April 24, 2010
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - #11 Matthew McGloin
Jr./So., Quarterback
Q: How did you feel about your play today?
A: Well, a couple passes got me in trouble today but it's nothing I can't fix. I've just got to regroup, get in the film room, and get better.
Q: How has the offense got better since the start of the spring?
A: I'd say we were a little uncomfortable from the beginning. We have some new quarterbacks in the offense. I think we are settling in now. It's only the spring. We have a long way to go. We still have the summer.
Q: What should people know about you so they don't just refer to you as the "former walk-on"?
A: It's not like I just came out of nowhere. I flirted with a lot of Division 1 and 1-AA schools. I was close to a couple offers, but I was never able to pull that offer. Penn State offered me to be a preferred walk-on and I was hesitant at first. I sat down with my parents and we thought, "why not go back where it started?" I've always been a Penn State guy.
#12 Kevin Newsome
So./So., Quarterback
Q: Are you looking forward to all the things you have to do in your position?
A: I'm looking forward to getting better. I just need to keep progressing, watching film and doing work with my teammates. I've got a great group of teammates. All the guys on the team want to get better and want to be prepared for the upcoming season. We have a tough schedule, so we want to be prepared.
Q: How would you rate your performance today?
A: We have a lot of work to do. We've just got to keep working. We need to work on everything. Darryl (Clark) left here and he taught me a lot. When I get out of here, I'm going to call him. I know he is going to tell me to keep my head up and keep working because we have a tough season and we want to be prepared.
Tom Bradley
Defensive Coordinator
Q: Can you talk about what you've seen from Bani Gbadyu this spring?
A: He is one of those guys we are counting on for some leadership. He's been in games. He's improved this spring. He got the spring award. I think he is taking charge of those linebackers.
Q: How has he (Gbadyu) been this whole time while waiting behind all of these guys?
A: He is a team guy. He has always been a team guy. As we ask him to do things he does them well. He just got caught in a situation where there were a lot of good linebackers. He's waited his turn and now there's a chance for him to see what he can do.
Q: How do you think your guys did today even though they played a basic coverage?
A: It's hard to say. There are so many different units coming in and out and coach wanted to make sure that everyone got their reps today and make sure everyone got a chance to get out there. We weren't so much concerned about the match-ups as we normally are. We just wanted to give these guys a chance to play.
#21 Stephon Green
Sr./Jr. Tailback
Q: Assess where you're at right now in spring practice with where you want to be.
A: I guess I can say I'm right where I am. I'm not going to settle, I'm just going to keep working to bring my best ability out as a player and as a team and as a leader on and off the field. I'm going to take all the tapes from spring, go over it this summer and see what I need to work on and put it towards the fall.
Q: Overall it looks like the offense still has a lot of work to do.
A: Most definitely, but like I said that's the beauty of having spring practice and a spring game. You get the nix and knacks and you can take them in the film room and get them together for the fall.
Q: What was this spring like for you personally having not played last spring?
A: I just keep the smile on my face and I'm just glad to play football. I hate being on the sidelines. I'm glad I could just be out there with my team having fun. When I'm not playing I'm still joking around with the guys and coaching up the guys and it just takes a great deal off my shoulders when I know I can contribute to my team. Not having to rehab and be on the sidelines.
#34 Nathan Stupar
Sr./Jr. Linebacker
Q: How do you feel about your play this spring?
A: I thought I've done really well. Coach has asked for consistency and I thought I brought that. I worked really hard in the summer and in the offseason and I thought I improved my game very well.
Q: Talk about just being a part of the new crop of linebackers and how you guys went out there and played well.
A: We had a lot of young guys and I bet a lot of people were wondering if we were going to be able to mesh and connect with each other. I thought this spring we really came together just knowing what people are going to do and what their skill levels are. I think we just meshed really well this spring ball and it's exciting to see what we're going to bring this season.
#4 Shawney Kersey
So./Fr. Wide Receiver
Q: The Blue-White game is just a couple of hours of showing what you can do, but the spring practice gives you a little bit more indication. How did things go for you and the receiving core with three young quarterbacks?
A: It went well for the quarterbacks. They were able to get the ball out there. The line seemed to be holding up the defensive line. The receivers did better. We had a few drops, but it was pretty good.
