Category
🥇
SportsTranscript
00:00 >> Well, I thought it was a really tremendous performance by our team today.
00:04 We rose to the challenge.
00:07 It's never fun to go into bye week with a tough loss.
00:10 I hate it, our players hate it.
00:12 I think in order to be a good winner, you gotta really hate losing.
00:17 So it was a rough two weeks, but we put in the work.
00:19 We worked hard to improve on some things that have hurt us, and
00:22 I thought we made tremendous strides.
00:24 So to come out here in front of a great fan support, great turnout,
00:28 who were all into the game, and be really efficient off, and
00:32 be really physical up front, run the football at them, take advantage of what
00:35 the defense has given us, set the tone early with two touchdowns early.
00:39 A 14 point lead against a team that doesn't like to be down like that,
00:43 allowed our defense to kind of just go out there and dominate.
00:45 So I just think, we throw a lot at our defense, ask them to do a lot.
00:50 I think today, we had some make sure of disguises and coverages and
00:54 things we were doing, and shifts, and stemming that threw the defense off.
00:58 And it paid off, so I think our defensive coaches had a great week.
01:03 Our players were into it, and we got after the quarterback.
01:06 But I think being efficient on offense and
01:08 getting the lead was the most important thing.
01:10 Matt turned the ball over, being smart with our special teams was efficient as
01:14 well, we made all of our kicks, we kicked it out of the end zone, we covered kicks.
01:17 Maybe had one penalty, but whether it was or not, we'll take a look at it.
01:20 But just a really good day for us, and
01:23 it was good to come out against a really good opponent.
01:26 They had four quarter leads in both their losses.
01:29 And other than that, they played some outstanding football, and
01:32 I thought we really came ready to play today.
01:34 So very, very proud of our team.
01:36 >> Coach, before tonight,
01:41 Louisville had never held a team scoreless for a half a ranked opponent.
01:45 So the whole Duke to zero points for the whole game, just kind of talk about,
01:49 especially with Riley Leonard out and playing and seemingly healthy.
01:53 What does that say about your defense and
01:55 just the game plan put in over the last two weeks?
01:58 >> Well, I like the scheme of our defense.
02:02 I like all the different things we do.
02:04 Like I said, all the disguises, all the stemming, all the shifts,
02:08 all the rotations after the snap.
02:10 And I think it gave them problems.
02:11 I think when you can get a lead and make a team throw it more than they would like
02:17 to, it allows you to do that even more.
02:19 So that's what's important.
02:20 So today, like I said, we wanted to be efficient early,
02:23 see if we could just not turn it over, get a lead, and
02:26 help us kind of get back with good momentum to set the tone.
02:33 But our defense, we rotate guys in there, they play hard.
02:37 I think it was just a great day for us.
02:40 We shut down about everything they had, we got after the quarterback.
02:42 We did a really good job.
02:45 So I just think a great effort, we gotta build on it.
02:49 But I just think all of it, believe it or not, ties together.
02:52 The offense being efficient, running the ball, controlling the clock, and
02:54 the defense being able to get after the quarterback.
02:56 >> Just kind of going off of that,
02:57 you've talked about making adjustments to defense kind of playing up there.
03:00 So I guess what areas of growth have you been most pleased with?
03:03 And then just, I guess, with Jarvis and
03:05 the situation kind of update on what he was communicating to you and
03:08 just kind of how he is.
03:10 >> Well, unfortunately, Jarvis has a foot that's not 100%.
03:14 And he wasn't able to kind of play a whole lot today.
03:17 But you know what?
03:18 Storm stepped in there, did a really good job.
03:20 We played multiple other guys at corner as well.
03:23 They held their own.
03:24 We just gotta continue to build on that.
03:25 And I think that's why it's important to have depth, build depth throughout
03:28 the season.
03:29 We've done a good job with the defensive line,
03:32 being able to rotate quite a few guys in there.
03:34 We're trying to get that way at the linebacker position.
