CFP NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP: WASHINGTON VS MICHIGAN

January 6, 2024

Troy Fautanu

NRG Stadium

Washington Huskies

Press Conference

Q. Do you have family here?

TROY FAUTANU: Yeah, my parents, they caught a red eye last night. A lot more other people, too, from my family. I have a bunch of people coming for this game. Really excited.

Q. Thoughts on the aftermath? (Indiscernible.)

TROY FAUTANU: For sure. They say what they said and we did what we did, and here we are. Not much else to say.

Q. (Indiscernible.) Dealing with a team that...

TROY FAUTANU: Yeah, I think we just got to play as one on the O-line. There are five of us, but Coach Huff does a good job making sure we play as one.

They're a really good team, and like you said, they're going to bring the heat. We have to make sure we're ready.

Q. Talk about the way you guys have gelled over the season.

TROY FAUTANU: Yeah, I mean, I think we just all got closer off the field, doing stuff like going to get stuff to eat together or playing the video game together, little stuff, things this college students do that we were able to get closer.

It translated on to the field, so, yeah.

Q. How great an opportunity is this for you to prove your worth?

TROY FAUTANU: I mean, I think the opportunity as a whole, as an offensive line, we're really excited for it. Really well-coached. Got some really good guys on the defensive line. I'm just excited to go out there and compete. I know they're going to bring their A game and we have to as well.

Q. What did you say to the people that say...

TROY FAUTANU: For me, I don't care what I play. Any team that's willing to take a chance on me, I'll play whatever position. Whether it's offensive line, running back, fullback, put me where every I'll do the job.

Q. (Regarding San Francisco 49ers; offensive line.)

TROY FAUTANU: Oh, for sure. We watch a lot of their film. Personally I watch a lot of their film. It's cool to just turn on the tape and watch some of the guys on the offensive line, especially Trent Williams. It's really hard to emulate and put some of his stuff he does on the field into my game because of how talented he is.

You can't really replicate some of the stuff. The 49ers, any team, like you said, whoever decides to take a chance on me, I'm willing to give whatever.

Q. Troy, up against Texas Penix had a clean pocket for almost all of the game. What were you guys able to do so well?

TROY FAUTANU: Play together as one. We knew going into the game they had a solid offensive line and their edges do a really good job. They are all really well coached.

Yeah, the biggest thing all season is we're all able to play together as one and go out there and know what we're all thinking.

I know what Roger is thinking, I know what Parker is thinking. We are just making sure -- Parker does a really good job making sure we're all on the same page. Yeah, we executed the game plan as best we could and came out with the win.

Q. Offensive line has held up well all season. Won the Joe Moore Award. What's left to prove?

TROY FAUTANU: National Championship, man. That's the only thing on our mind. All the awards are cool, but this is the one we wanted, the one we're been working for since we came here. This is what we want. This is why we came to UDUB. Excited.

Q. What needs to happen Monday night for you to look up at the scoreboard and be a National Champion?

TROY FAUTANU: Keep doing what we been doing since the beginning of the season. 14 games in, one thing that I think this team is really good at is doing their job at a really high level.

That's what we got to do. Don't got to do anything special, crazy. Coaches aren't asking anything crazy of us. We just got to go out there and execute.

Q. Can you speak to Michael Penix as a player and person?

TROY FAUTANU: I would say he's just a true-born leader. You just see how much he's grown as a vocal leader for sure. Last year he was still a little bit in his shell just trying to get comfortable with everybody.

This year he's taken big leaps and he's done a really great job making sure that he holds everyone accountable.

He holds himself more accountable than anybody else. We respect that from him. Yeah, he's a great guy, stand-up guy, yeah.

Q. How has the relationship with the entire offensive line from your perspective...

TROY FAUTANU: Honestly, just learning more about the guy, it makes it lost easier to block for him. Knowing how much he's gone through in his career and life, him being able to be vulnerable and share that with us has been the key thing that helps us go out there and want to block for a guy like him.

He's the most humble guy I've ever met. With all the success and praise he gets he makes sure he gives credit to us. Great guy. I mean, yeah, I wouldn't want to go out there and battle with nobody else.

Q. Besides individual talent, what makes this offensive line so good?

TROY FAUTANU: I think we are brothers off the field. That is the biggest thing, that brotherhood, that unity we have off the field hanging out with each other and doing stuff that normal college students do. Like I told the guys here before, we play the game together, we go out to eat together. Do a whole bunch of stuff.