Q: What in spring practice showed that these quarterbacks can get going with this receiving core?
A: We can catch the ball and we can get first downs.
Q: What are you anticipating for the fall season?
A: I just want to be able to contribute more for the offense and just help out the team. I want to be able to get some more wins.
#2 Chaz Powell
RS-Jr., Wide Receiver
Q: What's the biggest difference playing cornerback instead of wide receiver?
A: The biggest difference for me was just learning how to play cornerback. I played safety in High School. The biggest difference is learning to play the cover 2, cover 3, and being able to come up and make plays.
Q: Is there a different mentality playing defense instead of offense?
A: You have to be able to come up and fill the hole when a big running back is coming at you. You have to be able to make the play. The opportunity is to stop the offense and to keep them off the board.
Q: Talk about the advantages and disadvantages of knowing the offense you are practicing against?
A: Sometimes it depends on the lineup, where they lineup or the rest of the offense. Sometimes I can drop the routes because I know it's coming depending on if his shoulders drop but if his shoulders go back I can stick him. But really it's all just about reading the quarterback's shoulders. I still feel like an offensive player, but I'm just trying to show that I can play on both sides of the ball.
#15 Bani Gbadyu
Sr., Linebacker
Q: Can you talk about the day?
A: It was a good day, there was a lot of excitement and a lot of enthusiasm to get out and play. This is for the crowd, but behind the scenes the linebackers have been pushing and getting better as a team and that is something you can't see, but we have really been coming along.
Q: How confident are you that you have locked up a starting spot?
A: You can never been sure but I have worked my butt off all spring, watched a ton of film, and have done everything I can to get my game to the next level.
Q: Is there any pressure on you guys to step in and fill their (Lee, Bowman, Hull) shoes?
A: Of course, there is always pressure when people before you set the level so high. We can't try to follow them we want to be who we are. We are going to get better with coach [Ron] Vanderlinden and Coach Paterno always coaching and correcting everything that we do.
#5 Graham Zug
Sr., Wide Receiver
Q: Could you assess the play of the receiving core today?
A: I think we did pretty good. You've got to understand a lot of those kids have never seen the field. They're real young. They don't have experience so they have only had 15 practices to get the plays into their head.
Q: Have you been impressed with the youngsters so far?
A: Definitely. I think they've done a great job. They all are very talented. You know, they were high prospects.
#48 Chris Colasanti
Sr., Linebacker
Q: The guy that threw the two touchdown passes was the true freshman. Obviously Joe does not like playing true freshman very much at quarterback, but when they go into August, should that be a consideration?
A: Definitely. Every position, I think the best players are gonna play. I think he is a true freshman, but if he can learn the offensive calls and the system then he should have an opportunity to play.
Q: How effective do you think spring practice was as far as deciding who is going to play?
A: I think it had a role in who was gonna play but also I think it just kind of got us ready, got the cobwebs out, and you know, just get back into things.
#68 Doug Klopaz
Sr., Center
Q: Talk about your spring. You went in there thinking you're going to be a back-up and they juggle things around and all of a sudden you're a starter.
A: I think the coaches are just trying to get the right fit for the team. I think we played pretty well as a unit. Hopefully we can just progress off of that and see what happens in the fall.
Q: What goes through your mind when you see you're at the top of the depth chart and you're like, `huh, I'm starting?'
A: I was waiting for my turn so it wasn't very unexpected, but it was good to see. Finally I was given a chance. I want to do everything I can and keep working, and hopefully as a team we'll do the same and go far in the fall.
Q: What can you guys do to help these young quarterbacks out?
A: I think we just need to instill confidence in them and know that well be there for you so you don't have to worry about everything. We'll take of some part if you take care of the other part and we'll be good.
#61 Stefen Wisniewski
Sr., Guard
Q: Do you think Penn State fans appreciate him (Evan Royster)?
A: I think he's kind of done it quietly and I would hope that this year he starts to get the appreciation he deserves as one of the best running backs the Penn State has ever had.
Q: Now Silas Redd is a different kind of running back. I know he's only been here 15 practices but what have you seen out of him so far?
A: I really think he's gonna be a heck of a player. Great speed, cuts really well, and a pretty strong kid for just being a freshman. I expect big things from him. As far as this year, I don't know what they're going to be doing with him, but definitely in the future.