
01:14 We probably got to do a better job of helping them out in game adjustments and
01:19 things like that.
01:20 But I did think they played better in the second half.
01:22 They passed protected well throughout the game,
01:24 really the first half and the second half.
01:26 We didn't run the ball particularly well in the first half and
01:29 that probably led to some of the issues we had.
01:32 >> Coach, I know this is a real general question, but
01:35 what are the biggest improvements you want to see your team make from this week,
01:39 to next, last week to this week?
01:40 >> I don't even know how to, I mean, a lot.
01:45 There's so many things we can get better at and every coach in the country saying
01:49 that you get better from game one to game two is the biggest jump you make.
01:53 So if that's the case, then there's a lot of areas to improve in.
01:57 Certainly, turnovers on defense, pursuit angles,
02:01 we got cut back on several times.
02:03 Offensively, ability to be explosive in the run game, convert on third downs.
02:09 There's a lot of things, special teams, I didn't think we didn't dominate the game
02:14 in any way on special teams like we're capable of, so I can't pinpoint one area.
02:21 >> Kirby, you guys faced Ball State trying to make last year when he was at
02:25 Kent State, Marquez, Cooper.
02:27 Just what do you remember about how he played in that game and his skill set?
02:31 >> Really physical, downhill, power runner, good back.
02:35 I mean, our guys were talking about him just this morning of how powerful he was
02:40 and how ironic it is you're playing against him again at a different school
02:45 in the same conference, so we got a lot of respect for him.
02:49 >> Kirby, everybody talks about offense finding a rhythm, what about defense?
02:52 How does a defense find rhythm?
02:53 What does that mean in terms of you if they're not, I guess,
02:56 where they wanna be or where you wanna be from the jump?
02:58 >> I think rhythm is a weird thing on defense.
03:02 I don't know that, I mean, rhythm to me is three and out, three and out, three and
03:05 out, three and out.
03:05 That's not realistic, right?
03:07 Like that's not gonna happen in today's day and age.
03:09 People have ability to get first downs, be explosive.
03:12 There's so many different ways to run offense.
03:15 You can go really fast, you can play on the perimeter, you can trick people,
03:18 you can go right at people.
03:19 There's just lots of options and
03:21 offenses are so much more elaborate now than they've ever been.
03:26 So defining rhythm for a defense is, it's not necessarily easy.
03:31 I mean, rhythm to me is havoc related.
03:36 Like when we would be in our best rhythm is when we would be creating the most
03:40 havoc, tackles for a loss, PBUs, interceptions, sacks.
03:45 And we didn't hit our havoc goal the other day and played decent on defense, but
03:50 you can't hit your havoc goal if they get the ball out in 2.1 seconds.
03:53 It's hard to do that.
03:54 If you gotta bat balls, you gotta force turnovers, and we didn't do those.
03:58 >> Sorry, EJ Lisey wasn't dressed out.
04:01 Is he injured or?
04:02 >> Yeah, he's dealing with an injury.
04:04 He's got, golly, my mind just went blank.
04:07 I can't remember what EJ's dealing with exactly, but he's had some shoulder pain,
04:11 some back pain from a high school injury, and he's been fighting that.
04:15 So we're hopeful to get him back.
04:16 [BLANK_AUDIO]
04:20 >> Kirby, regarding your walk-ons, do you have a coach or
04:22 staffer that oversees them?
04:24 And is there anything different for them being in the program versus a scholarship
04:28 guy in terms of like, do they have to sit in the back of the room for
04:31 team meetings or anything like that?
04:33 >> [LAUGH] No, I hold walk-ons in the highest regard.
04:39 And as we recruit them, we explain to them that they will not be treated
04:43 any differently, and they'll be treated just the same and
04:46 afforded the same opportunities.
04:48 Now, I think if you asked the walk-ons that question, and
04:51 we had a kid stand up in one of our connection meetings,
04:53 I thought he did a tremendous job.
04:54 I said, explain to everybody what it's like being a walk-on.
04:58 And he might tell you that's different.
04:59 He might say, well, you don't get the first shot.