I think that separates a lot of us, just the fact that we love each other on and off the field no matter what happens in the games. I got all their backs and they for sure got mine.

Q. Michigan had I think six sacks against Alabama. What stands out on tape about their offensive line?

TROY FAUTANU: They're just very disruptive. They get in the backfield, they make plays. We just got to make sure we go out there with the right mindset and execute the game plan that the coaches have for us.

Yeah.

Q. (Indiscernible.)

TROY FAUTANU: Yeah, I mean, it means the world. Growing up watching this game, every Monday, you know, you always dreamed of being here. I came to UDUB because I thought we would one day get here, and here we are. Took five years. This is my fifth year. I wouldn't want the journey to go any other way than it did.

Just well really excited for the opportunity, especially for the team and these coaches. They've just been great overall. I mean, I wouldn't want to go to battle with anybody else.

Q. (Indiscernible.)

TROY FAUTANU: I mean, it's awesome. Like I said, growing up just watching games like this, you always want to be a part of it and here we are. It's surreal. I don't think it's hit me and I don't think it will until after the game.

We're in the heat of the moment and in the midst of the chaos. I'm excited for the opportunity and super cool to be here.

Q. Michigan D-line looks to rotate a lot of guys in and out. Have you faced a team like that that rotates as much?

TROY FAUTANU: Yeah, we played Oregon and they played eight guys on the edge. I faced so many people in one game it was crazy. Yeah, all of them are threats from Michigan. All great players and really well coached. Got to make sure we're ready for all of them.

Q. A month to prepare for Texas and now you have just seven days to analyze Michigan. What has it difference been like for and you do you appreciate and like a normal game-week schedule?

TROY FAUTANU: Yeah, for sure. I mean, getting into the rhythm of things -- during the season you have a set schedule on what I'm going to watch on this day, what I'm going to watch on this day. Texas it was hard to break that up with so much time.

But, yeah, kind of just got back into the rhythm of things and made sure that I just stuck to what I've been doing all season. So, yeah. Appreciate it.

Q. You were highly recruited. (Indiscernible.) In what ways have you gotten better?

TROY FAUTANU: I think the biggest thing for me was just not listening to the outside noise. For me, like my first three years here at Washington things just didn't go the way that I planned them to go. The timing wasn't on my timing. I had to keep my head down and keep going.

That's the biggest thing with a lot of the guys that come in early, they think they can come in and play right away. But a lot of people get reality checks really fast. College is a lot different than high school.

I think over the years I would say just being more patient. That's the best way to say it.

Q. (Regarding teammates.)

TROY FAUTANU: I think, yeah, just as a team I think we all kind of have the same mindset, the same goal. I think that's what makes us so special. That's why we're here. No one is fighting against division.

Coach Grubb talks about division and they set out the plan and we have to be there to execute it. We're just doing everything they're telling us to do. We got here, so...

Q. Regarding offense.)

TROY FAUTANU: I just think the preparation that coaches expect from us and put on us and make sure that we're ready to go is next level. I don't think anyone is doing what we're doing to prepare for these games and the time we put in.

I think he does a really good job demanding that from us.

Q. (Regarding eyes lighting up when a play is called.)

TROY FAUTANU: For sure. In the games, there is always those plays in the game when they get called in the huddle it's like uh-oh, here we go. I mean, it's bad to say that because every play is supposed to be like that, but certain play calls you run during practice, yep, this is going to be one of them, the one.

He just does a really good job making sure we're prepared for those moments, and he has a lot of trust in us and we have a lot of trust in him. So, yeah.

Q. ( Regarding Jesse Minter's defense.)

TROY FAUTANU: For sure. The one word I would use for Michigan's defense is disruptive, especially in the backfield. Their D-line, linebackers, their front seven is really well coached. They play together. That's the one thing that stands out for me.

Super excited for the opportunity to go out there and prove to the world what we know is possible.

Q. (Regarding the process a year ago.)

TROY FAUTANU: So the biggest thing that I wanted to do, because the decision was ultimately up to me, but I had other people helping me out, especially my parents. My mom did not care about football. She was like, go finish school. That's what she was worried about, not whether I was getting drafted here or there.

So that was her stance.

My dad, he just of course went with my mom. Their decisions helped me and they've never led me astray. I'm here because of them, and so happy that I made the decision I did, yeah.

