CINCINNATI – Head coach Scott Satterfield, redshirt junior quarterback Brendan Sorsby, redshirt senior defensive lineman Mikah Coleman, redshirt senior linebacker Jack Dingle, and redshirt senior offensive lineman Gavin Gerhardt all met with the media on Tuesday ahead of this weekend’s game vs. BYU.
The Bearcats and Cougars will kick off on Saturday at 8:00 p.m. ET on FOX. Prior to the game, FOX Big Noon Kickoff will be on campus, with the show beginning at 10:00 a.m. ET.
Head Coach Scott Satterfield
Opening statement
“Quick recap of the last week's game. Obviously, a tough loss, very disappointing last week. Ultimately, going back and looking at the film, we didn’t make enough plays, that's the bottom line. Anytime you have a one possession game, one team has to make the play. They win the game. We didn't make the plays offensively. Four drops, didn't have many plays, didn't throw the ball many times. So when you do that, if you don't make those catches to extend drives, it's going to be a long day for you. I thought defensively, we did not play great on that side of the ball either. Missed tackles. We got guys in position to make plays several times, and we didn't knock the ball down, didn't make the play. They made those catches and extended their drives, [Arizona quarterback Noah] Fifita played outstanding. Their receivers made some really good plays as well. Their running backs ran hard. Defensively, holding them to five field goal attempts was awesome, including a miss and then a block. That was great. We punted the ball well, knocked down the field goal, there were certainly some positives in that game, but obviously didn't make enough plays. But they're a good football team, as we talked about all last week. I’m excited about this opportunity against BYU, a great team. They have done a phenomenal job there. Very mature team, physical, big, coached well. The defense is one of the best defense in the country. Offensively, coming into the season, everyone thought with a new quarterback they might struggle a little bit, but [BYU quarterback Bear] Bachmeier has played outstanding. He's playing like he's an older player, an experienced player, plays with great poise, throws the ball really well, and then can run the football, he's done a great job as a dual threat. Big running back, he's a great, great player. Then number two [wide receiver Chase Roberts], the outstanding receiver we played against him two years ago. And number 11 [wide receiver Parker Kingston] creates some big time plays, has some great speed. I think they're very good in special teams as well. So not too much weakness. When you think about BYU, a team that's used to winning, I think, are 20-3 in the last two years. An outstanding football team. This is an opportunity for us, our seniors, senior day for us, to 22 seniors will be coming out for the last time. So I'm sure there'll be a lot of emotion out there, and guys like Gavin [Gerhardt] to make his 47th start, which is incredible. One of the best leaders I've ever been around, and [Dontay] Corleone and some of the other guys, and it's just a special group, and so exciting day for them as well.”
On wide receiver Caleb Goodie and running back Evan Pryor
“I'm not surprised how much we missed them. Certainly two big playmakers for us that have great speed. That's certainly something that you want to have on the field. We feel good about both those guys being available this week. Obviously, because the week goes on, we'll know more, but feel good about those guys. Goodie, for sure will be ready to go. And Pryor, I said this last very close last week, I feel still feel good about him.”
On the running game and how Arizona presented challenges later in the game
“Well, one of the big runs we had him stopped on the right side. [Tawee Walker] did a good job just bouncing it, and creating a big play on the backside of that run. They're good defense, and we knew that coming in, I think we popped some good runs in the first quarter. I think 140 yards after the first quarter. So, some big runs there to get us some points on the board and score. They're a good defense. They up the front, a lot of movement, a lot of twist, using their linebackers. They're good in the secondary and can do a lot of different things. I think their three safeties, I thought they played really good football as well. Number 43 [Arizona defensive back Dalton Johnson] is a good football player, he’s played a lot of ball. I think we're not consistent enough in the one game there, late in the game, particularly when we had the one touchdown lead, 14-7. I thought our defense at that point was getting them off the field and holding the field goal attempts. That's where offensively, we needed a tag to get to get up two scores. You get up two scores now, maybe a different ball game. We never were able to do that. Then in the second half, when we were moving the ball some, we couldn't get them off the field, we score to make it a one possession game, three-point game in six and a half minutes. Then we got the ball back, I think a minute and a half, so we just didn't not play complimentary football, like when one side of the other needed some help. We didn't do it. I think that was a big part of that game.”
