Wednesday, September 25, 2019
(On if he had problems playing in higher altitudes in college) “No. We played at Wyoming, which is the highest in the country, and then we played at Colorado Boulder. Didn’t really have any issues. I think you kind of feel it when you first get there and warm up and stuff, but once you get into the flow of the game, I’ve never had an issue.”
(On the characteristics of a Vic Fangio-coached team) “Super disciplined. They believe in what they do. And then you accompany that with some very talented guys and it’s a good matchup. I’m excited to play them.”
(On who from his past has had the most influence on him) “I’ve been fortunate to have a lot of great people around me. From my family, high school coaches – Wyatt Rogers is individually awesome. He’s been a mentor to me for a long time. Really brought me up in the game of football, couldn’t be more thankful. And then as lately as Coach [Mike] Leach. [I’ve] been lucky to have some awesome people around me, not only in football, but in life.
(On if it’s surprising that Denver has not recorded a sack yet this season) “Yeah. They’re a team that’s definitely better than what their record shows. They play hard, they’ve been very close to getting home. Two of the best edge guys in the game. We definitely have our work cut out for us, but I have a ton of belief in our guys whoever we go against.”
(On what about DJ Chark Jr. allows him to be so good at jump balls) “He has great body control. He knows where to put his body in relation to the ball to keep himself between the ball and the defender. On both of those deep ones last game, [he] did an awesome job of that and we’re just growing in confidence now.”
(On if throwing a jump ball to Chark is fun) “Oh, 100 percent. A go-ball, that’s a fun one, especially when you have guys that can really take the top off like we do.”
(On if he was surprised to hear that Chark struggled last year) “People forget, it’s not an easy thing to do, it really is, it’s hard, and there’s a big learning curve there and I’m just super happy for him. He’s put the work in and it shows and I’m sure glad he did.”
(On if his return to Washington State over the weekend was everything he expected it to be) “Not quite because we lost, so that was not everything, but other than that it was awesome. Getting back to see all the people that made last year so special.”
(On if he would expect Washington St. to lose after throwing nine touchdown passes) “No, not at all, but what are you going to do?”
(On if he was upset that Washington State QB Anthony Gordon broke his school record for most touchdown passes with nine) “No, Gordo [Anthony Gordon], I’m super happy for him. Wish it could have came in a win, that’s always more fun, but he’s going to break, I think, all of the records this year. They’re really good and it’s a lot of fun to watch that offense.”
(On if he wore a pair of jorts just for the game) “No, I’ve had the jorts for a long time. It’s been a staple for a long, long time.”
(On if the amount of people wanting to talk to him at Washington State was surprising) “No. Being up there, I felt the love. It’s a tight-knit community [and] to be able to be a part of it for just a year, [I’m] super blessed for that. So, anytime I can get back up there and see them, I’m going to because they made my year worthwhile.”
(On if being cast into the national spotlight has been too much for him at any point) “No, I don’t really pay attention to it. I try to stay off of social media, just keep life simple. Just stay in the book, study up and get ready for each game as it comes.”
(On thinking about breaking his hand to remain in college) “So, the attempted broken hand – that was really the only way for me to get a redshirt. At the time it was to get a medical [redshirt], so I had the bright idea to try to break my hand, but it didn’t work fortunately. Looking back at it, it was pretty dumb. Believe it or not, breaking your hand is pretty dumb. But I always tell people, what would you do to play more ball, and that’s damn near anything.”
(On how he balances personal growth with running an offense) “Yeah, well luckily with where I’m at now, I’m getting a whole bunch more reps than I have in the past, so you’re able to kind of work on everything. And then it is, it’s a lot of work [running an offense], but it’s so much fun. Especially when you see your chemistry getting better with guys on the team. You’re starting to hit these balls that you might have been missing or you feel the trust and the confidence you’re growing with your teammates. It’s a lot of fun to build.”
(On if he thinks Denver will blitz more this week) “I think he’s [Denver Head Coach Vic Fangio] a guy that, he’s not going to listen to whatever the media’s saying. He’s a guy that’s done really well for a long, long time. And I think he’s going to do what he’s going to do. He’s going to have adjustments for every game, but I don’t think people calling him out is going to have any effect on how he calls the game.
(On if the process with him and Offensive Coordinator John DeFilippo has changed from his first game as a starter in terms of his input) “We’re just building and maintaining that communication, trying to keep it open. We’re both figuring each other out a little more in terms of growing confidence and that relationship. It’s been fun being able to have these talks with him and getting on the same page for game day.”
(On how much more comfortable he’s gotten in his routine) “It’s something I’m figuring out week by week, but luckily like I said, I have a lot of help around me, in my room in particular. Nick [Foles] and [Quarterbacks] Coach [Scott] Milanovich and [Offensive Coordinator] ‘Flip.’ I’m surrounded by some great dudes and they are helping me as much as they possibly can.”
(On what Nick Foles was saying to him on the sidelines) “He was just telling me to play my game. He said you are ready for it and I can’t say enough of what his support and his confidence in me and how it has made me play better.”
