Postgame Quotes: Football at Penn State
Nov 11 | Football
Head Coach Chris Ash
Q: What went wrong in the passing attack?
CA: The inability to get open and when we did get open, the inability to connect. An issue with a bunch of wide receivers that we have had throughout the year, when they decide to mass up and press us up, we have had our challenge of creating separation and when we do, the inability to connect with the throw, that's it.
Q: Is it a youth issue with the receivers or is it talent?
CA: Well it is a combination. This team is a good team, they weren't number two in the country at one point this year without a reason. They have talented players and that has a lot to do with it. When you play some of the elite teams in this league that have superior DBs and they decide to man you up or press you up like that, that it is a challenge and we have to continue to look at ways schematically to help our guys create separation. We will continue to do that, we have some answers, unfortunately it did not work today.
Q: When you look at the improvement across the board with special teams and defense, are you disappointed with the passing attack has not come along?
CA: No, I mean we lost basically all of our wide receivers from last year, Janarion Grant who preseason we thought would be one of our better ones has been hurt and limited. We just got to continue to work hard and work with the protection and the quarterbacks and helping the young guys get open and that is what it is. If you go back and look at the games, we can't get open and it is going to be a little hard to throw the ball. There are some pretty good DBs on some of these top teams that we are playing.
Q: Given the ability to hold [Saquon] Barkley to 35 yards on 14 carries, what does that say about the defense?
CA: I am pretty proud, I mean we gave up 35 points and I am not happy about that, but I am really pleased with the effort that our defense gave. Really the difference in the game was their skill versus our skill. We struggled to consistently cover their wide receivers down the field and we struggled with our wide receivers against their DBs, that is what it is. Up front on both sides of the ball, I thought we did pretty well. We ran the ball decent. We struggled after the first quarter to get things going until the end, but I thought we held our own in pass protection. I think we only got sacked once. We gave the quarterback plenty of time on certain situations to complete throws. So, I was happy with the O-Line's play and the defensive line I continue to be happy with the way they play. We got a couple of sacks. We were pretty good against the run, but the difference in this game is that they have some pretty good skill players and we didn't match up very well.
Q: Obviously, you are thrilled to take a 6-0 lead, but did you feel like you left some points on the board there by settling for field goals both times?
CA: Any time you have to settle for field goals you feel that way. You get in the red zone for one reason and that is for touchdowns, we didn't get touchdowns. We started the game off recovering the opening kickoff and we settled for three points and you would like to get a touchdown, but you have to find touchdowns other times, too. We didn't. We got to keep working, keep grinding. Again, this team was ranked number two in the country for a reason, they have good players and I thought we played good ball for the majority of the game. There were certain things, third down obviously offensively we struggled and we had to take a couple chances with the fake punt and some other things to try and generate some momentum and they didn't work out. We will keep working, keep grinding. I still believe that this is a football team that is getting better all the time and last year at the end of the game against these guys, it wasn't a lot of fun. I am discouraged that we lost the game, but I continue to be encouraged by the improvement in the attitude and the toughness that our team displays right now. We are going to keep working and keep building and there is not going to be one game that is set us back from what we want to build.
Q: What is the approach at the end of the first half? Were you waiting to see if the first play was a big gain?
CA: Yeah it is field position. We moved the ball early in the first half and the first quarter. In the second quarter, we struggled a little bit. We got in that situation we were down 14-6 I believe at that time and we did not want to put the ball in harm's way. We felt good about the way that we played in the first half and we wanted to make sure that we protected the football and got out of the first half and that is what we did.
Q: Was there any thought of putting in Johnathan Lewis? Was he healthy enough?
CA: There was some conversation before the game started about situations that we could put Jonathon in and when this turned into a game where we knew we were probably going to have to start throwing the ball, we didn't throw it very well. That is an area we are still working on with Jonathon. During the game, we were going to stick with [Giovanni Rescigno] just in feel of the second half that the situation had to be right to put Johnathan in.
Q: You mentioned you guys struggling against their skill players, how much does that struggle intensify when you got a quarterback on their side like Trace McSorley that can extend plays?
CA: Trace is a good player. When I say skill players, he is a skilled player. Their skill players were the difference in the game, including him. He was able to scramble around and extend drives today with his feet. He was able to score a touchdown rushing today. He is a good player and we struggled to tackle him at times, but that's it. We just got to continue to develop the players that we have and keep recruiting to build depth at the skilled positions and we can go and compete with a team like this.
Q: From an injury standpoint you got Saquan [Hampton] and Kemoko [Turay] back the lift that gives you going forward and then Josh Hicks wasn't here, is that an injury thing?
CA: Yeah, Josh [Hicks] suffered an injury in the last game. But we got Saquan back, he was able to give us a few reps. We couldn't play him a whole lot just because he's been out with a pretty serious injury for a good part of the season, but he should be back to 100% for next Saturday and be able to play full time next Saturday. Kemoko gave us more than we thought he'd be able to do today. Really we're not sure what he'd be able to do. Last week it was a few just third down reps, and today he was able to give us more on first and second down so hopefully we can continue to get everybody healthy. Jonah Jackson will be back next week also so we're excited to get him back. But we got a typical few bumps and bruises coming out of this game and we'll evaluate some of those guys when we get back home. But again, we're going to keep fighting, keep working, keep building. We continue to get better, just some situational things today, some special teams things that put us in a hole and obviously third downs hurt today. But our locker room is strong and they'll stay together and they'll keep working and find a way to get another win or two here at the end of this season.