On bouncing back from two straight losses
“I just think you have to play a complete football game in all three phases. You have to be very, very solid. I think about the teams that that they're good at all three phases. They're usually the teams on top. Think about Texas Tech right now, where they're playing football. BYU, where they're playing football. All three phases are good, even if you look at a national scope, like Indiana, who's done an unbelievable job, go look what they're doing on offense and defense. They're top five in the country. But it's amazing to be like, how good you are at all three phases. If you have one side of the ball that is not doing what they're supposed to do, it is going to be hard to win. You can still win, but it's going to be a lot more difficult then. So in order to be that championship caliber team, you got to be really solid in all three phases. Just like Saturday, I thought special teams were solid. We were good enough to win special teams. We did some good things. We got to be a little bit more consistent on whether it's the two sides of the ball as the bottom line that game. Having said that, we still had an opportunity, a chance to go win that game. Just got to make a few more plays, just makes it a lot more difficult. We talked about this all year, the margin Big 12, they're tight. There to be the difference in the game. That's true, proven to be true.”
On if he believes Brendan Sorsby can bounce back after struggling with man coverage
“Yes, I think so. We had four, potentially five drops in that game. If our guys catch the football, then his stats look a lot different. I thought he made a really bad decision on the first play of the game, and that was awful. After that, he really played well. He threw the ball well. That post ball, which would have been 45-50 yards, added to his stats. You have to catch that ball. Any receiver would be the first to tell you, ‘yeah, I have to catch that’. It's not just on one player, it's the whole team. You have to protect good, you have to run the good routes, and you have to make the catches. Absolutely you can bounce back. That's what we're practicing for and striving for. To go out and play well and to be clicking on all cylinders.”
On the amount of man coverage he expects from BYU
“That's what they do, play man. They mix it up, do a lot of different things. They're really good on defense. They create a lot of turnovers because of that. The corners are good where they're supposed to be. Their linebackers make plays, and people talk about the linebackers when they're long, can run, and they’re physical. They're a solid team, so we'll see a little bit of everything, but they're going to do what they do.”
On if UC will switch things up after struggling with man
“We have to try to do things that will get us in the position to make plays, whatever that takes. We can sit here as coaches, and we can draw up all kinds of stuff, but then our guys have to go execute. So it takes both of that. We have to put our players in position to make plays, then they have to go make plays. You have to get the protection, you have to make the throw, you have to make the catch. It's difficult playing against good defenses. If you look up defensive pass efficiency in our league, Arizona is ranked in the top five. Utah, they’re top six. I think Arizona is three in the country. Utah’s number six in the country. There's 136 teams, they're pretty good on defense. BYU is, too. This team's ranked 13th in pass efficiency. We're playing a lot of good teams, and when you're playing those teams, there's less room for error. You have to be on point, you have to run crisp routes, and you have to throw the ball on time. All those things come into play. You have to be on point. We have to continue working.”
On seeing Gavin Gerhardt and Dontay Corleone play their last home game on Saturday
“It's the finale for those guys in particular. I think about Gavin, who committed as a sophomore here in high school. That's a long time, and he's been in his blood, sweat, and tears for the Bearcats. It's just the last time he knows he's running out in the stadium there, this is going to be very emotional for those guys, but also for us coaches, because of what those guys have done for this program. They've seen a lot of change, coaches, a new conference, and all that. They're great human beings. They have bright futures ahead of them.”
On losing the coin toss this many times
“It's almost happened every week. Every time before halftime the team goes down, maybe gets three points or something, then they get the ball back again, and they're just driving it again into the third quarter. I’ve talked to Brendan [Sorsby] about this. It feels like we are waiting on offense for over an hour from the time that we were on the field before, until we actually get back on the field. We somehow lose it every time, even though it's supposed to be a 50- 50 chance; we have not gotten it.”
