Oct. 27, 2015 Grant Haley | So. | CB
Q. [Poor] tackling has become an epidemic in college football and you guys need to tackle better. What are your thoughts on that and what do you think you guys can specifically focus on to improve?
GH: I definitely think we need to work on tackling. We need to go back to the fundamentals; tackling drills, [focusing on tackling] in practice, we just really need to stay focused on the techniques. It's the small things that matter. Sometimes in practice we can take it [making a play] for granted, because when it comes to games it may not work the way you want it to. We really need to go back to the fundamentals.
Q. When you look at Geronimo Allison on tape, he's among the Big Ten leaders in yards. What do you see there?
GH: He's a big body guy, he's about 6-4, 200 pounds, and he has good ball skills, as well. I think there is really good timing with him and the quarterback. He's really stepping up for him this year. It will be a good challenge for our defense. I'm really excited.
Q. When practice is dialed back so you guys aren't going full tempo to preserve your legs, how do you specifically work on wrapping up better in tackling drills when you aren't necessarily going full speed?
GH: We [still] go full speed. It's just that we're dialed back a little bit. I know today we won't have [all of] our pants on, but we have shoulder pads, so we're able to set up and work on our form, work on techniques, as well.
Q. Have you seen enough of Lunt and what is your impression of him? Is he more of a classic drop back than the guys you've seen recently?
GH: He's not really a dual threat quarterback, but he can run little bit. He's more of a pocket passer and that's different from what we've seen the last couple of weeks. He's a big body guy. Has a good quarterback frame. He has a strong arm and it will be a good challenge for the [secondary]. I think our defensive line will do a great job [getting pressure] and that will help our secondary.
Q. Can you talk about just the approach to complimentary football; once your offensive gets a lead, if the defense or special teams respond immediately? It seems there have been a couple of times where they've had some quick answers against you guys?
GH: I think as a team we're always going to have each other's backs. If something happens with the offense, we're going to have our offensive's back. And same with defense, and special teams, offensively and defensively, we're going to have each other's backs.
Q. James had mentioned his name coming up [for some of the open] head coaching jobs. Do you pay attention to that kind of stuff? What kind of a distraction is that?
GH: We don't pay attention to that. We're focused on Illinois.
Q. Can you talk to me a little bit about the rotation that you guys use at cornerback? It seems that in any given circumstance it will be a set of two guys. Is there any method coach uses or does he just go with the hot pair?
GH: He has a little method at first, but then he just goes with who he feels comfortable in the game. I know he wants to keep us fresh, as well. He does a good job of rotating us in and out.
DaeSean Hamilton | So. | WR
Q. After going over and watching the tape, what specifically were some moments of pride for you and the receiving group against Maryland?
DH: One of the best moments in the game would be when Geno [Lewis] caught the touchdown pass. He hasn't had that many opportunities, so for him to come in and make a big play like that was a highlight for me. Geno getting separation on about an almost 30-yard pass was awesome. He made the most of his opportunities on Saturday.
Q. There is only one ball on the field, so only one guy gets the opportunity to touch it each play. How do you keep everyone upbeat? How do you keep everyone positive when you have so many people in [the wide receivers] room?
DH: Every week you just try and do the things you always do. You try to keep the guys around and make sure they're not getting too down on themselves. Or thinking, `since I didn't get that many opportunities this week, it is going to be like that all season.' It could be any of us having a great game. As long as we have that mindset every Saturday we can approach it as an opportunity to have one of our better games.
Q. How many passes do you think you've caught lifetime from Christian? You guys have a chemistry where you'll see something or have done something so many times you both think the same thing without saying it?
DH: I can't count how many times I've caught balls, but us having chemistry all started way before my first season playing. We would go out and just run routes and work on concepts. We can see things and go to the sideline and communicate. We can go out and execute on something that we basically haven't even practiced all week. As long as we have great communication and we're seeing the same things and are on the same page, it works out.
Q. You mentioned after the game it was kind of the most fun you had since the Pinstripe Bowl. When you watched the film of this past game, what are your thoughts as you were watching and how many times you put it up and made some great plays as a receiver group?
DH: It was fun to watch, especially with so many guys making plays and so many guys being out there and making the most of the opportunities. It was fun to watch. Coach [Gattis] was excited for all the guys in the room, and that so many guys being able to contribute against Maryland.
Q. Illinois' secondary is pretty stout. How can you guys attack that secondary? What do you see from them on film?
DH: It's not always about them, it's more about us. A lot of teams in the Big Ten are going to play the same defenses because of the style of play in the conference. We just need to execute the game plan, and put an emphasis on getting separation. That's our [wide receivers] mindset week in and week out.
Q. Seemed the other day you were able to catch one on the move and go with it. Are you guys getting closer to that where the receivers are catching the ball in stride? Can you talk about the short passing game a little bit?
DH: Basically, it's been one of those seasons where you'll have trouble throwing the ball because of the weather conditions or guys pressing on the outside. We'd rather go over the top, because the short game isn't always the best option, especially in the Big Ten. Yeah, us getting [catches] on the move, getting open and in space, it helps a lot. It gives us free access later on in the game.
Q. One summer practice, one summer work out with Christian, how many balls do you think you'll catch?
DH: It depends on how many guys are out there, but on average I'd say probably over a hundred, a hundred to two hundred catches, out there for about two hours, two and a half hours, running routes and working on specific concepts.