QB Giovanni Rescigno
Q: You looked like you guys were having trouble getting open against the great talent on the defense and in the back field as well, is that a part of the problem?
GR: I'm not really sure, I can't have my eyes on all of the receivers on the same time, I can't really tell. We'll watch film, we'll get better, we'll go from there, have a good week at practice next week; eyes forward on next week. We have a young group of receivers getting better each week. Like I mentioned before, I think they did a good job. They have great energy, a positive attitude, and they give all they have every game which is all we can ask. So right now we'll watch the film and get better from there.
Q: The pass to [Hunter] Hayek on the third and goal, just overthrown? What did you see there?
GR: Yeah, I think I put too much on it. I have to talk to him, we'll see on film later.
Q: Coach [Jerry] Kill mentioned he wanted to see you step up more in the pocket instead of scrambling so early; how do you feel you did in that department?
GR: I think in the past couple games I've done a pretty good job of that. Especially after we watched film and he's told me that; it creates more opportunities with me either throwing the ball or running the ball, rather than getting out of the pocket and getting tackled for a loss. I think the past couple games we've done a pretty good job at that, sometimes you can't control it and you just have to get out of the pocket. But I think I've done a better job at that the past couple games.
Q: In that 15 play drive, the offense was well-oiled and working well, then the last eight drives you guys go three and out, what was the difference between those drives?
GR: I'm not really sure. It's hard to say, I have to watch film to see exactly what happened. I think everyone played really hard, maybe things didn't go our way or as well as we would've liked it to, but that's football, we'll watch film and get better.
WR/DB Dacoven Bailey
Q: How was your week in terms of preparations; your second week integrating on the offense and defense as well, how did that preparation go?
DB: It was real smooth, fixing up the errors, and coming right back.
Q: You played offense and defense today and this season; are you seeing that the talent gap is getting smaller and it's just a matter of execution? Or was this a game where you were just outmatched?
DB: Execution, starting with the third quarter we just didn't execute. That's when they pulled the win.
Q: It's 6-0 and they go right down the field and get a touchdown while you held them the first two or three times, did that one hurt?
DB: It did, the defense was tight and they scored quick. We're just going to look at film tomorrow and work on Sunday, and try to make adjustments.
Q: What went wrong in the passing attack?
CA: The inability to get open and when we did get open, the inability to connect. An issue with a bunch of wide receivers that we have had throughout the year, when they decide to mass up and press us up, we have had our challenge of creating separation and when we do, the inability to connect with the throw, that's it.
Q: Is it a youth issue with the receivers or is it talent?
CA: Well it is a combination. This team is a good team, they weren't number two in the country at one point this year without a reason. They have talented players and that has a lot to do with it. When you play some of the elite teams in this league that have superior DBs and they decide to man you up or press you up like that, that it is a challenge and we have to continue to look at ways schematically to help our guys create separation. We will continue to do that, we have some answers, unfortunately it did not work today.
Q: When you look at the improvement across the board with special teams and defense, are you disappointed with the passing attack has not come along?
CA: No, I mean we lost basically all of our wide receivers from last year, Janarion Grant who preseason we thought would be one of our better ones has been hurt and limited. We just got to continue to work hard and work with the protection and the quarterbacks and helping the young guys get open and that is what it is. If you go back and look at the games, we can't get open and it is going to be a little hard to throw the ball. There are some pretty good DBs on some of these top teams that we are playing.
Q: Given the ability to hold [Saquon] Barkley to 35 yards on 14 carries, what does that say about the defense?
CA: I am pretty proud, I mean we gave up 35 points and I am not happy about that, but I am really pleased with the effort that our defense gave. Really the difference in the game was their skill versus our skill. We struggled to consistently cover their wide receivers down the field and we struggled with our wide receivers against their DBs, that is what it is. Up front on both sides of the ball, I thought we did pretty well. We ran the ball decent. We struggled after the first quarter to get things going until the end, but I thought we held our own in pass protection. I think we only got sacked once. We gave the quarterback plenty of time on certain situations to complete throws. So, I was happy with the O-Line's play and the defensive line I continue to be happy with the way they play. We got a couple of sacks. We were pretty good against the run, but the difference in this game is that they have some pretty good skill players and we didn't match up very well.
Q: Obviously, you are thrilled to take a 6-0 lead, but did you feel like you left some points on the board there by settling for field goals both times?
