Mike Norvell Discusses Upcoming Matchup Against Pittsburgh
Category
🥇
SportsTranscript
00:00 Good morning, everybody.
00:01 Appreciate you being here.
00:03 Obviously, just kind of wrapping up Saturday's game.
00:06 It was really going back and watching the film of the game
00:10 and the way that we performed.
00:11 I was really proud of the team.
00:12 I know I said I was proud of them after the game.
00:14 I mean, that was really mindset approach,
00:16 but being able to go back and watch the way that we played,
00:20 I thought it was fast, it was physical.
00:24 We had our mistakes that showed up,
00:25 and obviously things to improve upon,
00:28 but I was proud of the way that our guys played.
00:31 And I told them that yesterday.
00:33 You saw a passion and intensity
00:38 throughout the course of the game.
00:40 Defensively, we had about three plays
00:42 that every one of them count,
00:45 but really three plays that kind of stood out
00:47 where we have to be better.
00:49 We had one bust in coverage that allowed a seven cut.
00:54 They did a nice job on another out concept
00:57 that allowed an explosive play.
01:00 And then, obviously, we had the misfit in the run game
01:04 that we just have to be better at.
01:06 And it gave up a big run.
01:09 But I was really pleased with the way
01:10 that our guys battled.
01:13 We had too many penalties in the course of the game.
01:15 Some things are technique that we can be better at.
01:19 Other things are we just continue to push
01:23 to control all things that we can control.
01:25 But when you have nine penalties,
01:27 it's obviously too many.
01:29 And in close games, it definitely can cost us.
01:32 And it hurt us in a few drives,
01:35 defensively and offensively,
01:37 with what we were trying to do.
01:38 But I thought our third down defense
01:41 and third down offense was extraordinary.
01:44 Our defense was aggressive throughout.
01:47 You impacted the quarterback.
01:49 Officially, how many? Six sacks?
01:50 Is that what it?
01:52 Okay, we're at six sacks, which was great.
01:55 It's great to see that type of impact
01:58 that we're able to make.
01:59 I think it was 10 TFLs,
02:02 which was an outstanding performance
02:05 and plenty of explosive plays that were made.
02:07 I thought our defensive backfield
02:08 did a great job in coverage.
02:10 Like I mentioned, we had the one bust.
02:12 But they were in position.
02:15 Really forced the quarterback to have to hold the ball
02:18 a few times, which allowed the rush to get home.
02:22 It was a really, really impressive effort.
02:25 Offensively, a lot of explosives.
02:27 It was great to see.
02:30 They pressured as much as they had pressured
02:33 throughout the course of the year.
02:34 I thought we handled that.
02:36 They did some good things in their run game.
02:39 I was still coming out of that game.
02:41 I know I complimented their safeties
02:43 at the beginning of the week,
02:44 but the other two outstanding safeties.
02:47 They did a wonderful job of making open field tackles.
02:50 They were involved in the run game,
02:52 really added an extra hat into the box.
02:56 Opened up opportunities in the passing game.
02:58 I thought Jordan did a really good job
03:00 of taking what they were giving us.
03:02 We got a few one-on-one opportunities
03:04 that I know Keon was able to take advantage of.
03:06 Jaheim had a big play.
03:08 Kyle Moorlach with the big play.
03:09 You saw some of the other receivers
03:11 that were able to be impactful.
03:14 I thought Jordan had distributed the ball really well.
03:17 He had multiple receivers that made an impact.
03:21 But then the running game found its time
03:27 and found its moments.
03:28 I thought we did a good job with it.
03:32 Obviously, each game plan's going to be different.
03:36 We knew we wanted to try to attack
03:39 and spread the field as much as possible.
03:44 Anticipated that we would see some pressure
03:47 just to try to disrupt the run game.
03:49 I thought we did a good job
03:51 of being able to keep a fair balance with that.
03:54 But it did create the opportunity for the explosives.
03:57 I was proud of our guys for that.
03:59 We did have the one ball that got to the ground.
04:01 And then we had a couple guys slip in situations
04:05 where on a couple of Jordan's passes,
04:09 one where Keon slipped down and was a near interception.
04:13 And then there's one thing technique-wise on a route
04:15 that we got to be better at.
04:17 We did not turn the ball over in that game.