Q. (Indiscernible.)

TROY FAUTANU: I think I put in for the CAC grade and I got like a third round or come back to school type of thing. Everything worked out the way it was supposed to. I wouldn't change my decision. I don't regret it. Super excited I did come back and we're here, so...

Q. (Indiscernible.)

TROY FAUTANU: For sure. Yeah, shoutout to Montlake Futures. They've done a great job helping us out, especially the guys up here.

Q. Any players that you guys got to watch out for?

TROY FAUTANU: I think all of them. They wouldn't be a the College Football Playoffs if they all weren't great players, well coached. We worry more about the front seven, so all those guys. Rotating guys as well. Those guys are really talented.

For me, I've watched a lot of film on No. 17, 32, 8, 5, their linebackers. They've got really good interior guys, 55, 78. We've got to be ready for all of them.

They're a talented group and really well coached. I know they're going to bring their A game, so we've got to make sure we're there.

Q. Was there a moment in the season you were like, holy cow, we can do this?

TROY FAUTANU: I mean, ever since the beginning of fall camp Coach Grubb told us it was 161 days from the beginning of fall camp that we could be here, and we are.

I just think from the beginning of the season we all had that belief that we were going to come here and be here. We just had to make sure we were prepared and go 1-0 every week.

Yeah, I can't really point out a specific game. We were able to go 1-0 14 times, and here we are one more time to go 1-0, so super excited about the opportunity.

Q. You guys have been playing high stakes (indiscernible) three of your last five games. (Indiscernible.) Nailbiter against Texas last week. (Indiscernible - regarding staying focused.)

TROY FAUTANU: I think just keeping the same mindset going into every game no matter who we play. The team is really resilient, and no matter what the score is, we have been able to come out with a win. That's all that matter, whether it's by 3 or 40.

I think that helps us out in the games that come down to the wire. We've been in that position before. I wouldn't doubt that that might be another thing that happens on Monday.

Q. When you look at the roster, especially among the starters... (indiscernible)

TROY FAUTANU: I would just say what made us so close, especially the older guys, is the adversity we have been through. We've had three head coaches since I've been here, and I would just say that the one thing that's helped us out, especially me, is that we were able to keep our O-line coach, Coach Huff.

He's been through all the adversity we have been through. That makes us closer, and we can pass that message on to the younger guys. Not everything will go the way you plan it or on your timing. You have to make sure you're prepared for your moment, and no matter when that moment is, you seize that opportunity, yeah.

Q. (Indiscernible.) Does that help?

TROY FAUTANU: Oh, for sure. Personally, yeah, a lot of these games that do come down to the wire, I feel like it adds another year to my life. Very stressful, trust me. Watching that on the sideline, especially during the Texas game, that last drive, it sucks for me, for the offense, because we want to be out there for the final moments.

We had all the trust in our defense that they were going to seize that opportunity and make those plays. Like I said, that stress, it comes with a lot of -- yeah, sorry about that.

Q. (Indiscernible.)

TROY FAUTANU: Oh, no, yeah, it feels like it takes away from my life. No matter how the games go by, all that matters is that we came out with a win.

Q. Scouting the offensive linemen, statistically that line wasn't very good. What happened? (Indiscernible.)

TROY FAUTANU: I did not know that. I think he's mentioned it a little bit, but yeah, 2021 year is really hard to talk about because there are a lot of things that happened that weren't in our control, you know what I mean? I didn't really play much that year either.

I can't really speak for how the offense and O-line grooved out there, but here we are. Yeah, I'm...

Q. He got on campus and started... (indiscernible.)

TROY FAUTANU: Oh, for sure. 2022 spring ball, first day of practice, seeing that guy sling the ball was ridiculous. I'm like, who is this guy? Of course I had known him for three months at that point, but I'm like damn, this guy is really good.

I think the thing that helped us kind of gel together as a team was that he got out of his comfort zone. He was able to be that vocal leader we needed him to be. He took that role head on.

We wouldn't want to be blocking for anybody else but him.

Q. Did you know at the time he was (regarding Michael Penix injuries)? Did that show itself?

TROY FAUTANU: I would say a really special moment that I'll always remember Mike by is last year during our Washington State game. We had chapel on Friday night and our chaplain had asked the seniors if they wanted to talk. He was the first guy to step up.

Right there, it was when he told us that story. I had not known about his recent history of injuries and stuff that he's been through. For him to be vulnerable and share that with us was really awesome and I'll never forget the trust that he had in us to confide -- just tell us that story.

