From the Seattle Times
Things are about to get interesting.
After rolling over Kent State and Portland State in his first two games as UW’s head coach, Kalen DeBoer will lead Washington against No. 11 Michigan State inside Husky Stadium on Saturday. DeBoer met the media Monday to preview that game. Below is a full transcript of DeBoer’s address.
“Another week. We got that routine down as a team, that rhythm, with doing a little workout on Sunday and having our meetings, putting the game to bed. And then today there’s time off for the guys. It’s their day off, and now they kind of know what Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday looks like. With Kent State we had a few extra practices built in for that game plan. Last week was a normal week. So I think the guys know what is expected of them, and we’re looking forward to a great opponent coming into Husky Stadium this weekend. We love the challenge that’s in front of us and we’re excited about the opportunity, ready to attack the week. Questions?”
On approaching a big non-conference game:
“The next game is the most important one. It’s the most important one in the season. That’s the way it is every single week, and that’s the way you have to approach it. The word of the week last week was ‘standard.’ There’s a standard that you have to have, whether it’s the process of your weekly preparation, how you rehab, how you hydrate yourself, your work ethic, who you are as a person, all of that. That standard, you set that. Now that we know what that standard is, we always have to make sure we’re above the standard. The guys will be excited, so there should be great energy. There’s no doubt about it. Yesterday was a great day for us. You could feel the energy, and it comes because you got another win under your belt, you’re playing well, the guys are enjoying the process and what we’re going through right now. But I also know we’ve got a great challenge and we have to keep improving for this weekend. So you really don’t want to make it too big going into the week, but obviously everybody understands we’ve got a top-15 team coming into our place on Saturday.”
On if he has any history with Michigan State coach Mel Tucker:
“No, I do not. No.”
On if UW benefits from players and coaches having played Michigan State at other schools:
“Yeah. I’m not sure how many times I’ve played against them. It’s been a few at a few different schools. It’s obviously a whole different staff, and how they’re operating I know is much different than how it was before. But you know this is a program we’re facing that has a lot of pride and has high expectations, just like we do. For us, it’s a game that is important to us. We represent the Pac-12 and we want to put our best foot forward and show what our conference is all about. It’s big in more ways than just us.”
On Michigan State football and their style:
“Physical. Tough. Always playing with great defense. You get used to playing in weather. I lived in Michigan for three years there, and at Eastern Michigan it was the same thing. You’re playing in weather, and in November it’s going to be cold. So you’ve got to build your program around that style that can endure those games and the weather that comes with it. That’s the style you see on film right now with them. It’s physical, trying to establish the run and protecting their quarterback, and a defense that’s flying around and doing the same thing up front. I know their defensive coordinator pretty well, faced him many times over the years, probably 7-8 times I’m guessing or close to it. They’ll be ready to play, and they’ll come and attack you. That physicality will show up on both sides of the ball in everything they do.”
On MSU QB Payton Thorne:
“He’s slinging it around, doing a great job, executing. You can see he’s responsible for making checks on the field for them with the run game, pass game. It seems like he’s got a really good feel and command of the offense for sure.”
On QB Michael Penix Jr.’s game against Michigan State in 2019:
“It’s a different coaching staff that we’ll be facing. But that’s one of those games where Mike was just on. I think it was 20 consecutive completions he had in that game, if I remember right. He made some big throws and it came down to the wire, and I think we scored and then they ended up kicking a field goal with five seconds to go, one of the last plays of the game. I think we tried our razzle dazzle play at the end and gave up a ball going the other way. But it said a lot about Mike. And man, we were very confident about what we could be with him at quarterback. That same thing is going to be the case here. He’s not going to be in awe. He’s played in many of these games. So you’re comforted, having one of your team leaders and your quarterback in particular being a guy that has played in big games and understands the color of jersey that’s across from him. It’s nothing new to him.”
