Sid opened about the importance of getting the first Big Ten win. PJ said it important since it was the next one. We’ve been in a lot of close games this year, and important for the players to see a win. Good for homecoming to connect past players with current ones, and getting the students involved.
Kobe McCrary had a huge day for us, Coach commented that he has great feet for being that big, and earned himself some more playing time in the future. “If there’s position we have depth at, it’s that position. I’m glad that if people go down there, we have guys to step up.”
Fleck also had compliments to say about the offensive line saying they played extremely well. Quoted Donnell Greene and Garrison Wright by name as players that played well. We didn’t play well in the passing game, and we couldn’t beat ourselves, which means running the ball even if they have an eight-man front.
Coach also had great things to say about Carter Coughlin, reiterating that he is gaining confidence, is a hard worker, and has a great future here.
As for Demry, he did not play very well. “I’m not one to bench somebody if they didn’t play extremely well. He has a chance to make it right.” Different pressure being named the starter, rather than coming in for backup duty against a team. “Even if you fail, you have to have a chance to make it right and grow.”
PJ additionally added that Demry was very jumpy in the pocket. “When his feet are quiet, he’s a really talented quarterback. When his feet are loud, that’s when you struggle with accuracy.”
The coaches decided to go back to the running game once the passing game wasn’t working.
“The first drive of the game is what we can look like on offense. Right now, we lack execution all the time, and we lack consistently. That happens when you have a young and inexperienced group. When you watch Penn State (versus Michigan) that is what consistency looks like. They are executing at a high level all the time. They have a lot of guys that have played a lot of football at a high level.”
Drew Hmielewski was returning punts for us yesterday, getting younger guys out there now that will pay off in the future.
Coach gave compliments to Robb Smith and the defense for working through injuries. Also, he had an interesting note that we are doing things defensively that we don’t necessarily want to do due to injuries. Gave special praise to Jonathan Celestin for being a leader and playing for his late father.
Measuring success is a difficult thing to do in Year 1. Fleck wants people to measure success by how hard they play, since this is about instilling the culture. Carter Coughlin was singled out as a player that plays extremely hard and inspires people. “His motor never stops, and that’s infectious. Eventually that will spread to all 22 players. Every game you have a chance to quit or fold, and the team has never done that. Every game we’ve played in the Big Ten has come down to a single possession or the last minute. There’s a small margin for error in the Big Ten, and we have to continue to learn/grow to get over the hump.”
Thomas Barber leads us in tackles, he was playing through some injuries on Saturday. Coach said he has to get better at a lot of things, however his toughness and leadership is growing every week.
Jonathan Celestin has had three different head coaches in the last three years. He lost his father in the offseason. “He’s not only an amazing football player, but he is one of the most elite young men that I’ve ever coached. It was very emotional on Saturday, but he deserves it since he does everything the right way.”
Kobe McCrary had a huge day for us, Coach commented that he has great feet for being that big, and earned himself some more playing time in the future. “If there’s position we have depth at, it’s that position. I’m glad that if people go down there, we have guys to step up.”
Fleck also had compliments to say about the offensive line saying they played extremely well. Quoted Donnell Greene and Garrison Wright by name as players that played well. We didn’t play well in the passing game, and we couldn’t beat ourselves, which means running the ball even if they have an eight-man front.
Coach also had great things to say about Carter Coughlin, reiterating that he is gaining confidence, is a hard worker, and has a great future here.
As for Demry, he did not play very well. “I’m not one to bench somebody if they didn’t play extremely well. He has a chance to make it right.” Different pressure being named the starter, rather than coming in for backup duty against a team. “Even if you fail, you have to have a chance to make it right and grow.”
PJ additionally added that Demry was very jumpy in the pocket. “When his feet are quiet, he’s a really talented quarterback. When his feet are loud, that’s when you struggle with accuracy.”
The coaches decided to go back to the running game once the passing game wasn’t working.
“The first drive of the game is what we can look like on offense. Right now, we lack execution all the time, and we lack consistently. That happens when you have a young and inexperienced group. When you watch Penn State (versus Michigan) that is what consistency looks like. They are executing at a high level all the time. They have a lot of guys that have played a lot of football at a high level.”
Drew Hmielewski was returning punts for us yesterday, getting younger guys out there now that will pay off in the future.
Coach gave compliments to Robb Smith and the defense for working through injuries. Also, he had an interesting note that we are doing things defensively that we don’t necessarily want to do due to injuries. Gave special praise to Jonathan Celestin for being a leader and playing for his late father.
Measuring success is a difficult thing to do in Year 1. Fleck wants people to measure success by how hard they play, since this is about instilling the culture. Carter Coughlin was singled out as a player that plays extremely hard and inspires people. “His motor never stops, and that’s infectious. Eventually that will spread to all 22 players. Every game you have a chance to quit or fold, and the team has never done that. Every game we’ve played in the Big Ten has come down to a single possession or the last minute. There’s a small margin for error in the Big Ten, and we have to continue to learn/grow to get over the hump.”
Thomas Barber leads us in tackles, he was playing through some injuries on Saturday. Coach said he has to get better at a lot of things, however his toughness and leadership is growing every week.
Jonathan Celestin has had three different head coaches in the last three years. He lost his father in the offseason. “He’s not only an amazing football player, but he is one of the most elite young men that I’ve ever coached. It was very emotional on Saturday, but he deserves it since he does everything the right way.”
