Cam Brown | LB | Sr./Sr.
Q. Are there going to be any special emotions playing in your last game at Penn State?
A: Of course. I spent four years of my life here. I put my heart into this. This program has given back to me a tremendous amount. It's going to be emotional.
Q. Is that going to be distracting at all before the game or will that all come after the game?
A: I think that will come more so after the game. I don't think it will be beforehand, for me at least. Everyone handles their sadness a little differently.
Q. What has stood out for you so far from what you've seen from Memphis and their offense?
A: What has stood out is the variety of packages and formations that they have; and the players that they have. They have so many athletes there and they use them very well. They use them differently than most teams. They find a way to get their running back in space and their receivers in the backfield, stuff like that.
Q. What do you think you are most excited for about Dallas?
A: I went to Texas when I was a kid and I loved it. I fell in love with Texas. What I'm looking forward to most is probably playing in Jerry's World. That's a great stadium. I wanted to see if Blake [Gillikin] could hit the jumbotron, but I heard they raised it.
Journey Brown | RB | Jr./So.
Q. How important is this game to you guys?
A: This is the most important game that we have. That's something the coaches instill in us and there's nothing more important than this game that we're going to play on the 28th. We're going to take it seriously, just like we did against any other team we played this year.
Q. What do you expect from Memphis in terms of their attitude coming in?
A: They're coming in and trying to show us they belong there too. They're going to play with confidence. We need to be ready. They're a good team, from watching film. As Coach Franklin says, "respect all, fear none" and that's how we're going into this game, just trying to play Penn State football.
Q. How do you expect to balance focusing on the game while trying to enjoy Dallas?
A: I've been to a couple bowl games, so I've learned how to separate fun and football. When it's time to lock in and when it's time to have fun. I've been that way my whole life. When I get to have fun, I'm going to enjoy myself, when it's time to lock in, I'm going to do that.
Sean Clifford | QB | Jr./So.
Q. Coach [James] Franklin talked about how you should be 100 percent for the bowl game. How are you feeling at this point in terms of being close to 100 percent?
A: I feel good. Near the end of the season, I wasn't playing at the same endurance level and my speed was not there. It probably mostly started at the Minnesota game, and carrying on from there with Indiana and Ohio State, I was battling a lot of pain. It's not something to harp on. I actually heard Saquon [Barkley] talk about it a few days ago, how everyone is going to have injuries and it's just one of the things that comes with the sport. I just battled back and Will [Levis] took care of business with Rutgers, which was awesome. The team rallied behind him and I'm really happy for him and excited to carry that into this bowl game.
Q. How happy are you for Ricky Rahne and how do you think the offense might change or not change with Tyler Bowen calling plays?
A: I'm really happy for Coach [Ricky] Rahne. Him and I were really close. I would consider him not only a coach and mentor, but also a best friend at the same time. Ever since I got here, he took me under his wing, even when he wasn't coaching quarterbacks. He recruited me in high school and whenever I was struggling in my whole time here, he was always there for me. I have a lot of love for Coach Rahne and know he's going to kill it down there. Coach [Tyler] Bowen is a great coach. We didn't skip a beat in the first meetings. You never know what a coach is going to think or how he's going to change when he gets on a bigger stage in front of everybody, but Coach Bowen didn't blink. He's the same guy day-in and day-out and everybody trusts him. We have a lot of confidence going into this game.
Q. How much do you think about who the next offensive coordinator is going to be?
A: I probably started thinking about it right when I left that meeting. Right now, it's just about making sure we're getting in the game plan with Coach [Tyler] Bowen and Kirk Campbell, who will be the quarterback coach for this game. I texted both of them right away and let them know that I had the utmost confidence in both of them. I've seen them work all through this year and I know what they can do. Kirk has already shown in all of our meetings that he's ready to step up to the plate and take command of our room. He's done a heck of a job so far, so I'm excited to get down to Dallas and get started.
Jahan Dotson | WR | So./So.
Q. How important are these bowl workouts to establish momentum not only for this year's team, but also moving ahead to next year?
A: They're huge because you have a lot of time where you're not playing against anyone and you're not beating your body up. It's huge for you to get your body right, get healthy, and execute plays that we have.
Q. What has Coach [Gerad] Parker meant to you guys?
A: Coach [Gerad] Parker is almost like a second father to me. He does way more than just be a wide receivers coach. He's taught me so many life lessons. He invites us over to his house almost every week to have dinner with him, play with his kids and stuff like that. He's been like a second father to me and it's been great to have him.
Q. What goals have you set to establish momentum for next year?
A: I want to have my best game all year. This has to be my best game out of all of the games this season.
Steven Gonzalez | OL | Gr./Sr.
Q. What are your thoughts on Memphis?
A: They're a really good team, really well-coached. They've lost some coaches, but they're together and they've performed really well against some really good teams. It's going to be a tough matchup and they're going to come out swinging.