On scoring on back-to-back on offensive possessions vs. Arizona
“I think in offenses, you get a little bit of a rhythm. So once you get that first down, or you feel like, Okay, now we're rolling, then you make the next play, next play, and it's just a good rhythm, just a good feel. Some drives are just clicks, other drives, if you think about some of the three-and-outs, you try to throw the ball maybe on first down, to change up the first down play from a run-pass perspective, and you don't hit it without second long. Then, when you try to run a play here, and you get two yards without starting to, they're playing right with their hands. I felt like that happened a few times on Saturday. A team that's that good at pass defense makes it really difficult. If you can stay on the sticks and just keep and just keep that room, and I think that's where you can go down and really get those drives.”
On having resources to take the team to the top of the Big 12 Conference
“Everybody wants to win championships. If you asked me that question five years ago, it would be a different answer than it is right now, because we all know it takes resources. You have to have the resources in order to build your team out and be competitive. Spending money on your team gives you an opportunity and a chance. It is what it is. Five years ago, if you had asked me that, I would have said you could go out and recruit, build relationships, develop your team, and now it's about retaining your team and your good players. It's about recruiting high school players. The transfer portal that's getting ready to happen here in December, when you're trying to go around and look and see what's going to be available to come January, you're going to have to have the resources to go out and get the best players, and that's what it takes to win championships. We have a school in our conference right now that's top six. It's a great, great example of what happens when you have resources.”
On whether the team is embracing Big Noon Kickoff being in Cincinnati
“It's one thing to have one of the kickoff shows to be in your program in September, when people don't really know what teams have, but to have it in November, when we’re going to be playing, and we still have the big show coming in, that's pretty cool. Our guys have earned the opportunity for that. You play a team like BYU, a great football team, and so to be able to host that, it's a great advertisement for our college and our campus to be on national TV, and we get to show that off. Our guys are excited about it. Great opportunity. I think, more than anything, we're excited about playing a ranked team coming in here from Denver. That's why we're really excited about this opportunity.”
Redshirt junior quarterback Brendan Sorsby
On this year’s senior class
“They’re a special group of guys. They've stuck through the good times and the bad. A couple of them have transferred in and have made a huge impact on this team. I’m very grateful to those guys and the relationships that I've built with them. It's going to be sad, but an exciting time. One last Nipp at Night with these guys, and we’re going to send them off the right way.”
On how he builds confidence going into this BYU matchup against man coverage
“We kind of expected it. From the Utah game on, we knew what we were going to get. Going back, there were a couple decisions I want back. Overall, I thought decision making for the most part was pretty good, there were some unfortunate mishaps and a couple missed throws. At the end of the day, we’ve got to go out there and cut loose, and whatever happens, happens. We got to tie that with that mindset this week and leave it all out there.”
On the upcoming environment for Saturday’s night game & Big Noon Kickoff
“Obviously it will be a great environment, and Big Noon Kickoff should be a really good time. It should be really loud. We’ve got a really good team coming in here. We're a really good team, so we've got to find a way to battle and find a way to win this one for the fans. It should be a really good environment and definitely will be a fun one.”
On how the team maintains the mindset of differentiating this season from last
“That just goes back to the offseason. Similar to last week, we lost a close one that we had a chance to win. Going back to last season, that happened pretty much the entire way down the stretch. But we have to find a way to not let it affect us, to not even let that thought creep into our mind, and finish up the season strong. We're still in a much better situation than we were last year. We just have to go out and cut loose, have fun, and make the most of this opportunity. There's only limited opportunities left for a lot of these guys, so we got to go out there and make the most of it.”
On how Evan Pryor assists against man-to-man defense
“He’s an experienced guy that's been in this situation for a few years now, and he knows what we expect. Like you just said, he can go out there and help us find ways to move the chains.”
