Transcribed by Bill Seals
On how Brock Purdy’s high school success was big part of staff’s recruiting him to Ames:
“I knew a little bit about their story. I don’t know if I knew the whole story. Taylor Mouser is one of our recruiting assistants here who is from the state of Arizona, so he knew the story of their high school football program. As I got to be involved in the recruiting process, our first call wasn’t Brock but to their high school coach. I want to know what those people have to say about their student-athlete. One of those things that was really powerful was to hear the story of their rebuilding of the Perry program that he was involved in. From 3-9 his freshman year to going 15-1 his senior season and playing in the state championship game. He helped build that football program. Watching his sophomore film, junior film and senior film was big.”
On how the defensive staff will set out to defend Mountaineer quarterback Will Grier:
“That’s a great question. I think a lot of people are trying to figure that out right now. What’s so impressive about his video is the number one thing that shows up is that offensive line playing in front of him is growing up. That was a young group a year ago. They’ve continued to get better. They’re doing a great job of running the football and what that allows is for an elite quarterback to have the ability to pick and choose the points where he wants to throw. He can throw to all areas of the field. What he does over the middle in the intermediate range is very consistent. To say you’re going to stop him is naïve, but the ability to be multiple in what you do and do a great job of trying to win situational football are huge.”
On the importance of keeping Kene Nwangwu an integral in the offense:
“Kene is a guy that we said at the beginning of the year we need to find ways to get him involved. Watching him get more involved on Saturday reminded all of us why. No matter who is in the game at running back, he’s got to continue to be a factor for us. I’m really proud of Kene. He’s been a factor this year. We’re also still kind of gradually getting him back. We didn’t want to force the load on him and make sure he’s fully healthy. I thought he played an outstanding football game and made a huge impact on the offensive side of the football. You saw some of his runs…the first guy wasn’t tackling him very much.”
On the role of Joel Gordon in the play of Purdy and the rest of the quarterbacks:
“It’s not only with that quarterback but a lot of what we’ve done offensively. That’s not an easy course to do. In five games, we’ve played three quarterbacks and trying to get three guys ready to play. When you look at statistically, they’ve been extremely efficient. Even the TCU game, it wasn’t the lack of efficiency but a lack of execution. A lot of the credit goes to the coach and Coach Gordon has done a great job of preparing those guys. He’s helped develop game plans that allows those guys to be as successful as they can be. Joel is one of the rising stars in our profession.”
On if there is now a competition at staring inside linebacker with O’Rien Vance and Mike Rose:
“The reality of it is, I don’t even know if we look at it is ‘who is our starter’ but as the fact we need two guys at each position on that side of the football to be able to play for us. The closer we can get to even reps, the better football team we’re going to be. Those guys can be fresh against Big 12 opponents and offenses that are really going to force you to play. I think we have guys that are playing at a really high rate for us right now that are giving us chances to be successful.
“I’m really proud of O’Rien. His growth has been outstanding. He was kind of dinged up a little bit in fall camp and a lot of guys were working really hard around him. Mike really stepped up and played really well early in the season, but O’Rien didn’t get discouraged. It’s about staying the course and controlling what you can control. The product you’ve seen is two guys really competing at a high level.”
On the statuses of Kyle Kempt and David Montgomery:
“I would say a little bit after yesterday that he’s doubtful. He’s going to try to go in practice here this week, so we’ll have a better understanding of where he is. The biggest issue is whether he’s comfortable. That’s a position where there’s so much that’s asked of you. It’s not just handing off the football. It’s escaping the rush and do some things. His health is the number one concern.
“For David, he’s a little bit more day-to-day. We’ll know a little bit more today. He looks healthy and ready to go, but he’s looked that way the last week or so. It’s not the look but the feel. Pain is the biggest thing he’s dealing with right now.”
On if the Big 12 is getting enough respect for the defenses being played around league:
“We talk so much about this conference and the offensive piece of it. We’ve played it early and seen it. Some really good defense is getting played in this conference right now. If you want to be an upper tier program in college football, you have to play defense. Defense wins championships. Gary Patterson has set the tone for a long time in this conference and nationally. Look at what Texas is doing statistically. Look at what Coach (Jon) Heacock and our staff has been able to do. West Virginia has been that way for a long time, too. That’s one of the reasons why they’ve been so successful is because their foundation has revolved around the defensive side of the football.”