04:20 We were over 50% on third downs.
04:25 Unfortunately, we did go into the red zone once
04:27 and not come away with points.
04:30 It was Ryan's first miss of the season.
04:32 But even on that, we had a touchdown opportunity
04:36 that we got to finish on in that drive.
04:38 But I thought our guys responded well.
04:40 Special teams, once again, was a big benefit for us.
04:44 I thought Deuce Bann, once again,
04:45 showing the confidence that he's growing in the return game.
04:48 I thought our kickoff coverage was fantastic,
04:51 just the way that the guys were working down the field.
04:54 Our punt coverage, I thought our guys covered really well.
04:59 We got some things we can be better at
05:02 when it comes to our punt.
05:05 And then, obviously, we had another impactful punt return.
05:08 So I was proud of the guys, special teams-wise,
05:11 for how they're competing.
05:12 It allowed us to go and have a dominant performance
05:15 there on the road, leading us into this week,
05:18 which is another road trip,
05:20 and a place that is a challenge to play.
05:24 You sit there and you just look historically.
05:27 Even this year, you got to go
05:30 and you got to play at a very high level.
05:31 This is a football team that is going to be tough.
05:35 It's going to be physical. They're going to be aggressive.
05:39 Each week, I get up and I say the same things
05:41 about defenses that like to blitz and attack.
05:45 We found another one.
05:46 This coach, Narduzzi, does a wonderful job defensively
05:50 in being able to create challenges
05:53 for opposing offenses and what they do.
05:57 Historically, it's been just such an impactful defense.
06:02 The last game was really kind of an anomaly for them,
06:05 the lack of TFLs or sacks in the game,
06:07 but you still were able to create a couple takeaways.
06:11 There's one of the top teams,
06:13 top defenses in the country in those statistical categories.
06:18 We've seen them play at a very high level.
06:22 And then offensively, they went through a quarterback change
06:26 midway through the season, so you're working to feel that out.
06:29 You've seen them play at a high level.
06:31 I know when they played Louisville,
06:33 I think they scored 38 points against a really good team.
06:36 And as they continue to kind of grow
06:40 and form that identity of who they are,
06:43 we know they're going to want to run the football.
06:44 That's something that is in their DNA.
06:46 It's what they want to be.
06:47 They've got some big play receivers,
06:48 some guys that can really run on the outside,
06:50 and obviously the quarterback that's shown potential.
06:54 And that's something that we've got to,
06:58 just like each week, focus on us,
06:59 making sure that we're doing our job,
07:01 being disciplined and growing in the areas
07:03 that we need to continue to grow,
07:05 and special teams will be a big part of this game as we go up.
07:09 It's truly another week and another opportunity
07:13 where we've got to grind away at it,
07:16 and go get better as a football team
07:18 and all the things that we're doing.
07:19 But excited about the opportunity that's ahead,
07:22 and looking forward to the week of preparation.
07:26 First question will be Ira. Ira on your right.
07:29 If you take away scramble and sacks,
07:32 you guys are running the ball,
07:33 or you're going to go on the ball
07:34 and run forward as you are running.
07:35 Compared to last year,
07:38 the more designed passes that run,
07:39 is that something coming into the year,
07:41 senior quarterback, moderate skill players,
07:43 is that an idea it might be,
07:45 or is that just playing out that was kind of a thing?
07:47 Yeah, I mean, a little bit of both.
07:50 I mean, I like our offense.
07:53 I like what we're able to do.
07:56 I think we've got playmakers on the perimeter.
07:58 We've got - and sometimes when you sit there
08:02 and you look at it, it's - there were a couple of run plays
08:06 where there were throws because of what we got.
08:08 And so, I mean, I can't - you know, it's -
08:12 you know, we're pretty close in a sense of,
08:14 you know, if you call a screen pass, what is that?
08:18 What is that necessarily going to be?
08:20 You know, sometimes it's an opportunity
08:23 to get a five-yard outside zone
08:24 that might pop and turn into something more.
08:27 You know, or it's - you sit there,
08:29 and it's just a balance of where you're trying
08:31 to attack on the field.
08:34 Ultimately, we're going to do everything we can
08:35 to score as many points as we can
08:37 to put ourselves in a position to win a game.
08:39 And so - but I do like the personnel that we have.