05:02 You have to really earn it.
05:03 You have to truly earn it.
05:04 You have to go out there and work.
05:06 You have to be part of the scout team and just outwork people.
05:10 And we've had some guys do that.
05:12 We show breakthrough Hudson examples all the time that first year I was here,
05:16 he was busting long runs repeatedly on our defense.
05:20 And he earned his way to a scholarship and a really good player.
05:24 And we have a lot of opportunities for that.
05:27 So when it comes to team meeting, you sit by your class,
05:31 not by your hierarchy in the locker room.
05:33 It's not like there's a room over here for a while.
05:35 I mean, I hold walk-ons in high regard.
05:36 And it's very personal to me that they get treated just like everyone else.
05:41 Now, I can't say that every one of them would say that, but
05:44 I certainly try to do that.
05:45 >> Coach, you mentioned Saturday night when we got a chance to talk to you,
05:49 wanting to double up right there before the half in the two minute drill.
05:53 I guess after the big play to Dom,
05:55 what went into the decision to run the ball with no timeouts right there?
05:58 >> Bad deal, man, bad deal.
06:02 To be honest with you, it's just a miscue not knowing how close it was to the goal
06:06 line and probably making a decision too fast.
06:09 We spend a lot of time on those moments like that.
06:11 And I take a lot of pride in moments like that and should never happen.
06:18 But making a decision really fast sometimes you don't make the right decision.
06:21 We had enough time there.
06:22 We actually got the ball snap without losing any time on the clock.
06:25 But the decision was thinking it was probably closer than it actually was and
06:29 it cost us, it cost us at least one play.
06:31 >> Coach, when did you become aware that Jarvis Jones got arrested Friday night?
06:38 And what is your reaction and will there be any internal repercussions?
06:43 >> Yeah, there'll be internal discipline, it's a personnel matter and
06:45 I really can't comment further on it.
06:47 >> Yeah, Ladd and Dejan don't play, discussed their injury before.
06:53 What's sort of the plan with them in terms of getting them up to speed and
06:56 getting them in a place where they can contribute and possibly see the field?
07:00 >> You're asking about the injury or where they are?
07:02 >> Yeah, where they are.
07:04 >> Dejan, we feel like could have played, I think I said that the other night.
07:07 We think Dejan could have played in that game.
07:09 He practiced, he warmed up, he did everything leading up to the game.
07:12 He's actually had this injury before.
07:15 I can't remember if it was Vanderbilt or maybe Florida during the off week last
07:19 year, very similar injury.
07:21 We feel good about him.
07:24 I haven't seen him practice today, so I don't know that.
07:26 But I feel pretty good about Dejan, I thought he could have gone last week.
07:30 And then Ladd, he's day to day.
07:33 I mean, we thought he might be able to go last week and he wasn't.
07:37 He was really a game time decision, didn't feel good on Friday.
07:39 So we held him on Saturday and he's running today, but
07:44 he's dealing with some back pain that's been lingering for him.
07:47 >> Coach, I should get a little more about Carson.
07:52 Didn't have to go back and looking at the tape.
07:55 Was nerves a problem maybe right at first career start and all that?
07:59 Just overall, how do you think he played?
08:00 >> I don't understand.
08:02 I mean, I don't understand you guys sometimes, I really don't.
08:05 I thought Carson played, I thought just like I did when I looked at it.
08:08 I came in there and talked to you all Saturday night.
08:10 I thought Carson played really well.
08:11 He played composed.
08:13 I'm trying to think of the throws that were just awful or erratic.
08:19 And I didn't see that.
08:20 And I said the one third down, he admittedly threw the ball a little bit
08:24 behind Dom, thinking Dom was sitting down.
08:26 And Dom broke in, which Dom was correct, and he missed him on that throw.
08:29 But outside of that, there's gonna be incompletions in games.
08:33 There's gonna be looks that maybe they fooled you with,
08:35 you didn't see in the weekend scouting report.
08:37 But his run check game, his carrying out his fakes, his decision in the pocket,
08:42 him throwing the ball away.
