Kansas Jayhawks running back Devin Neal talks about the historic rushing day for Kansas against the UCF Knights.
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00:00 down day that we talked about.
00:01 We got back to the basics and we just really got back to protecting and
00:06 throwing and getting back and getting being in rhythm with the receivers.
00:09 That's such a huge thing for quarterbacks and receivers and
00:11 he didn't necessarily have that going in the last game.
00:13 So him being prepared this week, you saw what he could do and
00:16 just I'm super proud of Jason.
00:18 Just like I've said a million times, he's always ready for
00:21 when his name is called and he's just a really special athlete as well.
00:25 Thank you.
00:26 >> With Tony Sands in town, did he give you any advice?
00:29 >> I mean, not necessarily, we didn't even see him really till today.
00:32 I think he just got in.
00:33 So just seeing him, he talked to us last year as well.
00:36 Seeing him get into the re-army, that's a really special achievement for someone and
00:41 it makes everyone happy.
00:42 And just as a fellow running back, you always give your respect to another guy.
00:45 And he definitely gives his respect towards us as well.
00:47 >> Last week, the situation with Jason and
00:49 Jaylin seemed like it was like 30 minutes before the game.
00:51 >> Yeah. >> And you get an extra couple days.
00:53 What does that do for the whole offense?
00:54 Is it really just like a plug and play thing?
00:56 >> Yeah, I mean, it gives being an extra set of confidence,
00:59 it gives us all extra set of confidence.
01:00 Just because he's in rhythm with the receivers.
01:02 It's such a big thing for quarterbacks and
01:03 receivers to be in rhythm with those guys.
01:05 And when you're not taking those constant reps with them, you're out of sync.
01:08 And so I think you saw that a little bit in Texas, but today you didn't see that.
01:12 He's really in sync with his receivers.
01:13 And guys, I feel when we threw it, we barely threw the ball.
01:16 But it's just testament to who Jason is and his training.
01:20 >> Folks said he had his own concerns coming into this game.
01:23 Seeing how much dominance you guys had throughout the run game from the jump.
01:29 How much more satisfying is it knowing that you guys came out with a win,
01:31 a sort of win like this?
01:33 >> Yeah, I mean, it's really special.
01:34 Just has the fact that we dominated in the run game.
01:37 And we did what we do best as a running back group.
01:39 When everyone's name was called, they performed at a really high level.
01:42 So it was really cool to see that.
01:43 >> It seems like whenever you guys are the underdogs,
01:47 you obviously are able to call your own names and try to be successful.
01:51 So did that kind of have a motivating factor?
01:53 >> Yeah, I mean, for us, we play with a chip all week.
01:57 Just cuz you have a team that comes into our house and
02:00 people are still not believing in us.
02:03 And I think we carry that with us when people aren't believing in us.
02:07 I mean, we don't look too much into it because at the end of the day,
02:09 it only matters what's in this building.
02:11 But there was an extra set of motivation for sure.
02:13 >> You, Aiden?
02:15 >> Yeah, Devin, so congrats on the win.
02:17 And so how excited are you when you come out at halftime and
02:20 you see a wide open hole that you can reach straight through?
02:22 >> Yeah, I mean, that's really exciting, just to get the half started that way.
02:25 And I give all the credit to the whole line.
02:28 They created that big hole that you were talking about.
02:30 And just doing my job and running through it and just playing ball from there.
02:33 >> Right, and last time I was here, I asked you how excited it was when you
02:36 were lining with a Wildcat.
02:37 This week, today, we saw a lot of Wildcat formations from everyone.
02:40 Is that something you guys are putting a lot of emphasis on and working on?
02:42 >> Yeah, I mean, just getting the ball in our hands in different ways and
02:45 confusing defenses as well.
02:46 So that was a big emphasis for us this week, and I think we executed well.
02:50 >> And so again, the line played amazing today.
02:51 Can you just vouch for them even more?
02:53 >> Yeah, I mean, I'm always gonna vouch for those guys.
02:55 Probably take them out to dinner.
02:56 We have such a tight knit group and such a good bond with them.
02:59 And those guys go to war every day.
03:01 It gets down and dirty in the trenches.
03:03 So for them to just do what they did today, it was really, not surprising for
03:07 us cuz we know it's coming, but it's just a testament to what they are.
03:10 >> Right, can you talk a little bit about Jason Beat's performance today too?
03:12 He played amazing today.
03:13 He played great.
03:14 Can you just talk on that?
03:14 >> Yeah, I mean, he's really special.
03:15 You get him in sync with the receivers.
03:17 You let him prepare all week and you can see what he does.
03:21 All the hate, all the stuff that people were saying about him.
03:24 Hopefully that doing those down because he's a really phenomenal quarterback and
03:27 he's a really phenomenal person as well and great leader.
03:29 So I'm super proud to be in the backfield with him and
03:32 I know everyone else on the team is too.
03:33 >> One more for Devin.
03:34 >> Thank you.
03:35 >> Yeah, shoot.
03:37 [LAUGH] I had a couple, so I'm just not sure which one I wanna actually ask you.
03:41 But, no, I mean, coming into the week, was this the kind of performance that you
03:46 guys expected to have for the Russian game?
03:48 Like, was there something in the UCF film that you saw that you knew you were gonna
03:52 have a game like this or was this even higher than the expectations you had?
03:57 >> I just think it was our expectation.
04:00 We went into the week with a real run heavy emphasis and
04:04 I just think that's what we do.
04:05 We do that best when we have that challenge on our shoulders and
04:08 it's really exciting to see us pull through.
04:10 >> Awesome, thanks.