ARMY BLACK KNIGHTS FOOTBALL

November 18, 2023

Leo Lowin

Press Conference

Army 28, Coastal Carolina 21

Q. Leo, what does it mean for you just last game to pulling off a solid win like this?

LEO LOWIN: It means everything. One thing I said to the guys before the game, came in with a win against Middle Tennessee in 2020 and came out with a win against Coastal Carolina. It's always a good feeling to come out on top. I was just so thankful for all the other guys, even the underclassmen just played so hard for us, and it was an awesome team win.

Q. I thought at the end of the first half you gave up a touchdown pass, 31 yards to Coastal, to make it 21-14. Then they get the ball at the start of the second half and you stop them on a three-and-out, forcing them to punt, and then Army scores on that one to go out 20-14. How important was it for you to have a good defensive series at the start of the second half?

LEO LOWIN: Definitely huge. Definitely something we were saying in the locker room a lot, just come out hot and come out with a stop. I think we've played the best in the games we've come out hot and played really well to start kind of either the half or the game, and we did that again today, and I was really happy the defense would step up after a drive like that, kind of momentum goes their way, and at the end of the first half, but then we stepped up and came right back.

Q. When it's 28-14 you make a big 3rd down tackle, just really nailed the runner, and forced a 4th and 5. They went for it, and Bo Nicolas-Paul gets the interception. Tell us about that sequence.

LEO LOWIN: Yeah, awesome plays. Again, I think our team has done a great job all year. Momentum might be coming their way, but we get down to the goal line, we bow up and make plays. I think we did a really good job of just spilling those blocks on that 3rd down run and just gave me a free shot at him, and then on that last play just guys being where they're supposed to be makes it hard on the quarterback, and he's kind of rushed to make a decision. That's what happens.

Q. Can you talk about Jabrill Williams and the special teams helping you guys out again today?

LEO LOWIN: Yes, sir. I know Brett Gerena made the block and he was super pumped about that, and then Jabrill Williams obviously shows up again on special teams. Nobody more deserving than both Brett and Jabrill. They put in work day in and day out. They haven't played a whole lot on defense. Brett has a good amount. But they make the most of their time on the field, and they've really been doing a great job. I'm super happy for those guys.

Q. Leo, what was the biggest difference in your opinion of how you were able to best Coastal Carolina this time around after giving up 38 last year?

LEO LOWIN: Sure. It seemed like they didn't want to run the ball much today, but they had a good passing game, a lot of good players. I think we just came out better prepared. Obviously last year when we played them it was the first game of the season, so you're still trying to get your feet under you. This year right now I think our team, our defense is kind of getting into stride a little bit. Obviously we let up a couple big plays, but if we can limit those and we had a really good game defensively.

Q. When an offense gets greedy in the best way possible, holding the ball for 39 minutes of game time, how inspiring and how relieving and refreshing is that for a defense?

LEO LOWIN: It was pretty nice. I think we looked up, they had about 40 minutes of time of possession --

Q. 39.

LEO LOWIN: 39, so it made it pretty relaxing on us, I guess. I think we played like six plays in the first quarter or something like that, and just to see those guys, like I know Bryson was talking about Jakobi and Tyson and Ay'Jaun getting big chunks of yards, T-Rob carrying the ball, super awesome to see them moving the ball like that and just keeping it. It almost gets like you kind of want to be out there a little more. But I'm super happy that it worked out.

Q. How would you describe your senior class in one word?

LEO LOWIN: It's hard. Strong. I'd say just strong mentally, strong physically, obviously. But just strong people, strong in their values. We work hard, and I'm super thankful to be a part of a group like this.

Q. On 2nd and goal on their 8-yard line, I think in the third quarter, can you talk about that particular play and how gratifying it is not only to make a tackle but to hear the buzz from the fans knowing that it was, quote-unquote, a hit?

LEO LOWIN: Definitely fun just to make a good play. Anytime you make a play it's a lot of fun. I think they ran a wildcat offense. They were running a lot of G scheme kind of plays whenever they were in wildcat, the guard pulled, Kalib spilled it, I think somebody else spilled it or boxed it or something. There was just a perfect kind of shot, and I just tried to do what the coach has been teaching me, and it was obviously super fun.

Q. During this three-game win streak you've knocked off two teams that are very close to contending for conference championships in a Holy Cross team that is obviously one of the best in the FCS. Not only the three wins but the quality opponents that you've faced, what does that say about this Army team?

LEO LOWIN: Yeah, I think we've played quality opponents all year this year. We've had a really tough schedule. Obviously went through a little bit of a lull in the middle of the season, but we always pride ourselves in finishing, never quitting, and even though you've got a lot of reasons to be down or stop working hard, we never did. We kept coming back.

At the end of the day, Coach Monken always says it's not about who they are, it's about who we are. I think we've shown that we can play with anybody. We've just got to play to our standard.

Q. Grayson McCall, most people didn't think he was going to play and he didn't because of the concussion, but there was also talk about Ethan Vasko playing. What was it like having Jarrett Guest go out there, and what do you think of the job he did?

LEO LOWIN: Yeah, no, he's definitely a good quarterback. I know we played Grayson McCall last year. He's a really good quarterback, too. I think we were just kind of preparing for whatever came our way. I think he did a good job. They passed the ball a lot, so obviously they had some trust in him.

But I think we just played well, and it went how it went.