On what their biggest strength is:
“Consistency. We’re consistent. It doesn’t mean we’re consistent at the level we want to be at yet, but I just know when we come out to practice every day what we’re going to get. I know there’s a lot of care and want-to, and that every day we’re going to keep getting better. When it comes to the play on the field, I think we’ve consistently (been efficient). Defensively, there’s been times where we’ve given up some yards and had our backs to the wall. But a sudden change at the end of the first half and we dig in. Against Kent State, there were some times when they were in our red zone and we were forcing some field goals. That happened again on Saturday. So I think there’s the mindset, and people are probably sick of me saying it, but I really feel our team is starting to believe in it. It’s that no matter what has happened and where we’re at, that moment is the most important moment. Just like this is going to be the most important game, until we get to the next one. They just really hone in and are able to focus and not get overwhelmed with any situations and be their best and trust the guy next to them to do their job. That’s a lot, but I think that’s the direction we’re headed, and I think some of the things that have happened have helped us believe in that philosophy and believe in that mindset.”
On UW not beating a ranked Power Five non-conference team at home since 2001:
“I didn’t even know that. I wasn’t aware of that. It would be huge, no question. With where we’re at in the process of coming back and building, I like where we’re at after two games. But this is a different animal. We’re talking about a top ranked team. So it would mean a lot to us, there’s no doubt about it.”
On using Grady Gross and others on special teams:
“I think with the kickoffs we just – we still didn’t see exactly what Grady can do. I’ve seen Grady in practice boot the ball seven, eight yards deep in the end zone. I think just that first game – maybe jitters and things like. Working through that, I just told him, I said ‘go out there and cut it loose’ after the first couple (kickoffs). I think he got better even as the game went on. Got those touchbacks that helped our return team. He actually has the ability to have great hangtime, and those give him a chance to do that. I think, even though the course of a long season. I’ve felt this way for many years, is that if you can take some of those kicks off of your place kicker that’s going to help him when he needs to have a little more juice when he has the longer field goals. We just wanted to mix things up. There’s some things that we have available to us with – you talk about Dylan being in there as a holder for a few. So, there’s just some things that we’re continuing to instill and incorporate into our special teams play, short term and long term. Just changing that up. You’ll continue to see a little bit of variation of both he and Jack holding in the future.”
On the development at running back:
“We’ll it’s getting more competitive and more competitive every week, you know. We need those guys. I think they’ve all had their moments and they’ve all done a really nice job. I think there’s definitely some things they need to improve on. But, you know, their involvement in special teams I think is going to be critical as we go through the next few weeks. That’s what’s nice. We’re getting healthier at that position. Getting more guys back. That competition is going to lead to – in the week of practice being better and better and better at that spot. So, coach Grubb talked about who is preparing the hardest. Well, they’re all going to be preparing the hardest to get on the field this Saturday.”
On any true freshman DeBoer expects to play more than the four-game redshirt minimum:
“I think as the season goes on – again there’s guys coming back to us right now. There’s some DB’s I think that – Jaivion (Green) played some snaps this last week. A guy like Tristan Dunn. We need those guys. I keep bringing up special teams. It’s because those snaps are so important. But, just taking those hits off some of our older guys. But then you got the changing and the evolution of the running backs coming back. So, week-to-week I think it’s a fluid thing. We’d love to save the redshirts, but if we need them to play to go out and get a win we’re going to do that. Those opportunities, like Denzel (Boston) going out there, it shows us how he can operate when the lights are on. He built some confidence and some consistency. There’s some things he did well. There’s some things that showed up that led to a little bit of our maybe not being quite in rhythm as an offense early in the game in the first couple plays.
On if that’s a similar philosophy DeBoer will follow with Grady Gross:
“Definitely going into the first game that was the thought process. Now, again, we’ll just keep working through it. If he can have – show out really well here maybe you just pull the redshirt and have him be your kickoff guy. You need a number two kicker as well on the road. For all games I guess. We’ll just play that by ear. Kind of keep it fluid with him, too.”
On if DeBoer wants Peyton Henry’s kickoffs short or through the end zone:
“I think the biggest thing with our kickoffs – we will change up where we want that ball kicked to. From sideline to sideline. And that’s the part that we’re probably not where we want to be. The distance, I mean, if you put it in the end zone and it’s a touch back we’re good with that. Kick it deep. Let it fly. Get some hangtime on it. So that way if it doesn’t get to the end zone whoever catches it, whatever it might be, or they bring it out, we want our kickoff team as far down the field before they catch the ball as we possibly can. I think just the directions – and we mix it up – we haven’t seen the execution of those kicks where we want them yet.”