On how Brock Purdy’s high school success was big part of staff’s recruiting him to Ames:
“I knew a little bit about their story. I don’t know if I knew the whole story. Taylor Mouser is one of our recruiting assistants here who is from the state of Arizona, so he knew the story of their high school football program. As I got to be involved in the recruiting process, our first call wasn’t Brock but to their high school coach. I want to know what those people have to say about their student-athlete. One of those things that was really powerful was to hear the story of their rebuilding of the Perry program that he was involved in. From 3-9 his freshman year to going 15-1 his senior season and playing in the state championship game. He helped build that football program. Watching his sophomore film, junior film and senior film was big.”
On how the defensive staff will set out to defend Mountaineer quarterback Will Grier:
“That’s a great question. I think a lot of people are trying to figure that out right now. What’s so impressive about his video is the number one thing that shows up is that offensive line playing in front of him is growing up. That was a young group a year ago. They’ve continued to get better. They’re doing a great job of running the football and what that allows is for an elite quarterback to have the ability to pick and choose the points where he wants to throw. He can throw to all areas of the field. What he does over the middle in the intermediate range is very consistent. To say you’re going to stop him is naïve, but the ability to be multiple in what you do and do a great job of trying to win situational football are huge.”
On the importance of keeping Kene Nwangwu an integral in the offense:
“Kene is a guy that we said at the beginning of the year we need to find ways to get him involved. Watching him get more involved on Saturday reminded all of us why. No matter who is in the game at running back, he’s got to continue to be a factor for us. I’m really proud of Kene. He’s been a factor this year. We’re also still kind of gradually getting him back. We didn’t want to force the load on him and make sure he’s fully healthy. I thought he played an outstanding football game and made a huge impact on the offensive side of the football. You saw some of his runs…the first guy wasn’t tackling him very much.”
On the role of Joel Gordon in the play of Purdy and the rest of the quarterbacks:
“It’s not only with that quarterback but a lot of what we’ve done offensively. That’s not an easy course to do. In five games, we’ve played three quarterbacks and trying to get three guys ready to play. When you look at statistically, they’ve been extremely efficient. Even the TCU game, it wasn’t the lack of efficiency but a lack of execution. A lot of the credit goes to the coach and Coach Gordon has done a great job of preparing those guys. He’s helped develop game plans that allows those guys to be as successful as they can be. Joel is one of the rising stars in our profession.”
On if there is now a competition at staring inside linebacker with O’Rien Vance and Mike Rose:
“The reality of it is, I don’t even know if we look at it is ‘who is our starter’ but as the fact we need two guys at each position on that side of the football to be able to play for us. The closer we can get to even reps, the better football team we’re going to be. Those guys can be fresh against Big 12 opponents and offenses that are really going to force you to play. I think we have guys that are playing at a really high rate for us right now that are giving us chances to be successful.
“I’m really proud of O’Rien. His growth has been outstanding. He was kind of dinged up a little bit in fall camp and a lot of guys were working really hard around him. Mike really stepped up and played really well early in the season, but O’Rien didn’t get discouraged. It’s about staying the course and controlling what you can control. The product you’ve seen is two guys really competing at a high level.”
On the statuses of Kyle Kempt and David Montgomery:
“I would say a little bit after yesterday that he’s doubtful. He’s going to try to go in practice here this week, so we’ll have a better understanding of where he is. The biggest issue is whether he’s comfortable. That’s a position where there’s so much that’s asked of you. It’s not just handing off the football. It’s escaping the rush and do some things. His health is the number one concern.
“For David, he’s a little bit more day-to-day. We’ll know a little bit more today. He looks healthy and ready to go, but he’s looked that way the last week or so. It’s not the look but the feel. Pain is the biggest thing he’s dealing with right now.”
On if the Big 12 is getting enough respect for the defenses being played around league:
“We talk so much about this conference and the offensive piece of it. We’ve played it early and seen it. Some really good defense is getting played in this conference right now. If you want to be an upper tier program in college football, you have to play defense. Defense wins championships. Gary Patterson has set the tone for a long time in this conference and nationally. Look at what Texas is doing statistically. Look at what Coach (Jon) Heacock and our staff has been able to do. West Virginia has been that way for a long time, too. That’s one of the reasons why they’ve been so successful is because their foundation has revolved around the defensive side of the football.”