I mean, I wouldn't say it made me look at him different, but just having more respect for the guy. Kind of just listening to the stuff that he was preaching to us and holds us accountable knowing he is been through a lot.

Q. What game was that?

TROY FAUTANU: It was our last game of the season, so it was November -- I think it was the day after Thanksgiving.

Q. (Indiscernible.)

TROY FAUTANU: No, no, last year, 2022.

Q. 161 days to the National Championship, did he count that down every day?

TROY FAUTANU: Coach Grubb did, yes. Game on Saturday, on Sunday he would point at the 161 days on that slide. You can go ask him.

Yeah, he's a madman, but in a good way.

Q. What would winning the national title mean to you?

TROY FAUTANU: Means everything. A lot of people have been praising us about the individual awards, the Joe Moore, but I think this was the biggest reward you can ever get in college football. Who wouldn't want to play in this position. Super excited about this opportunity.

I can't wait to go out there and prove to the world what we been working for, what we all believe we can do.

Q. (Indiscernible.) (Regarding Michael Penix/Heisman ceremony.)

TROY FAUTANU: I mean, that moment was so special. We had a little Heisman watch party. No one knew that he was going to do that. Like honestly I wasn't surprised that he would do something like that just because of who he is and what kind of leader he is for this team.

Like I said, him doing stuff like that is not surprising to me because of the fact that he's so humble through all the praise he does get.

At the end of the day he always gives praise to us. That's just the natural born leader that he is.

Q. Not knowing what you do to get prepared for games officially, what was it like prepping for the Sugar Bowl and what was on the line? Are you noticing anything you learned from how you got yourself game-ready for that and showing up this week?

TROY FAUTANU: Yeah, of course we had 30 days to prepare for the Sugar Bowl, so I was really prepared because I had so many days. Watching the same thing over and over so you knew the game plan stone cold.

This week, it's back to the regular week, so I kind of already had a routine that I had gone into for every game, kind of just what I'm going to watch on certain days.

Yeah, I just have to do it a little bit quicker. I don't have 30 days. Kind of watching a lot of film every day, every night before I go to bed, and making sure I'm prepared for the moment.

Q. Big picture scope of your life, what does this mean to you?

TROY FAUTANU: I'm just so happy that I came back. That's one of the biggest things. I get to play with guys like these two, our center Parker Brailsford and Nathan Kalepo, my left guard. My boy Rog, shoutout my boy Julius. The memories we made this year is something you can't pay for.

At the end of the day it's something that means so much to me. I'm just so glad that I was able to come back and experience this with these guys. So much love for these boys.

Q. Troy, how were you all so dominant...

TROY FAUTANU: First off, got to make sure we're on the same page and Parker Brailsford, he makes sure he does that for us. Just making sure that me and Nate are on the same page as well.

I just think that biggest thing that separates us is we're able to play as one and we're all making sure we're on the same page.

Q. (Indiscernible.)

TROY FAUTANU: Just attacking them because on -- we see on film that these guys are really good and make a lot of plays and are very disruptive. These guys made sure -- the game plan was to attack them and make sure we got them out of their game.

Q. (Indiscernible.)

TROY FAUTANU: Yeah, whatever the game plan had planned out for us and whatever plays Coach Grubb calls, had to make sure those two were taken care of.

Q. (Indiscernible.)

TROY FAUTANU: I'm not sure. We tried our best. I mean, it's not on us. A lot of it is not on us. He does a really good job moving his feet and getting out the pocket when needs to.

It's collective effort. Glad that we came out with that win.

Q. Repping Pac-12 in its final year, what does that mean to you?

TROY FAUTANU: I mean, it's just crazy that it's done. For me, I have always wanted to play in the Pac-12 growing up on the west coast. Didn't look outside of the PAC during recruiting.

It's good to be here and represent what that era and legacy is left. So, yeah.

Q. (Indiscernible.)

TROY FAUTANU: I do. I mean, we've spoke ton a lot during last week. Just kind of people -- so, yeah, it is for sure a real thing. I think so.

Q. (Indiscernible.)

TROY FAUTANU: After the game there was an interview that I did not know it was going to be out there shouting out ESPN, and just, I mean, yeah, just not a lot of people -- a lot of people seemed surprised after we beat Texas.

We weren't. That's the thing. A lot of people on the west coast that we played weren't surprised.

Q. You want to address the -- talk to the ESPN guys about that?

TROY FAUTANU: I have not. I hope they come up here soon. No, I have not.

