CFP NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP: WASHINGTON VS MICHIGAN

January 6, 2024

Colston Loveland

NRG Stadium

Michigan Wolverines

Press Conference

Q. What are your overall thoughts on being here in this atmosphere, how's the turnaround been from last game to this game of being in a shorter week than having a full month with Alabama.

COLSTON LOVELAND: Yeah, it's been, I mean honestly, a blessing just to be here. This is what I've always dreamed of and prayed for, and glad we came out with the tight, tight win last weekend. But like you said, it is a quick turnaround, but we've been preparing all week, still preparing, obviously. Got a lot of work to go but looking forward to it for sure.

Q. What was it like to have Monday night celebration and a quick turn around?

COLSTON LOVELAND: I mean, we flew back Monday night right after the game, so you know, kind of reminisced on the plane ride with all the guys, but then it was right back to work. We know this is what we've been chasing all season. So, you know, like you said, it's not finished yet, but yeah. The preparation has been great this week.

Q. What have you seen in Washington's defensive backs, and what have you been able to put together? How do you think they're going to work together on Monday?

COLSTON LOVELAND: Yeah. They're obviously a great team, very well-coached, kind of always where they need to be. But, you know, I think we got a great game plan: Just do what we do normally. You know, we're gonna run the ball, we're gonna throw the ball, but just, I think, the big thing for us is just making sure we're perfect on every alignment, assignments, every play. And make sure to have no MA's, and I think that will do good things for us.

Q. And Mason Graham has been, during his teleconference, compared Washington to 2021 Ohio State. Do you see Washington and in any comparison to any other teams, or do you think that's a good comparison what he said?

COLSTON LOVELAND: Yeah, I'd say that's a pretty good comparison for sure. They got some lethal receivers for sure on offense and quarterback on offense. And so yeah, I'd say, as far as the offensive side, yeah, I would say pretty similar.

Q. What was the practice schedule like this week. Was it less physicality, or more film study?

COLSTON LOVELAND: Nothing different than we always do: Had the same practices, full padded practices, a lot of meeting time, and going over the game plan and watching their looks and seeing different defensive looks, and everything. Nothing different than what we always do. Ton of film. Ton of film.

Q. With all the hype around the game and the pressure obviously on all of you, how does this affect your mental health, and how are you able to prioritize your mental health through all this? It's so taxing being a student and also being in the spotlight for so long.

COLSTON LOVELAND: Yeah, that's a good question. Right now, we don't have school, and it's nice, one less thing to worry about. For me, it's easy, being surrounded by all the teammates and this staff, and it makes it easy to come in every day, and work, and get better. Everyone has the same mindset. We only have 4 or 5 more days with this team, and people move after this year, and just knowing that, that gives me enough motivation to get through it for sure.

Q. Talking about next year guys like Marlin Klein taking bigger roles. What have you seen from those guys this year and the difference it's making.

COLSTON LOVELAND: Rapid growth this year, for sure, with all those guys. A lot of young guys, especially. Tight end room is definitely deep, and those guys are going to be ready next year, especially with spring ball and getting good reps. It's open next year, and going to be a good time in the tight end room.

Q. Were you surprised Alabama is keying on you. Putting secondary guys on you rather than wide receivers, figuring that was the weak spot of the defense, tight ends going bacck in the backfield. What do you make of that, and do you think Washington will take the same approach on Monday?

COLSTON LOVELAND: I think it shows they've got some respect for me, for sure, from Alabama. But like you said, we have weapons all over; you try to take one away, there is going to be another one on the outside, whether that's running backs or quarterbacks, whatever it is. I think our team is just so deep, and it's kind of hard to focus on one position when all the other positions are just as good. I'm not sure what Washington will do. They obviously will have a good game plan. Like I said earlier, we have a great game plan in and are preparing our butts off, and can't wait to get to the game day and see what happens.

Q. Kind of old school with everyone blocking...

(Question off Microphone).

COLSTON LOVELAND: Yeah, a lot since January 1st, last January 1st, right after the TCU game. Always been that we're going to be the more physical team. And our practices are so physical, always banging pads. As a team, we've done a great job adapting that mindset, and the strength coaches do a really good job, as the position coaches and head coach do a good job making sure we're ready for that. You see it on the tape. A lot of times, we try to make it pop for sure.

Q. (Question off Microphone)

COLSTON LOVELAND: I've heard stories, obviously, of people going, 'Oh, I went here, went here,' because of NIL opportunities, and I totally understand. You know, people make their own decisions and what's best for them. Just hearing at Michigan, I have no reason to leave and feel we have just as strong a culture, something money can't buy.

Q. (Question off Microphone)

COLSTON LOVELAND: Like if you just spend time in the locker room or just at the facility, you can just tell like great camaraderie between everybody, and I think that's just one thing we definitely got going for sure.

Q. (Question off Microphone)

COLSTON LOVELAND: I think we can all say we played our best game, and probably should have won that game. We made mistakes, and they beat us fair and square. I wouldn't say it's a fluke; we ultimately didn't win the game. I don't believe in all that kind of stuff. I believe we got outplayed, whether due to lack of focus or lack of detail on our part. Yeah, hopefully, that's erased from the memory now, and now we're focused on winning this game.

