ARMY BLACK KNIGHTS FOOTBALL

October 14, 2023

Kanye Udoh

Press Conference

Troy 19, Army 0

Q. How did it feel to get out there? You had 18 carries, 124 yards, very productive. How did it feel?

KANYE UDOH: It was nice to get out there with my teammates, my friends, and just get out there and compete. It always is. But we would have liked to have come home with the win.

Q. Did you know you were going to have a big role tonight?

KANYE UDOH: It's not that I knew, but like I always stay ready, always try to mentally prepare like I'm going to have a big role, regardless if I do or not.

Q. Champ Harris went in, first time he's got a lot of playing time, how did you feel he did?

KANYE UDOH: I was really proud of Champ, getting in there, getting his chance to go show what he can do. He's very attentive at practice, always staying ready, so it was really nice to see him get out there and play.

Q. We knew Troy had a very good rushing defense, one of the best, certainly the best in their conference, less than 100 yards a game. How did you feel like the team prepared and what was the plan against that defense?

KANYE UDOH: The plan is like how it always is: Stay on our assignments, stay fundamental, do what we have to do in our jobs, and just execute.

Q. You had a big role today; how did you feel when you got out there today, when you first got out there?

KANYE UDOH: Like I said, it's just a good feeling going out there. It's always fun to get to go out there and play football. It's always fun to get out there and play.

Q. The team seemed to be having some trouble getting themselves into bad spots with holding calls and fumbles and stuff like that. What's your take on it?

KANYE UDOH: We just had a lot of MAs, missed assignments, myself included, stuff that we just have to get cleaned up if we want to win football games, like holdings, missing blocks, me not on the right pass protection, stuff like that. We have to get it cleaned up if we're going to move forward this season.

Q. I was hoping you could perhaps take us through that 23-yard run you had at the onset of the third quarter where you literally had both teams on your back. What was that like for you, and what worked? I believe the tight end got on you first, pushed you forward. What was it like to get that momentum so early in the game?

KANYE UDOH: It was a huge momentum builder. I just got the ball, just put my head down, just kept my feet moving, kept my feet moving, kept my feet moving. My teammates were pushing me, I think somebody picked me up at a point, and just kept on moving.

Q. What did Troy do that made it so difficult to capitalize on that momentum? That could have been a game changer but unfortunately things sputtered out once you got past midfield. What did Troy do differently in the second half that didn't allow you guys to generate any further momentum?

KANYE UDOH: After that play, I believe a play or two afterwards, we got a penalty. I think that's what stopped that momentum. Because when you get those penalties and just move back, it's like a literal momentum killer. We're driving on them, we're driving on them, then we've got to go back and we've got to do it again. So really it's not what Troy did, it's what we did to ourselves.

Q. You're a freshman in a roomful of talented running backs. What's the best piece of advice they gave you going out today, your first day of extended action?

KANYE UDOH: Just be calm and do what you do in practice. Don't let going out there faze you and make you try stuff that you haven't done before. Don't be too nervous, just go out there and execute like you do every day in practice.

Q. Did you know that you were going to be playing such a big role today during the week?

KANYE UDOH: No, not necessarily, but like I said, just try to stay ready. If my number is called, get out there and make the most of my opportunities.