Kent State Postgame Quotes
10/23/2021 5:30:00 PM | Football
OHIO HEAD COACH TIM ALBIN
Opening Statement:
"I think that it was a game of two halves. Obviously the defense did an unbelievable job keeping us in the game. In the first half, it could've gotten out of hand and we could have been playing from behind earlier. We had three turnovers, just looking at the numbers we were pretty even and the most important thing was turnovers. I thought that defensively, with where they are personnel-wise with a ton of injuries, a couple guys went down in this game and the defensive staff did a really great job putting the game plan together with where they are- especially in the secondary. Our top three corners are out, we're really beat up in the secondary facing arguably the best offense in our league. Offensively, the running game struggled for whatever reason. We just try to fix everything sometimes, particularly last week in the running game, and a bright spot we got some things done in the throwing game that loosened up the running game. I'm disappointed with the loss; nobody hates to lose more than me or this football team, and I'm going to sit here and tell you that we're going to keep battling. We're going to find a way, this staff's going to find a way to get a couple plays here and there and offensively, we're not going to turn it over and it's going to show."
On the decision to kick a short field goal in the third quarter:
"The easy thing is to say hey, they look like they're going to win the game. I felt like Kent had come out in the third quarter with their adjustment to our pretty good plan in the first half and they came out with some empty. In the empty they did a few things, they scored two touchdowns within the first two series and they got some things adjusted. I felt like defensively, we were going to get a stop, and I think we did stop them. You know you go for it but you don't make it then we don't have a chance to onside kick it. I get it. It was my call and I made it."
On quarterbacks Kurtis Rourke and Armani Rogers:
"Just like Armani after the Northwestern game. Kurtis played most of the game and Armani just didn't get a lot of snaps, the game didn't present itself as that kind of game. Then came Akron, we were having a little trouble protecting;Â Â since we lost Nick (Sink) up front, we've had trouble and we felt like at halftime at Akron this would be our best chance to win games. Every opportunity we're equal repping the quarterbacks. That what we've done, they're both going to play in the game, they both have skillsets to help us move the ball and win games."
On regretting decisions:
"On the turnover I was pulling my hair out, because I was frustrated. You know where Kent is stat-wise on defense, they did an unbelievable job there. I've been in this league a long time and they had a tough one on the road last week against Western (Michigan), particularly in the third quarter. Hindsight stuff, which quarterback plays, probably not, but some play calls on the turnovers, absolutely I'll take some hindsight on some of those plays."
On adjusting to Kent State's offense:
"I thought defensively, you know we didn't play them last year because of the pandemic, but in 2019 and 2018, we handled the tempo better today. I really felt like that and that's attributed to the coaching staff and the scout team giving the looks. We did tweak practice, the team captains had a great idea in our weekly meeting on Monday. We listened to them and tweaked some things and moved some things towards the end of practice that emphasizes like a half with tempo."
On having 10 days to prepare for the next game:
"Our trainers are going to be working overtime to get some guys healthy with treatment. We got 10 days, let me utilize it. We're going to make some corrections on this film and our plan is to play our best game against Miami, who's coming to town."
On overcoming injuries:
"Defensively, it's amazing. Going into the game I talked with coach and there are huge challenges with (Kent's) skillset. They have tons of seniors on both sides of the ball and that quarterback and with where we were injury-wise, they did a really great job."
On responding to the loss:
"I am optimistic with this coaching staff and this football team. We have not used those things to get them to play their best, it's been more about the process and let's get better every day  and gradually build up to play our best game on Saturday. There are going to be challenges, but I really feel like our culture and the players we have will fight."
OHIO QUARTERBACK KURTIS ROURKE
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When asked how this game feels for him after setting personal records:
"Personally I think it's a confidence boost for myself but also the offense. We've been really successful running the ball because we got some great guys that can run the ball. We got an offense that I'm very confident in running in both ways. So, it's a big confidence boost. Even though we came up short, there's a lot of guys that played today that have a lot of years left. So, it's a confidence we're going to use going into the future."
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When asked about the hustle during the last drives:
"We knew we had to go, and we knew we had to score. We're going to have to make some plays in order to get back into this game. They're a good offensive and they're going to score so we have to keep matching them."
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When asked if it felt like they were playing catch up after those turnovers:
"Those turnovers can't happen. You know I'm looking at myself. It's hard to win games when you have three turnovers. The defense did a great job in the first half."
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When asked what he did the last three weeks:
"Yeah, I just think continue to work, get better, and continue to lead. That's my role as a captain. I can't be the one that's pouting or anything. I just am continuing to come practice, work and be ready if needed. Going out and having fun is something I have been focusing on. I've been playing for a while, and I felt like I got a little stressed at the start the season. These last couple weeks I wanted to go out and have fun. That's why I'm here playing the game that I love. That was really my focus. Also, having the guys around me, the quarterbacks, and having a good time with them and growing in all aspects."
OHIO LINEBACKER CANNON BLAUSER
When asked about the challenges defending Kent State:
"That's what their offense is designed for. There's other stuff that we haven't seen that only Kent does. We practice it all week and we did the best we could do. They're a good offense and they're going to score point.  They're explosive and one of the best offenses in the MAC."
