Nov. 5, 2015
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. ââ'¬" The Nittany Lions travel to Northwestern on Saturday for a noon kick (ESPNU) at Ryan Field.
Leading up to the contest against the Wildcats, assistant head coach, co-defensive coordinator and linebackers coach Brent Pry talked with the media on Thursday. Take a look at a Q&A with Coach Pry.
Q: Can you talk in general about your group, and how would you evaluate them at this point in the season?
Pry: "A combination of Troy (Reeder), Jason (Cabinda) and Brandon (Bell) is a good enough combination (to be very successful). They can all play at a high level. Jason has adjusted to the 'Mike' position pretty well. There are still some things that creep up here and there as part of the learning curve. Troy is a guy that is a redshirt freshman. He still hasn't played near the ball that Jason and Brandon have played. He's still growing into the role a little bit. He's gaining valuable game experience. Brandon has been nicked up with injuries and missed a game or two. He's just getting back healthy. He's experienced and very smart. He's been very valuable and the plays he's made for us. I think we've got some ground to make up with our second group in bringing those guys along ââ'¬" (Jake) Cooper and (Manny) Bowen and the combination of (Gary) Wooten and (Ben) Kline. It's very hard to take Cabinda out of the game right now. He's very valuable running the show. We've got some ground to make up with the twos, but I feel good about that first group."
Q: At this point of the season, what has Nyeem (Wartman's) role been with the unit?
Pry: "I'm very proud of how Nyeem has handled this situation. He's always got a smile on his face. He's got an incredibly positive attitude. He's always around. He's in meetings. He's in position meetings. He's in team meetings. He's very much a part of our group. He's still a leader and an inspiration to not just the linebackers but everybody on the team. He's doing tremendous with his rehab. Everything is positive there. He's working like crazy in the weight room. I joke with him that he will finally bench 300 (pounds) coming out of this thing. He's really putting the time in there. I'm very proud and pleased. He's certainly still very much a big part of our football team."
Q: What are a couple things you are looking at with Jason in terms of areas to work on as a young player still growing into the "Mike" position?
Pry: "When you are running the show and the quarterback of the defense, you can't be locked in on one side of the formation or the other, like you could at "Will" or "Sam". He's got to see the whole picture all the time. I think one of the things are the motions, shifts and adjustments that a guy like Vitale brings. There are alignment things that have to happen when he's moving around that affects the "Mike" and "Will". There are some things in coverage that people are doing that are new to him playing in the middle of the formation. Jason is a guy that has to continue to play with good pad level and knee bend, and play healthy. He's a guy that when he's hurt, he struggles in space a little bit. And he knows that. He's gotta play with his pads rolled over, good footwork and good knee bend and the fundamentals he prides himself in. From day one, he's been a guy who has really be coachable. He's worked at his craft from a physical standpoint. He's just a guy that knows he is a little bit raw and little bit rough on his body mechanics, and he's got to play in the cylinder with good pad level, no false footwork and good reaction, and he really works at that. When you move to "Mike" linebacker, there is so much more on your plate from a mental standpoint. Sometimes the personal things, the techniques that are required at the position or required for his skillset to be successful sometimes, he loses sight of those. He's gotta always play with that good pad level that makes him a good player...It's a challenging spot, and I'm very proud of the way Jason has stepped up this fall."
Q: Why do running quarterbacks give a defense trouble and how far do you think your defense has come along in that respect?
Pry: "I think running quarterbacks give everybody trouble across the country. I think it's something, in my mind, you have to prepare for those guys like it's an option team. You have to devote that kind of time and that kind of study and be prepared as coaches and players to defend it. We've certainly emphasized that the last couple weeks to be better there. I think it's something that gives a lot of people fits. And it's something we've opened our eyes to. We've got to do a better job defending it. We've certainly prepared a little harder for the quarterback runs."
Q: How difficult is to prepare for a dual-threat quarterback like Clayton Thorson (Northwestern)?
Pry: "I think he's a real threat at the quarterback position. It's like having an extra player out there when you have a triggerman that can run the football, as well. This guy is a big, durable guy. He's a strong runner. He's a physical presence. I think they come in all shapes and sizes. Trace McSorley is built completely different, but poses the same threat. To have that knack and that vision, that's what Thorson has. He's got a good running style. I think he's somebody we certainly respect, not just how he throws the ball but how he runs it. He's had some tremendous runs on plays where he was just scrambling out of the pocket...I'd be surprised if he wasn't a big part of their gameplan."
Q: What are your thoughts on Northwestern's "superback" Dan Vitale, and what type of challenge does he present for your group?
Pry: "We have to always know where Vitale is. He's a guy who might line up in a slot. He can line up on the line as a tight end. He can line up off the ball in the backfield as a fullback or h-back. He moves around a lot. There is a lot of motion and shifting with him. He's a very good blocker. He's their leading receiver. They even get him the ball on some shovel passes. He's definitely a weapon. He's a mature guy that's played a lot of football. He's a guy who is definitely No. 1 on our radar as far as knowing where he is and knowing what he is up to. We have tremendous respect for him."