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00:00 >> Coach said that he loved that play that he scored on because like,
00:06 everything worked so well, like all the linemen, I mean everything.
00:09 Did you see that as like, as you were?
00:11 >> Yeah, most definitely.
00:12 I mean, I feel like everybody collectively did their job, even the play call.
00:17 I thought it was a great play call.
00:19 They were sending the house, you know what I'm saying?
00:20 I kind of set them up with the block, the linemen were downfield,
00:23 the receivers blocking.
00:24 It just, you know what I'm saying, collectively a good job.
00:27 >> You guys anticipate them sending pressure in that moment?
00:31 Is that something you thought about pre-play?
00:32 >> I mean, we didn't really talk about it.
00:34 I'm guessing coach kind of knew, so you feel me?
00:37 So he just put us in that position to be able to make that play.
00:39 >> How do you like the role you've developed here?
00:43 Cuz it's not like a traditional give the ball 20 times or something like that, but
00:46 you do so many different things.
00:48 Do you enjoy that?
00:49 >> Yeah, most definitely.
00:50 I'm a guy who just wants to be able to help the team win or
00:52 contribute however I can, you know what I'm saying?
00:54 So, if me being in the slot or in the backfield on point pressure or
00:59 anything, wherever I can help them, I'm ready to step up.
01:02 >> There was a lot of talk in that game about the physicality of it.
01:06 Do you feel that the team kind of wore Duke down as the game went on?
01:09 >> I mean, most definitely.
01:10 I still feel like a lot of people don't train like we do.
01:13 So that physicality and for such a long time, you know what I'm saying?
01:18 If you're not built like us, then you're built by stones, you know what I'm saying?
01:22 So definitely.
01:24 >> I feel like running back, we think of it as being like a rhythm position.
01:27 You have to be out there and develop a rhythm.
01:29 Have you found a way to be able to instantly impact the game with the limited
01:34 opportunities you do have?
01:36 >> Honestly, I mean, I do feel like coach does a lot of setting up.
01:41 Like he puts us in the position to be able to make the play and
01:44 we just have to do that.
01:45 And most of the time, we know where our touches are limited sometimes.
01:50 So we just gotta make the most of every one.
01:52 So yeah, whenever I do get that opportunity, I'm more than ready,
01:56 most likely, I ain't even gonna lie.
01:58 >> I think it was coach Atkins said that in one of the scrimmages,
02:02 maybe you guys were getting thin at running back.
02:05 But I think maybe they wanted to put you in green, but
02:06 you were like, no, I wanna be live.
02:09 Do you remember that?
02:09 And what's the- >> Yeah, yeah, yeah.
02:11 No, we just wanna be able to make sure we get that feel of the contact.
02:14 And we don't really, running back, you gotta be physical.
02:18 So you know what I'm saying?
02:19 We trying to hit.
02:20 We need that.
02:21 We need that every day, so.
02:22 >> It was pretty cool to see Desaiah get that touchdown.
02:26 >> Man, I was so happy, man.
02:27 I was so happy for my guy.
02:29 It definitely, I mean, I was happy for the whole team.
02:31 Just the way the play played out anyway, you know what I'm saying?
02:33 We all blocking on the perimeter.
02:35 You know, just showing that identity, showing that we really want them.
02:38 >> Rod scored late as well.
02:39 How are you seeing both him and Desaiah common?
02:42 Just I mean, when the group is all contributing and
02:44 deep as the group is, what's that do for the running back room?
02:47 >> I mean, it just brings so much different things to the table.
02:50 We're able to, everybody has their own strength and
02:54 we're able to use their strengths in different ways.
02:57 So I feel like it's just a lot of stuff that a defense has to defend.
03:01 >> When you guys go down in that game, 10-0, 17-7, what's the sideline?
03:05 Like, is anybody panicking?
03:06 And a lot of talking about the leadership and
03:08 how everyone kind of kept their heads the whole time.
03:10 >> I mean, I feel like we got some good leaders, myself, counting myself.
03:13 And I feel like we just gotta keep that energy up.
03:15 We always keep the next play mindset and we're ready to attack.
