Jim Harbaugh Illinois Post Game Press Conference
Overall he sounded pretty positive about the game. Here are a few excerpts:
I don't have the actual video, but here is a link to the entire transcript.
On Illinois' 3rd Quarter comeback:
"Third quarter, they made some plays, and we did turn it over. And our guys rose to the challenge. They were tested mightily, and they did a great job, didn’t flinch, kept playing, kept fighting."
"In the running game, they (Illinois) made a nice adjustment with their defensive end, and we made a counter adjustment in the ballgame that really paid off for us. They were spiking their end hard, and got us for a few. Then I thought Josh (Gattis) and Ed (Warinner) and the coaches did a nice job countering that, and they were able to get outside again with some big runs."
On Shea Patterson:
"Shea Patterson had a great game. Again, I don’t know all the statistics and the numbers are, but that was tough throwing the ball today (due to the wind), and he came up with some big throws. He’s got a very strong arm, throws a very tight spiral, and made some big plays when we needed it."
On the running backs:
"Zach and Tru and Hassan were slated to get the most carries. Christian got in there. And then Hassan was running the ball so well, we were really feeding him there at the end, and it paid off."
Offense overall:
"It was 42 points, hard-working 42 points. I think our team was tested extremely … was tested a lot. It was a heck of a challenge, especially going into the wind it was tough throwing the ball, and our running game really rose to the occasion."
"The offense was effective today. They played very well. Kind of almost gone through about every series of the game here, and the offense was picking up first downs, moving the ball, scoring in the red zone. The one we didn’t, we had the penalty. So pleased with the way the offense played. I thought they performed extremely well. I go back through it … our running backs stepped up. Both Zach Charbonnet and Hassan Haskins went for over 100 yards, our offensive line, thought they blocked, sustained, very little mental error."
"Jalen’s playing really well. I have a good feeling that our offensive line really played well and that it was assignment sound."
The fumbles:
"Yeah. It was a … I’ve got to look at them. I saw the one that was Zach as he was going down, just maybe put a foot off the ground, got hit from the side." "It happens, but we’ve got to keep making an emphasis on it. I know our backs are, it’s the biggest emphasis that they have." "Coaching ball security all the way to the ground, through the whistle, through the echo of the whistle and beyond."
The defense:
"Defensively we were in their backfield a lot. Lot of sacks, lot of tackles for loss, lot of PBUs. Uche five, three sacks and two TFLs. Cam McGrone, huge play of the game. Shed the block, get the quarterback and punch it out, all in the same down and create that turnover was huge for us. Mike Danna, I thought had a really good football game as well. A lot of guys. Then you look at the special teams, and Jordan Glasgow makes a big play for us, stretching out on the blocked punt, that was huge. And he was around the ball all day."
Injuries
Kwity and McKeon tried to give it a go but weren't able to. Nico and Lavert did not make the trip. Not sure if they will be ready for PSU.
October 13th, 2019 at 2:45 PM ^
Id rather see us rush three and have a DE drop back...the middle looks so wide open and any good OC will crush us.
October 13th, 2019 at 3:53 PM ^
I'm glad Harbaugh is positive and supports the players and the team. I think he well knows the great importance of morale, and he uses techniques to boost morale that, at least in my experience of building and motivating teams of people, work the best.
October 13th, 2019 at 10:59 PM ^
LOL with coach saying, on his own volition, that She has a strong arm!