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When asked about injuries on the defensive side:
"There's been a lot of guys hurt but it's the next man up mentality. We practice and prepare for that. All the guys get reps every week, so it sucks to lose a guy. We're ready for it and we just rally around that guy and get ready for the next play or next series."
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When asked about how he was developed since August:
"I only had eight snaps going into the season on the defensive side of the ball, so I really hadn't seen the college speed.  There's some things you learn with game experience, and I feel like I've started learning those things and getting things under control."Â
When asked how they feel about a combined 11 points from conference losses:
"It's frustrating. We want to win every week and losing by such few points sucks, but it shows you we're competitive every week. The coaches give us a good plan and we execute it but we're just a couple plays too short here or there. It's frustrating but it's gives us a little bit of hope that there are just a couple of things to fix and if we make those plays then we're where we want to be, on top."
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When asked about the 10-day breather before the Miami game:
"We're beat up and I think the next days are going to be crucial to figure out who we are as a team and get ready for a huge game. Miami weeks are never taken lightly, and we can derail their season and that would be awesome. It'll be nice to get some guys back healthy and fully ready to go. Miami is going to do the same and get guys back healthy. So, it should be a good game and I'm excited."
When asked about playing with an experienced LB core:
"It's awesome. We have a lot of depth at linebacker. My class and the class above me, which is Bryce, Jeremiah, and Keye, have grown super tight competing with each other. There are guys that have beat out other guys but there's no love lost between them. Everyone loves everyone and everyone pushes everyone no matter if we are competing or not. We help each other out. So, if someone had a question or someone made a mistake, we bounce ideas off each other, of how to play things to get the best results."Â
KENT STATE HEAD COACH SEAN LEWIS
His initial thoughts coming off of the win
"It was great to get on a roll here, to get another East divisional win and stay in control and be in the driver's seat. You know that these MAC games are going to be really close and hard wins to come by, but our kids fought in all three phases of the game. We had kids step up and a lot of different ways. You know guys that have been waiting on their opportunity and they got them today and made some critical plays in some critical moments. It's great to get a road win, and really proud of the Golden Flashes today." Â
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On if they did anything different coming into this week to bounce back after last week's loss
"Yeah, I mean obviously each quarter each moment is huge and it's great to kind of get that cloud off of us. We talked last week about how we take a break and we did some good-on-good competitive phases right after that break to make sure our guys were ready. We would have made major point of emphasis on putting yourself in that mindset, and coming out of halftime for the third quarter."
On how to adjust to injuries on their offensive lineÂ
"We know every day, every year that when we get to this point in the season, where some guys are going to have to step up and be ready. Coach OB does a great job of leading those guys, and we talk all the time about when your opportunity comes, you got to be ready to go. It was great to get Jack Bailey back up and to get him in there at the left guard spot and solidify that position. When you have guys up front that you can trust, whether it's your ones or twos, or the A's the B's, whatever you want to call them, we know it's going to give us a chance late in the season here. We have guys that are eight nine deep in that room that work tremendously hard, and we feel good about that competitive depth that we've talked about from the beginning of the season."
On how important it was to get the offensive attack run game started in the second half
"I think our kids did a great job fighting through some of the various fronts that we were getting so we could settle into the game. The kids did a great job of executing their fundamentals, playing with great pad level, good tight hands communicating, and playing this one up front. Â
This is about them (the players) today, and the work, the preparation, and the character that they've shown in all three phases to bounce back. We talked about, as cliche as it might seem, one moment doesn't define us. These kids bounced back and the way they responded with discipline, to go get a tough road win here is everything."
On the defense's ability to make turnovers
"It's big time, whenever our guys can step up in that way it shows the character and resiliency of our young men when they have their backs up against the wall there in the red zone, and they don't flinch, they just clear what happened and they refocus on what they need to do to execute their jobs to the best of their ability. Â
We have tremendous young men, that when they do things the right way, the way that they're coached to do, and they're focused, they're locked in, great things happen. "It's not a surprise at all, to get three turnovers and to win the turnover margin again, that's what we are. That's who we have become and what we have showed ourselves to be this year, and look forward to seeing that in the future.
On adjusting when Ohio QB Kurtis Rourke came in.Â
"I mean obviously different character; he is a bit more of a threat to throw it consistently.  So, we just had to adapt and respond with discipline, and again they did that. They didn't allow very many explosive plays and made them (Ohio) go a long way and again at the end of the day, they made enough plays for us to get a win. That's what it's all about at this point in the season."
On how penalties and mistakes came into a factor today
"The first way to win is to not kill yourself right and to not lose the game, but when you have seven penalties in the first half, one of which takes a touchdown off the board and two more where they extend drives defensively, that's a deal of dis-focus that we've discussed since day one."
On how to go forward and what will you take away?Â
"Now that we get to roll into November, the really cool thing when you position yourself in this way, the games in November, are the ones that you remember."Â
"We have 10 days to get healthy, we got a very good Northern Illinois team coming in. We got to get our minds, bodies and souls right for physical battles that are coming in November but what else would you rather be in what position would you rather be in than where we are right now. I can say it's a great day to be a golden flash and to be a part of this flash mass family."
#OUohyeah
