I just got off the Monday press conference Zoom call. Not a lot of exciting things to report from Fitz, who was more business-like and straightforward today (no jokes or one liners). Here are a few highlights:
- Awards for Ohio State game: Hull OPOW, Adebawore DPOW, Sullivan Off Big Playmaker, Heard Def Big Playmaker
- Minnesota is very physical up front on both sides of the ball. Their DBs are active and physical. They are particularly talented at RB and OL. They do a great job on third down efficiency, best in the nation. They have the No. 2 defense, too, so their TOP is big.
- The forecast is for cold weather in Minnesota, so this could be another "weather" game. "You have to embrace it, enjoy it," he said. Didn't think it affected his team vs. PSU or OSU in NU's two weather games this year.
- He talked about balancing trying to win games with "sprinkling in" new guys to get them experience. His goal is to get the roster older. "We're rolling with the guys we're rolling with." He's proud that they've continued to work hard. "We're going to sprinkle in guys where it fits, but we're going to do everything we can to win." Herzog, Petrucci and Fitzgerald all played in the kicking game for the first time this season on Saturday.
- In terms of changes (read: coaching staff), he said that he wouldn't do anything rash or anything quick. Read: there won't be any changes until after the season. "I've been doing this a long time," he said, and added that it's not their first disappointing season.
- I asked about Sully. He said that he's learning a lot every rep. He likes the way he stayed the course after not winning the job in camp. He's growing in his role every week. I asked whether he's shown enough to be "the guy" moving forward, he said that he has a good chance to but that he would have to earn it like everyone else. (I also asked Andrew Clair about Sully. He said that he's a special QB and that his ability to make plays with his feet really "opens the door and expands the playbook" because it makes defenses account for him.)
- Fitz talked about his team's inconsistency and penchant for one-man breakdowns again. They made critical errors on Stroud's two big runs in the second half. The lack of consistency is what's most disappointing about the season to him.
- He said that he takes the same approach with his team about social media as he does with his sons: educate them about the positives in building brand for NIL, for example, but also about the potential negatives. "There is little fact and lots of opinions." He said that it's a welcome distraction for players -- like Sega was in his day -- but it can become a distraction.
- He reiterated that he is trying to get players to trust themselves. They've practiced hard all year but it hasn't translated to Saturdays. He said that confidence vs. experience is a chicken-and-egg thing in terms of what comes first. Players just need to settle down and do job and often try to do too much. They need to trust their preparation, not get too high or too low and stay even keeled.
- Awards for Ohio State game: Hull OPOW, Adebawore DPOW, Sullivan Off Big Playmaker, Heard Def Big Playmaker
- Minnesota is very physical up front on both sides of the ball. Their DBs are active and physical. They are particularly talented at RB and OL. They do a great job on third down efficiency, best in the nation. They have the No. 2 defense, too, so their TOP is big.
- The forecast is for cold weather in Minnesota, so this could be another "weather" game. "You have to embrace it, enjoy it," he said. Didn't think it affected his team vs. PSU or OSU in NU's two weather games this year.
- He talked about balancing trying to win games with "sprinkling in" new guys to get them experience. His goal is to get the roster older. "We're rolling with the guys we're rolling with." He's proud that they've continued to work hard. "We're going to sprinkle in guys where it fits, but we're going to do everything we can to win." Herzog, Petrucci and Fitzgerald all played in the kicking game for the first time this season on Saturday.
- In terms of changes (read: coaching staff), he said that he wouldn't do anything rash or anything quick. Read: there won't be any changes until after the season. "I've been doing this a long time," he said, and added that it's not their first disappointing season.
- I asked about Sully. He said that he's learning a lot every rep. He likes the way he stayed the course after not winning the job in camp. He's growing in his role every week. I asked whether he's shown enough to be "the guy" moving forward, he said that he has a good chance to but that he would have to earn it like everyone else. (I also asked Andrew Clair about Sully. He said that he's a special QB and that his ability to make plays with his feet really "opens the door and expands the playbook" because it makes defenses account for him.)
- Fitz talked about his team's inconsistency and penchant for one-man breakdowns again. They made critical errors on Stroud's two big runs in the second half. The lack of consistency is what's most disappointing about the season to him.
- He said that he takes the same approach with his team about social media as he does with his sons: educate them about the positives in building brand for NIL, for example, but also about the potential negatives. "There is little fact and lots of opinions." He said that it's a welcome distraction for players -- like Sega was in his day -- but it can become a distraction.
- He reiterated that he is trying to get players to trust themselves. They've practiced hard all year but it hasn't translated to Saturdays. He said that confidence vs. experience is a chicken-and-egg thing in terms of what comes first. Players just need to settle down and do job and often try to do too much. They need to trust their preparation, not get too high or too low and stay even keeled.