Q. You were pretty animated after that game. Talk about what that was like.

TROY FAUTANU: I mean, the excitement that went through that locker room was crazy. We were trying to celebrate that game, but we all kind of knew that winning that game wasn't about winning that game. It was trying to get here.

I think, yeah, just really excited, so...

Q. Tell me about this Michigan team. (Indiscernible.)

TROY FAUTANU: I don't think so. I think this will be -- I said this last week, but I think this will be the best front seven we go against in terms how disruptive they are in the backfield and how well coached they are.

Got to make sure we're prepared for all the things they'll throw out come Monday.

Q. I can't remember, but when you went back to Michigan two years ago, did you play?

TROY FAUTANU: I did not.

Q. Anything you remember?

TROY FAUTANU: I remember a couple guys that are now playing at Michigan that were there -- oh, two years ago? Was it two years?

Yeah, yeah, some of the guys that are now playing I remember them playing two years ago. Other than that, I mean, of course we lost so that leaves a salty taste in our mouth. This is a whole different team. Just really excited for this game, for this opportunity at hand.

Q. You guys are underdogs again, 14-0; second ranked in the country, underdog in the last three games. Talk about that.

TROY FAUTANU: I'm just not surprised. I'm not surprised that we're the underdogs. That's the position we want to be in, the position we've been in all year. 14 games into it, so what's one more? Excited for this game, and, yeah...

Q. (Indiscernible.)

TROY FAUTANU: I personally don't like doing stuff like this, but here I am.

Q. Wondering how many players on this team would you say had to make the decision to come back last year?

TROY FAUTANU: I would say about ten or maybe less. I'm not sure. Around there.

Q. And almost everybody came back?

TROY FAUTANU: I think everyone did that had the opportunity to leave.

Q. Why did you...

TROY FAUTANU: From a lot of people that I love and trust, we all just came to the conclusion that the best decision was to come back.

For me, the biggest thing was having the opportunity to play in game like this. For my parents, their biggest reason was to finish school.

So, yeah, the collective effort and talking, that was the decision that was made.

Q. How do you remember those couple days where everybody goes off on their own? Was it a domino affect?

TROY FAUTANU: Yeah, I would say the day before the banquet, Mike texted me asking me what I was thinking. Then the day of the banquet was when he announced he came back.

That was a big -- one of the biggest like influences on why I came back for sure. I wanted to block for the guy at least one more time.

I knew exactly what kind of leader he was and where he could take us.

Q. How big of a part of this team's story is experience?

TROY FAUTANU: A lot of younger guys make fun of us...

Q. The younger guys like...

TROY FAUTANU: No, I think we're just -- a lot of the younger guys make fun of us for being old because I'm in my fifth year. My lockermate is 17 years old, Austin Mack. I'm six years older than my lockermate. Like what?

The experience we have helps us a lot going into game like this knowing that no matter what goes on in the game to make sure to keep even keel and stay level headed. There are always ups and downs to a football game. Michigan is going to make plays. We just got to make sure we make more.

Q. You all have been together a very long time. What's allowed that to happen?

TROY FAUTANU: Just the love for each other, especially the fifth and sixth year guys. The amount of head coaches that we been through is pretty tough. Losing guys to the transfer portal, that makes us all close.

We were able to stick through all the adversity. That is what helps us win games on Saturday and hopefully help us win that game on Monday.

Q. What were the conversations like to keep you around?

TROY FAUTANU: Yeah, that decision after that 2021 year, during that month at home had a lot of conversations with my parents. There was a lot of talks about maybe getting out of here and going somewhere else and playing somewhere else.

But for some reason, I had a gut feeling that just stick it out, maybe for three months, and if you don't like it during 2022 spring ball, get out.

They chose the right guy for the job, and I think for me, I'm very religious and I think that God was telling me that you're right where you need to be.

Yeah, having them is awesome. They have just done a really good job bringing back the culture that Coach Pete had when I first got there. That's why I stayed.

Q. How similar is he to Coach Pete?

TROY FAUTANU: I mean, things that are run day-to-day it's the same no matter what. The culture that was brought back in the locker room was special. He reminds me so much of Coach Pete because of how family-oriented he is and how much he treats us -- like no matter where you play or where you are on the depth chat, no one gets treated any different.

Shoutout to Coach DeBoer. He's the GOAT.

