Opening Statement
I’m really proud of our guys. We’ve got a locker room full of men who’ve been working and believing, and they showed that tonight. To have an opportunity like this, in a place like Penn State, and to see our leadership tested, guys like Mac Uihlein, I couldn’t be more proud of how they responded. It wasn’t one of our stated goals to get to this point, but our players earned it in 24 hours by trusting the process and staying committed. I think this football team has grown a lot. They’ve faced tough situations, shown resilience, and kept responding. Now, it’s about shifting our focus, getting back to work, and finding ways to keep improving each day.
Q: Based on what Penn State did the last two weeks, did you see areas where they were vulnerable? Was that part of the message to the team, that they were down and you had to go get them?
A: The message was really that we were facing a football team with its back against the wall, maybe even questioning who they are. We knew they’d come out hungry at home, ready to fight. Our guys responded to that challenge. We knew Penn State had talent, but we also believed they could be attacked. Our players stepped up, stayed composed in a tough environment, and showed who we are as a team. That’s a reflection of our identity, we know who we are, and we execute together.
Q: Coach, you look at today, they took the lead a few different times, and your team answered right back each time. What do you attribute that to?
A: Our leadership and maturity. This group respects one another and believes in each other. That kind of trust shows up in moments like today. Even when momentum swung, nobody panicked. We’ve talked all year about handling adversity, and today our guys did exactly that. We left some opportunities out there, sure, but the defense made big stops, and we kept finding ways to respond. That’s the sign of a team that’s growing together.
Q: Coach, thinking back six weeks ago, after Rory left the team, it’s hard to believe this is the same group. What can you say about the maturity and growth of this team since then?
A: It’s not the same football team. These guys committed to getting better every single day, and that’s made all the difference. That moment six weeks ago was tough, but it didn’t define us. I tell our players all the time — one bad thing doesn’t define who you are. What matters is how you respond. This team chose to grow from it, to lean on each other, and to lead from within. That’s what makes me proud, the unity, the resilience, and the belief that we’re more than any one setback.