Notes and Quotes From Tom Allen's Press Conference: 11/13
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By David Sugarman (@David_Sugarman2)
PLAYERS OF THE WEEK:
Offense: Cole Gest
Defense: Jacob Robinson and Chris Covington
Special Teams: Jonah Morris and Haydon Whitehead
INJURY NEWS:
- A’Shon Riggins is now back to taking a full practice load
- Allen said they are close to shutting Marcelino Ball down for the season and using a medical redshirt on him to save the season
NOTES:
- Simmie Cobbs will participate in Senior Day this weekend, he is a redshirt junior
- The Old Oaken Bucket game against Purdue to finish the regular season will be have a noon start time on ESPN2
- This week’s game will be aired on the Big Ten Network with a noon kickoff
QUOTES:
TOM ALLEN:
Allen was asked immediately about the quarterback situation and it seems that there’s no change:
“Yeah, you know, just continue to meet with our training staff. Hopefully he'll have another week to continue to heal and get better and rehab and try and get as much as we can. Right now I would say Richard is the starter, and that isn't going to change.
We just got to get to where Peyton is ready to play. I feel like he's getting a little closer. He was definitely in a position where if we had to have him I think last week we would've felt like he could've got us through some snaps, but I don't think he would've felt great if it was a long-term situation. So that will continue to progress.
But encouraged by Richard' play and the way that he's responded. Just needs to continue to do what he's doing and play at a high level, with confidence, and run the defense and run the offense and the team. That's kind of what we charge our seniors with.
Richard, I've kept him in that role as captain all through this whole process because his leadership has never wavered. That's a tribute to him. I see him just moving forward. Just got to get Peyton ready to be there if we need him.”
Allen on how he’s balanced Ian Thomas’ playing time:
“Yeah, you know, he's getting healthier. It's also you try balance what you're doing with him in there, not in there. So Coach DeBord handles that. We're just trying to get in position. He's one of our better playmakers that we have, and so trying to get him -- still continue to get him more healthy each week with his rehab.
He's been a trooper. He's stayed in there and fought through it. Each game now he's gotten a little more involved each week. Hopefully get more involved again this next week. It's just about managing him during the week, getting him to have more practice reps.
Few week ago it was basically just get him to game day and didn't get a chance to do much during the week. Now he's getting more actual practice reps. I expect his involvement to increase.”
Allen on Cobbs and how his role has been made even bigger with the injuries surrounding the team:
“He has for sure. He's kind of been that rock there that you can count on. Made another big play on Saturday where he just went up and got the ball and just kind of just horsed the corners and big-boyed them a little bit.
It's just been his mindset the whole year. He's even fought through some things that we don't disclose as far as injuries and all. Hasn't kept him out, but it's hindered him a little bit. But he's always right there. He's so tough. So proud of him what he's been able to do, and want to see him finish out the season on a great, great way.
So he's been -- like you said, he's kind of been the one constant amidst a lot of injuries and a lot of revolving door guys at each position, especially in the skill spots.”
Allen on what the situation will be like at the end of the season with Cobbs’ NFL prospects:
“Once the season is over, we'll sit down with them and talk it through and weigh their options and go through the process and allow the NFL to give us their feedback, and they will.
That'll give us the information that we need to be able to sit down with him and his family and make the best possible decision for him. That decision hasn't been made yet, but, yeah, he's one of the guys that would fall in that category.”
Allen on Cole Gest’s development:
“Well, a lot of times at that position, you know, you always have a lot of different guys in the rotation, and then you kind of settle in on a few guys that rise to the top when you try and get them.
You want to try and get them in the rhythm and into the flow. What I love about him is his burst. He just does such a great job. He gets top speed really, really fast. His ability to get that one cut and go.
So to me, for him it's been just to stay healthy. Last year he struggled with some injuries and could never get to that point. Got him through that, and then he missed a couple games.
So jut keep him healthy and get him in the flow learning, feeling comfortable with the offense so he can stay out on the field in the throw game, whether we're throwing him the football - which he's shown the ability to catch it, and also the pass pro. That's a big part of the development of a running back, especially a young one.
We need him to step up. Morgan has been a pleasant surprise, but Cole is a guy that I always really from last year always felt like he had a chance to be a really good one. Just need that; you can't have enough of them.
Last year we got to the bowl game and we had like three guys healthy. The room was overflowing in the beginning of the year, and then there was only a few left standing at the end.
I think at that position you just need a lot of depth there.”
Allen on the emotion of the team and how much the win helped:
“The coaches needed it. I think coaches' wives. Everybody, every part of our program. You feel different. Not that winning makes all your problems go away, but definitely you feel different.
You work so hard, invest so much, sacrifice so much. These players, everybody in this program does. You want to see them rewarded for that. That's what this past weekend gave us. It's just one win, but an important one, no doubt.”
MIKE DEBORD:
DeBord commented that Richard Lagow had been more patient with his read checks than he was a season ago.