Q. (Regarding decision for head coaching job.)

TROY FAUTANU: I would say during the winter of 2022 we were going through some ups and downs as a team, just trying to trust in the new coaching staff. That's how it'll always be.

Fall camp 2022 they kind of cemented what they wanted to place in this team. The good thing about it was we all had come from a coach that had already had the same morals that he did, so it was easy to buy into what he was preaching because he wasn't all talk. He was going to do exactly what he was talking about.

Q. (Regarding Michigan matchup.)

TROY FAUTANU: For sure. I said this last week, but kind of changes week to week. This will probably be the best front seven we go against all year. One word I describe this team as is very disruptive in the backfield. Like you said, seven sacks, however many it was against a really good Alabama team is something to talk about.

We have to make sure we're prepared and ready to execute the game plan that Coach Huff and Coach DeBoer and Coach Grubb have for us.

Q. What is it they do that's extra?

TROY FAUTANU: They just line up in really creative ways. It's really hard to pick out who is coming or dropping in coverage. Yeah, they just have some really crazy ways of lining up that we don't see too much.

Our coaches are prepared and have prepared us so we're ready to go.

Q. (Regarding scout team.)

TROY FAUTANU: I think we have the best scout team in the country. They do a really great job making sure we're prepared, especially the guys I've been going against. I've been going against them two years. They know my tendencies and I know theirs.

Yeah, they are really important, especially in games like this where we need really good looks. They've done a really good job doing that.

Q. (Indiscernible.)

TROY FAUTANU: I wouldn't say that the moment that I had kind of realizing that was on the field. It was kind of off. I told the story earlier. During our Washington State rivalry game we were away on a Friday night during our chapel, he had stepped up and talked about his testimony and his story and that was the first time I ever heard it.

You kind of just like I said, don't really look at him any different just because he's been through that, but having that respect for him and listening to the words he says is a little bit deeper and kind of knowing what he had been through, kind of respect that guy.

I mean, he's crazy. He shows that on the field, but I think the biggest thing for us, why we follow him so much, is because we know him off now. Took him a while to get comfortable, but now he's one of the guys for sure.

Q. (Indiscernible.)

TROY FAUTANU: Yeah, I'd never heard that story before. 11 months into the year, I mean, just looking at it like, dang. What he said, he had never made it halfway through a season in his first four years. I was like, no way. I told my parents that story and they started crying.

I was like, it's kind of crazy. We know him now, but when he tells that story to other people, it's like, yeah, the guy is crazy. He's been through so much.

You see why he does such a great job.

Q. (Regarding Michigan-Alabama game.)

TROY FAUTANU: We're not really worried about that. I know the coaches will make sure we're prepared. I kind of just leave that to them. We just got to go out there and execute the play.

Q. Are you following all that?

TROY FAUTANU: I'm not, no. I haven't looked into it a single bit. I'm just preparing like I usually do and making sure that everything goes the way it's supposed to. 15 games in now, I'm just doing the same thing I've been doing.

I think that's what this team is doing a really good job, is making sure we're not making this game any bigger than it needs to be.

Q. You mentioned last week going out to eat with Michael, forgetting to wear his mask. Do you see that happen out in public a lot, being a star?

TROY FAUTANU: For sure it's a regular thing for him. Just the times I've been out with him, I kind of see it. I'm sure it's a lot worse than he tells us.

He does a really good job just making sure that he stays humble through all that. A lot of guys can get all that praise and put it on themself and tell people that he's done it.

He does a really good job shouting us all out. Just a humble guy and that's just who he is.

Q. One of the things coaches talk about is NIL is managing the locker room. How do you guys handle that and I guess... do you feel like it affects things at all?

TROY FAUTANU: I don't think it's affected our locker room too crazy. I think Montlake Futures and the coaching staff does a really good job dispersing the collective throughout the team and making sure everyone gets an opportunity to make whatever they want through NIL.

I don't think we've had too much trouble with it. Of course, there is always going to be some animosity no matter what. I think guys are unselfish enough to put that aside and make sure that doesn't get in the way of winning games.

Q. On a lighter note, as far as the swag you get as a player, what has been your favorite so far?

TROY FAUTANU: From adidas?

Q. Whoever.

TROY FAUTANU: Probably the thing I got on right here. This is pretty cool. This is probably the best jump suit they've given us. I like it because I don't have too much white our whatever color this is in my closet. This is pretty cool.