08:43 I like the potential we have in the run game.
08:46 You know, now if people are going to stack the box,
08:50 bring safeties in, and you know, you've got to -
08:52 you have to be able to take advantage
08:53 of one-on-one opportunities on the perimeter.
08:56 You know, try to keep them off balance,
08:57 and then whenever you can soften them up,
08:59 it does open up, you know, things in the run game
09:03 and allow our backs to be able to have space.
09:05 And, you know, whether it's Jordan, you know,
09:08 being a part of that, whether in the read game
09:09 or whatever that might be.
09:11 So, it's kind of both.
09:14 I mean, yes, we like the receivers that we have.
09:17 We like some of the matchups that we've got.
09:20 And then on the flip side of it, you know,
09:22 some of it is what we're almost being forced
09:25 a little bit in situations to do
09:27 because of looks that we're getting.
09:29 We'll come to Brendan on the left.
09:32 Some of the numbers for the past game on defense
09:35 are really top-notch nationally.
09:37 So, it's been a thing all season,
09:38 specifically the last month.
09:39 It seems like it keeps getting better and better.
09:41 I guess, what is working so well
09:42 about your past defense right now?
09:44 Yeah, I mean, I think it's a combination
09:46 of all three levels.
09:47 You know, early in the year, we had, you know,
09:50 we had some communication things.
09:51 We had some technique things that we had to clean up.
09:55 You know, and I think our guys have really spent a lot of time,
09:59 you know, Coach Fuller, Coach Ortan,
10:00 I mean, Coach Shannon, you know,
10:02 because it really does work at all levels of,
10:05 you know, how you're trying to defend
10:07 and cover, you know, different concepts or routes
10:10 or whether it's man or zone, you know,
10:12 and I think those guys have done a really good job
10:14 in building their confidence of what we want to do.
10:18 And then, you know, whether it's, you know, man or zone,
10:21 I mean, our guys are competing at a high level.
10:23 I think we had six pass breakups the other day.
10:26 I mean, our corners are playing physical.
10:28 Safety's doing a good job in coverage.
10:32 You know, obviously, when you have a pass rush
10:34 and can put pressure on a quarterback,
10:36 that's going to definitely help,
10:38 and, you know, I think our guys are --
10:40 all three phases are embracing, you know,
10:42 what that needs to be and what that looks like.
10:44 So, you know, I'm really pleased with the growth we've seen,
10:49 but, you know, I think there's still even more steps
10:51 that we can take, you know, as we continue to get better.
10:56 Coach, you had another opening drive score.
10:58 Can you take me through kind of the preparation
11:00 of writing the script during the week
11:02 and then why the opening drive's been so successful
11:03 throughout the year?
11:05 Yeah, I mean, you know, it's -- we don't --
11:07 we actually don't start our script until,
11:10 you know, really Thursday, and, you know,
11:12 we'll do a Thursday, Friday look at it.
11:14 You know, sometimes it'll change.
11:16 You know, it's something I've done, you know,
11:19 throughout my career of, you know,
11:21 being an offensive coach.
11:23 Just, you know, I like to have a sequence.
11:25 I like to have, you know, a thought,
11:27 and it's -- sometimes, like I said, it can change,
11:30 and there's plenty of times that we'll go on it,
11:31 and, hey, you might have however many plays
11:34 in your thought process, but if you see something early,
11:36 you go to it early, and, you know, other things.
11:40 You might tell a story.
11:41 You might be setting up things for later on down in the game.
11:45 You know, I just -- that's one of the fun parts,
11:48 and, you know, as an offensive staff,
11:49 I mean, everybody plays a part in that,
11:51 and so we have our routine of how that comes about,
11:55 and, you know, just, you know,
11:58 fortunate to have good players that can execute at a high level,
12:01 and, you know, as we go in,
12:02 we try to put them in the best position
12:04 to have an early, you know, productive start,
12:06 and, you know, they've done a really nice job
12:08 of executing that.
12:17 On the wide receiver depth chart,
12:19 guys expected back this week,
12:21 how do you feel about that room coming about
12:22 and getting a few of those guys back?
12:24 Yeah, we'll see where it goes throughout the week.
12:26 You know, obviously, last week being down,
12:29 you know, three really good players, you know, Johnny
12:32 and Dustin have both been starters
12:34 throughout the course of the year.