03:37 And I think in the secondary, we're building that as well.
03:41 So like I said, I think everything matters when you win.
03:47 I do think that the plan was really good.
03:51 The disguise was really good.
03:53 And the aggression was really good.
03:55 >> Jeff, there are more than 350 former players here today before the game.
04:00 Talked to a number of them.
04:01 And they all thank you for encouraging that and to come back.
04:05 Why is that important for you to have the former players invested in like that?
04:10 >> Well, that's what it's all about, really.
04:12 The guys that put the blood, sweat, and tears into helping this program.
04:17 All of them love it here.
04:19 A lot of them still live here.
04:20 A lot of them moved on, but they love coming back.
04:22 It's great to see them be here and put on a good performance.
04:25 This is a special place.
04:28 It's a great university with a lot of history, tradition,
04:32 super fans that wanna see high level of championship games being played.
04:37 And there's been some good players come through here.
04:40 They played at the highest level.
04:41 And other players that were just great teammates that really loved their
04:45 experience here.
04:45 And that's why sports in general, but definitely the game of football,
04:49 is such a great game.
04:50 It kind of builds that camaraderie.
04:51 Everybody wants to be a star and catch the ball.
04:55 So that's great, but you need role players.
04:57 You need guys that do other things.
04:59 You need guys that don't do as much, but they just love being a part of it.
05:02 And they're ready when the numbers call it.
05:06 That's what these guys are to show up here.
05:08 So it was great.
05:08 We had a great turnout.
05:10 I hope they enjoyed it as much as we did.
05:13 We gotta continue to keep pushing this thing forward.
05:17 But all the help that they give us is tremendous and we'll keep asking for it.
05:21 >> Jeff, it's kinda hard to get Jowar to even rumble brag on himself.
05:28 Can you kind of crystallize what he means when he's healthy in there for
05:33 your offense?
05:34 >> Well, he is humble and he's soft spoken.
05:36 And you wouldn't think he could do what he could do.
05:41 But he was injured, did practice a lot.
05:45 And I didn't know for sure if he was gonna play.
05:47 We don't want anybody to play that can't.
05:48 But obviously if you can, we would love to have you out there,
05:51 especially when you're a difference maker.
05:52 So he stepped in and played at a high level.
05:55 We relied on that running game today.
05:56 And when you give him some space, man, he just got some wiggle and
06:00 some quickness and some toughness as well.
06:02 When they do hit him, he just kind of gets right back up.
06:05 So I think it was a great day for offense line, tight ends and running backs.
06:09 And our receivers were unselfish, quarterback was efficient.
06:13 But Jowar is a difference maker.
06:15 So I think continue to build the running back room with others.
06:19 But he definitely has stepped in there and made some big time plays.
06:22 >> Jeff, you've obviously been known as a guy for high flying passing game,
06:28 points, things of that nature.
06:29 But you've talked before about how you've grown as a coach and
06:32 you're involved with the defense and the rest of the team as well.
06:35 The way this team plays, is that a reflection of your growth as a coach,
06:39 the strength of the running game, defense, and play up front?
06:42 >> Well, I think it all ties into play.
06:45 I've learned a lot along the ways, and scoring points,
06:49 putting up passing yards, and throwing it deep is always a lot of fun to do.
06:53 But at the same time, the game has changed a little bit.
06:59 Referees calling certain things in the secondary has changed a little bit.
07:03 So you have to take what the defense gives you.
07:06 And I just think we wanted to set the tone early.
07:08 Teams play us for the pass quite a bit, so you have to be able to run the ball.
07:12 I think when teams gonna start to play us for the run,
07:14 now you gotta be able to throw the ball.
07:15 So I think in order to be a great team, you have to be able to do both, and
07:18 you have to work at it.
07:19 And I think I have grown at making sure that we still have the ability
07:23 to work hard at being able to do both.
07:26 And without question, having a defense is vital to success.
07:28 So we built that up to this point, had a really good stint on defense.