On what stands out about BYU’s defense
“They’re really physical, really disciplined, and they're not too complex. They do what they do really well. There's a reason that they have as much success as they do. They have a bunch of talented guys to go out there and play hard and physically, so it's going to be really tough for us.”
On how teams are covering Joe Royer this season
“Even if teams are trying to take him away, we still have to find a way to get him the ball. We all know that in this building. We're going to find a way to try to continue getting him the ball. We have to get the pass game going in general. I said it the past few weeks, but it's not like we're producing as a pass game right now. We have to find a way to get him the ball to help us get that going. It all starts with me, obviously being able to distribute the ball accurately. The more that we can get the drives going and move the chains, we'll get more plays naturally. We'll get more pass opportunities and [Royer] opportunities, as well. It all starts with me, so I definitely need to do a better job of that.”
On how he’s challenging himself and the team to finish the season strong
“We just have to go out there and have fun. Whenever this team's playing free and playing for each other, we're a pretty good team. We look back at the losses that we have had, and it's just us shooting ourselves in the foot. If we find a way to clean up those mistakes, I think we'll like where we are at the end of the year. We just have to go out there and cut it loose and play free, and just go out there and have fun. I think we'll like where we are.”
Redshirt senior defensive lineman Mikah Coleman
On what he attributes his recent success to
“Just trusting my training all offseason. Coming back from my injury, I was dealing with [Brandon Garcia] and Coach Niko [Palazeti] pushing me, and all the guys around me, pushing me, and just me pushing myself as well. I knew that these moments of the season were going to come. I know that it’s a long season, and towards the end of the season is where I need to be at my best to help my team win these games in November. Just trusting my training and just knowing that I am prepared.”
On his expectations for his first Nippert at Night game
“Since I got here and came to campus, Nipp at Night is something that everybody talks about. The atmosphere, they say it's a really great atmosphere. I just can't wait to see how the crowd looks, how the fans look. It’s senior night, so it’s going to be emotional. It's going to be loud, crazy, and I’m ready to send the seniors out on the right note.”
Redshirt senior linebacker Jack Dingle
On the defense’s performance against Arizona
“It started off great, we held him to a lot of stops, and just broke there in the third quarter, which we still have to work on. Towards the end, our job is to get the ball back to the offense, and that's what we did. Obviously, left a lot more time for them to be good on the field and score, but, just too many mistakes.”
On BYU’s offense
“They’re big and physical. They love to run the ball. Bear [Bachmeier] is a great runner, that’s something we’ll key into stopping. The offensive line is big and physical. They have a lot of guys on the outside who they can get the ball to on the perimeter, if we can stop that I think we’ll be okay.”
Redshirt senior offensive lineman Gavin Gerhardt
On his thoughts about playing his final home game at Nippert Stadium this Saturday
“I say I won't cry until the end, and hopefully it's tears of joy too. I think we're going to have a great week of practice. That's our goal. All the leaders, we came together, and we're going to send out the seniors the right way. A lot of the leaders are seniors, and this is going to be their last game in Nippert. We're going to try and have a great week of practice and go out with a big win.”
On what he would say to the returning team next season to compete in the Big 12
“I think it starts with bringing the right guys in. Our staff brought in players who are great leaders, but also great athletes and great human beings. They'll bring in the right fits. I know the guys that are going to be coming back will do the things I did. Recruiting the guys that got them to come here, they'll do the same thing, try and leave their mark as well. Some of them are transfers, but you talk about Taran [Tyo] and Evan [Pryor] and those guys in the room that I'll be leaving behind, they want to leave this place just as good as they found it as well. I don't expect anything less than that.”
On what it means to be a Bearcat
“I don't know if there's a greater honor I've ever had in my life. Hopefully I go play in the NFL and have a successful career, but this will be the top forever. This place has just done so much for me, and does so much for my family. It's brought my family so close together. Like I said before, it's allowed me to meet some of my best friends that I'll have for my life. That'll be my wedding, that'll be godparents to my children one day, it's done everything I could ever think of.”
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