Iowa Football Players
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00:00 all of them seem like it inside the 20.
00:03 What was, I guess, coming into this game, how important was it?
00:07 Did you feel like your performance would be?
00:09 How do you feel like you executed that?
00:11 >> Yeah, I say to the specialists when we break it down,
00:14 Iowa football is kind of special teams defense and things like that.
00:19 I mean, that's no brainer, but it's one of those things that, yeah,
00:23 I'm the one punting the ball and things like that.
00:25 Luke is snapping great balls every time and
00:27 the punting is running down there hustling.
00:30 And I kind of love playing in these conditions cuz you really kind of find
00:33 out who's legit and who's not and who really wants to be out there.
00:36 Who's a good punter, who's not a good punter.
00:39 It's funny, I watched a few of the SEC games today and
00:42 they're all playing 85 degree weather, not a breath of wind.
00:44 And yeah, they're hitting good balls, but
00:46 you really kind of find out your true potential when you're playing these games.
00:49 So I'm also just really proud of everyone on the punt unit,
00:52 everyone on the team.
00:54 We came here and I'll say we came in, I'm sure many guys in this room and
00:59 things like that probably didn't think that we were gonna win.
01:02 But we just got belief in that room and
01:04 Coach Frum just gets us ready every week.
01:05 So yeah, proud of everyone on the punt unit and proud of everyone on the team
01:09 cuz not many people gave us a chance.
01:11 And it's Iowa football, we kind of just find a way to win, but yeah, there you go.
01:16 >> Do you get the feeling like when you're gonna have a good punting day or
01:19 is that always the case?
01:21 >> It's kind of strange, the first two or three games of the season,
01:26 I wasn't really hitting the balls I wanted to be hitting.
01:28 But I really felt like I've kind of taken a big step probably the last two or
01:31 three weeks and really started to hit the balls that I want.
01:34 And I really gotta thank a lot of guys for that.
01:38 It's really guys just getting around me and
01:39 we've had a lot of vulnerable conversations in the specialist room.
01:42 Cuz I wasn't performing to the best of my ability the first few weeks.
01:47 And yeah, I really owe Coach Woods a lot cuz he kind of
01:51 just helped me get out of that slump.
01:53 And the one thing that I really love about Coach Woods is that he just lets us be
01:57 who we are.
01:58 And there was never one day where it was just like, why he effing doing that or
02:03 why he doing that?
02:03 Or just like, you know what man, you're the best punter I know,
02:06 you're the best punter in the world, just go out and do that.
02:08 So yeah, I really owe him a lot cuz you guys saw there was some nice
02:14 punts out there and had those conversations with me,
02:18 then I probably wouldn't have been executing the balls I wanted to hit.
02:22 So I owe him a lot and like I said, he really just lets us be who we are.
02:27 And when you can be who you are, usually performance on the field is maximized.
02:32 So yeah, I really kind of appreciate him and especially guys like Luke.
02:36 And hell of a long snapper, hell of a person.
02:40 Probably, we both really weren't playing the way we wanted to be playing early
02:44 in the season.
02:45 But we kind of just rallied around one another.
02:47 And we talk the talk and we talk about how good we are as a specialist group.
02:54 But today I really feel like we backed it up and we continue to do that.
02:57 >> Is there a feature, I mean the numbers are the numbers, but
02:59 is there a facet or feature of your game that you're most proud of?
03:04 >> Probably just hitting balls that I wanted to hit.
03:07 Probably the first couple of weeks I was good statistic wise and
03:10 I was chatting with a couple of guys back home, a couple of my coaches.
03:13 And they said, you can't be playing that bad cuz your numbers are good.
03:15 And I said, well, I'm not hitting balls, I wanna hit.
03:18 And I spoke to Jason Baker a couple of times on the phone and
03:21 his song I owe a lot of credit to as well.
03:24 Because, like I said a few times, I wasn't performing the way I wanted to.
