ROSE BOWL GAME PRESENTED BY PRUDENTIAL: PENN STATE VS UTAH

December 31, 2022

Mitchell Tinsley

Penn State Nittany Lions

Press Conference

Q. What defines (indiscernible) a successful season for you one for Penn State?

MITCHELL TINSLEY: I would say so. For me a successful season is helping my team win as many games as possible. I would say that I was able to help my team in many ways as far as catching the ball, blocking, getting my players open.

Q. And for you, when did it sort of -- is there a moment, we saw moments of what you did, but I'm saying for you, even things that you (indiscernible) couldn't see but (indiscernible) you said this is working for me now?

MITCHELL TINSLEY: Yeah, for sure. I don't know. I would say we kind of clicked earlier on. Even in Purdue game, I feel like I had some moments that helped the team win and like I say I wanted to make plays when I got my opportunity. I felt like that was important. I would say, I don't know, does that really answer your question?

Q. It does, brings up another thing that's interesting (indiscernible) in the Purdue game maybe we didn't know at the time, nobody knew they were going to play in the Big Ten Championship game, but how important that was at the time. You look back on that and say that really was sort of a setting the scene for what was going on?

MITCHELL TINSLEY: I don't know. --

Q. Minnesota game, other game.

MITCHELL TINSLEY: Yeah, like I say, I just wanted to make plays when I got the opportunity. And I felt like Coach Yurcich always draws up a good game plan every week and when I get my opportunity I'm going to take advantage of it.

Q. Did you put pressure on yourself coming into this year, because there's such a line of (indiscernible)?

MITCHELL TINSLEY: I mean, in different ways. I would say it wasn't because the guys that came before me. I always put pressure on myself. I hold myself to a high standard, you know what I mean?

I feel for me that was the most important thing is achieving what I wanted to achieve as far as proving that I could play at this level week in, week out and make big plays. So I feel like I was able to do that this year.

Q. (Indiscernible) a year for you guys as a team.

MITCHELL TINSLEY: Biggest win?

Q. Yes.

MITCHELL TINSLEY: Maybe Auburn.

Q. When you were recruited to Penn State last year, how (indiscernible) were your expectations, (indiscernible) what you expected meet reality?

MITCHELL TINSLEY: I feel like I met all expectations. Being in Beaver Stadium week in, week out, sold-out crowd almost, you can't take that back.

Individually I feel I've achieved everything I wanted to chief. I came here with a goal to help this team win as many games as I could and I wanted to make big plays when I got the opportunity and prove that I could play at a Power Five level week in, week out.

Q. Could you imagine when you came here that you (indiscernible) when you think of bowl games, is that one (indiscernible) or -- how is your reaction?

MITCHELL TINSLEY: It's definitely the cherry on top. I had always envisioned myself playing in the big game especially coming to Penn State. I figured that if we win the games we need to win we'll be in the big game like this, but it's definitely a dream come true to actually be here.

Q. Correct me if I'm wrong, your path, JUCO (indiscernible), so when you left high school, did you ever think you'd be playing in a New Year's Six bowl kind of game?

MITCHELL TINSLEY: I had hoped. I didn't know if it was actually going to happen or not. But I had always hoped that I would be able to play in a game like this. I remember watching my first Rose Bowl when I was 5 or 6, watching Reggie Bush and USC play Texas. Reggie Bush is my favorite player it's kind of full circle.

Q. What do you think it's going to be like (indiscernible) the last time the Rose Bowl (indiscernible)?

MITCHELL TINSLEY: It's going to be exciting. We're going to make some big plays out there for sure. And we're going to show out like we always do.

Q. What do you like about your team working together?

MITCHELL TINSLEY: I think overall it's a balanced game plan mostly. I feel like we have ways we can attack them in the run game and the pass game.

And I think, honestly, that Coach Yurcich has a great game drawn up, for exploiting their weaknesses.

Q. Where do you think you'll be effective in the passing game against them?

MITCHELL TINSLEY: I feel like they have some solid DBs for sure. But I mean, I don't know. It's one of those things that obviously I'm not the one calling the plays but for me I feel like we'll be doing a little bit of everything as far as maybe taking some shots, some medium passes, short passes. I'm sure it's going to be a little bit of everything.

Q. What makes the offense so difficult to defend when you have the run game talents (indiscernible)?

MITCHELL TINSLEY: I feel like we have a lot of weapons, honestly. I feel like as far as two good running backs, three crazy tight ends. We have a crazy wideout room. I feel, honestly, it's hard to pinpoint one person. We have a lot of weapons on this team.

Q. The receiver (indiscernible) --

MITCHELL TINSLEY: For sure. They make our jobs easier for sure. When they load the box up, that leaves us one-on-one with the DBs.

Q. Whether it's (indiscernible), whoever has an opportunity here to step up (indiscernible) wide receiver?

MITCHELL TINSLEY: I feel they're just ready for the opportunity. And they dreamed of moments like this just like I have. So I feel like they'll be ready and they're locked in to fulfill whatever they need to do.

Q. This is the type of moment (indiscernible)?

MITCHELL TINSLEY: Most definitely. You come here to play in games like this. But Coach Franklin says all the time you come to win games like this also.

Q. What do you think about the white jerseys and...

MITCHELL TINSLEY: I'm definitely going to keep this after the game, for sure.

Q. Talk about the Rose Bowl. What's your anticipation for yourself and the team starting with you first?

MITCHELL TINSLEY: For me, I'm going to take advantage of all the opportunities I get. And definitely hope to make a lot of big plays out there, for sure. And being in the Rose Bowl, being a big game.

But as a team, I see us executing at a high level. I would say that if we're able to do that we'll be hard to beat.

Q. What was the highlight of your season?

MITCHELL TINSLEY: Personally, probably going down to Auburn. I made a few big plays in that game, a few third-down conversions and things like that. I would say just going down to Auburn and winning like we did, I feel that was probably the best moment for me.

Q. Personally what inspires you to become the player you have become?

MITCHELL TINSLEY: First of all, I would say probably my parents, my mom, my dad. Then athletically, football, just sports-wise, there's a lot of different people -- Muhammad Ali, Reggie Bush -- that's why I wear No. 5. He was my favorite player growing up.

Now as far as modeling my game after, I would say like Davante Adams, Stefon Diggs are guys I love watching.

Q. Can you describe what your emotions will be once you step on the field?

MITCHELL TINSLEY: Well, I hope -- I try to go out to every game the same person. I mean, for me, it's being calm and collected. And of course I'm going to have the adrenaline rushing, but I'll be locked in, focused and just one play at a time. That's my mindset as I go out on the field.

Q. How did you enjoy the (indiscernible) last night?

MITCHELL TINSLEY: It was delicious. Probably some of the best prime rib I've ever had, honestly. They had some good mashed potatoes and corn. It was a good time.

Q. Looking at the camera, what would you say to your family and friends?

MITCHELL TINSLEY: I would say I love y'all. I appreciate y'all for supporting me throughout the years. And we're going to go out there and get this dub on Monday.

Q. Where are you from?

MITCHELL TINSLEY: I'm from Kansas City, Missouri.

Q. Have you ever had In-n-Out?

MITCHELL TINSLEY: I don't think so.

Q. You've had Whataburger?

MITCHELL TINSLEY: Yes.

Q. You have to settle an argument with the team, a lot of the team, Midwest had Whataburger but In-n-Out --

MITCHELL TINSLEY: It's like that, it's good?

Q. Out in Cali --

MITCHELL TINSLEY: I'll put it to the test.