Penn State Football
Penn State Student-Athletes Postgame Press Conference
vs. Ball State – September 11, 2021
Sean Clifford | QB | Senior
Q: What is it like when so many people contribute on offense on a day like today?
A: "I think it is good. The more guys that get touches the better. Especially early in the year. You know catch the ball in space and feel it out. You have a lot of veterans who just know how it goes."
Q: Why were you guys so efficient right off the bat?
A: "Good week of practice. Starting fast in practice. That was a big point of emphasis this week. Making sure there wasn't a period that was left on the table. Jumping on our own defense early and talking about that fast start so that way in the game we can make that and execute it."
Q: What were the emotions like running out of the tunnel today?
A: "It was awesome. To have everyone back at Beaver Stadium. Obviously, you can't beat it. It is pretty exciting stuff. To have 105,000 and to see everyone back and enjoying themselves and looking up into the crowd and seeing everyone's faces, you know that is what Penn State Football is about."
Q: How fun was that second drive for you guys?
A: You like that, huh? It is good and it is good that we got a lot of personnel in. We were going 12, 13, 11, 21, and just showing a lot of different looks and you know that is what Coach Yurcich is all about. He is going to try to invent whatever he can and be the innovative coach that he is. It makes me happy coming in to work for him because it is fun and you are not going to see the same plays over and over.
Parker Washington | WR | Sophomore
Q: Getting out to the fast start-how much did that take the pressure off being back here at home in front of 105,000?
A: "It is just exciting to see the fans. It is exciting to see them here at Beaver Stadium. Like I said, it started fast and that helps us. Seeing them is like a momentum thing and it just keeps us going and makes us excited to play."
Q: What was it like running out of the tunnel? Obviously, you did not get this your first year. What was it like?
A: "It was exciting to see the culture. Before this year and even before last year I used to watch a lot of stuff on Penn State and it is just exciting to see it in person and finally be a part of it."
Juice Scruggs | OL | Redshirt Junior
Q: Sean was efficient early on in the game and how did you feel with the pass block for him today, how did he look?
A: "I think Cliff is getting better and better every week. He has proven all the doubters and what they say wrong. He just comes out and works every day. It's no surprise that he is having this success, I see him work every day. I am proud of him to be honest."
Q: How would you compare the offensive line this week to last week? What did you think was better, what did you do better?
A: "I definitely think we played better. I think with the run blocking we came out, we set the tone, and we just, overall, played better as unit."
Brandon Smith | LB | Junior
Q: When asked about playing in front of a crowd: Were you guys nervous at all? Did you sense that at all, in terms of being in front of a big crowd?
A: "Well for the most part I can see. I can see the crowd and everything really getting to you, or like kind of getting you like ramped up. But for the most part we always practice with crowd noise, we always have some types of distractions going on, we were made for this."
Q: What did it mean for you to see Jesse make that play today?
A: "Oh it was everything! I see how hard he works day-in and day-out from even working Mike and defensive end and being able to make those big plays from the linebacker standpoint and from the defensive end standpoint. It means everything because you know all he puts out. He is definitely selfless and not selfish"
Q: From the defensive point of view, you get the penalty, but I think you played a little bit inspired after that. How was it as far as when you got that, it seemed like in the very next play you made your biggest play of the game.
A: "It's all good, you just have to bounce back so I took that frustration from that penalty that I had and just put it out on the field."
Jonathan Sutherland | S | R-SR.
Q: You're a veteran guy. How normal did today feel and how much did you guys miss it?
A: With covid last year and not having the opportunity to play in front of these fans, it was a real humbling experience, the comradery and the environment was crazy. We love the fans and appreciate those who came out
Q: What does it mean to the defense to see Jesse come up with a play like that especially after moving around like he has been?
A: It was great to see. Everyone is happy for Jesse. It was an outstanding play. It speaks to his athleticism and just the football player he is.
Q: How important is it to have a defense that is willing to make those changes for the sake of the team?
A: Being able to sacrifice for the team… coming out here every day and doing what is best for the team… With team success comes individual success… everyone including myself came in today and tried to make the decision that will work best for the team.
Keyvone Lee | RB | So.
Q: What was it like to be able to do what you guys did with the running game, today, after it struggled a bit last week?
A: It was good to see what we are all capable of. It just feels good to know that LawnBoyz came back on track.
Q: Was there something in particular that was clicking overall? Can you talk about the O-Line play and how that went?
A: The O-Line played a big part. We motivated them. We pushed them. We believe in them. If ya'll getting started, we getting started.
Q: Coach Franklin had mentioned that maybe you were not running downhill enough last week. How much of a focus was that for you because it looked like you were running real hard out there?
A: Yeah, I just had to lock in. Watching Noah go out there and play just built a lot of confidence in me like 'Okay, that is my type of game too so I can do the same thing.'
Noah Cain | RB | Jr.
Q: Sean seems like he has a lot of late pulls, do you like that as a back, like the longer he rides you on the read?
A: At the end of the day, it is just about moving the ball up the field, so whatever we have to do to keep the defense unbalanced, that is just a part of the game. Sean is a great quarterback, I know he is going to make the right reads, and with him reading the defense, that is just better on me. It is going to open up more holes for me, open up more holes for him. It'll just open up more opportunities for the receivers and tight ends as well. I always show Sean 100%, so whatever he is doing back there, I trust him.
