Having [Brooks] there right behind me literally on the field is a great feeling. You know you can count on him to overpower players and to get out here on the edge where you need him with his speed and his power. Having him back there really gives confidence to this defense. |
He definitely doesn't get as much recognition as I think he should. I go against some of the best offensive tackles in the country in this conference, and I promise you I don't have as much trouble with them as I do with Brad in a lot of respects. |
He's definitely taken ownership of the team. We wouldn't be us without him. |
He's learning how to control that big body of his. It's scary that he's only a freshman. |
I don't know if I was necessarily recruited to fit this defense. I think I was recruited more for my toughness and work ethic. I've been called the 'non-prototypical' defensive end for this defense. But the person who can really hone in on the techniques of this defense can play. |
I don't think we were necessarily tested for our style against Western Michigan because of all those three-step passes. Syracuse will be a better test because I believe we're a tough defense and they're a tough offense and they're going to come right at us. |
If I do leave a legacy here, I hope it's just toughness. That single word right there. A lot of people take that word for granted and use it loosely, but it's a word I take very seriously. I take a lot of pride in it. |
In the beginning, we might've thought we would've won by more. But a win's a win, and we're happy with it. |
In the beginning, we might've thought we would've won by more. But a win's a win, and we're happy with it. |
It's a reality. This team runs the ball very well, and they have the right personnel for the system that they have. So definitely if we don't stop this run, we're not going to win this game. |
They have an explosive running game and that's key to their success. If you are going to run the ball that much you have to have tough lineman and tough running backs. It's definitely a big challenge for me and the rest of the defense. |
They're a physical team. They don't do a lot of jazz and all that stuff. They run the ball right at you, just sort of say, 'Come and get it.' We like that, because that's our type of style. I'm looking forward to this game. It gives us a chance to see where some guys are mentally and physically as far as toughness. |
They're going to line up and try to pound us. That's the kind of challenge we like. |
This is a big win. It means a lot to us, but as a team, you have to hunker down and realize that it is just one win and if you blow it way out of proportion, you can get off focus and lose the next week. |
Two gap is not an easy thing and it's not a sexy thing either. But for the hard-nosed guy, it's perfect. For the tougher defensive linemen, this is the defense they want to play in and that's why we've recruited guys like Chris Long. |