Q: What has been the key to your starting to come together as a passer?
A: We are settling down and getting into the system here and learning what our strengths are as a team. The line is doing a good job and that has really helped open up the passing game the past few games. That has helped me get comfortable and go through my reads and progressions and be able to be successful throwing the ball.
Q: What was your mind-set going into halftime last week down 31-20 to Purdue?
A: Coach got us ready to go in the second half and told us what we needed to do. The guys came together and we believed we would go out there and win the game. We wanted to protect our house and didn’t want anyone to come in here and win on our turf. I didn’t even know Coach Kill never had won a game after trailing at halftime while at Minnesota. My mind-set was to go do my job the best I could. I knew my teammates would do the same.
Q: What have you improved on?
A: One of the biggest things I’ve gotten better at is recognizing coverages, both pre- and post-snap. I can go through my progressions and reads a lot faster than I was able to last year. I remember sometimes last year getting stuck on certain receivers at times, but this year being able to completely go through my progressions.
Q: How special is tight end Maxx Williams?
A: He’s a great player. He has excellent hands and body control when he’s up in the air going after a ball. He’s tough for any linebacker or defensive back to cover because of his size and speed.
Q: What’s it mean to have David Cobb in the backfield?
A: It’s a good feeling to have a guy like that in the backfield. Being able to hand him the ball and know what’s going to happen. He can turn a small play into a big one. He has good vision and makes good cuts. He’s exciting to watch.
Q: What would it mean to lead Minnesota to a West Division title?
A: It would be huge for us and Coach Kill, the coaches and everyone in the state of Minnesota. We have our goals set for the season. To get there, we have to keep going one game at a time. And that’s what we’re doing now. We can’t look ahead at this point.
Q: You see your defense in practice. What impresses you?
A: Our secondary and middle linebacker Damien Wilson, who is an outstanding player with great speed. He’s a great player. But going against our secondary every day makes us better on offense and makes our receivers better. To see them against other teams and cause turnovers and get into the mind of other teams has been cool to see.