Q: How fun was it for you to catch passes out of the backfield, move all around formations, and do some different things.
A: That is just something I've been working on with my game. Like I said, I been working on my weaknesses, so I knew I had to work on pass catching. I've just been working all summer on catching routes with Sean, working on my hands and everything in that nature, so I am just glad I can put that on the field.
Q: Can you talk about the fans and what it meant to finally have a full stadium back?
A: Oh yeah, it was crazy today, honestly. Just coming back from last year, it is probably easy for us players to take it for granted, you know you see it so much but when it gets taken away from you, you really get to see how much it really means to the players and the emotions, and what the fans bringing, the vibe, and just the atmosphere. So it was just crazy to come back out here and warm up, seeing the students yelling, and our parents, and everybody out here. It Is just a blessing to be back out here on the field.
Marquis Wilson | ATH | Jr.
Q. What was it like to get that opportunity (to play both sides of the ball)?
A: You think about it a lot because you know it's an opportunity and you never know when it's going to come or how it's going to come. So, you just have to be ready. When it did come, the first few times I was definitely excited, especially being out here getting a lot of fans and everything, you know the emotions get to you, but just being a little older, I was able to control it and calm down and just take the moment in and do the best that I can with the opportunity.
Q. How do you prepare during a week to play corner and receiver in the same game?
A: It's a great challenge, honestly. I love it though; it makes me better as a player and just makes me more focused on trying to tap into another level. Just trying to see how far I can go with my knowledge. Being able to get in with defensive coaches, players, meet with all of them, and then do the same thing for offense and try to divvy up and make it even, but it's a great challenge. I loved it.
Q. There's been a decade-plus of Penn State players to come through here and not play both ways, you're the first to do it since Justin King. What does that mean to you, knowing the talent that has come through?
A: I don't feel like I'm the best or some spectacular spectacle, but I'm definitely honored. I feel like it's a great reward. Like you said, everybody doesn't do it and everybody can't do it, so to feel like the coaches trust me to do it, like my brothers on the team trust me to do it, it's a great honor and it's a great feeling to have.
Q. What felt better today, the tackle and the defensive coverage or the reception?
A: The first reception didn't go how I wanted it to, I was too close to the sideline, but that felt great though, I'm not going to lie. Having the tackle again, that felt great. So I think that's a toss up. That's a real good toss up. Because the tackle I
made with my brothers, Tyler and Daequan, I loved that moment. Then my first catch, that was a great feeling to have, so I'd say they are probably tied right now. You'll have to ask me next week or something.
Jesse Luketa | LB | Sr.
Q: Can you take me through your touchdown?
A: So I started my rush and then I kind of felt the running back leaf through the tackle and I was like, alright let me sit it down a little bit. I saw the quarterback raise up, it was a quick game, so I kind of just put my paw out there and I gripped it with my hand. I was like, 'oh, I might really catch it.' And, I got it! It's funny because right before it happened, Coach Terry Smith told us we had to get the crowd more involved. So, I went straight to the student section and I just heard the whole stadium erupt. It was a great feeling.
Q: What effect does a turnover have on the entire team because you guys hav been pretty good the first two weeks at doing that?
A: It's huge, and when we talk throughout the week it's a point of emphasis. We want to win the turnover and meet our turnover goals, which is three. We didn't meet it today, we had an opportunity to with Ji'Ayir Brown, but he dropped the interception. But we finished the day with two and that's huge for us. You know there's more on the table and we want to capitalize on every opportunity we have.
Q: How much do you like defensive end, how's it different for you?
A: I love it, you know, just being able to be a hybrid, play off the edge, play in the box when need be. It just presents so much more opportunity and versatility for our defense.
Q: What were the emotions going through your head getting to run out of the tunnel in front of the home crowd tonight and also get the interception?
A: It was huge for me. Being able to play in front of our fans, you know, it's been two years since we've been able to pack the stadium. We had 105,000 fans and that's huge. I'm looking forward to next week because we need this place to be sold out. We need everybody on their feet rocking. So it was a great feeling and it was humbling that we have all that support. We do it for them, we work so hard to come in here and put on a show for them because, ultimately, they are our biggest supporters. I'm extremely grateful.
Jahan Dotson | WR | Sr.
Q: In what way do you think you guys improved offensively, today?
A: I would say being a balanced offense, that was a big emphasis for us. Making sure we are good in the front, good in the run game, good in the passing game and I feel like we did that today. A lot of guys stepped up and had big roles.
Q: Can you take us through the touchdown and then what's it like when you see your offensive lineman in front of you?
A: So every Sunday we have a screen period. Coach Yurich made a great call, a tunnel screen. I tell my guys every single time that as long as they are in front of me, I'm going to be behind them and we're going to make a play. And, that's what they did. I want to credit Brenton Strange - he had a huge block in the play and three offensive linemen got out in front of me and we were able to get in that endzone.
Q: What does it say about you guys that you were able to come out here today and take care of business after such an emotional win last week?
A: We take every week with the same approach. That we want to be the best team on the field. We don't look at our opponents any lesser than anyone else that we're facing, so we did a great job of that, starting out with Wisconsin, a very tough opponent. And then coming home and getting the win against Ball State.
Q: Did having the crowd make a difference?
A: It definitely did. It plays a huge factor every time we step on this field. We know that we have a huge advantage having the best crowd in the country. It's just great to have them on our side.