03:28 And he kind of just said, he's a big baseball guy, he said,
03:31 when guys kind of strike out in baseball,
03:33 I think they just gotta get back up on the plate and hit a home run.
03:36 But sometimes just the base hit is good.
03:37 And it's kind of just base hit after base hit after base hit.
03:41 Not to say I hit a home run or anything like that this week, but
03:43 I really felt like we made strides as he threw, which is good.
03:47 >> Do you have a favorite punt today?
03:48 You have a lot to choose from.
03:50 >> I don't know, I kinda gotta watch the film and things like that.
03:54 But I think it was the one on the right hash kicking towards this way.
03:59 That was nice, but it was kinda too tight.
04:01 And it was like, that was so pretty, that was so pretty.
04:02 But it's gonna sound really nerdy,
04:04 I like to have a little bit of flutter on the ball.
04:07 So that it stays in the air that little bit longer,
04:09 it doesn't turn over and come down as quick.
04:11 Whereas I think it was at the second punt in the third quarter,
04:14 maybe left hash, Keaton caught the one that he muffed.
04:18 That was a really, really good ball.
04:19 And it's interesting, people kinda see the punts inside the five.
04:23 And without trying to sound cocky or anything like that,
04:26 I could get out of my bed and hit those, you know what I mean?
04:28 But to be able to kinda just take two steps and hammer a ball,
04:31 I think people probably don't really realize how difficult that is.
04:34 And that's not to talk myself up by doing it or anything like that.
04:37 But I get a lot of satisfaction from hitting those balls.
04:40 So yeah, probably that one particular punt,
04:43 which I still have a lot of credit to the guys running down and getting in his face.
04:47 >> Couple weeks ago, Drew Stevens explained your guys' field goal celebration.
04:50 Looks like you guys maybe had an adjusted one today, something new there.
04:53 Care to explain that?
04:54 >> Yeah, so we noticed that the Wisconsin specialists were kinda,
05:00 I guess, mocking like Michael Hawkeye or something like that.
05:02 So I kinda just said, I was like, you know what, we're not gonna let this slide.
05:06 If we can't get it, I said, Drew, if we can't get it,
05:08 we're fine and I'm doing it, so yeah, that was the reason behind it.
05:12 >> One more question.
05:13 You think the Ray Guy Award needs to put you as a punter of the week after
05:20 this performance?
05:21 >> That's the last thing on my mind, to be honest.
05:23 You know that's up to those guys and they've got a big job this.
05:27 So many guys hitting good balls around the country.
05:30 You look at the BYU kid, James Burnham of Alabama, he's hitting good balls too.
05:34 But I guess, when does it come out?
05:36 Like Monday or Tuesday?
05:37 But yeah, I won't hold my breath, that's the last thing on my mind.
05:39 Just glad we got the win and yeah, really proud of the guys.
05:43 And yeah, it's just a really big moment for us as a group.
05:47 What is it, six and one.
05:49 Next Friday, next week, which is gonna be a big game.
05:51 So we're all really excited moving forward.
05:53 >> All right, thanks, guys.
05:55 >> Questions for Jay.
05:56 >> I guess, talk about Sebastian Castro.
05:59 He's had a couple TFLs at interception, helped with the fumble in the end zone.
06:05 What kind of day did he have?
06:07 >> I mean, it's fun because I know he's behind me.
06:10 And I don't know where he's at, but I just see a flash, a white jersey flash.
06:15 And I know he's coming down to do bad things to whoever has the ball.
06:20 So it's fun having him out there.
06:23 You know he's gonna be on every tackle, wherever the ball is at.
06:27 I mean, he just makes plays, he's a playmaker.
06:29 I think that's why Coach Parker loves him.
06:31 I might have to keep my job so they don't put him at Mike Becker.
06:35 >> Jay, Torrey was just talking about how you guys take a lot of pride in winning
06:38 the defense, the special teams.
06:40 Six points, and how does that feel?