Q. I know you get asked this over and over...(indiscernible)

TROY FAUTANU: Like I said before mit's kind of hard to realize where you are until after because you're just in the midst of all the chaos and what goes on during the game. I grew up watching this game every Monday, grew up dreaming about this game, and here we are.

It's a really special moment, and I'm so glad I get the opportunity and we get the opportunity to showcase what we got.

Q. As the season went on, almost felt like you picked up on identity... (indiscernible)

TROY FAUTANU: Uh-huh. Yeah, I think, yeah, Dillon Johnson, that guy has stepped up so much. The fact that he was able to gel with us as an O-line was really special. We had to establish that because we knew going into this year that everyone had watched the film last year.

The thing about it last year was that not a lot of people had seen this offense and they had a whole year's worth of film. We knew that games weren't going go the way they went last year. Couple of them at least.

So just being able to block for a guy like DJ and everyone in the running back room was special.

Q. Had some skepticism when you went into the Texas game. (Indiscernible.)

TROY FAUTANU: Yeah, I mean, all year we have been the underdog and that's the position we want to be in. Some of my brothers here, we been through a lot, especially these two with me as well. We've always been counted out no matter what it was.

So we're not surprised that we're in the same position we were last week and been in all the big games we play in.

Q. (Regarding scouting breakdowns.) (Indiscernible.)

TROY FAUTANU: I just don't have many pairs of pants. It's hard to find them growing up. Yeah, so that's been very difficult all my life. Hasn't been just recently. It's been all my life.

Q. So you just wear shorts?

TROY FAUTANU: Yeah, most the time. Cold, hot, no matter what it is. I got a pair of pants on the because I have to. Most of the time I usually do.

Q. (Indiscernible.)

TROY FAUTANU: Shoutout out to my boys, Julius, Nate for putting me on some swag. Those are my guys, my dogs.

Q. I'm sure we've been asked about the defensive line. (Indiscernible) Is it at any point just fun? Is that something you like, the challenge, or is it strictly business?

TROY FAUTANU: Yeah, I mean, the thing is that we've kind of known from the beginning that we could be something special, especially with Coach Huff. He did a really good job coaching us and making sure we're prepared no matter the situation and who we're lined up against.

Yeah, I mean, especially our D-line, they get us right, especially all year. I get to go against a guy that's going in the first round no matter how you look at it, Bralen Trice. Iron sharpens iron. He makes me better and I hope I make him better.

I would just say that that's why you come to UDUB. You get to go against top-tier talent. Not a lot of people knew that we had this team and that we had guys we do, so, yeah.

Q. Coach Grubb was just saying at the start of the year he put up a calendar, 161 days. What were those meetings like?

TROY FAUTANU: For us, he has told us that like the playoffs started week one, because as soon as you lose a game you're out of it. We've been in the playoffs all year. We've looked at every game the same and going into this game, really excited.

The 161 days is real. He's not lying. Seemed very far, but we're here now, two days from the game, two more, 159, and we're excited.

Q. There is also the go 1-0, so two mindsets.

TROY FAUTANU: Yeah.

Q. Feels like that a little bit.

TROY FAUTANU: Yeah, no, if you ask Coach Grubb, he told us that he had met with Coach Pete a couple days before fall camp and told us that Coach Pete told him not to talk about the National Championship.

The belief that Coach Grubb had in this group and the trust that he could put that and know the group will respond maturely is awesome.

How they treated this year and last year and just the way they approach everything, I wouldn't want it any other way. Those guys do a great job making sure we're prepared for every single moment, whether it's this moment standing on this podium talking to you, or a fourth and one play in the National Championship.

Doesn't matter what the situation is, those guys do a really good job collaborating and making sure they're on the same page so they can give us the right words.

So, yeah.

Q. You mentioned Coach Pete. How much of him and that era was is still...

TROY FAUTANU: I mean, a lot of the guys are still on the team, a lot of guys playing right now. Other than a couple transfers, we're all recruited by Coach Pete. I think that's what makes us all close and what separates a lot us. We been through a lot of the adversity with three head coaches and we're still here, man.

Q. I've been trying to get this story in all year about you. I've been unsuccessful.

TROY FAUTANU: Let's do it.

Q. Athleticism, volleyball player, and I (indiscernible.) Offensive lineman...

TROY FAUTANU: So my freshman year -- well, growing up my parents, they played volleyball. My dad played volleyball in high school and my mom -- my little sister plays volleyball for college now. Volleyball was rooted growing up. They've always talked about it.