08:44 I mean, I thought the guy for a first start played really well.
08:48 >> Kirby, two questions.
08:50 One about what did you see in Mekhi Muse made you go after him?
08:54 And is he or Dan Jackson,
08:57 have you awarded any of the walk on scholarships recently?
09:00 Do you have room for that?
09:01 >> Yeah, I don't get into the,
09:03 I'm not big into the talking about the scholarships and doing that.
09:07 We have multiple guys who've gotten them outside of the one time,
09:10 I think Notre Dame locker room, we awarded Rod.
09:12 And I learned a valuable lesson in that,
09:14 that I don't think that's always worth the publicity that you get.
09:16 I think sometimes you can do more damage than good with guys
09:20 that may feel like they deserve one, and we keep that internal.
09:24 And if it gets out, it gets out.
09:26 But Dan and Muse have been tremendous.
09:29 There's another 20 walk ons that go out and
09:32 practice so hard every day that you don't get to see.
09:36 Cuz maybe they don't have quite the ability or
09:38 they're not quite as far up the depth chart.
09:40 So I really respect all those guys.
09:43 And it's a credit to Muse who came in here and wanted an opportunity to compete,
09:48 earned it.
09:49 We saw him in high school, he was high on our preferred walk on list and
09:52 he earned it.
09:54 He came out and really competed and did a great job.
09:56 And I think everybody on the team will tell you he's earned what he's gotten with
10:00 the way he practices.
10:01 >> Kirby, you touched on Carson's run checks.
10:05 I'm curious, kind of, layman, how much freedom does a quarterback have?
10:10 And how is Carson when you're at the line and you maybe see eight in the box,
10:15 but you've got a run play call?
10:17 How much freedom does quarterback have right then to change the play or
10:20 change the direction of it or what?
10:22 >> Yeah, there's parameters you give them.
10:24 There's runs that have checks.
10:25 They have runs that have checks from run to run.
10:27 There are runs that have checks from run to pass.
10:29 There are certain looks you're allowed to check the pass.
10:31 Every week we package those, but not every play has those.
10:36 So there's sometimes when you're gonna sit back and, as you guys can do, and
10:40 we can do as coaches, you can second guess and say, well,
10:42 he should have thrown that ball because it had an option to throw.
10:45 Then there's the check to a throw,
10:47 which is completely different than a run pass option.
10:50 So it's really complicated and elaborate, but he did what he was coached to do, and
10:55 he did exactly the things that we want him to do.
10:57 They got two outside, we're checking this.
10:59 Okay, they got this, we're doing this.
11:01 He followed those, and he's already done that.
11:02 He did that all last year under Coach Monk.
11:06 And so he did it in practice cuz he had to be ready to play.
11:09 If they've got this coming, we can't run that play,
11:11 we gotta go over here and do this play.
11:12 So not every play has that, cuz some plays are fastball, some plays are speed break.
11:17 Every play has its own identity, but he's very bright and he understands it.
11:21 And we're lucky that we can do some of the things we can do,
11:24 cuz he's like Stetson in that way,
11:27 that he's been in the system long enough to handle the volume.
11:29 >> Coach, you had high praise for CJ Allen after the game on Saturday.
11:34 Now that you've had a closer look with film, how do you feel he did in terms of
11:37 understanding the defense and being at the right place at the right time?
11:39 >> Yeah, the praise I have for CJ Allen is not more about his performance, but
11:43 his ability to handle information and
11:46 play within our defensive scheme at the signal caller position.
11:50 So that position, you go call in the country, you're not gonna see a ton of
11:54 freshman linebacker that are out there playing, making the calls.
11:58 That is impressive.
11:59 As far as how he played, I think he had some jitters, I think he was nervous.
12:03 I think a lot of our guys were.
12:04 Anxiety there, you gotta go out and play in your first college game.
12:07 I mean, I can't imagine going straight from high school to being out there and
12:10 playing, and he got afforded that opportunity.
12:13 And he played okay, but he really bright.
12:15 >> Kirby, I know you're not big into the fanfare, but
12:20 obviously Brian Kelly last night made a reference to Georgia.