Q. (Question off Microphone)

COLSTON LOVELAND: Yeah, right after that game, going into spring ball, and everything, our mindset was like, anytime anybody gets lackadaisical or anything, just think back to that time like we never want to have that feeling again. You know, it was an awful feeling I think we can all agree on, but I think that's definitely motivated us going into this season for sure.

Q. (Question off Microphone)

COLSTON LOVELAND: No. Well, I was recruited, never got an offer or nothing. The tight end coach, was talking to me a little bit.

Q. (Question off Microphone)

COLSTON LOVELAND: Maybe a little bit, yeah, ever since I visited Michigan, it's the only spot I wanted to be.

Q. Seeing Washington and what they are now, does that surprise you at all?

COLSTON LOVELAND: Yeah, very surprising, great coaching staff, great players, and a great team, where they need to be. You see on tape, they win a lot of games in crunch time, and do what they need to do. Props to them for that, for sure. With Michigan, a big name brand in collge football, does it surprise you they haven't won a national title since 1997?

Q. (Question off Microphone)

COLSTON LOVELAND: Yeah, it does surprise me, just like you said, it's such a big football name. The fact that we haven't won in that long is crazy but, you know, obviously, this is like we got a really good chance at making history this year. So that's kind of all we're focused on right now.

Q. Is that part driving you since it's been so long?

COLSTON LOVELAND: Yeah, for sure. In the indoor facility you see the banners up, and see that year, and like, 'Man, we got to get one up there.'

Q. This season, what has been the toughest part you have whether a game or somthing else?

COLSTON LOVELAND: I think the toughest part, we had some tough games for sure. Penn State, O State, last game. All tough games. The biggest thing, was just the media, and just, you know, all the outside noise this year, which we did a really good job handling. The coaching staff kept the circle small, and that was really good. And I think one of those things, that's kind of annoying, just always in the back of the head, you see the media all over, and did a great job blocking that out for sure.

Q. (Question off Microphone)

COLSTON LOVELAND: Hasn't really been anything too crazy. Just school is out right now, and not ton of people on campus. But I think we got to take care of business and it will be a lot crazier in Ann Arbor for sure.

Q. (Question off Microphone)

COLSTON LOVELAND: I'm not from Washington. Idaho, yeah. No, I never went to Washington game, no.

Q. How do you expect the passing game?

COLSTON LOVELAND: We're going to have to see how they play us. I think we're going to do a good job of balancing both and see what looks they give us, and adapt on the fly to whatever is working.

Q. (Question off Microphone)

COLSTON LOVELAND: Yeah, awesome to see. Last year he was a great quarterback, obviously, but just seeing this offseason. Just being able to, you know, go out there and throw, catch the ball with him, and just seeing his leadership grow. It's been crazy, and wherever, whatever he decides to do after the season, someone's going to get a great quarterback, or if we get him back, you know, it's going to be awesome.

Q. (Question off Microphone)

COLSTON LOVELAND: Yeah, we're obviously not going to know until we know. I think it will... we're just both well-rounded teams on offense and defense. It's going to be who can win at least two phases of the game, whether that's special teams, offense, and defense. That might twist the outcome of the game. Like I said, two great teams, it's going to be a battle for sure, we'll see what happens.

Q. Similar question... how special is it with the match up with everything on the line?

COLSTON LOVELAND: Yeah, super special. I mean, someone's going to be undefeated by the end of this. Amazing record, 15-0. That's hard to do. But man, just can't wait to get out there Monday and show what we can do.

Q. (Question off Microphone).

COLSTON LOVELAND: Yeah, I saw on Instagram how we're going to be playing them and Texas and everyone next year. I think that's great we get to play them right now, and play them in a couple of months. I think, just that schedule next year, that's going to be a great schedule. There are no ifs, ands, or buts about it, going to be a good schedule, and if we come out there with some wins, going to be a strong team for sure.

Q. (Question off Microphone)

COLSTON LOVELAND: Man, I mean... ever since I started playing, probably like -- ever since I can remember really, I always wanted to play... especially when the playoffs came out, always wanted to play in the national championship. You see, Alabama, Georgia, they were kind of running it for a while. But yeah, I always just wanted to, I mean, it's always been a big dream of mine and my family's, and the fact that we're here now is such a blessing.

Q. (Question off Microphone)

COLSTON LOVELAND: Yeah, that's pretty big too, because it's all going to change next year, so I think it's, you know, we all kind of know this is a super special year and definitely got to get it done.

Q. (Question off Microphone)

COLSTON LOVELAND: Yeah, 5th and 6th year players obviously played a lot of ball, a lot more ball than I have. That's one thing, game reps, really crucial reps. Really good for a player, but like you said, we got some older guys on the team with a lot of experience too. We're well prepared and, yeah, just like I said, looking forward to it.

Q. (Question off Microphone)

COLSTON LOVELAND: Yeah, I think it started pretty early in the season, I don't remember how, but just started doing it, and just kind of stuff, and a little celebration.

Q. What's the meaning behind it.

COLSTON LOVELAND: The crown, I think, like, just score and he's crowning you, congratulating. Pretty cool.

(Question off Microphone).

COLSTON LOVELAND: Yeah, he's a good player for sure, a lot of good players on the conference, and got a lot of experience, well coached and great challenge ahead for us, but we're ready to tackle the challenge for sure.