September 13, 2011
University Park, Pa., -
No. 67 - Quinn Barham, Senior, Tackle
Q: What's the mood of the team after the Alabama game?
A: Right now, we're in the present tense. We're focused on Temple now. The Alabama loss, it hurt, because we thought we could do a lot better than what we showed on Saturday. Football is about the present tense. If you have a bad play, you've got to go on to the next play. We had a bad game Saturday, so we'll move on to Temple and get ready for that one.
Q: How have you seen Temple's program improve over you four years here?
A: They've gotten a lot better over the years with different coaches. Last year, we had a tough game with them. The whole defense was great last year and they're even better this year. I think it's up to us to really pick our game up and not let Alabama affect us and we'll be OK.
Q: What is the status of Chima Okoli and will he play this week?
A: Yeah, I think he'll play. He got rolled up on one of the early running plays in the game. He was going on a backside cutoff block and Silas (Redd) cut behind him and I think one of the defensive players dove at his legs, at his ankle. It's a mild sprain if anything. He's fine. He was practicing yesterday, so he'll be OK.
Q: How is the offensive line preparing for Temple defensive end Adrian Robinson and the Temple defense as a whole?
A: We went against him last year. He's a great pass-rusher. He has great hands, great moves. I think we're definitely going to really stress to our scout team to really work us hard. Tackles and tight ends, and even centers and guards, just really working our hands, speed and working with our defensive scout to help us get better and be faster with pass protection, more solid with the run game, open up more holes. Adrian Robinson, he's pretty good. I think we'll be OK. We're going to prepare well. Our coaches, they'll do a great job with us this week and we'll be fine.
Q: What did Alabama do to adjust to Silas Redd starting off well?
A: I think early in the game, I think they didn't know what we were going to do in terms of a script or certain plays. We tried not to show as much to Indiana State so they wouldn't be able to scout us with different plays and different schemes. I think they started to figure us out more and really make adjustments and that's what every good coaching staff and good team would do in that situation. That doesn't mean that we can't stop doing what we're doing and really forcing the ball in running and passing. Whatever it takes. They just had better play calling at that time.
Q: Do the players see a more outgoing side of Devon Still that the media and fans don't see?
A: He is a quiet guy, too. I remember way back in '07 we came on our official visit together. He was the same kind of guy. We're similar. When he gets on the field, he's a different guy. He's very vocal. He loves to have fun out there. He's a jokester, too. Devon, he's pretty calm. He's a great guy. He's a clown, too. Don't let him fool you.
Q: How well has he done balancing his family obligations?
A: I think he has done a great job. He had a daughter over the (past) year. I think that really was motivation for him. I think I've seen a change in him. He has definitely just matured as a man, as a player. I think it's really very beneficial to him just having that role as being a father now and really just taking life more serious.
Q: How do you think Curtis Drake looks on the field?
A: He looks comfortable. I've been talking to him, asking him how he felt. He felt pretty good. I think the trainers; they're taking it slow with him. He want's to go but we don't want him to get hurt again and maybe be out for longer than we expected. He's coming in slowly but surely. He is feeling better. He was practicing yesterday and obviously he played on Saturday. I think he's going to be all right.
Q: How much do dropped passes knock the wind out of the offense?
A: It hurts when you're blocking your tail off for three or four seconds and you see the ball in the air and it's looking like the receiver is going to get it and he drops it. It hurts, but you have to move on because you know you have trust and faith in your teammate that he's going to get it next play. If not, the next two plays. It hurts in that moment but you have to move on. That's just part of the game.
Q: How can the team force turnovers?
A: I can't really speak on turnovers on the defensive side. In terms of offense, you just have to move on. Whether you miss a block, get beat or fumble or just drop a ball, there's nothing you can do about that right then. You just move on. We all are capable of doing our job or we wouldn't be on the field. So, we'll be OK.
Q: How is Stephfon Green holding up and does your heart go out for him, even with the mistakes?
A: Definitely. He has been through a lot since he has been here just with injuries and off the field issues. I haven't talked to him. He and Devon Still are pretty close. I think he's really keeping his head up and hopefully he will be back with us in the coming weeks. I'm not exactly sure on that situation, but I hope he comes back.
Q: What is the difference between the Penn State and Alabama programs and what do you have to do to get to their level?
A: It's really just a matter executing. We're capable of beating Alabama; things just didn't go right last year and Saturday as well. I think we beat ourselves in a certain way. Alabama is a great team. Coach (Nick) Saban, he did a great job against us last year and this year. Trent Richardson, the entire defense, I mean they're (Alabama) ranked number one and two over the years for a good reason. They're a great defense and a great offense. I think we can definitely compete with them. Things just didn't go right.
Q: What do you think about using two quarterbacks?
A: I don't think it was a matter of rhythm. We have been practicing with both quarterbacks since the spring. They both have gotten better over the year. I don't really have a problem with whoever is back there as long as they can get the job done. They're going to have bad games, but it doesn't really matter who's back there. Both guys are capable of getting the job done. In the coming weeks if we see one quarterback or we see two, it doesn't matter. We still have to compete, execute and win games. That's all that matters.
Q: Has it disrupted the team at all off of the field?