06:42 >> Yeah, like a defensive dream.
06:45 I mean, that's all we can do.
06:46 We went out there, we competed the full game.
06:50 And we rough started at the beginning of the third quarter, but
06:55 I felt like we did a great job settling back down, getting off the field.
06:59 I mean, any time you can give up six points to a good team like that,
07:03 good running back, good offensive line.
07:05 I mean, they have to spread offense.
07:08 That's the first time we really saw that in Wisconsin.
07:10 I'm just really proud of our guys.
07:11 >> Were you surprised they threw so much early in the game with Braylon out there?
07:15 And also, could you talk about that fourth and
07:18 one stop you had on their first draft?
07:20 >> Yeah, definitely.
07:21 Well, we knew the head coach coming from Cincinnati.
07:25 And we knew what he did at Cincinnati and their offensive coordinator.
07:30 I mean, Nick Jackson played at OC at North Carolina for a couple of times.
07:35 So we understood that the mindset was different.
07:38 Now, personnel wise, they still had those big dudes up front,
07:41 still had their big backs.
07:42 So I mean, we were kind of prepared for both worlds.
07:45 And we felt like they were dangerous at both, so we wanted to be prepared.
07:49 And just getting off the field, I mean, that anytime you can start with a three and
07:54 out, that'd be preferable.
07:55 But anytimes you can get off the field and not get enough points on that first drive,
07:59 I just feel like that just helps the team a little bit.
08:01 >> I know that Taylor's not a defensive player, technically,
08:04 that he's a special teams player, but- >> He rides on our bus with us.
08:07 >> Yeah.
08:08 >> [LAUGH] >> It must be great fun as a defensive
08:12 team though to go out there and
08:14 have that opponent come back every time, it seems like.
08:17 >> Definitely.
08:18 I mean, as a defense, that just opens up our playbook.
08:21 I mean, you guys know Coach Parker's gonna be extremely aggressive when we're
08:24 down there.
08:25 I mean, I would rather blitz than do anything else.
08:29 So anytime we can get out there and the ball's on the line,
08:32 knowing that they got a march 90 yards to score on us, that just gives us confidence.
08:37 >> First time holding an opponent to single digits this year,
08:40 you feel like this was the defense's best performance of the season so far?
08:44 >> Defensively, yes.
08:45 Me personally, no.
08:47 I had a couple of plays I wanted back, obviously.
08:52 But I mean, the way Castro was playing, the way our communication was,
08:56 the way the D-line handled the run game, I feel like the defense,
09:01 we did a great job just staying in it, competing.
09:04 And that's really all we try to do, that's what Iowa defense is about,
09:08 just keep fighting until the end of the game.
09:11 >> Jay, what's it mean to control your own destiny right now in the West at this
09:14 stage of the season?
09:15 >> We knew that this game meant a lot.
09:17 And luckily for us, we've just been taking it one week at a time.
09:21 And I mean, it doesn't mean anything if we just start going downhill from here.
09:25 So we understand that every game is just as important as the next one on the list.
09:30 >> You know, nationally, you guys, not a lot of people love you because you're not
09:34 scoring a bunch of points or doing a lot of things, but you just keep winning.
09:37 I think you're 11-2 over your last 13.
09:40 What does it mean for you to just keep winning even though people aren't exactly
09:44 on your side outside the puck, I think?
09:46 >> Yeah, it just shows that we're trying to win the game by any means.
09:51 We don't care what it looks like.
09:52 As long as we have the win at the end of the day, that's what matters to us.
09:57 I mean, I like those low score games defensively.
10:01 I mean, it just puts the pressure on the defense and
10:02 that's what we're built for.
10:04 We want the game in our hands.
10:07 I mean, if you ask anybody defensively, we feel most confident, but
10:10 it's up to us to win the game.
10:12 >> Did you sense anything in that fourth quarter,
10:14 just with you guys had taken over that game?
10:16 It just seemed like the ball was on the ground, in your hands as a defense.