12:37 Hakeem has probably ascended as much as any, you know, player,
12:41 but, you know, having those three guys out,
12:43 you know, it gave new opportunities,
12:45 and one of my favorite plays in the game was,
12:46 you know, Kentron's early first drive.
12:49 He got one-on-one coverage, you know, great throw by Jordan,
12:51 great route, you know, being able to have an explosive play
12:53 there on the first drive was big.
12:55 You know, unfortunately, the other one was,
12:57 you know, was called back due to a penalty,
12:59 but, I mean, I thought that was big for him,
13:02 you know, to be able to see Ja'Kai.
13:04 You know, I know we've talked about him,
13:05 and Ja'Kai's made so many great plays here,
13:07 you know, throughout his first few years,
13:09 and, you know, coming off the injury,
13:11 just working to get back in that,
13:12 and, you know, he had a big post route
13:15 in the middle of the field that,
13:16 you know, got tripped up,
13:18 or I think he would have scored on that,
13:19 but it was good to see him kind of get into that rhythm,
13:24 and, you know, obviously, you have some production there,
13:26 but, you know, we're excited about,
13:29 you know, the guys that have stepped up.
13:31 You know, Darion had a catch later in the game,
13:33 the tight ends, you know, the mix of our personnel,
13:35 of what we're able to do has really been good,
13:40 but ultimately, if you get those guys back,
13:42 I mean, it just helps with depth,
13:44 with being able to keep guys fresh,
13:47 you know, being able to utilize all the skills,
13:48 and so, you know, I think as we're looking into this week,
13:51 you know, as it gets a little bit further down,
13:53 we'll have a better clue of the availability.
13:56 You know, I know Johnny was out yesterday
13:58 and got a chance to get some practice in,
14:00 and so, you know, we'll see what that looks like
14:02 as his week progresses.
14:04 You know, I know Destin and Hakeem are both,
14:06 you're going through their process,
14:08 and you'll see what that looks like as we get to Tuesday.
14:11 Stay here for Brenton.
14:14 During your time as a head coach,
14:16 typically your teams have gotten better
14:17 as the season has gone on.
14:18 Is there any methodology or reason for that specifically?
14:22 I mean, it's, you know, yes.
14:25 I mean, it's about the work.
14:26 It's about the, you know, we go, Coach Storms and myself,
14:31 Jackson Schaefer, who's, you know, does sports science.
14:32 I mean, we sit down in the offseason,
14:34 and we try to go through, you know, every element of,
14:39 you know, how we practice, how we structure things,
14:41 you know, what is that going to look like as the season goes on,
14:44 but, you know, it truly is about mindset,
14:48 improvement, technique, fundamentals,
14:50 you know, continuing to build upon the things
14:52 that allow you to get better as the season progresses
14:55 because it still comes down to reps,
14:56 and, you know, we want to be, you know,
14:59 as confident in what we're doing and what we're facing
15:02 and what we're seeing, and that's one of the things
15:03 that are as good as, you know, early in the season,
15:07 there were some ugly-looking plays,
15:08 whether it's a coverage or whether it's a, you know,
15:11 an offense-defensive play that, you know,
15:14 you get to learn through those experiences,
15:16 and, you know, if you miss out on those opportunities,
15:18 then you get stuck kind of where you were,
15:20 but, you know, our guys, they do a great job in,
15:23 you know, taking ownership to the mistakes that are made
15:25 but then working to the correction
15:27 and the application of how to improve that
15:29 as we continue to move down the season,
15:33 and that's something that, you know,
15:34 we've held true to over the years,
15:36 and, you know, when you get to November,
15:38 I mean, that's where you want to be playing your best ball,
15:40 and then as it continues to go on,
15:41 you want to continue to grow from there,
15:43 but, you know, our guys, you know,
15:45 they put in an awful lot of work.
15:47 I mean, they're trained extremely well.
15:49 You know, we lift hard throughout the course of the season
15:51 so that we're stronger at the end
15:52 than we were at the beginning,
15:54 and I think that's something that, you know,
15:55 I know I mentioned these last few weeks of practice.
15:58 I mean, you see it in the explosive efforts,
15:59 the speed, you know, the physicality.
