Oct. 14, 2009
University Park, Pa.; -
Josh Hull, Senior, Linebacker
Q: What are your thoughts on the Minnesota offense?
A: It's definitely a powerful offense. We had a chance to watch some tape yesterday. They run the ball very well. I think they only threw the ball 10 times against Purdue and came out with the win. When you don't have to throw the ball to beat a team, that's going to cause problems for us. They also came out with the Wildcat formation. In the NFL last night, you watched the Miami Dolphins just run it up and down the field (using the Wildcat). It will be a challenge.
Q: Minnesota's offensive line has been very inconsistent. How important is it to get to (Adam) Weber and to make him pay for a sub-par offensive line?
A: From what I saw last night (watching tape), their offensive line is a little better than you give them credit for. They're a bunch of real big guys who move pretty well. Our defensive line and linebackers will have to do a great job putting pressure on the quarterback. We're going to put everything on the shoulders of the secondary to make a couple big plays for us.
Q: How do you think Gerald Hodges has handled moving to linebacker? What are a couple things he's been picking your brain about?
A: I think Hodges has done an exceptional job. There are not too many kids at Penn State, let alone in the Big Ten, who can move from safety and step in at the weak side linebacker [position]. He's an extremely physical kid and he moves well. He's really athletic. To this point, he's doing really well. He definitely needs to keep improving and that's something we've seen since he's stepped in two weeks ago.
Q: When a team is going to use the Wildcat consistently as they do, what makes that so effective? From a linebacker's standpoint, what types of problems does that pose?
A: Normally, if you have seven guys in the box, with the Wildcat, you have to account for the quarterback in the offensive run game. The numbers just don't match up defense versus offense. The offense has one extra guy. That's what proves to be so difficult.
Q: Jared Odrick talked about the refs being more lenient with holding calls. As a defense, how much more can you depend on him to do?
A: Jared to this point is playing exceptionally well. As linebackers, we can't ask for him to do anything more. He's squeezing the guards, squeezing the center and it's allowing us to flow free. Holding is just a part of the game. It's going to happen whether or not it gets called. We hope it gets called for our sake, but if it doesn't, it's just something you have to play through.
Q: Coach Paterno said that the intensity in practice has been ratcheted up this week. Do you feel like the intensity is a little higher as you move forward through the Big Ten season?
A: I definitely think the intensity has risen this week at practice. With all that said, regardless if it's a Big Ten opponent or not, we still try to practice hard each and every single day. We've got six games under our belt. Everyone's comfortable, we got some experience under our belt and I think that's allowing everyone to play a little more comfortably and just react to what's in front of them.
Q: From the defense's perspective, what are the keys to stopping the Wildcat?
A: We haven't really put anything into our scheme particular for the Wildcat. I think it will just come down to every person playing their assignment and not worrying about the guy beside him. If you worry about yourself and take care of your job, I think it's going to pan out okay for us.
Q: How much does a big and energized crowd, which Saturday figures to be, affect you both individually and the defense as a whole?
A: It provides a lot more motivation for us as a unit out there. With that said, it's extremely hard to communicate with one another. We're yelling and screaming and it's very hard to hear. I wouldn't want to be an opposing offense coming into Beaver Stadium. Most of the time, the student section goes crazy and the offense has to burn a timeout and that can be huge for us towards the end of the game.
Chaz Powell, Sophomore, Wide Receiver
Q: Since the start of preseason camp, how far has this receiving group come and how much better do you think you guys are right now compared to August?
A: We've come pretty far. It was a tough preseason. It was an opportunity for us as a receiving corps to come together as a unit trying to fill in the shoes of the receivers from last year. It was just an opportunity for us to showcase what we could do as a receiving corps. Those guys last year were pretty good, but we're pretty good, too. We were one step away from having the opportunity to play. There is a lot of room for improvement. We're going to keep getting better each and every day in practice and keep going out there and just playing to the best of our ability.
Q: What are your thoughts on Justin Brown.?As a true freshman, do you think he can make an impact in Big Ten play?
A: I think all the receivers can if they get the opportunity. Like I said, one step away from going into games. All those guys practice just as hard as we do. He's a true freshman and maybe won't get as much of an opportunity. Basically, all the freshmen and all the receivers will keep pushing forward to do our best.
Q: How much have you watched (Eric) Decker for them? Can you analyze him from a receiver's standpoint? What are the few things that he does that make him so good?
A: I've seen some highlights. He's a good receiver. He's just a guy who you can tell works really hard placing the ball and getting open. I don't really know a lot about him. It will be a tough challenge for our defense, but we're going to get ready to go out there and play on Saturday. Like I said, he's a good receiver and best of luck to him the rest of the season.
Q: What have you seen in Kevin Newsome this past week after his first significant action? How do you think he's developed so far this season?
A: Kevin has come a long way from coming in January being a true freshman and really not knowing the offense. He's doing a pretty good job picking up the offense, making reads here and there. It's hard to be a quarterback because you need to know everything. He's doing a pretty good job and will keep working hard.
Q: You're still fairly new to receiver. How have you grown in that position?
A: The surprising thing is that back in high school, I did play a lot of receiver depending on what package we were in. I bring a different aspect to the game. I played a few positions here or there like you said; I did play defense. I take what I've learned and I take it when I go watch film just to get the opportunity to get better. The transition was pretty hard, but once I picked it up, I managed it. I will still keep working hard to continue improving.
Q: Heading into the season, Brett Brackett was the first name people looked at to step up and fill in for the three guys last year. As we've gone through this year, it's been you, Graham (Zug) and Derek (Moye) who have come to the forefront. Has Brett hung in there this year even though his productivity may not be where he would have liked it to be?
A: Brett is a good receiver. He's a big body. We use him in key situations. With his size, more the run because he's more physical and he's a lot bigger. Brett works just as hard as everybody else does and he's getting the same looks in practice. He's going to keep doing what he has to do and hopefully, you will see more of him later on.
Q: Having played defensive back, how has that helped you adjust to wide receiver?
A: It's kind of different because I don't know what they want to do. When I go out there, I just look at the defensive back. Depending on his hips, if I can turn his hips real quickly, I know I can use my speed. When we look at film, I look at the corners. You can just tell right from the start if the DB is going to be good, if you can move his hips or not. We have to keep pushing forward because it is Big Ten play. From here on out, all the DBs will be good.
Q: You mentioned Derrick Williams earlier. How would you describe your role in this offense? Similar to Derrick's? Is that a comparison that you like, that you don't like?
A: I respect Derrick. He helped me out a lot when he was here. He wore number two and I was being patient just to get the opportunity to wear it because I wore it in high school. He taught me a lot, watching him in film and in practice. When he got the opportunity, he went out there and made plays. He brought something different to the game. I bring something different. We're not the same people. He's someone I look up to because we play the same positions in that he did what he had to do when he got the ball in his hands. I'm just trying to hopefully fill in his shoes and keep pushing forward to be the best receiver I can be.