Drew Allar | QB | Jr.
Q: What can you say about how Nick and Kaytron ran the ball today?
A: I mean, they ran hard. There was a lot of guys that they were running over today. I think that sets a tone for us as an offense. When we see them being super physical runners, we obviously know that both their ability to both break longer runs. When they’re running people over, just put them on the ground and gain an extra three, four yards. That’s a big help to our offense. We are able to be more aggressive, and we’re ahead of the sticks. They both did a great job tonight. It was great to see them get in the end zone and really seal the deal for us.
Q: To be able to prove that you could run this early in the season, what does that mean to the offense?
A: I think it’s super big because Illinois is a team that prides itself on stopping the run. They have a tremendous front seven, their defensive line is really good, and they do a lot of good stuff.
Tyler Warren |TE | Sr.
Q: You guys put up huge numbers offensively, but how important are these fourth quarter games going to be going forward?
A: I think they were a great team, and they have a very talented defense. So, to be able to pull out the win like that was important for us, a gritty, hard drive win because we haven’t really seen that yet in our schedule. It was good for our offense to have that under our belt now going forward.
Q: What does it mean to have a guy like Drew, he didn’t have a big game but got some passes to solve the gateway?
A: Yeah, I think, his maturity and there were a few runs where he lowered his shoulder when he needed to get that first down. I think that kind of speaks to him and our offensive mentality that we have. That’s our guy, he’s in control running the offense in the game.
Kaytron Allen| RB | Jr.
Q: How does it feel clearly being more physical against an opponent that is typically imposing their will physically?
A: That’s who we are as a team. I mean, that’s a great team we played. We just show that we’re physical, we’re tough. That’s what we are as a team, on offense and defense, that’s our team everywhere.
Q: It was kind of bully ball, and we haven’t always seen that from you guys. You think that maybe sends a statement or gives you guys something?
A: That’s who we are. It’s not new to us. Just the things we do throughout the summertime, you all don’t see the summertime work. They get hard. Definitely get hard. It’s who we are as a team, as a family.
Q: Kaytron, what’s the best part about running a guy over?
A: Oh, just that feeling. I like running people, anybody in front of me. I’m not gonna fall backwards. I’m gonna fall forward always, that’s just who I am.
Olaivavega Ioane | OL | SO
Q: Is Andy Kotelnicki’s offense something you’re more comfortable with compared to previous years?
A: He’s a great offensive coordinator. He’s a team guy. I love playing his offense. It’s creative, and we’re out there playing our hardest.
Q: Did you feel like you guys were exerting your will on their front today?
A: Definitely, from the first play of the game. We talked right before the game, and the O-line came together. We got challenged by coach and we took that to heart. We went out there and played like it.
Jaylen Reed | S | SR
Q: Abdul hasn’t showed up as much in the stat sheet as much as he would like. What can you say about Abdul’s play and his impact on this defense?
A: I feel like his impact has always been the same as it is now. Even in the games where he didn’t have the stats. It’s Abdul Carter at the end of the day.
Q: How does playing in front of an unofficial White Out crowd help you guys out on defense?
A: It felt like the White Out to me. It’s crazy that we can make a crowd come out like that even if it’s not a White Out. It was pretty cool to see that.
Nick Singleton | RB | JR
Q: We heard from James (Franklin) afterwards that you and Kaytron (Allen) are the best running back duo in the country. Is that where your head is at?
A: For sure. We always feed off each other. It’s the type of game we play. Shout out the O-line, they’re doing their job too.
Q: You got a handoff for a touchdown from Tyler Warren. What kind of a role is he playing for this offense?
A: You can’t stop everybody. We have a lot of playmakers on offense. Shout out Tyler, he’s a team player. He’ll do whatever it takes to help his team win.
Q: What does it say about an offense when any group can step up, be reliable and win a game?
A: Just playing four quarters and starting fast. Coach Franklin always says finishing strong, too. We’ve just got to keep it going.
Abdul Carter | DE| Jr /Jr
Q: What was working well for you tonight?
A: Just playing fast, playing with a little effort, that’s one thing I pride myself on. Make sure I play the game with everything I got, every play, and I feel like it showed today.
Q: Four games into this defensive end experience, now growing into your role there, how do you feel like thats been going for you?
A: Just got to keep growing, keep learning, just keep getting better. Keep taking these weeks week by week, just stack days, stack weeks, to get better. Like I said, you haven’t seen the best of me yet.
Q: What does it feel like when you see a play and actually execute it?
A: The coaches put you in position, you just got to trust it. Know the defense, know where your help is, and just make the play.
A.J. Harris | CB | So/So
Q: There’s been a lot of talk about that defensive line not quite getting home, yet today you had seven sacks. What does that do for you guys on that back end?
A: We had a luxury of not having a guard that long, thats the luxury of having a great d-line like we do. Shout out to our d-line for getting home today, they played a big game.
Q: How would you describe the way your defense responded to the opening touchdown drive?
A: I would say we responded how we are supposed to. We couldn’t ponder on the bad play, we had to step up and uphold the standard.
Zane Durant | DT | Jr /Jr
Q: Talking about self-development, how much more can you grow in your positon?
A: I left a lot out there today. I’m not satisfied with what I did, but I’m going to say I have a lot that I have to improve when we go back to practice tomorrow.
Q: What specifically do you want to grow on from here?
A: I have to take advantage of all those plays, I feel like I have to be more dominant there from the start of the game, not just waiting until later in the game.