10:21 It seemed like you really took over.
10:22 >> Yeah, yeah, definitely we started playing a little bit more aggressive,
10:26 knowing that the situation they were in were different.
10:28 Obviously at the beginning of the game, their play calls are gonna look different.
10:32 When they needed points, we knew we could be a little bit aggressive.
10:36 And I mean, it's really just momentum.
10:38 When you get a Sebastian coming down, hitting somebody, and
10:41 get somebody tipping the ball, all that stuff builds up.
10:46 That just helps us defensively.
10:48 >> Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think you were one of the closest players to
10:51 Sebastian when he got that pick at the end.
10:53 Were you yelling at him to get down?
10:55 >> Yeah, I told him to get down.
10:57 We knew it was a get down situation, but I told him he probably had the best game
11:01 of his life when he was on the ground.
11:04 >> When you look at this series historically, it's maybe as physical as any
11:08 game in the country year in and year out.
11:10 And so it's kind of like a two teams fight in that way.
11:13 How did you guys approach that with Wisconsin?
11:16 And how do you feel like physicality wise that you were able to win that matchup?
11:21 >> I mean, I just feel like that's Iowa football.
11:23 If you know anything about coach Ferris, we're gonna run the ball and
11:28 we're gonna know how to play the run.
11:29 So I mean, all we do off season is run block, shed blocks.
11:35 It's a physical off season for us.
11:39 That's for games like this.
11:40 When we run into a physical team, we're built for it,
11:44 cuz we practice it so much.
11:47 >> Mood was a lot different two years ago when you were here.
11:50 How does it feel to now be here playing jump around in your locker room?
11:53 >> Yeah, we got a lot of young guys, like the trainers.
11:56 Nick doesn't really understand how big this is, but
11:59 we got some young guys who weren't in the locker room when I was here last time.
12:04 I remember that feeling, just watching Campbell and
12:07 Vincent compete, just a real gritty game defensively.
12:12 To now have this feeling, just really happy for the guys.
12:17 The older guys definitely, like a Joe Evans,
12:19 a six year old guy who comes back from a long cycle.
12:23 >> Starting quarterback, hurt his hand close to half time.
12:26 It looked like he actually hit it on your helmet.
12:29 One, were you aware of that when it happened?
12:31 And then two, did that change anything about the defense's approach with
12:35 the backup QB in there?
12:37 >> Yeah, definitely.
12:38 I mean, anytime you get around a quarterback and you lay a hit on him,
12:42 you definitely wanna check body language.
12:43 And we were on that immediately.
12:46 I mean, anytime there's a backup quarterback,
12:50 we know game plan's gonna change.
12:51 We knew that things would look different, but
12:55 I feel like that quarterback did a really good job when he came in.
12:57 He was checking a lot of stuff cuz we were sending a lot of pressure.
13:01 So hats off to him, I think he did a really good job, actually.
13:05 >> All right, what did you see on the 82 yard touchdown run?
13:08 >> It was crazy, I actually wasn't even on my track.
13:10 My coach was on it very badly.
13:13 I made it a lot harder than what it was.
13:15 I don't know why I really opened it up.
13:16 It was like a big old helmet.
13:18 Once again, y'all could have run it for you.
13:20 But so just being patient, slow through.
13:24 I did hit it, and then I had to make two guys I think with stiff arms or
13:27 something, and after that, I just had to run.
13:30 >> Was the stutter step in the hole, was that planned or was that sort of instinct?
13:33 >> No, that was me.
13:34 That was me making things harder than what it was.
13:36 I just gotta stay on my track and be patient.
13:38 Listen to Brian, listen to my running back coach, and just trust him.
13:41 >> It seemed like there were several plays that you either were really close to
13:46 busting another big one or, I don't know, his game of 10, 15 yards.
13:50 Is that the offensive line scheme?
13:52 What went into that today?