12:23 I guess I wondered if you'd heard about it and what your reaction is when he said
12:26 we thought we were the two-time national champion Georgia Bulldogs in reference to
12:30 the maybe thinking they could roll their helmet out in the second half.
12:33 What does it say when your program is getting those kind of remarks from your
12:37 peers, where peers like Coach Kelly's putting you guys on a bit of a pedestal
12:40 there?
12:42 >> Says you're one week away from humility.
12:43 And all it says is, how are we gonna practice today?
12:49 >> With time to look back at the film,
12:54 what did you make of Ernest's first start, how he handled himself?
12:57 >> Yeah, it's interesting.
12:58 I was just talking to Ernest going out there, he's like, in my mind,
13:00 I see Ernest like this, man, he's been out there all spring, he's competed,
13:04 he's played, it's like he's in his second or third year.
13:06 And you forget that that was his first game in, I guess,
13:11 two years from high school, and he has not had to play.
13:15 He didn't even get to play.
13:16 You think about all the guys that got to play last year in the games we had to lead.
13:19 He never got that.
13:20 Now, my expectation is that he plays the level of a starter, and
13:24 he flashes at times to be sudden, quick, do everything right.
13:28 And then he had a couple plays where he didn't.
13:31 And I'm like, you know what?
13:32 That's no different than CJ Allen.
13:34 That's no different than Dylan Bell was last year.
13:36 He's gonna go through those WTF moments, I call them, and
13:40 it's inevitable that they're gonna have them.
13:42 And he had a couple, but he also had a couple really, really good plays.
13:47 And I'm excited about what he can do if he continues to grow and get better.
13:52 He can't have those moments.
13:55 >> Hey, Kirby, I know you mentioned that Kendall is still sort of pushing through
13:58 injury.
13:59 Just where is he in terms of how he responded to playing Saturday?
14:02 And then, I guess, what does it say about him that he did wanna push through the way
14:06 that he is?
14:07 >> Well, Kendall's dying to get out there, man.
14:08 This guy got a great heart, great soul, great, he loves this program.
14:12 He'll give anything for this program, and it kills him not to be out there.
14:16 And he has not been able to practice most of camp due to his injury.
14:20 And we're dealing a little bit now with, all right,
14:24 how does he stay warm and able to do it?
14:26 Cuz he's used to playing, right?
14:28 He plays in a rotation at running back, but he played on all the special teams.
14:31 Well, now he's not doing that.
14:32 So when he's not in on offense, he sits over there, it gets cold,
14:35 he's gotta stay warm.
14:36 He goes in at halftime, leg tightens up, and
14:38 he doesn't have what I call the camp stamina.
14:41 He didn't really go through camp.
14:43 He worked out, he ran, he did what he had to do, but
14:45 he could not get himself in playing shape just by camp.
14:49 So we're really battling that now to get him back right.
14:52 And I think he said himself, if you asked him, he said, I'm around 92%.
14:56 That's what he quoted it as.
14:57 And I don't think his stamina's at 92%.
15:00 I think when he's 100% conditioned, he's at 92%.
15:05 And we're trying to fight that to get him back.
15:07 It's a delicate line, right, of do you bring him back and try to play him and
15:11 get him in shape?
15:12 Or you sit on the shelf and you don't get carried, you don't get him.
15:15 And that action he got the other day was like scrimmage one and
15:17 scrimmage two, cuz he didn't get to play in those.
15:20 >> Coach, Saturday night you mentioned jitters.
15:24 We don't even have to talk about the quarterback position, but
15:26 just as offense as a whole.
15:28 How much of the responsibility relies on the coordinator to settle his players in
15:31 that moment, and how do you go about doing that?
15:33 >> Yeah, I don't think you can say it's up to a coordinator to settle the players.
15:38 You certainly can call it conservatively to try to figure out where we are,
15:43 where the guys are.
15:43 You got two backs that have never played, never carried a ball.
15:46 Got a quarterback that's never started.
15:48 You got two starting receivers I know about, one that's played a lot and
15:51 meeks out.