03:18 You know what I'm saying?
03:19 Even, no matter what's happening, when that next play, we're coming to attack.
03:24 >> You guys were down to 17-7, it was pick six.
03:26 How big was that momentum that Deuce fans were there with you?
03:29 >> Man, I was so happy for Deuce too, man.
03:32 Able to show his speed, you know what I'm saying?
03:34 I definitely, that's a big play, big time.
03:37 So I was definitely happy about that.
03:38 >> As far as your guys' schedule, started off with LSU, and then you died,
03:44 like Clem said, coach talks about it's always about you guys,
03:47 it's not about the opponent.
03:48 Is that something you guys have kind of discovered to play with and
03:51 have that focus this year?
03:52 Or is that something that you might have had- >> Yeah, that was my first thought.
03:55 >> I mean, honestly, I kind of, myself, I've always had that mindset.
03:59 You know what I'm saying?
04:00 It doesn't really matter who we're playing.
04:01 If we go out there and play our best game,
04:03 then it doesn't really matter what kind of happens.
04:06 So that's my mindset and I feel like the team is definitely,
04:10 definitely jumping along, coming along with that.
04:13 So we feel like that's a good thing as well.
04:15 >> When we see how much time y'all spend on special teams every practice,
04:19 every day we're out here, how nice is it?
04:20 I mean, all that work you put in,
04:21 see it pay dividends like it did on that kick return.
04:23 >> I mean, it's great, man.
04:25 It just shows how the hard work will pay off, man.
04:27 You know what I'm saying?
04:28 Putting it in every day and it's just happening in front of us.
04:32 So we're just happy about that.
04:33 >> And there's a, you've had some big plays.
04:39 So I'm sure friends and family and people are like,
04:41 I don't think you get the ball more and stuff like that.
04:43 What do you tell them and like?
04:45 >> I mean, honestly, we're just trying to win.
04:48 If I'm being honest with you, if I'm scoring, I'm scoring.
04:52 If Rod's scoring, he's scoring.
04:54 Cuz I trade, you know what I'm saying?
04:55 So it kind of just goes wherever, however it happens.
04:59 That's God's decision.
05:00 But I just want us to be able to win.
05:03 That's my main thing.
05:04 I ain't gonna lie.
05:05 >> Coach Novell shut out the fan base Saturday night and again on Monday.
05:09 How about the atmosphere on Saturday night?
05:10 >> It was crazy, yeah.
05:11 The fans definitely played a part in the game.
05:14 They helped us out, gave us that extra little energy push.
05:17 So I feel like they played a part, for sure.
05:21 >> Did you embrace special teams when you first got here or did it grow on you?
05:25 >> I mean, I've always been in and out of the special teams.
05:28 I've always been maybe a two guy, six string or really wherever.
05:33 I kind of played almost everywhere.
05:34 But I never really started until, I would say, last year, point pressure.
05:39 That's probably my main thing, for sure.
05:42 >> What's your role on that?
05:43 >> What's my role?
05:44 I mean, I'm clearing the fake and blocking for the play, really.
05:47 Like the most dangerous man.
05:49 I don't have a certain guy.
05:50 I'm just kind of getting started.
05:51 >> [INAUDIBLE]
05:56 >> You mentioned you're happy for
05:59 each other.
06:00 You mentioned there's an infinite amount of touches to go around.
06:04 So you have a good, I guess, Ben,
06:07 how do you guys manage to talk about being comfortable for each other?
06:11 >> I ain't gonna lie, man.
06:12 We really support each other.
06:14 We lean on each other.
06:16 So whenever a running back's going through something in our group,
06:19 we lift him up.
06:20 You know what I'm saying?
06:20 We always make sure that he's ready, cuz you never know what can happen.
06:24 So if somebody has the hot hand and the other guy's sitting, keep him going,
06:29 keep him loose, and keep his mind right.
06:32 So when it is his time, he can be able to take over.
06:34 So I kinda feel like it's kinda everywhere right now.
06:37 So we're rolling on a high.
06:40 We just gotta stay on it every day, keep getting better.
06:42 >> Awesome, thanks, man.