Q. Can you talk about Tyler Bowen's coaching style?
A: He's very intelligent. He's a good guy. He knows what he's doing and how to read defenses well. I think he'll do a really good job filling in for Coach [Ricky] Rahne.
Q. How do you guys handle a change like that?
A: We don't really change anything. We're used to seeing them around. The coaches all coordinate and help each other out, so it's not really something different.
Trent Gordon | CB | So/Fr.
Q. This is a homecoming for you. What's that going to be like?
A: We're playing in a great bowl in Jerry's World. I'm going to have my family there. I'm going to have a lot of support. Obviously, I have a lot of support from the team, but my family support will be there. I have relatives in Dallas. Obviously, my family from Houston is coming up. I'm just excited to go back to Texas.
Q. Growing up with bowl games near you, was it a tradition for you to watch those games?
A: It wasn't a tradition, but definitely when the big games were on, I was tuned in. Anything in Jerry's World, I was watching.
Q. How would you evaluate the play of the secondary this year?
A: I think we've been a really big part of the defense this year. There weren't many touchdown passes caught against the secondary. We didn't have a lot of explosive plays against us. Limiting explosive plays is a huge emphasis, we try to keep teams to minimum yardage, so that's a huge thing for our defense.
PJ Mustipher | DT | So./So.
Q. How important is it for Yetur [Gross-Matos] to be playing with you guys in this game?
A: It means a lot, because he could have forgone the game like a lot of people do. That shows that this brotherhood, the family that we have and the D-Line room means the world to him. For him to suit up with us one more time, we really appreciate that, because he is an integral part of what we do on a game-to-game basis. To have him out there playing with us one more time means a lot.
Q. You mentioned Yetur's impact on the team. Could you describe what his impact is on and off the field?
A: On the field, he's a game changer. He changes games the way he pressures off the edge. He's a big impact player. At any time, Yetur [Gross-Matos] can take over a game. That's the type of player he has been his whole career. Off the field, he's a big joyful giant. He always has a smile on his face. He's always ready to work. I think when you have a great player such as him you might not think he has to work as hard, but he is probably one of the hardest workers on this team. He comes to work every day with his mind made up that he's going to get better. I think he takes football and what he does very seriously.
Q. Where do you think you've seen the most growth from yourself both on and off the field this season?
A: Off the field, just studying. I'm able to see different things in film that I couldn't see last year. I'm able to study my opponents better and I'm able to study myself better. I was watching practice yesterday and I'm just getting better with my hands and my technique in that aspect. On the field, just keep being more dominant, being the dominant force this team needs me to be. I want to get better in all aspects but those are the two things I'm working at to get better on and off the field.
Pat Freiermuth | TE | So./So.
Q. Do you find yourself looking at any of the offensive coordinator news? How much is that something you're thinking about at this juncture?
A: I try not to think about that at all. I think Coach [Tyler] Bowen is doing a great job so far with his play-calling responsibilities. I'm very excited for the future. Whoever Coach [James] Franklin names as offensive coordinator, I'll develop a relationship with him and it will be a good one.
Q. Were you surprised at all that Ricky [Rahne] left for Old Dominion?
A: Not really. Whenever he has a great opportunity like that, I think a coach has to take it. I'm very happy for him. As you all know, he's my guy. I committed to him and Coach Franklin. I trusted their process. Obviously, it's sad to see him go, but I'm so happy for him and his family and hope he has success there.
Q. Do you see this game as a bridge to momentum in 2020 for you guys?
A: Yeah, it's going to be huge. If we come out on top in this game, it's going to build a lot of momentum into the next season.
Will Fries | OL | Sr./Jr.
Q. When you guys talk about an explosive offense, what's the offensive line's role in that?
A: Just opening up holes so that our playmakers can get loose. Whether it's in protection and we're protecting as long as we need to in order to get someone open. It's blocking as long as it takes so someone can make a play.
Q. Where do you feel like you guys met or didn't meet those goals for the season?
A: I think that we did a pretty good job overall. I think Coach [Ricky] Rahne dialed up good game plans every week and we felt confident going into every game. Some games we fell short of the goal, but overall, we just need to execute better and keep growing as a team and keep growing that chemistry.
Q. What are you most excited for about going to Dallas and playing in the Cotton Bowl?
A: I've never been to Texas before. The opportunity to play in a New Year's Six bowl is a tremendous honor. We have a very tough opponent in Memphis and I'm looking forward to that challenge. I think the barbeque is going to be awesome, so I'm looking forward to eating all of that.
Yetur Gross-Matos | DE | Jr./Jr.
Q. With your announcement, you're still playing in the bowl. How important was that to you? Are you savoring these last few weeks in the program?