13:54 >> Offensive line scheme, I mean, before this game,
13:58 we had Brian here sat down with us.
13:59 He felt like we left a lot of yards out there on the field.
14:02 Just us being too fast to the handoff, basically getting the ball a little bit
14:07 too deep into the line, so we missing a couple cuts.
14:10 So seeing it from the front and to the back.
14:13 So today our main goal was just to really be patient.
14:16 And as we be patient, cuz we gotta let the guys up front work.
14:19 And as I was being patient today, as you can see, they was working.
14:21 They was making holes.
14:23 My job just to run through them.
14:24 So yeah.
14:25 >> How about the play of the offensive line and how they progressed?
14:27 >> Man, they're doing a hell of a job, man.
14:31 Every week I feel like they getting better.
14:33 As you can see, them boys work hard.
14:35 Today was one of a big challenge for them.
14:37 They lived up to the challenge.
14:38 And I feel like they imposed their will.
14:42 They was the underdogs, but we was the underdogs.
14:44 Everybody probably felt like West Connors and defense.
14:47 But as you've seen today, all the hard work that they did show, and
14:51 I feel like they imposed their will.
14:53 >> Seemed like you guys were determined to run the football.
14:56 Coming into this, was that basically the game plan?
14:59 >> I mean, yeah, we wanted to show them that we was tough physically.
15:02 We wanted to take the heart out of them.
15:04 I feel like that's what we did today.
15:06 We wanted to show them that we could do whatever we want with them.
15:08 And we seen them run, we had them working, so we didn't have to go away from them.
15:12 >> On that touchdown, your step arm sent the guy to the canvas.
15:16 I mean, it was like, you went straight down face first.
15:19 I mean, is that a move that you make a lot, or is that just what you saw?
15:24 >> I don't know what happened.
15:25 I blacked out.
15:26 It was God.
15:26 >> [LAUGH] >> It never happened.
15:30 >> You make a big play like that on the road, you get a touchdown,
15:33 you take the lead on the road.
15:34 What's that do for momentum for you and your teammates?
15:37 >> It give us all the momentum to take the heart out of them.
15:40 Especially when you got a specialty, you got a tour,
15:42 you got that putting the ball into the other side of the field.
15:45 I know how it feels being an offensive line trying to score for 80 yards.
15:48 I know how it makes the other team feel.
15:49 They gotta do it every draft.
15:51 So it give us a lot of momentum to take the heart out of them, definitely.
15:55 >> Do you think that the Iowa-Russian game really sent a message to the rest of
15:58 the Big Ten West with a game like today?
16:00 >> Yeah, we're gonna keep getting better, too.
16:02 It's just a stepping stone each and every week.
16:03 As you all see, we progress every week.
16:06 You never know, though.
16:06 Next week it might be a lot, you understand?
16:08 You guys still work, we're gonna celebrate today, but tomorrow,
16:11 we'll be back to work.
16:12 I don't know what you're playing next week.
16:13 >> This is a series where it's always been really physical between these two teams.
16:18 Is that kind of a mindset you guys took at the beginning of the week that you
16:21 wanted to take it to Wisconsin?
16:22 Because whoever's usually the most physical team usually wins.
16:25 >> Yeah, according to the media,
16:29 everybody feel like these are two teams that run the West.
16:32 So we'll have to go at them, really control the West.
16:35 So of course, this is like a chip on our shoulder.
16:37 We just wanna go ahead and make sure we show how physical we are in the show.
16:42 We don't have to go into it, yeah.
16:44 >> Two more questions.
16:46 >> How does it feel to be now first place in the West?
16:48 >> I feel good.
16:50 >> [INAUDIBLE]
16:53 >> When it got pretty determined not to get caught from behind us.
16:57 >> Yeah, that's embarrassing the first time.
17:00 We working on it.
17:01 Got to pick my knees up, my legs and my head.
17:04 >> Did you see the D-back coming with the angle on you on the long run?
17:08 >> I blacked out once again.