Things are about to get interesting.
After rolling over Kent State and Portland State in his first two games as UW’s head coach, Kalen DeBoer will lead Washington against No. 11 Michigan State inside Husky Stadium on Saturday. DeBoer met the media Monday to preview that game. Below is a full transcript of DeBoer’s address.
“Another week. We got that routine down as a team, that rhythm, with doing a little workout on Sunday and having our meetings, putting the game to bed. And then today there’s time off for the guys. It’s their day off, and now they kind of know what Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday looks like. With Kent State we had a few extra practices built in for that game plan. Last week was a normal week. So I think the guys know what is expected of them, and we’re looking forward to a great opponent coming into Husky Stadium this weekend. We love the challenge that’s in front of us and we’re excited about the opportunity, ready to attack the week. Questions?”
On approaching a big non-conference game:
“The next game is the most important one. It’s the most important one in the season. That’s the way it is every single week, and that’s the way you have to approach it. The word of the week last week was ‘standard.’ There’s a standard that you have to have, whether it’s the process of your weekly preparation, how you rehab, how you hydrate yourself, your work ethic, who you are as a person, all of that. That standard, you set that. Now that we know what that standard is, we always have to make sure we’re above the standard. The guys will be excited, so there should be great energy. There’s no doubt about it. Yesterday was a great day for us. You could feel the energy, and it comes because you got another win under your belt, you’re playing well, the guys are enjoying the process and what we’re going through right now. But I also know we’ve got a great challenge and we have to keep improving for this weekend. So you really don’t want to make it too big going into the week, but obviously everybody understands we’ve got a top-15 team coming into our place on Saturday.”
On if he has any history with Michigan State coach Mel Tucker:
“No, I do not. No.”
On if UW benefits from players and coaches having played Michigan State at other schools:
“Yeah. I’m not sure how many times I’ve played against them. It’s been a few at a few different schools. It’s obviously a whole different staff, and how they’re operating I know is much different than how it was before. But you know this is a program we’re facing that has a lot of pride and has high expectations, just like we do. For us, it’s a game that is important to us. We represent the Pac-12 and we want to put our best foot forward and show what our conference is all about. It’s big in more ways than just us.”
On Michigan State football and their style:
“Physical. Tough. Always playing with great defense. You get used to playing in weather. I lived in Michigan for three years there, and at Eastern Michigan it was the same thing. You’re playing in weather, and in November it’s going to be cold. So you’ve got to build your program around that style that can endure those games and the weather that comes with it. That’s the style you see on film right now with them. It’s physical, trying to establish the run and protecting their quarterback, and a defense that’s flying around and doing the same thing up front. I know their defensive coordinator pretty well, faced him many times over the years, probably 7-8 times I’m guessing or close to it. They’ll be ready to play, and they’ll come and attack you. That physicality will show up on both sides of the ball in everything they do.”
On MSU QB Payton Thorne:
“He’s slinging it around, doing a great job, executing. You can see he’s responsible for making checks on the field for them with the run game, pass game. It seems like he’s got a really good feel and command of the offense for sure.”
On QB Michael Penix Jr.’s game against Michigan State in 2019:
“It’s a different coaching staff that we’ll be facing. But that’s one of those games where Mike was just on. I think it was 20 consecutive completions he had in that game, if I remember right. He made some big throws and it came down to the wire, and I think we scored and then they ended up kicking a field goal with five seconds to go, one of the last plays of the game. I think we tried our razzle dazzle play at the end and gave up a ball going the other way. But it said a lot about Mike. And man, we were very confident about what we could be with him at quarterback. That same thing is going to be the case here. He’s not going to be in awe. He’s played in many of these games. So you’re comforted, having one of your team leaders and your quarterback in particular being a guy that has played in big games and understands the color of jersey that’s across from him. It’s nothing new to him.”