CA: Any time you have to settle for field goals you feel that way. You get in the red zone for one reason and that is for touchdowns, we didn't get touchdowns. We started the game off recovering the opening kickoff and we settled for three points and you would like to get a touchdown, but you have to find touchdowns other times, too. We didn't. We got to keep working, keep grinding. Again, this team was ranked number two in the country for a reason, they have good players and I thought we played good ball for the majority of the game. There were certain things, third down obviously offensively we struggled and we had to take a couple chances with the fake punt and some other things to try and generate some momentum and they didn't work out. We will keep working, keep grinding. I still believe that this is a football team that is getting better all the time and last year at the end of the game against these guys, it wasn't a lot of fun. I am discouraged that we lost the game, but I continue to be encouraged by the improvement in the attitude and the toughness that our team displays right now. We are going to keep working and keep building and there is not going to be one game that is set us back from what we want to build.
Q: What is the approach at the end of the first half? Were you waiting to see if the first play was a big gain?
CA: Yeah it is field position. We moved the ball early in the first half and the first quarter. In the second quarter, we struggled a little bit. We got in that situation we were down 14-6 I believe at that time and we did not want to put the ball in harm's way. We felt good about the way that we played in the first half and we wanted to make sure that we protected the football and got out of the first half and that is what we did.
Q: Was there any thought of putting in Johnathan Lewis? Was he healthy enough?
CA: There was some conversation before the game started about situations that we could put Jonathon in and when this turned into a game where we knew we were probably going to have to start throwing the ball, we didn't throw it very well. That is an area we are still working on with Jonathon. During the game, we were going to stick with [Giovanni Rescigno] just in feel of the second half that the situation had to be right to put Johnathan in.
Q: You mentioned you guys struggling against their skill players, how much does that struggle intensify when you got a quarterback on their side like Trace McSorley that can extend plays?
CA: Trace is a good player. When I say skill players, he is a skilled player. Their skill players were the difference in the game, including him. He was able to scramble around and extend drives today with his feet. He was able to score a touchdown rushing today. He is a good player and we struggled to tackle him at times, but that's it. We just got to continue to develop the players that we have and keep recruiting to build depth at the skilled positions and we can go and compete with a team like this.
Q: From an injury standpoint you got Saquan [Hampton] and Kemoko [Turay] back the lift that gives you going forward and then Josh Hicks wasn't here, is that an injury thing?
CA: Yeah, Josh [Hicks] suffered an injury in the last game. But we got Saquan back, he was able to give us a few reps. We couldn't play him a whole lot just because he's been out with a pretty serious injury for a good part of the season, but he should be back to 100% for next Saturday and be able to play full time next Saturday. Kemoko gave us more than we thought he'd be able to do today. Really we're not sure what he'd be able to do. Last week it was a few just third down reps, and today he was able to give us more on first and second down so hopefully we can continue to get everybody healthy. Jonah Jackson will be back next week also so we're excited to get him back. But we got a typical few bumps and bruises coming out of this game and we'll evaluate some of those guys when we get back home. But again, we're going to keep fighting, keep working, keep building. We continue to get better, just some situational things today, some special teams things that put us in a hole and obviously third downs hurt today. But our locker room is strong and they'll stay together and they'll keep working and find a way to get another win or two here at the end of this season.
QB Giovanni Rescigno
Q: You looked like you guys were having trouble getting open against the great talent on the defense and in the back field as well, is that a part of the problem?
GR: I'm not really sure, I can't have my eyes on all of the receivers on the same time, I can't really tell. We'll watch film, we'll get better, we'll go from there, have a good week at practice next week; eyes forward on next week. We have a young group of receivers getting better each week. Like I mentioned before, I think they did a good job. They have great energy, a positive attitude, and they give all they have every game which is all we can ask. So right now we'll watch the film and get better from there.
Q: The pass to [Hunter] Hayek on the third and goal, just overthrown? What did you see there?
GR: Yeah, I think I put too much on it. I have to talk to him, we'll see on film later.
Q: Coach [Jerry] Kill mentioned he wanted to see you step up more in the pocket instead of scrambling so early; how do you feel you did in that department?
GR: I think in the past couple games I've done a pretty good job of that. Especially after we watched film and he's told me that; it creates more opportunities with me either throwing the ball or running the ball, rather than getting out of the pocket and getting tackled for a loss. I think the past couple games we've done a pretty good job at that, sometimes you can't control it and you just have to get out of the pocket. But I think I've done a better job at that the past couple games.
Q: In that 15 play drive, the offense was well-oiled and working well, then the last eight drives you guys go three and out, what was the difference between those drives?
GR: I'm not really sure. It's hard to say, I have to watch film to see exactly what happened. I think everyone played really hard, maybe things didn't go our way or as well as we would've liked it to, but that's football, we'll watch film and get better.
WR/DB Dacoven Bailey
Q: How was your week in terms of preparations; your second week integrating on the offense and defense as well, how did that preparation go?
DB: It was real smooth, fixing up the errors, and coming right back.
Q: You played offense and defense today and this season; are you seeing that the talent gap is getting smaller and it's just a matter of execution? Or was this a game where you were just outmatched?
DB: Execution, starting with the third quarter we just didn't execute. That's when they pulled the win.
Q: It's 6-0 and they go right down the field and get a touchdown while you held them the first two or three times, did that one hurt?
DB: It did, the defense was tight and they scored quick. We're just going to look at film tomorrow and work on Sunday, and try to make adjustments.
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