17:09 I don't know.
17:10 >> Okay.
17:10 >> [LAUGH] >> I was worried.
17:12 >> I thank you.
17:13 >> The guy that we just interviewed.
17:15 >> Yeah, yeah.
17:16 That's the old man up there.
17:17 >> [LAUGH] >> How about the play of the defense and
17:22 the big plays you guys made time and time again.
17:25 >> Sorry, do you repeat that?
17:26 >> Yeah, the big plays your defense made time and time again.
17:29 >> I'm sorry.
17:30 >> I mean, yeah, that's our standard.
17:33 So it doesn't surprise us.
17:35 That's how we practice.
17:38 It's just like another day.
17:40 We practice hard and it was really another day.
17:43 So, you know.
17:45 >> You guys set a real physical tone and you symbolize that,
17:49 I guess, in the first half with a couple of TFLs.
17:53 At what point did you guys feel like you were taking control of the game as a defense?
17:57 >> I think it was early on.
18:00 I feel like this game was gonna come down to physicality.
18:02 And I feel like we came out there and we did that.
18:05 We did just that.
18:06 And I don't know if it was just me, but I could definitely feel it in the air.
18:12 I just felt like we were more dominant today.
18:17 So, yeah.
18:18 >> You came on the blitz on the safety.
18:21 Can you walk us through that play?
18:23 >> Yeah, they were in the, I don't know, by the guard line about there.
18:28 And we sent a pressure from the front side.
18:31 And I was just hoping they weren't gonna see me,
18:35 cuz I was just trying not to give it away.
18:39 And unfortunately, they didn't.
18:41 And the quarterback saw him at that second.
18:44 So he almost got away, too.
18:48 So thanks to you all.
18:50 So yeah, it was a little squirmy guy, too.
18:55 So it was kinda hard to get him.
18:57 I had to slow down just to catch him.
19:00 But yeah, I was making sure I just couldn't let him get away.
19:06 >> Your interception probably would have been six points,
19:08 you would have kept going with it.
19:09 Was it hard to lay down for that one?
19:11 >> Yeah.
19:12 >> What did you say?
19:12 >> [LAUGH] >> No, it wasn't that hard, to be honest.
19:17 The win, I can't ask for more on the birthday.
19:20 I can't ask, I think I had a pretty good day today.
19:23 So I think I had enough.
19:25 But the thought did.
19:28 >> [LAUGH] >> But I wasn't there.
19:31 I wasn't there.
19:32 >> Wisconsin's starting quarterback went out at about halftime, a little before half.
19:36 You got to see Curtis throwing him.
19:38 Does the backup coming in, did that change anything about what you guys were doing on
19:42 defense, or is it still just stick to the game plan?
19:45 >> It was stick to the game plan.
19:47 I wouldn't say how we, our defense really changed,
19:52 it's how they changed their offense.
19:54 So we just had to react to that.
19:57 And so you can say we changed the game plan a little bit,
19:59 like little tweaks here and there.
20:01 But that was a big factor, cuz it was a different person, now a different
20:03 quarterback, that's a big piece of their offense.
20:05 So yeah, we just had to react and play against how they were playing.
20:11 >> How different is it playing against Wisconsin?
20:15 I mean, in all the years in the past, they would have two tight ends,
20:18 a fullback, and they'd really be slamming it there.
20:21 And this year, there are three wide receiver sets the whole time.
20:24 I mean, how different was it for you preparation-wise and then execution-wise?
20:28 >> I mean, we've been playing a lot of spread out offenses this year, so
20:31 we have a lot of practice against that.
20:34 So we were just expecting a physical game today, and that was the key focus.
20:41 But they spread us out, they ran the ball, and they ran the ball well sometimes.
20:46 And I mean, yeah, like I said, we've been practicing the past five games,
20:53 it's the same styles, just a little different.
20:56 But so yeah, I say we have enough practice against these styles.
21:00 >> One or two more.