16:02 I mean, you know, Trey Benson gets in the open field,
16:04 and, you know, he's really fast here.
16:06 You know, Deuce Spann, you know,
16:08 you've seen some of these guys, you know, Keyon.
16:09 I mean, when you get out there and you run, you know,
16:12 I thought Kalen DeLoach on the one play.
16:13 You look at Kalen DeLoach, Conrad Hussey,
16:15 on the run that broke.
16:17 I mean, those guys were flying to just give us another snap,
16:20 and, you know, that's something that's encouraging to see,
16:23 that the guys are getting better as the year's going on
16:27 because of the way that they train,
16:29 but, yeah, it's always about the work.
16:32 Go back to Conrad on the break.
16:34 You've made a -- put a big emphasis on special teams
16:37 in the return game since you've been here
16:39 throughout your career.
16:41 Now it seems like -- I don't know.
16:43 Can it become contagious when, like,
16:44 when the team sees what good returns can do
16:47 and how important they are for,
16:49 you know, just the course of the game?
16:50 No, absolutely.
16:51 It all comes down to buy-in and ownership, you know,
16:54 and that's where, you know, even in the game Saturday,
16:58 you know, there was a punt return where,
17:01 I mean, we were ten guys on point
17:04 and just, you know, a little technique or fundamental
17:06 that could have been better.
17:07 I think we would have had a chance to score another one,
17:09 and, you know, but you sit there and --
17:14 What I love -- We had a special teams meeting yesterday
17:16 coming out of the game, and, you know, you sit there,
17:17 and when we're in our special teams meeting,
17:19 the intent of our players, like, I mean, some of our best players,
17:23 like, it is -- It's awesome, and, you know,
17:26 we had -- I think we're up 41 to 16 in the game,
17:29 and we're out there -- We run out,
17:30 and we were forced to punt,
17:32 and Renardo Green's out there as one of our gunners.
17:35 I mean, Renardo Green, Jerrion Jones, Ja'Kai Douglas,
17:38 I mean, Lawrence Toe Affiliate, those are our gunners on punt,
17:41 and to see them --
17:43 Zari Thomas had done a really nice job.
17:44 Like, those guys -- I mean, 41 to 16,
17:46 Renardo's jumping out there to go cover a punt.
17:49 That gets me excited as a head coach
17:51 because you see buy-in and ownership
17:53 of guys wanting to be better.
17:54 Jerrion Jones has been awesome in special teams this year.
17:56 I pointed him out.
17:58 You know, Ja'Kai Douglas has been remarkable.
18:00 I mean, that's where you see those guys,
18:02 and then, you know, in the return game,
18:05 I mean, it's been -- Each week, you see the growth.
18:08 You see the development guys that are buying in on it,
18:10 your coverage units on kickoff.
18:12 Like, that's where, like, you see the fundamentals
18:16 and the things that you work, and you invest so much time.
18:17 When that shows up on film, you know they're listening,
18:20 you know they're applying, and it matters to them.
18:22 And so, you know, we're not a finished product
18:25 when it comes to that, but you see the buy-in,
18:27 and so, yes, the confidence does show up,
18:30 but it's not just in the return game.
18:31 It's in all units that we know.
18:33 As we saw in the Virginia Tech game,
18:36 you know, we were able to respond from it,
18:39 but, man, that was a big hit, and, you know,
18:43 but what do we do to improve from there?
18:44 And I think the last couple weeks,
18:46 our guys have done a remarkable job.
18:47 So, yeah, I mean, we learn from all those experiences,
18:50 but that definitely builds the confidence.
18:53 Jerry, for Owen, you're right.
18:55 Mike, earlier, you addressed the improvement in the secondary,
18:58 and statistically, it's obvious.
19:02 At the same time, your defensive front,
19:05 they're statistically not so good,
19:08 you know, as you would think they might be.
19:10 Is that because you're playing with a lighter box or --
19:15 In what regards?
19:18 Like, are you saying, like, just pure --
19:19 Statistically.
19:20 So, sacks or what?
19:22 Well, no, in, you know, rush defense.
19:26 Well, I mean, I think when you look at it, you know,
19:29 obviously, we gave them a 51-yard run,
19:31 which, you know, is not something
19:33 that you want to have,
19:35 but I think our guys have played well up front,
19:39 and, you know, for us, you look at --
19:42 There were some times early in the season,
19:44 I mean, like, we know, we played Boston College,
19:47 and, man, they had over 200 yards
19:48 on third and long situations.
