Nov. 6, 2007
No. 23, Kevin Kelly, Placekicker
You've had Big Ten game after Big Ten game. How do you get motivated for Temple?
It's very easy actually. It's a sellout game. For me personally, I'm going back home and playing in Philadelphia. So for me, it's not that hard. For the team, Coach (Paterno) stressed that all game, it's going to be a great atmosphere. They are coming off three wins, they have had three wins on the year. They are a very improved team. So it's not very hard to get excited for this game. It is very exciting.
You mentioned that it is a sellout. Temple averages 25,000-30,000 fans a game. How many Penn State fans do you expect and do you see this as a home game on the east coast?
I am expecting a lot of support. But, once again, they are going to have lots of support too just because it's a big game for them as well. I can't tell you if it will seem like a home game until we get there just because we don't know how many tickets Temple sold to their fans and Penn State fans. Temple fans could be buying it and it could be like a home game for Temple. Once we get there, it is just going to be to go out there and playing.
Pat Weber was here last week. Could you talk about how much of an unsung hero he has been and what has it been like to see a guy like him come through the program without a scholarship, then earn a scholarship and do well?
Absolutely. Pat has made big strides since he got here. Over the past three years, getting a chance to work with, seeing how much he has gotten better, and how much he has an effect on me and Jeremy (Boone), it's just been huge. In the same situation, you have Chris Mauriello who is a walk-on as well, has been doing the long snapping for Jeremy on the punts. You just see the development they have made, and now that they are playing their last games at home, and they have done well.
At this point, is it reasonable to say that the team's reasonable goal is to make a New Year's Day Bowl?
Absolutely, I think that is sort of the end result. We just want to take one game at a time. We have two games left. If we do our job in the next two games, and then that is all we can hope for, a New Year's Day Bowl. But all we have to do is take care of our business and then everything else is out of our hands.
What has been the highlight for you personally and what do you expect out of these last three games?
The highlight for me I would say is just being able to help the team out whenever they needed it. I think I've been able to focus more on the kicks, focus more on the situation, and be able to help the team out whenever they need me.
Can you give a sense of what is going wrong on kickoff coverage?
I would say everything. It starts with the kick, and you know, if I don't have a good kick, it just puts everyone in a bad position. I mean the first two kicks in the game (vs. Purdue) I think were high enough and deep enough, but I didn't get them over to the numbers close enough. For that and all, my kick really depends on their set-up. Where I kicked the ball was set-up for them to get a really good return. It starts with me. We have had some breakdowns, but the guys are running hard down the field. It's just a matter of getting the ball in the right spot.
Is there anybody in particular that is really motivating the team to stay focused for a team like Temple?
I would say it is everyone. From the coaches to the players, from the freshmen to the seniors, its all about getting the job done, and knowing that we are going to go into a great atmosphere, and knowing if we win the next game and the next game, it is going to be a great season ahead of us and we are going to go to a great bowl. Everyone is pushing each other. The scout team has done a great job this year pushing the starters and the starters are responding.
Your field goal percentage is up about 10 points this year. What are the differences this year?
I think I'm just more accountable for my actions. Having Coach from the beginning of the year, and having Collin (Wagner), who has stepped up really big. He has gotten a lot better since when he came here last year as a freshman. And I think that has really pushed me, too. Competition makes you better. And I think also think being in great conditions helps out as well. It helps with the mental aspect. You're going to go out there and know you have a great hold, a great ball, and great weather to kick in.
No. 48 - Maurice Evans, Defensive End
You're among the leaders in the country in sacks. Did you ever imagine the season unfolding for you like this?
Not at all. I just expected to have an average season, being a first-time starter. So I didn't expect things to be like this at all.
The past five years Penn State has made a name for itself as a D-line factor. Have you talked to any of those guys (i.e. Tamba Hali, Michael Haynes) and if so what advice have they given you?
Tamba and Jason Alford just tell me, "Don't let things get to your head. There is always room to get better, there is always room for improvement," and I take that [advice] into every game.
What do you remember about going up against Dennis Landolt is practice? What are his strengths as a lineman?
All I can say is that it's not easy. Between me and Landolt its always a dogfight in practice. He's an excellent run blocker; it's hard to fit the run against him, in my opinion.
Can you describe a couple of moves or techniques that work for you and allow you to get to the quarterback?
First and foremost, the guys I line up with on the D-line allow me to get free because they're doing their job. Technique-wise, I try to create a field pass for us and then get them jumping outside and counter it back inside.
Deon Butler made fun of you with your run (fumble return) at Indiana. How much did your teammates rib you for the run?
They were clowning me as soon as I got back to the sideline, telling me I'm slow. But in the end it was a good play.