Rocco Becht, QB, R-Sr.
On blending the team together…
I think having those 24 players that, you know, were some of the best players that we had at Iowa State, bringing those guys over, something that's super special. You know, we're able to help the transition with the other players. We're able to help lay that foundation that Coach [Matt] Campbell wants to build. And like you said, we won games at Iowa State, and you know, building that over here, I think we just have that mindset. You know, I think blending us in with the Penn State players that stayed, we all had that same mindset of, we just want to win, no matter how it looks, no matter what it looks like. We're just a bunch of hard-nosed football players going out there trying to win football games.
On being recognized as a leader among the program…
Yeah, obviously, I'm super grateful to be here. I feel like my teammates have trusted me now. Obviously, I wasn't able to do a lot during spring ball, but I was able to build those relationships. You know, create those bonds with the players, with my teammates, and something special that I'm looking forward to, is being out there on the field with them, being able to go out there and win a lot of games with those guys.
Anthony Donkoh, OL, R-Jr
On offensive line coach Ryan Clanton…
He's a great character. He brings great energy. He's not a big yeller, but he's a person that when he coaches you, he's making sure that; I would say he makes sure that he's coaching everybody the same way. Doesn't matter if you're the best person in the room or the walk-on in the room. He cares about your development and that's important because then you can have everybody in the room buy into you and then you won't have like any issues really with people feeling like ‘why am I getting treated this way? Why is this person getting treated like that?’ That's amazing. Like everybody can get along with him really well because he does that. So, he's a great coach to be like coached by.
On meshing on and off the field…
When you do things off the field and guys are able to bond really well, that immediately translates to the field because the guys are building the trust and faith in those people before you even step on the field. So, if something goes wrong, you know, this guy, this is how he acts, I know how he is. We've been able to move forward in that and are able to still have the same trust and faith. So, it's better that we built the bonds fast off the field before we get on the field, because on the field stuff can be superficial, but off the field stuff, you're my brother. That's how it has to be and that's how it has been, so that's been great.
Tony Rojas, LB, R-Jr.
On defensive coordinator D’Anton Lynn…
I think he's just doing a great job being a leader himself, and you know, even coming back to us players and asking advice for him, so he can be better as a coach. And you know, at the end of the day, he wants to you know call plays that we're best at, not just what he likes.
On his growth as linebacker this season…
I think I'm going to be a better linebacker. I feel more than 100 percent. I just feel stronger, faster, whatever it is. I just feel better now and I think I'm just going to put it all on the table this year. Like I said earlier, I'm really just doing this for myself. Not really listening to outside noise, just proving myself right. Just knowing myself, the past few years, now I'm just gonna put everything else in place, so I’m able to contribute my best.