19:50 Like, that was not good.
19:51 Some of those were quarterback draw,
19:54 counter, like, things that, you know,
19:56 obviously were huge and impactful in that game,
19:59 and, you know, there's been times where we played,
20:02 I guess, four of the top five
20:04 rushing quarterbacks early in the season
20:05 that really, you know, gave some challenges,
20:07 and we played some good running teams,
20:09 and all those things, you know, show up,
20:10 but when you look at yards per play,
20:12 when you look at yards per rush,
20:13 like, we're getting better as the season's going on,
20:15 so, yes, we don't want to give up any,
20:18 you know, any explosive plays in a run game.
20:20 We want people to earn everything that they get,
20:23 but I think we've done a -- I think we're growing in that,
20:26 and, you know, our guys are continuing to work hard
20:28 to improve in all those areas.
20:32 Back over to you, Les.
20:35 On the plays for -- I guess there was two of them,
20:37 one with Byron Turner and one with D.J.
20:38 Lunney that were penalized,
20:40 both had positive stops for you guys.
20:43 What can you teach them or go through technique
20:45 to make sure those aren't --
20:46 you know, positives don't become negatives moving forward?
20:48 Oh, I mean, you know, it's --
20:50 Yeah, I know, we dressed it as a team.
20:52 I mean, we can play with lower hands.
20:53 I mean, that's a focus.
20:54 I mean, I -- you know, Byron, you know,
20:56 he gets the shoulder first, but the hand does get high,
20:59 so you put a -- you give an official
21:01 to make a judgment call.
21:02 I mean, what I feel about the call
21:06 is what I feel about the call.
21:08 Now, with D.J.'s, you know, we want to see knockback.
21:11 We want to see guys, you know --
21:13 because if you don't, it's going to work the other way.
21:16 Early in the game, you know, we hit a running back,
21:18 we stop, and momentum stopped.
21:21 You don't take them to the ground,
21:23 and they keep moving forward,
21:24 they're going to continue to allow the play to play,
21:26 which is fine. It's great.
21:27 So, you know, knockback on your feet.
21:29 Now, on D.J.'s, you know, you see a push to the ground.
21:34 They call that excessive, so learn from it.
21:37 Let's not be excessive.
21:39 But we got to finish plays, and when the whistle blows, stop.
21:43 But we got to stop plays, and that's the hardest balance
21:49 of what you do being a defender is,
21:51 you know, sideline tackles.
21:52 I think we've done a much better job, you know,
21:54 when people get to the sideline, of not having that extra step.
21:58 But, you know, you see a lot of athletic players
22:01 that push to the sideline and cut vertical,
22:04 and if you assume it, well, it can hurt you.
22:08 So make sure that we're doing everything
22:10 to play the game within the rules
22:12 and to be smart, to be safe with it.
22:15 But, you know, it's just a lot of balance.
22:18 I mean, there was a conversation I had
22:20 with the sliding quarterback.
22:22 You know, how many times this year have we seen Jordan
22:24 run and slide down, giving himself up,
22:26 losing yards, but then somebody hits him?
22:29 Well, that's -- what are we sliding for?
22:32 You know, it's just like that's where, you know,
22:35 we've got to be wise in those decisions,
22:37 and we got to continue to teach tight hands,
22:41 low hands, all those things,
22:42 and, you know, control what we can control.
22:44 But, you know, it's tough when, you know,
22:47 a lot of these judgment calls, I don't envy the officials
22:49 for having to make them, but, you know,
22:51 we can control and be better in different ways,
22:54 and that's what we're trying to teach.
22:56 We got time for two more.
22:59 Coach, you're able to pull the starters
23:00 midway through the fourth quarter.
23:01 I know it wasn't a lot of time,
23:03 but how important is it to get guys rest
23:04 at this point in the year?
23:06 You said rest?
23:07 Yeah, or just, you know, off the field
23:09 so you can start preparing.
23:10 Yeah, I mean, it's -- the rest part, I'm not --
23:14 like, I'm not so much -- I love the fact
23:16 we were able to get more guys in the game.