21:02 >> Whose idea was it to play jump around?
21:05 >> Wait, jump around?
21:05 >> Yeah.
21:06 >> I don't know who's, but it wasn't mine, I can tell you that.
21:10 >> [LAUGH] >> But I don't know,
21:13 I can't tell you, but it's like, I say you got it, and that's Wisconsin.
21:19 >> Sebastian, when did you know it was gonna be your day?
21:22 I mean, you got going really early on a couple big plays, but
21:24 was there a certain player moment where you just kinda felt like
21:27 you specifically were in kinda control of the game?
21:31 >> I mean, I came out just feeling good from the get go.
21:34 Like the mood never changed, I was always just focused on the game.
21:40 So I wouldn't say it was like getting more momentum,
21:43 I just like I come in the game with that momentum.
21:47 We all try to do that, so yeah.
21:49 >> All right, thank you, Sebastian.
21:51 How good does this one feel?
21:53 >> Yeah, it feels pretty good.
21:54 There's a lot of dark days in the portal here, so obviously it feels good.
22:01 Be part of the team again, that's the biggest thing.
22:03 I love my team right now, and I wouldn't rather be anywhere else.
22:07 >> Can you talk about some of your emotions in the post game later,
22:09 right afterwards, as you were walking off the field?
22:10 >> Yeah, there were some tears of joy.
22:12 I'm not gonna hide it, there's a thousand cameras, so
22:15 someone got a photo of me crying.
22:17 But yeah, it was tears of joy, man.
22:19 I mean, a lot of dark days, a lot of hard working days to get to this point.
22:24 The best thing is with my team, we're pushing this thing forward.
22:29 >> What's it like to watch the running game do what it did today?
22:34 200 yards against Wisconsin.
22:37 >> Yeah, I mean, the O-line was phenomenal, they always are.
22:40 Shout out to Boog, too.
22:42 He played amazing, KJ, both of them.
22:45 Just that one-two combo, we didn't really have to do anything else.
22:49 The running game was popping.
22:50 The running game was working for us, so don't fix something that's not broken.
22:54 >> What did you see on the 82-yarder?
22:57 >> Yeah, I just saw Boog hit the gap, make a move, and then he was off to the races.
23:01 I saw the corner on the back side, I tried to chase him down.
23:05 I didn't know, I didn't have the best angle.
23:07 Once I saw Boog clear, I started running on the field myself.
23:10 >> Deacon, I mean, Eric goes out in that first quarter.
23:13 I think of all the weapons you guys have lost in the injuries you guys have dealt
23:16 with, and you guys always talk about next man up.
23:18 But how is this team built for resiliency?
23:21 How do you guys just continue to battle back and still end up on the winning side?
23:25 >> Yeah, I think it's just in the testament to everybody on the team.
23:29 Everybody works extremely hard.
23:31 Everybody works, busts their butts.
23:34 And Steve, Skoos, and Orworth, who's a freshman, came in and did their job.
23:38 They really did a great job in the run game, did their thing in the pass game.
23:41 I think that just shows how resilient we are.
23:44 Everybody's ready to go, and everybody's busting their butt all season long.
23:47 I'll say that.
23:48 >> What's your message to your team as the starting quarterback after all gets hurt
23:52 like that so early in the game?
23:54 >> I think it's just, let's keep going.
23:57 Football, the worst part about football is injuries exist.
24:01 Obviously, you'd love to play a game without the injuries, but
24:03 it's just not how the world works, unfortunately.
24:06 But it's just like, all right, next man up, let's go.
24:09 We gotta keep this thing moving.
24:11 We gotta keep going, keep fighting, keep pushing.
24:12 Yeah, my heart goes out to Eric.
24:16 I talked to him on the sideline.
24:18 He's always in good spirits.
24:20 He's cracking jokes.
24:21 I don't know how a man got cracking jokes at that time.
24:23 But yeah, just next man up.
24:26 Steve, to be honest, did a great job, so it's good.