A: No, not at all. Both guys are great. The team has confidence in both guys back there, whoever is back there. They're confident in themselves to get the job done and lead this team, too.
No. 56 - Eric Latimore, Senior, Defensive End
Q: How do you think Devon Still has adapted to his leadership role as a captain?
A: I think he's handled it very well, speaking to the team before we go out for games. He stepped up his vocal (leadership). Before he was really humble, he really stayed to himself. He didn't say too much. As the coaches approach him, as he's the captain now, he has to step up. I think he has stepped up appropriately.
Q: If you (defense) can't seem to turn the ball over, is that disappointing for you?
A: It is definitely disappointing as a defense. We want to be the best. We want to strive to be the best. We practice that every day. We have a specific drill that we do to try to turn over the ball during practice that we practice all during pre-season camp. So, for us not to get turnovers right now is really disappointing. We are going to work on that in the future and try to correct that.
Q: How are you preparing for Temple's two running backs, Bernard Pierce and Matt Brown?
A: They're both great backs. I heard a lot about Pierce last year when we played against both players. We have a great history with both of them. We know Pierce was a Heisman candidate early in the year last year. Unfortunately, he got hurt during that game. So we just focus in on them this whole week. They are a lot like Alabama. They both are physical runners. We just have to get out there and tackle and get after the ball.
Q: With no sacks against Alabama last week and only two sacks all year, what's going wrong there?
A: I really don't think it's anything going wrong, actually. A lot of teams, their game plan against us, since they know our defensive front seven, we get after it. They try to game plan a little bit, short drops, getting the passes out early. That's what contributes to us in getting our hands up and blocking some passes. They're doing a great job with game planning us and getting the ball out early.
Q: You signed with Penn State in 2006. Does it seem like you have been here forever?
A: It does, but at the same time, I've had a lot of fun here and I wouldn't trade it for anything. Especially, knowing the guys I did.
Q: Do the guys tease you about it?
A: Yes, I get called "old man" sometimes. It's all fun, so it's cool.
Q: Since it's your last year, how important is it for you to make some sort of statement?
A: It's big for me, but right now I'm just focusing on the season altogether. I just want to win for Joe (Paterno) and the rest of the seniors right now. We just have a common focus on getting better than last year because last year was a very disappointing season.
Q: What was the deal with your wrist? Why did it take so long?
A: It was just a difficult situation. I was trying to play last year and we tried hard, the coaching staff and everybody just wanted me to play. I wanted to play also. With that, it just kind of pushed everything back a little bit. So, I just waited until after the season to get the surgery, the real surgery, to correct everything. It probably took a little bit longer than expected.
Q: Did you have a staph infection that prevented it from healing?
A: That also happened. I think I had strep throat and it came inside the infection and it made it a little more difficult to cope with.
Q: Did it feel like it took forever to heel?
A: Yes, it did. I wanted to get out there and help the team in any kind of way possible, and I couldn't, and I saw that we were struggling. It made things a little bit more difficult.
Q: Do you feel like the defense has made any big play so far, and what do you need to do to start making those plays?
A: I think that we, especially this weekend, I think we made a lot of big plays. Alabama has a great offense. We came a long way from last year. I think defensive-wise, with tackling and everything, getting after Trent (Richardson), because he is a monster. Playing this year, I think we made a lot of big plays. We stopped him a couple times, a couple three and outs. It's just up to us to keep it going and continue the success because I think we're doing well.
Q: How would you sum up your career to date? Have you met your goals?
A: Just knowing me, I want to be the best. Coach (Larry) Johnson wants all of us to be the best we can be. He's relentless. Honestly, I don't think I've reached that point yet, but I think I will.
Q: You are playing Temple who has two different options at quarterback, with Chester Stewart, who is more of a runner, and Mike Gerardi, who is more of a pocket passer. Is there difference in preparation for when either of those players are on the field?
A: I think Chester (Stewart) is a little bit more of a runner, that I noticed from last year since we faced him before. We are just going to have to go in the film room today just like in practice and look over film and see what we have to do in game plan. I haven't seen too much of (Mike) Gerardi yet because we only had one day of practice, yesterday. We are just going to have to continue to try to get better.
Q: Temple hasn't beat Penn State since 1941. What are you going to do this week to make sure that the streak doesn't end?
A: We just keep doing what we have been doing. Just focusing. We just have to focus on us, not focus on who we're playing. Try to rebound from what we did this weekend and try not to let that happen again.
Q: Joe Paterno has spoken frequently about the job Al Golden had done at Temple before he left. Can you talk about how much closer these games seem to get, especially after as close as last year's game was?
A: Definitely. Temple has gotten a lot better since I've been here. I think my freshman year, we were in Philadelphia (2007). They were doing pretty well. It was a close game then. Every year they are getting better, with Coach Golden. His whole method, it was hardnosed, so every game you know you have to go out there and fight and give it your all. To me, they are getting better every chance. I know the last three games they played were blowouts. They've improved.
Q: Given the job he (Al Golden) did there, do you feel bad for him to walking in the situation in Miami?
A: You wouldn't want to wish that on anybody right now. That is obviously a concern right now in the NCAA. You just don't really want to wish that on anybody because I know that he is a hard worker.