Sept. 19, 2012
Penn State Football Press Conference
September 18, 2012
No. 54 - Matt Stankiewitch, Senior, Center
Q: What are some of the reasons the team has had a good first drive to open each game?
A: I think it's the intensity we bring to each game and how we start the game. We have to carry that intensity throughout the whole game and Coach O'Brien really stresses that. He's not worried with the first quarter or second quarter, he's worried about our fourth quarter and us finishing. We have to keep that intensity the whole game.
Q: Are those first drives scripted? Do you work on that first drive in practice?
A: Yeah, Coach O'Brien says games are broken up into three parts and the first part is a scripted game. Each team knows which plays they are going to run. We know what plays we are going to run. We practice that throughout the course of a week and we try to get really good at those first few plays because those are scripted for us. As the game goes on it becomes situational football and it's not scripted.
Q: How has this team tried to improve the running game?
A: Each week we're trying to improve every aspect of our offense. If one thing is lagging behind, we are really going to stress upon that in practice and this week we will stress upon the running game and make sure it is up with our passing game. The thing is, we're not worried about it and we're going to keep doing what we're doing and that's practicing hard and playing hard.
Q: Does it have anything to do with having a different starting tailback each week?
A: No, because each tailback we have has a lot of experience. (Michael) Zordich has been playing the past three years and (Curtis) Dukes got a lot of carries last year. There's no really big difference, it's just finding that right running back to have the right holes and the right schemes. It's a process, but we are going to get there.
Q: Along with the scripted part of the game, what are parts two and three?
A: The first one is scripted and then it's situational and then it's fourth quarter football. That's how Coach O'Brien breaks it up and I assume that's how coaches break up games. That's just one aspect that Coach O'Brien does. He helps us learn football and understand it more. That's something I remember and everyone else tries to remember; that the game is broken up into the different parts. You have to realize that and play with the different intensity for each part.
Q: What do you remember about the Temple team last year?
A: Temple's always a very good football team. They always come with the intensity that comes with an in-state rivalry. A lot of guys that play on Temple, I played with or against. There are friendships there, but it's an extra sense because it's two teams from Pennsylvania. I know they're going to come with a lot of intensity and we have to come with our own intensity this Saturday.
Q: What's the biggest thing the quarterbacks do different in practice this year than in years past?
A: Well, I'm not a quarterback so I don't really see them as much until we meet and do team (in practice). I'm not sure. I see them throwing a lot, but that's typically what a quarterback should do. When we go to team, Coach O'Brien makes sure they command the huddle and I make sure we get in and out of the huddle.
Q: Do the upcoming walk-on tryouts intrigue you?
A: I had no idea the tryouts were tomorrow and best of luck for any of those guys. I hope we get athletes or whoever we need. If we get 10 guys or zero guys, Coach O'Brien is going to get guys that we need as a team and that will be assets for our team. Hopefully we get some good guys tomorrow.
Q: What do you think it meant to Michael Zordich to run the ball so much on Saturday and showcase his talents other than blocking?
A: I know Mike Zordich and know he doesn't mind blocking at all; he just runs into guys. He loves it. To have him run the ball is an adjustment for him to have as many carries as he got because he's not used to that many carries. But that's what practice is for, that's why we practiced last week for the Navy game and this week we'll practice for Temple. Whatever our coaches feel is the best type of execution for our offense, that's what we're going to practice. Mike is getting more used to running the ball and that's better for our offense and better for the team.
Q: Without scoring a rushing touchdown in the last three games, will that make the first one more rewarding when it does come?
A: Yeah, I just found that out. I thought we had a few rushing touchdowns. I guess all the touchdowns last week were passing and Mike Hull had that one (fumble return). It's not a big deal for us. If we rush it in or throw it in, a touchdown is a touchdown. That doesn't concern us as an offense. Hopefully this week we'll get a couple. If not, hopefully we'll get some passing touchdowns. It doesn't matter how we score; we just want to score.
Q: How much fun has the team been having in practice this week and do you feel a little more relaxed after getting the first win?
A: I don't think we're ever relaxed. I think Coach O'Brien makes sure of that. He's always on our case about practicing hard. Good practices mean you're going to play well in the game. You practice like you play. He stresses to never be relaxed and never be satisfied and to focus on the bigger picture. That's the philosophy we take as a team and as an offense and a defense. Of course, it's some weight lifted off your shoulder, but we want to win every game that we're going to be playing this year.
No. 18 - Deion Barnes, Freshman, Defensive End
Q: What have you seen from Matt Brown and the Temple rushing attack?
A: We haven't watched too much film yet since we've been watching the Navy film (on Monday). He looks quick, though. Watching more film, we'll be able to see what he can do.
Q: What has changed to allow the defense to get more turnovers the last two games?
A: We were able to get to the ball more. After the Ohio game, we definitely focused more on stripping the ball and forcing turnovers and scoop and score.
Q: What's it like having the spring-loaded football in the practice room?
A: Coach Roof says to "CPR the football," which basically means to knock the ball out and build good habits.
Q: How well do you know the guys on the Temple team?
A: I actually know one person on the team, Daquan Cooper. I played against him in high school. It's a battle every time we play. Going against Temple is exciting for me, coming from Philadelphia and watching them a few times. It's something I'm looking forward to doing.
Q: How has your pass rush ability developed since being at Penn State?
A: I would say I'm recognizing what the tackles are doing more coming from the year off. I get to see certain pass sets from tackles. That definitely helps me to see what I can do against certain tackles.
Q: Do you model your game after anyone specifically?
A: I wouldn't say I model, but I try to do the same things as Tamba [Hali], basically using my quickness to be able to get to the quarterback.
Q: Did you expect the "Supa Six" to make as much of an impact as you have this year?
A: In the off-season we all went in the afternoon to do some extra work and work on our craft. The way we developed in the summer camp is crazy because we all knew this would happen but we all didn't know it was going to happen this fast.