07:35 We've had some really good moments.
07:36 I think the package that we put together is good.
07:41 It's multiple, it's able to do a lot of things, a lot of different ways.
07:45 And our defensive coaches work with me, and
07:50 we wanna do things to confuse the quarterback.
07:52 We wanna do things to throw him off.
07:53 That's who you have to be.
07:54 It's one thing to play collar, but you gotta beat the quarterback.
07:58 He's the one that has the ball in his hands every play.
08:00 He's gotta make the quick decisions, quick reads, and you gotta beat him.
08:03 And I think our package today definitely was able to confuse him and
08:07 allow our D line to kinda get in there and make a lot of good plays.
08:10 >> Last two, Pat.
08:12 You partially answered this, Jeff, but
08:14 the way your defense is playing today, the way your running game is doing,
08:18 did it afford you to basically to be able to play maybe a little bit more low risk
08:22 offensively, you didn't have to put the ball in harm's way,
08:24 you didn't have to go for fourth downs, that sort of thing?
08:27 >> Well, we were low risk today.
08:29 >> [LAUGH]
08:30 >> It is hard to do that for me.
08:31 >> [LAUGH]
08:33 >> Last week we lost, and
08:36 that was not very fun.
08:38 And I just think, man, you get about ten to eleven possessions a game.
08:42 And if you turn it over, three or four of them, you're not gonna win.
08:46 So you gotta just massage and balance that and make sure that you're efficient.
08:52 And yeah, would I love to throw it deep and get a bunch of long touchdown passes?
08:56 Yes, but we gotta pick our moments to do that.
09:00 I just think the plan today was, hey, let's not ask Jack to do it all.
09:05 Let's not ask the passing game to do it all.
09:07 Let's rely on the offensive line and the running game.
09:09 I knew the defense was probably gonna be thinking, hey, this team throws it.
09:12 We gotta be prepared for the pass.
09:13 And we get a lot of deep play actions throughout the year,
09:16 which definitely softens things up for the run game.
09:19 So we took advantage of it.
09:20 And then, of course, when the defense is playing like that,
09:22 then it really adds to a really complete game.
09:24 So we'll keep building on it.
09:27 At some point, we're gonna need both to win a game.
09:30 And at some point, you're gonna be down and you're gonna have to throw it.
09:33 So we still gotta be efficient in that as well.
09:35 >> Jeff, just kinda going off that point, using the bye week and
09:39 just protecting the ball as an emphasis, how crucial was that as the main emphasis?
09:44 Was that a primary emphasis for you?
09:46 Because obviously, you see how your running game does when you're able to hold
09:49 on to the ball.
09:51 Going off that pick game as well,
09:52 was that kind of where that led you to go in that direction?
09:55 >> Priority number one, and priority number two, and priority number three.
09:58 >> [LAUGH]
09:59 >> So yes, it was talked about a lot.
10:01 It really wasn't point of finger.
10:04 I mean, when you got a quarterback ball's in your hand,
10:06 I mean, you're gonna make a couple mistakes.
10:09 Sometimes they're completely your fault, sometimes they're not.
10:12 But they go on you.
10:13 So when you win, you get a lot of credit.
10:15 When you lose, you get a lot of blame.
10:17 But it is important to just minimize turnovers and
10:21 interceptions and fumbles and evaluate everyone individually.
10:26 A screen pass, we can't take a sack and fumble on a screen pass.
10:29 So I just think we wanted to value the football.
10:33 Yes, it was talked about a lot, but you gotta go out and do it.
10:37 And when the ball's in your hand every play, I mean,
10:40 if I'm asking the quarterback to throw a lot, you're getting pressure.
10:43 And guys sometimes aren't getting wide open, and it's not easy.
10:45 So I just think we had a conservative plan that had the ability to open up if we
10:51 needed to, but we didn't have to really get to that point.
10:54 Because we were efficient early, got a lead, and our defense was playing well.
10:57 >> All right, coach.