PURDUE UNIVERSITY FOOTBALL MEDIA CONFERENCE

November 18, 2024

Ryan Walters

Press Conference

Q. Ryan, what are you looking for these last two games from your team?

RYAN WALTERS: Go out and compete, put a good game plan together, offense, defense, special teams, play clean, competitive football, and go win some games.

Q. After having a chance to watch the film, does anything stand out to you about Saturday?

RYAN WALTERS: Just didn't execute when we needed to, especially in critical moments. You know, when you don't play well, you don't coach well, you don't execute well, it's a hard recipe when you're playing against an opponent like Penn State.

Q. As far as the run game goes, obviously you guys had a lot of the success against Oregon and Illinois. Kind of fallen back lately. What are you seeing out of that aspect and what do you want to see moving forward?

RYAN WALTERS: Really the last two weeks we played against two of the better defensive lines in the country. Penn State I thought was super explosive and disruptive, especially on the perimeter with their two defensive ends.

So just getting back to some of the schemes that have worked well for us in the past and getting our guys touches in space so get them some room to use their instincts and make some moves.

Q. Ryan, what is the difference where you have a quick turnaround? Get out late Saturday and now play Friday night. Just preparation in the week, what has to change up from your perspective?

RYAN WALTERS: You know, so speeds up the clock for sure. You know, playing a night game so we're going to be practicing at night. You know, got to take care of their bodies early in the week because they just played a couple days ago.

So definitely from a prep standpoint, just the clock is sped up. That means less sleep on the front end of the week from a staff perspective. Really diving in and taking care of your bodies as players is crucial too with the quick turnaround.

Q. On the depth chart still has Spencer as the kicker. Is it style an open competition between those two?

RYAN WALTERS: Yeah, still open. Obviously was happy to see Ben make this first one. He did a great job during the week, so we'll see kind of where it stacks up as the week goes.

Q. What is the status of Botros Alessandro? He didn't play the other day.

RYAN WALTERS: I think he'll be cleared this week.

Q. Mock went in the top 10 all-time in career rushing which is amazing considering he came here as walk-on.

RYAN WALTERS: Right.

Q. Even when there's not holes he seems to be able to, with his twitchiness and such, to make plays happen. How do you get a gauge for when he's feeling it and how to use him? Obviously want to use Reggie, too, but sometimes got to realize who has the hot hand.

RYAN WALTERS: You're exactly right, who has the hot hand and who has been able to sort of see holes and explode through small windows and break arm tackles, and Mock has been diagnose a great job of that. He really is a special player, special individual, you know, which is why he's a leader on our team.

Q. What have you seen from Michigan State? Obviously young quarterback, talented, but a team that had its ups and downs on both sides of the ball. What do you see when you prepare and see them on film?

RYAN WALTERS: From a defensive perspective I got a lot of respect for their defensive coordinator and what he's done in this league. They play sound and disruptive up front. I think their defensive ends are athletic on the edge and try not to give up explosive plays.

You know, offensively you hit it with the quarterback. I think it runs through him. Got a lot of potential there. Coach has done a good job with quarterbacks in the past, so he has continued to develop and continued to grow.

You see his playmaking and his decision making has improved as the year has gone on. He can get you out of situations and make plays with his legs.

He's an extremely talented kid.

Q. Ryan, just three players. I don't think Mo played last week; CJ looks like he got hurt; and Cole. Any update Cole Brevard, CJ Smith, and Mo Omonode?

RYAN WALTERS: Yeah, hopefully we get Mo back this week. It's trending that way. As far as Cole and CJ, we'll see at 3:30 when I get the injury report.