NICK SCOTT ON PSU LEARNING LESSONS
Nick said that the two things the team has learned in their losses to Ohio State and Michigan State are finishing games strong and taking the opportunities that present themselves throughout the course of a game. He said the team is not dwelling on past mistakes but have certainly spent time dissecting how each individual can always make one more play, but Nick says the key is that no one doubts themselves simply because they have suffered two losses.
NICK SCOTT ON MICHIGAN’S OFFENSE
Nick is a senior safety and he says this Michigan offense is unlike any Wolverine offense he has seen in the past. Scott says the key variable is the way Shea Patterson extends plays. He says they have been focusing on the front half of the defense having great pursuit angles, and the back half has been working on locking on their receivers when Shea takes off and trying to create really tight windows that he will have to throw into.
MICAH PARSONS EFFECT
Nick Scott describes Micah as still being a kid that makes grown man plays. He says the best part about Micah is that he gets excited about big plays and generates a lot of energy on the sidelines and for the team. Scott says it has been fun to watch the game slow down for Parsons and that he gets better with every single snap.
KJ HAMLER RETURNING TO MICHIGAN
KJ is excited about playing in his home state for the first time in his career. He says that he will have a ton of family and friends at the Big House. He says that a lot of his friends that he grew up playing with and against play for the wolverines. Wolverine Olineman Cesar Ruiz was Hamler’s roommate at IMG and the two are best friends. He grew up playing against CB Lavert Hill and now they will likely match up against one another during the game. KJ says he can’t wait to go up against Hill.
ZACH GENTRY ON SHEA PATTERSON
Zach Gentry and Shea Patterson had an instant connection off the field that has translated onto the field. Zach says that he actually grew up playing AAU basketball with one of Shea’s cousins--Brady Patterson. So Zach says that although he didn’t meet Shea until he arrived on campus that he has always known about Shea and kept tabs on his career. Zach says that one of the greatest things that Shea has brought to this offense is an added level of confidence and communication. Gentry says that when different defensive looks are thrown at the offense Shea always does a good job communicating and making sure the offense is in a position to be successful.
ZACH GENTRY ON POSITION CHANGE
Zach says that if you would have told him his freshman year that he would be a starting tight end on a top 10 team he would have ignored you. He says transitioning from a quarterback to a tight end has been a day-to-day process. And Zach says he is still learning something new every game. He says the biggest learning curve was staying lower. He had to train his body to be low when blocking and firing out. He also says he has worked hard on understanding all of the intricacies of the run game, attacking the ball with his hands (and he says his background as a basketball player has certainly helped with his hand eye coordination). Zach says he also spends a lot of time watching great TE’s play to see what he can add to his game.
Zach Gentry’s Favorite TE’s to Watch
Gronk- loves the way he uses his body very physical TE
Kelce- watches his route running
Jake Butt- *before tearing his ACL at Denver* he is the guy who took Zach under his wing
when he first transition to TE and taught him the basics of being a great tight end and won
the John Mackey award his senior season 2016.
DEVIN BUSH AND DON BROWN RELATIONSHIP
Devin Bush says that he has an incredibly unique relationship with DC Don Brown. “We came in at the same time we were learning the ways of Michigan and have been through it all together and I love that man to death”. Devin says that he and Coach Brown are tied to the hip and that Coach empowers him to lead the team. Devin said when he has input and feedback Coach Brown listens and allows him to give it to his teammates. As the defensive leader Bush said it’s his responsibility to make sure that the defense dictates the outcome of the game.
DEVIN BUSH AND HIS DAD DEVIN BUSH SENIOR
Devin Bush says coming into the football facility everyday and looking to the left and seeing his dad there is special. “He really knows me and has been with me every step of the way... sometimes I see him and I am just like Wow”. During the Bye-week, they spent some extra time together away from the facility and watched football together. Devin says that growing up his dad would never tell him that he was doing a good job on the field. Even when Devin Sr was his high school coach. But after winning the state championship game as a senior he told his son he loved him and that he is proud of him. Devin says it was the first time he received praise from his father. Devin says that now before every game his Dad finds him and tells him that he loves him and he’s proud to be his father.
MICHIGAN FOOTBALL TEAM CONFIDENCE
Devin Bush said that he has seen it all since being at Michigan. But that right now the team’s “confidence is at its all time high and this is a team that believes that we have a chance at this going to the Big 10 championship and winning it all, we have a team that really believes it, we have veteran leaders that will hold teammates accountable, we know what needs to be done every time we take the field”
KARAN HIGDON MOST INTERESTING MAN IN COLLEGE FOOTBALL?
Karan says that he has always been interested in a wide array of subjects. He loves music and played the tuba throughout high school. He said he would practice at home after football practices. He has a pet bald python snake named Poncho. He is in a fraternity (Phi Beta Sigma), and claims that he and Jim Harbaugh are in the same secret society! Karan says that he has been focused all season on doing the little things better, whether that means hitting the hole harder, or staying after practice to do extra work on the jugs and work on his hands he wanted to make sure that this was his best season at Michigan.