On what their biggest strength is:
“Consistency. We’re consistent. It doesn’t mean we’re consistent at the level we want to be at yet, but I just know when we come out to practice every day what we’re going to get. I know there’s a lot of care and want-to, and that every day we’re going to keep getting better. When it comes to the play on the field, I think we’ve consistently (been efficient). Defensively, there’s been times where we’ve given up some yards and had our backs to the wall. But a sudden change at the end of the first half and we dig in. Against Kent State, there were some times when they were in our red zone and we were forcing some field goals. That happened again on Saturday. So I think there’s the mindset, and people are probably sick of me saying it, but I really feel our team is starting to believe in it. It’s that no matter what has happened and where we’re at, that moment is the most important moment. Just like this is going to be the most important game, until we get to the next one. They just really hone in and are able to focus and not get overwhelmed with any situations and be their best and trust the guy next to them to do their job. That’s a lot, but I think that’s the direction we’re headed, and I think some of the things that have happened have helped us believe in that philosophy and believe in that mindset.”
On UW not beating a ranked Power Five non-conference team at home since 2001:
“I didn’t even know that. I wasn’t aware of that. It would be huge, no question. With where we’re at in the process of coming back and building, I like where we’re at after two games. But this is a different animal. We’re talking about a top ranked team. So it would mean a lot to us, there’s no doubt about it.”
On using Grady Gross and others on special teams:
“I think with the kickoffs we just – we still didn’t see exactly what Grady can do. I’ve seen Grady in practice boot the ball seven, eight yards deep in the end zone. I think just that first game – maybe jitters and things like. Working through that, I just told him, I said ‘go out there and cut it loose’ after the first couple (kickoffs). I think he got better even as the game went on. Got those touchbacks that helped our return team. He actually has the ability to have great hangtime, and those give him a chance to do that. I think, even though the course of a long season. I’ve felt this way for many years, is that if you can take some of those kicks off of your place kicker that’s going to help him when he needs to have a little more juice when he has the longer field goals. We just wanted to mix things up. There’s some things that we have available to us with – you talk about Dylan being in there as a holder for a few. So, there’s just some things that we’re continuing to instill and incorporate into our special teams play, short term and long term. Just changing that up. You’ll continue to see a little bit of variation of both he and Jack holding in the future.”
On the development at running back:
“We’ll it’s getting more competitive and more competitive every week, you know. We need those guys. I think they’ve all had their moments and they’ve all done a really nice job. I think there’s definitely some things they need to improve on. But, you know, their involvement in special teams I think is going to be critical as we go through the next few weeks. That’s what’s nice. We’re getting healthier at that position. Getting more guys back. That competition is going to lead to – in the week of practice being better and better and better at that spot. So, coach Grubb talked about who is preparing the hardest. Well, they’re all going to be preparing the hardest to get on the field this Saturday.”
On any true freshman DeBoer expects to play more than the four-game redshirt minimum:
“I think as the season goes on – again there’s guys coming back to us right now. There’s some DB’s I think that – Jaivion (Green) played some snaps this last week. A guy like Tristan Dunn. We need those guys. I keep bringing up special teams. It’s because those snaps are so important. But, just taking those hits off some of our older guys. But then you got the changing and the evolution of the running backs coming back. So, week-to-week I think it’s a fluid thing. We’d love to save the redshirts, but if we need them to play to go out and get a win we’re going to do that. Those opportunities, like Denzel (Boston) going out there, it shows us how he can operate when the lights are on. He built some confidence and some consistency. There’s some things he did well. There’s some things that showed up that led to a little bit of our maybe not being quite in rhythm as an offense early in the game in the first couple plays.
On if that’s a similar philosophy DeBoer will follow with Grady Gross:
“Definitely going into the first game that was the thought process. Now, again, we’ll just keep working through it. If he can have – show out really well here maybe you just pull the redshirt and have him be your kickoff guy. You need a number two kicker as well on the road. For all games I guess. We’ll just play that by ear. Kind of keep it fluid with him, too.”
On if DeBoer wants Peyton Henry’s kickoffs short or through the end zone:
“I think the biggest thing with our kickoffs – we will change up where we want that ball kicked to. From sideline to sideline. And that’s the part that we’re probably not where we want to be. The distance, I mean, if you put it in the end zone and it’s a touch back we’re good with that. Kick it deep. Let it fly. Get some hangtime on it. So that way if it doesn’t get to the end zone whoever catches it, whatever it might be, or they bring it out, we want our kickoff team as far down the field before they catch the ball as we possibly can. I think just the directions – and we mix it up – we haven’t seen the execution of those kicks where we want them yet.”
