by Bill Seals
Opening comments:
“I think I hit the nail on the head after the game Saturday. It was a game where there was a lot of positives about our football team. Kids made some growth in a lot of areas. Unfortunately, there were some miscues late in the third quarter and into the fourth quarter where we had the opportunity to put the football game away and we didn’t. Those are things that this football team needs to continue to learn and we need to continue to grow with to be able to go win those games. A lot of growth by our football team and another huge challenge this week on the road. I know we look forward to that.”
On his thoughts about this Saturday’s opponent, Texas:
“As you look at these guys, at least early on evaluating them what jumps off the screen is the talent and ability of the football program. They’ve got great length and look really good on the offensive and defensive lines. They have great playmakers on the outside as far as skill players. The positive is the quarterback position which looks like it’s really sound right now. Maybe that wasn’t where it wanted to be a year ago. It looks like a team that’s really talented across the board and with some really good football players.
“They have gotten off to a start kind of like us at times in some situations, where they wish they probably had a quarterback here or there and their record might be different than what it is right now. But it’s still a very good football team.”
On how much lack of depth may have played a role in last two weeks’ losses:
“The excuse would be to say ‘sure that makes a difference’. The reality for us I don’t know that I’ve even looked at that or evaluated that. To me, it’s how can we win these games and what can we do better as coaches and players to win these games. A lot of it comes down to taking care of the football. If you do that, it’s probably a different football game. Catch the ball and it’s probably a different football game. We had a chance on the one long run that sets up the winning touchdown, you’ve got a chance to hit it in the backfield and we missed the tackle. Make the tackle.
“You want to sit here and make a lot of excuses, but the reality is we’ve got to execute. We didn’t do that. That’s unfortunate, because it took away an opportunity to win the game.”
On what was behind the top two running backs getting minimal carries in the second half:
“The quarterback ran pretty well for us. The reality of it is that was something that was very productive for us in the football game, Joel’s ability to run the ball. You’re talking about a really stout front-six, and in my opinion maybe one of the best in the conference I’ve seen so far. We have to try to create way to gain an extra hat in the running game and still be able to run the football. We were still able to do that.
“Situationally, do you want to be in 2nd-and-10 or 3rd-and-8? We’re not a very good football team when we’re in those situations and that’s what happened in the fourth quarter. That kind of hurt maybe their numbers of carries. We got behind the chains and behind the sticks. When those guys got the ball, they were certainly productive within the football game and I think we did a good job of scheming for them to be productive in the game.”
On what it takes to get over the hump and how close the team is:
“To me, it’s like I told our kids after the game, I wish we were playing today. The competitor in me says yes we’re really close. But I also know what it takes to make those plays and do the little things that it takes to be successful. You win stuff like that in the offseason and how your process is in January, February, March, April, May, June, July and August. You make those catches, make those tackles and do that because of repetition and detail. I do feel at times we’re still playing catch up a little bit because we’re still teaching and instilling a program.
“You’ve seen these kids make so much strides in such a short amount of time because there is such a great want-to from those young men. It’s amazing to see when you come together and have that, the strides you can make. It’s the power of 18-to-22 year olds that’s there when you can align them together and go in the right direction. I’m not disheartened by any stretch of the imagination.
“I’m proud of our kids. I thought the last two, three weeks we have practiced really well. I think I’ll know a lot better about if we’re still headed in the right direction when we leave practice Tuesday and Wednesday and know where our kids are at. If we keep coming with that focus and continue to make the strides we’ve made, sooner or later the scoreboard is going to reflect in a positive way.”
On the two plays that Deshaunte Jones kept the ball instead of passing it on Saturday, and how that reflects on his maturity:
“Both plays and both instances, you’re 100 percent right. I’ve had guys that are juniors and seniors that make those throws or do something with the ball that isn’t right. Deshaunte, we’re all seeing is well beyond his years of development and poise. I’ve always loved to recruit high school quarterbacks and then move them to different places, because high school coaches put the ball in the hands of their best players a majority of the time. Sometimes those guys play different position.
“Deshaunte grew up in a situation where he had to become a man really early in his life. He lost his father a couple years ago. He had to play in a program that demands mental and physical toughness every day. And then to be the quarterback in that. Deshaunte is a really special young man. He’s got the tools and the “it” factor that elite people and players have. It’s been fun to watch his process as he comes to practice. You never have to coach Deshaunte Jones to come in and practice hard every day. His attention to detail is outstanding. It’s really fun to have a guy like that playing like he is right now.
“Those are two huge plays in the game that really gave us the ability to sustain drives where it probably could have gone the other way if it was somebody else.”
On the decision to move Jhaustin Thomas around the defensive line to play other roles:
“We continue to find ways. It’s really a tribute to him, what we’re doing. Anyone who has covered Iowa State in the last year and a half have said he’s a good-looking guy. We said that when we got here. The ability to have his motor, want-to and practice habits match what he looks like…that’s been a great process. He has really worked hard to get where he’s at. Now you’re talking where we’re moving him around. He has done what I’ve asked, which is to trust the program and buy in to what we’re asking him to do. When you see him do those things on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, you’ve got a pretty good bet that he’s going to play really well for us on Saturday. He does have great ability and God-given ability. You’re just starting to see the best of him.”
On how beneficial Allen Lazard’s return to health has been for he and the offense:
“I think Allen getting healthy is going to help our football team. It’s going to help Allen. He is a great talent. Consistently playing at the level he needs to play at for us to be successful, him being back on the practice field is going to be a huge factor for him. That timing and ball placement that you love to have between quarterback and wide receiver is really important. It’s a starting point for Allen to get himself back there. He was out there yesterday practicing and I think that was maybe the first Sunday he’s had out on the practice field in a long time.”