23:19 You know, our guys are prepared to play
23:22 however many snaps they need to play.
23:24 You know, I think they're going to get better from all of them,
23:27 but, you know, when you get a chance to go and see,
23:30 you know, younger guys get more reps,
23:32 get extended opportunities to see them in the moment,
23:34 it's just all --
23:36 it's so valuable for their growth and development
23:40 because that's what's real and what you see.
23:42 I love, you know, seeing Tate be able to go out there
23:45 and, you know, I mean, he fired an unbelievable,
23:48 you know, pass to Darion right on rhythm, right on time.
23:51 I mean, in the moment, like --
23:53 and you can work it in practice,
23:54 but now he's out there on the stage.
23:56 And, you know, I think that's one of the things
23:58 I've been really pleased with is, you know,
24:00 we've had opportunities to get Tate in the game,
24:02 and I don't even know what his quarterback rating is,
24:07 but it's got to be pretty high.
24:09 But, I mean, he's performing, and, you know, you can say,
24:11 "All right, well, you had a good practice today,"
24:13 but when you put him in the game,
24:14 you know, you got to go execute it.
24:16 And, you know, he had some things
24:18 that he got to be better at in that game,
24:19 and those are things that are all teachable moments,
24:21 and whether it's Jaylon Early, you know,
24:24 a young man that I think has an incredible future.
24:27 You know, at the end of one of the plays,
24:29 you know, guys are laying on top of a running back,
24:31 and, you know, he goes and pulls one of the guys off.
24:34 That's a penalty.
24:35 And so that -- I mean, have we talked about it?
24:38 Yes, but in the moment, right, was that something
24:41 that registered in your mind?
24:43 It wasn't malicious or anything that he did,
24:45 but it is something that showed up
24:48 that, you know, if he doesn't get that rep,
24:50 I mean, what if that is a year from now,
24:53 two years from now, in a critical moment,
24:55 critical juncture, he's going to remember,
24:58 and we made sure he remembered, like, that experience.
25:01 And so those are the great things about,
25:03 you know, getting younger guys opportunities to play.
25:06 Last one will be Ira.
25:08 Not accusing any other teams of doing this intentionally,
25:10 but it seems like some other defensive players
25:14 sometimes, they really jog slowly out
25:17 onto the field for substitutions.
25:19 And does that affect you guys in terms of what you're doing?
25:23 And then also, have you guys decided
25:27 intentionally to not do that?
25:28 Well, I mean, so the delay sub, and this is where --
25:34 Where can we be -- What can we control?
25:36 Well, we can control when we sub players.
25:38 And if we sub somebody late,
25:40 we put ourselves in position for an opposing team to sub.
25:45 But now, like, Wake Forest in the game,
25:49 you know, on the last -- on the field goal,
25:52 you know, we had a player that got injured,
25:54 and, you know, we ended up getting an extra --
25:56 you know, an additional drive, utilizing timeouts,
25:59 and one of our guys on field goal
26:02 went into the locker room early.
26:03 So if we were late to get somebody onto the field,
26:06 that's where we can be better.
26:08 We can't do that.
26:09 And so -- And then, obviously, on offense,
26:12 if we have a late sub, you know --
26:14 But it does need to be done in a timely fashion.
26:17 And so if teams are really slow to sub,
26:21 and, you know, it's intentional that they're delaying the game,
26:23 they'll get a delay of the game penalty.
26:25 So it's things that we bring up with officials.
26:27 And, I mean, they have every right to substitute.
26:29 I mean, that's -- And if somebody does against us,
26:31 we have every right.
26:32 But if you remember a year ago,
26:35 we got penalized for a delay game.
26:36 And, you know, once that ball snapped,
26:39 and you either have 12 guys on the field, like,
26:42 oh, it all counts.
26:43 So if you've got one guy running off,
26:44 and somebody hits a touchdown, that's a free play for them.
26:46 So it's the -- You know, that's one thing I ask the officials,
26:50 is consistency of understanding whether it's a --
26:52 they're trying to delay the game,
26:54 or they, you know, substituting to get a play.
26:57 But we've got to be smart in making sure
27:00 we're not subbing too late in the play clock
27:03 because you put yourself in jeopardy.
27:06 All right. Thank you, guys. Have a great day.
27:08 [BLANK_AUDIO]