On how much they’ve benefited from the last two weeks off, importance of physicality against Ohio State
“It typically happens in this league. As you go through all those games, every football team in this league is gonna be banged up. Having a couple of extra weeks to heal up, I feel like we’ll have everybody ready to roll when we get up there. The line of scrimmage is gonna be important in this one. It always is in big football games. You got to be able to run the football on the offensive side of the ball. Defensively, you gotta control the line of scrimmage. It’s your first and second level and your safeties, in particular, but the line of scrimmage will matter. You want to get people in the predictable third downs and then be able to rush the passer and get off the field.”
On if this team feels like it belongs here more than they did in 2022
“I don’t think anybody in the locker room had whiplash two years ago. But we understand what big games look like, what they feel like. The type of environments that you’re gonna play in. Certainly understand you’re playing great opponents and the preparation, I think they have a great understanding of. And then the competitive makeup that you have to have when you get to game day. There’s going to be ups and downs, back and forths in these types of games. And staying consistent, having elite competitive makeup, mindset, really important.”
What he’s learned about Nico Iamaleava in his first year as a full time starter
“I just think his ability to reset and go play the next play, next drive, next half. His ability to continue to grow and compete throughout the course of the football game as a young quarterback that is really hard to do. He’s done a really good job of that.”
Tennessee’s signing class arriving on campus and going through practice
“Yeah. Got a chance to get on the field with them yesterday and today. So it’s a really good group, athletic traits. I mean, the way they’ve handled themselves just getting into campus for the first time. They’ve done a really nice job. Really excited about what we’ve seen from those guys so far. It’s been a lot of fun having that influx of guys, talent into our roster here as they get an opportunity to experience postseason play.”
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