24:30 >> Seven, six in the fourth quarter, I think you guys have gone six straight,
24:33 three and outs.
24:34 You guys probably felt like you needed a point at some point.
24:36 How important was it to kind of punch some things through and
24:39 get a couple of field goals there?
24:40 >> Yeah, I think it was just, let's just get out there and keep doing what we're doing.
24:46 At some point, someone was gonna break through.
24:48 Just keep pounding, keep pounding, and one's gonna break.
24:53 So I think it was just to keep pushing it forward.
24:56 >> You were mentioning that some of those dark days in the portal,
24:58 could you have imagined this when you were here a year ago,
25:02 trying to figure out what was next?
25:03 >> No, definitely not.
25:04 I never, early in the portal, didn't think I'd be playing FBS football again.
25:09 Unfortunately, I am, my gratitude for the coaches here is unmatched.
25:16 But yeah, I couldn't picture myself here.
25:20 Even when I came here, K was the guy.
25:22 So I was like, I'll probably wait another year, two years.
25:25 But things happen, so.
25:27 >> You and Coach Bud were both here previously.
25:30 Does this mean a lot for the both of you to come to Iowa and
25:34 then come back here and feel the victory?
25:37 >> Yeah, Coach Bud, he left after signing day, my senior year of high school.
25:42 He was once Governor of State.
25:44 But he had been here forever.
25:46 This place means a lot to him.
25:47 This place still means a lot to me.
25:48 I have a lot of fond, great memories here with my teammates.
25:51 But I think he was the first one.
25:53 I didn't expect him to be down from the box that fast.
25:56 But I think he was the first one to give me a hug.
25:59 Yeah, that was probably one of my favorite memories of all time,
26:03 is Bud being on the field for that long.
26:05 >> Was there anything he said to you during that?
26:07 >> Yeah, he was like, we did it.
26:11 Let's just keep moving this thing forward.
26:13 We got a lot of season left.
26:14 He was like, well, I'm proud of you.
26:16 Let's just keep going.
26:17 >> Eric, any questions?
26:18 >> [INAUDIBLE]
26:20 >> My heart jumped out of my skin.
26:22 Yeah, it just hit a little left on my hand.
26:27 I should have still got it, not on Logan.
26:29 Just squeezed through the gap a little bit.
26:30 But as soon as I saw it hit the floor, I think that's the fastest I've ever dived in
26:35 my life, so yeah, thankfully we get that one back.
26:39 >> Eric's been your go-to guy.
26:41 I mean, you talked about rallying the team in that moment.
26:43 But what's going through your mind, knowing that your top receiver is probably gonna be
26:48 out for the rest of the game?
26:49 >> Yeah, so I had no idea what happened, Eric, until the fourth quarter.
26:52 My attention just had to be what we're doing,
26:57 like what we're trying to do on the field at that moment.
26:59 I'll talk to Eric on the bus, see how he's doing.
27:04 All this stuff probably chopped up in the night.
27:06 But yeah, my obligation is to the team no matter what happens.
27:11 And so I just had to do what Brian asked me, what the coaches were asking me to do.
27:15 Unfortunately, it wasn't with Eric out there.
27:17 >> From going from first career start to second, where are the areas where you
27:21 think you've grown, and where are some of the areas that you're still wanting to
27:24 improve more on?
27:24 >> Yeah, I think my feet were a lot better today, a lot more calm.
27:27 The first quarter was a lot better than last week's.
27:32 But obviously, a lot of room to grow.
27:36 I can stand up here and claim I didn't make any mistakes on the field today.
27:39 But yeah, I think we're gonna take a look at the tape tomorrow.
27:43 I'm excited to see my family, so I'm gonna try and
27:47 block out football for a little bit tonight on the bus ride home.
27:50 But yeah, we'll see tomorrow.
27:52 I'll be excited to jump into the film, and I'll see what I can do better.
27:55 >> I think we do.