Opening comments:
“I think I hit the nail on the head after the game Saturday. It was a game where there was a lot of positives about our football team. Kids made some growth in a lot of areas. Unfortunately, there were some miscues late in the third quarter and into the fourth quarter where we had the opportunity to put the football game away and we didn’t. Those are things that this football team needs to continue to learn and we need to continue to grow with to be able to go win those games. A lot of growth by our football team and another huge challenge this week on the road. I know we look forward to that.”
On his thoughts about this Saturday’s opponent, Texas:
“As you look at these guys, at least early on evaluating them what jumps off the screen is the talent and ability of the football program. They’ve got great length and look really good on the offensive and defensive lines. They have great playmakers on the outside as far as skill players. The positive is the quarterback position which looks like it’s really sound right now. Maybe that wasn’t where it wanted to be a year ago. It looks like a team that’s really talented across the board and with some really good football players.
“They have gotten off to a start kind of like us at times in some situations, where they wish they probably had a quarterback here or there and their record might be different than what it is right now. But it’s still a very good football team.”
On how much lack of depth may have played a role in last two weeks’ losses:
“The excuse would be to say ‘sure that makes a difference’. The reality for us I don’t know that I’ve even looked at that or evaluated that. To me, it’s how can we win these games and what can we do better as coaches and players to win these games. A lot of it comes down to taking care of the football. If you do that, it’s probably a different football game. Catch the ball and it’s probably a different football game. We had a chance on the one long run that sets up the winning touchdown, you’ve got a chance to hit it in the backfield and we missed the tackle. Make the tackle.
“You want to sit here and make a lot of excuses, but the reality is we’ve got to execute. We didn’t do that. That’s unfortunate, because it took away an opportunity to win the game.”
On what was behind the top two running backs getting minimal carries in the second half:
“The quarterback ran pretty well for us. The reality of it is that was something that was very productive for us in the football game, Joel’s ability to run the ball. You’re talking about a really stout front-six, and in my opinion maybe one of the best in the conference I’ve seen so far. We have to try to create way to gain an extra hat in the running game and still be able to run the football. We were still able to do that.
“Situationally, do you want to be in 2nd-and-10 or 3rd-and-8? We’re not a very good football team when we’re in those situations and that’s what happened in the fourth quarter. That kind of hurt maybe their numbers of carries. We got behind the chains and behind the sticks. When those guys got the ball, they were certainly productive within the football game and I think we did a good job of scheming for them to be productive in the game.”
On what it takes to get over the hump and how close the team is:
“To me, it’s like I told our kids after the game, I wish we were playing today. The competitor in me says yes we’re really close. But I also know what it takes to make those plays and do the little things that it takes to be successful. You win stuff like that in the offseason and how your process is in January, February, March, April, May, June, July and August. You make those catches, make those tackles and do that because of repetition and detail. I do feel at times we’re still playing catch up a little bit because we’re still teaching and instilling a program.
“You’ve seen these kids make so much strides in such a short amount of time because there is such a great want-to from those young men. It’s amazing to see when you come together and have that, the strides you can make. It’s the power of 18-to-22 year olds that’s there when you can align them together and go in the right direction. I’m not disheartened by any stretch of the imagination.
“I’m proud of our kids. I thought the last two, three weeks we have practiced really well. I think I’ll know a lot better about if we’re still headed in the right direction when we leave practice Tuesday and Wednesday and know where our kids are at. If we keep coming with that focus and continue to make the strides we’ve made, sooner or later the scoreboard is going to reflect in a positive way.”
On the two plays that Deshaunte Jones kept the ball instead of passing it on Saturday, and how that reflects on his maturity:
“Both plays and both instances, you’re 100 percent right. I’ve had guys that are juniors and seniors that make those throws or do something with the ball that isn’t right. Deshaunte, we’re all seeing is well beyond his years of development and poise. I’ve always loved to recruit high school quarterbacks and then move them to different places, because high school coaches put the ball in the hands of their best players a majority of the time. Sometimes those guys play different position.
“Deshaunte grew up in a situation where he had to become a man really early in his life. He lost his father a couple years ago. He had to play in a program that demands mental and physical toughness every day. And then to be the quarterback in that. Deshaunte is a really special young man. He’s got the tools and the “it” factor that elite people and players have. It’s been fun to watch his process as he comes to practice. You never have to coach Deshaunte Jones to come in and practice hard every day. His attention to detail is outstanding. It’s really fun to have a guy like that playing like he is right now.
“Those are two huge plays in the game that really gave us the ability to sustain drives where it probably could have gone the other way if it was somebody else.”
On the decision to move Jhaustin Thomas around the defensive line to play other roles:
“We continue to find ways. It’s really a tribute to him, what we’re doing. Anyone who has covered Iowa State in the last year and a half have said he’s a good-looking guy. We said that when we got here. The ability to have his motor, want-to and practice habits match what he looks like…that’s been a great process. He has really worked hard to get where he’s at. Now you’re talking where we’re moving him around. He has done what I’ve asked, which is to trust the program and buy in to what we’re asking him to do. When you see him do those things on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, you’ve got a pretty good bet that he’s going to play really well for us on Saturday. He does have great ability and God-given ability. You’re just starting to see the best of him.”
On how beneficial Allen Lazard’s return to health has been for he and the offense:
“I think Allen getting healthy is going to help our football team. It’s going to help Allen. He is a great talent. Consistently playing at the level he needs to play at for us to be successful, him being back on the practice field is going to be a huge factor for him. That timing and ball placement that you love to have between quarterback and wide receiver is really important. It’s a starting point for Allen to get himself back there. He was out there yesterday practicing and I think that was maybe the first Sunday he’s had out on the practice field in a long time.”