A: Absolutely. It's my last chance, final ride with my brothers. I want to leave with a win and help the seniors leave with a win. It's huge for me to go out and play in the game.
Q. How have you come along as a player and person at Penn State?
A: I've grown a lot over the years here. It's been huge playing for Coach [Sean] Spencer. He's someone who's always on me about being the guy I want to be off the field, in the classroom and it's not just going to come on Saturday's.
Q. What have you learned over the last three years from Coach Spencer?
A: That's hard, he's taught me a lot. I would say my confidence level. The mentality that you fall nine times and get up 10. He's instilled that I just have to keep going and not let my head get down. Just keep working and keep pushing, he's held me to that. He's someone who's pushed me since I've been here. He'll never let me settle. Complacency is not his thing.
KJ Hamler | WR | Jr./So.
Q. What have you seen from Tyler Bowen in this transition?
A: It's pretty much the same. I'll say Coach [Tyler]Bowen is being more aggressive with the passing game. He's doing a really good job. He knows his stuff, he knows the in's-and-out's. I think we're going to be fine with him as the OC.
Q. How important is this game to you?
A: It's a New Year's Six bowl. Everyone should be excited. We're excited. Memphis is a great team. We get to face a good opponent. To me, it's another game. We're just going to go out there, do what we practice and what we're taught and just play the game we love.
Q. What can you tell us about Coach Bowen?
A: He's enthusiastic. He brings a lot of energy to practice. He's not yelling. He's a cool guy. I love him and appreciate him. He's stepping up to a bigger role, but he's not nervous, he has everything handled, so we all trust him.
Jan Johnson | LB | Gr./Sr.
Q. How much pride do you take in seeing Micah earn All-America honors?
A: It's just great to see one of my brothers recognized. I try to help him out as much as I can in learning the defense and where to be and what to do. He's pretty much gotten it all down now. He's fine-tuned his craft and it's awesome that he gets to be recognized.
Q. What are your thoughts going into your last game at Penn State?
A: It's the last game, definitely want to get a win. We're doing everything we can to get a win. Making sure we're prepared. We know they're going to be confident and come at us. We have to match their level of intensity and set the tone.
Q. What do you see from Memphis' offense? What's the key to slowing them down?
A: Tackling is a big part. Their running backs are pretty good, some of the best running backs we're going to face. They're tough runners who get a lot of yards after contact. Tackling is definitely going to be huge. They have a receiver that's really good and really explosive. They get him the ball in a lot of different areas. We're going to have to try to slow him down. Just need to contain their tempo, make sure we're ready for that.
Micah Parsons | LB | So./So.
Q. You're in the Cotton Bowl against Memphis. What was your first reaction when you heard that matchup?
A: I just knew it was a blessing to be in a New Year's Six bowl. I was really excited. It's a chance to prove ourselves in a great game and a game with a lot of tradition.
Q. You've got a lot of honors this postseason, a lot of All-America honors. Is this what you envisioned for yourself or have you exceeded expectations?
A: Coming here, I had a great vision. I wanted to be a great one at Penn State. I think words have power. Last year Jesse [Luketa] and I came in together and I remember saying 'We've got to be on that wall [of All-Americans]. Somehow we have to get there.' I stare at it every day. Every time I walk in the locker room I stare at the All-American honors. I think my vision is almost there, but it's not complete. When I committed here, I said that I wanted to win Big Ten titles and national titles. I think it's a good start to what my vision has been, but it's not complete yet.
Q. What would a Cotton Bowl victory mean for this team?
A: It's huge. It's been a long time since we have been in it. So, going out there and getting a win in the Cotton Bowl would be tremendous.
Garrett Taylor | S | Gr./Sr.
Q. Memphis has some really big, physical wideouts. What do you guys have to do there to stop them?
A: They have two big, athletic and impressive receivers. We've been watching them on film all week. We're just going to have to be physical. Our corners are going to have to be hands-on, our safeties are going to have to be physical. We'll have to wrap up and tackle. They've shown that they can run through tackles and make plays in space, so we've been focusing on our tackling a lot. I think everyone is going to do a great job and do what they need to do to try to contain them.
Q. From when you guys came aboard to where you are now, what are you most proud of about this program?
A: I'm proud of the direction we're headed and the culture we've established. I know Coach [James] Franklin came in and fought really hard to change the culture around and get everyone bought in. At this point, from the top down and from the seniors to the freshmen, everyone has really bought into that. We trusted the process and got another 10-win season and another New Year's Six bowl.
Q. When you look back, either over the holidays or 10-15 years from now, are you going to remember individual games or more of the overall experience?
A: I'm mostly going to remember my teammates, all the friendships I made here, and all of the lifetime connections I'll have with my teammates who are here now or graduated a year or two ago. I'm definitely going to remember the camaraderie more than the individual games. There may be a couple plays here and there that I'll remember, but overall, it'll definitely be about my teammates.