15:52 So there's a lot of new pieces of the puzzle, let's say.
15:57 And I have high expectations for all those guys, but
15:59 there's a little anxiety there.
16:00 And a little bit of let's figure out where we are.
16:03 And when you take the gloves off and say, all right, let Carson go play,
16:07 then he goes and he plays well.
16:10 And those guys did too.
16:11 I mean, think about CJ Smith and Rah-Rah and Dom for the plays they made.
16:16 And it's different for Rah-Rah and Dom.
16:17 I can't explain it, cuz they've made plays in our league, but
16:20 they haven't made them here.
16:21 >> Kirby, will Marcus Rosemay be available this weekend to play?
16:27 And what do you miss when a guy with his amount of experience isn't out there?
16:30 >> Yeah, Marcus is gonna be available to play.
16:32 And the number one thing we miss is leadership.
16:34 I mean, the guy's incredible as a leader.
16:38 And he stands up, admits when he made a mistake.
16:41 And he is one of the toughest, most competitive,
16:47 like the practice today for him will be like the Super Bowl.
16:50 And every day is like that for him.
16:52 I mean, he sets an example in that room that I think it embodies our receiver room.
16:57 I haven't been around a receiver room that actually cares as much about blocking as
17:01 these guys do.
17:02 And they do that because their leader has that personality.
17:08 >> Kirby, we saw a small Monday and get in, I think, maybe one snap,
17:12 run somebody down, and then you basically- >> Did the only play one?
17:16 >> Well, the only one I remember.
17:17 But there's a guy that, how close is he to being back fully?
17:21 >> He's close.
17:22 We felt like in some sub situations he would be able to play.
17:26 And I thought he played, I didn't chart it, so I don't know.
17:29 But I know the player you're talking about over on our sideline.
17:32 That's the only one I remember.
17:33 But he feels good, feels healthy.
17:37 It's another one of those deals, can he get in shape by running and
17:41 playing without wearing his legs out and staying fresh?
17:45 So, but he looks good out there and we expect him to be able to play.
17:49 I mean, he was cleared to go this week and
17:51 it was one of those we were gonna be safe as we could.
17:54 >> We have time for two more questions.
17:56 >> Coach, with the outside linebackers being such a young room,
17:58 how did you evaluate the play of those guys last week?
18:00 >> Well, we didn't get to see a whole lot.
18:04 In the run game, I thought they did a good job.
18:07 Chaz had several good closes, several good plays, setting edges.
18:11 I mean, the things that hurt us in terms of quarterback run was not always on them.
18:16 So we got hurt on quarterback runs several times.
18:19 It was a couple times linebacker, one time the safety.
18:22 I mean, it was different things.
18:23 I don't think we didn't really get a chance to drop back pass and
18:27 say, can you get home in 3.5 seconds?
18:30 50% of sacks happen after four seconds.
18:33 I don't know if they had a pass that lasted over four seconds.
18:35 So it's just the same song, different year.
18:38 If the ball is gonna get out quick, what are your answers?
18:41 And how can we grow those guys?
18:42 We need growth in that room because there's this big level race.
18:47 It's like all these guys that are just kind of the same spot and
18:50 no one has done that.
18:51 And we need somebody to step up in there.
18:53 >> Coach, I'm assuming you watched the Kentucky Ball State game.
18:57 It seemed like Ball State played them pretty tough,
18:58 especially in the first half.
18:59 The score didn't really tell the whole story.
19:01 What's the initial thoughts that you have on them and
19:03 the problems that they present?
19:04 >> Very impressed, both sides of the ball.
19:06 You're right, it's 7-3, they're up on Kentucky in the second.
19:09 And I watched the game and I'm like, man, these guys are a really good team.
19:13 Now we had watched them in the off season cuz we wouldn't have but
19:16 one game on them.
19:17 And young quarterbacks playing really well.
19:20 They do a good job of mixing it up in terms of bringing
19:23 the athletic quarterback in.
19:25 They've had some tough injuries, but they have a really good football team.
19:29 >> Thank you.
19:30 [BLANK_AUDIO]