When I got to high school, it's not very common that there is men's volleyball all throughout high school; in Las Vegas, in Nevada is.

Funny story, the freshman volleyball coach was our D-line coach for football. He had went out and grabbed some athletic guys and threw us all in there, go have fun.

We ended up doing really good that year. Got bumped up to varsity I think. Just grew a love for the game. It's really fun to play. I was really out there just to play for fun and stay in shape for football season.

I didn't realize how much it helped me with the footwork and just the explosiveness it takes to jump over and over and over every single point I guess.

So volleyball was an awesome sport. There were even some coaches trying to recruit me for volleyball. My volleyball coach told them I was a football player. They were very disappointed.

I wasn't thinking about playing volleyball after high school. I'll go back home and get in an open gym and get a sweat going, stay active, but, yeah, a lot people are surprised when I tell them I play volleyball. Especially because I play offensive line. It's weird for people to visualize that.

Q. You were an outside hitter.

TROY FAUTANU: Yeah, I was.

Q. (Indiscernible.)

TROY FAUTANU: For sure does, yeah.

Q. (Indiscernible.)

TROY FAUTANU: I still have it, man. Still gives me nightmares.

Q. Talk to me a little bit about the culture and buy-in in the program. What does UDUB do that makes this program so...

TROY FAUTANU: I think we just -- Coach DeBoer emphasizes brotherhood and unity and just the love we have for each other in that locker room is different. That's what separates us. Something you don't see too often is offensive lineman hanging out with DBs, or quarterbacks hanging out with D-linemen.

It's weird to see, but that's what happens. That's what separates us on game day, is that we have so much trust in each other, offensive side, defensive side, special teams.

So, yeah, it's really easy to come back and play for a guy that preaches everything that you grew up valuing.

Q. Talk to me a little bit about you've gone all this way and now you're here. Talk about the individual that started college and started playing football versus the individual sitting here on stage.

TROY FAUTANU: I would say the biggest difference is that I never play offensive line until my sophomore year of high school. I grew up playing running back and fullback. That was the biggest difference.

No, I'm just kidding. Just over the years and being through -- going through what I went through and just with football and going through so many coaches, I just grew so much.

I think the biggest thing I learned is to stay patient, wait for your turn. Your timing is not always the timing that's going to happen.

My first three years at UDUB I didn't play too much. It was really hard to go through that. It's difficult for a lot of the guys coming out high school to go through something like that.

It's a reality check that you're playing with everyone -- everyone that you're playing with is the best on their team. You come together it's difficult for a lot guys to see, bit I think that's what I'm preaching to a lot of the young guys. You just got to wait your turn. The timing that you want, everything that happened, isn't always the timing.

Q. (Indiscernible.)

TROY FAUTANU: I moved to Washington for five or six years. We moved to Salt Lake City, Utah, for six months and my mom hated it. We ended up in Vegas in 2007, '08, during the housing marketing crash. Got in really early, so were able to find a home and just been in there ever since.

Q. (Indiscernible.)

TROY FAUTANU: Yeah, it's tough, man, end of an era. Who knows, it may come back. I don't know.

Q. (Indiscernible.)

TROY FAUTANU: I would just say just to stay patient. I mean, just keep your head down and keep working no matter what happens every day. I learned in 2021, in that year we went 4-8, I wasn't playing too much. I would say there was a lot of things going on that I didn't have control of and I had to learn very fast that I couldn't control those things.

My parents kept telling me just to keep going. There was a lot of talks me leaving and me going somewhere else to play, but stuck it out and I was patient. Four years later, ended up starting a whole year and I'm in my fifth year now, second year starting.

I've been through a lot of coaches and a lot of teammates, and I think that was the biggest thing, just to stay patient and wait your turn.

Q. Which word would describe the offensive line the best?

TROY FAUTANU: I would just say brotherhood, man. I mean, it shows up on Saturdays, the fact that we're so close and united as one. That's what an offensive line needs to be. We can't all be five individuals. That's how bad things happen.

We have to make sure we all play and stay on the same page. That shows up in games, just having that trust in each other that we're all going to do our jobs. At the end of the day you got to play offensive line like offensive line is supposed to be played. That's nasty and chippy and always on the attack.

Q. O-linemen teammates, who would be the hardest worker?

TROY FAUTANU: I would say all four of those guys, man. I can't pick. Starting from the left guard, Nathaniel Kalepo. That dude is a menace. You watch the film, that dude is looking to take heads off.

Parker Brailsford does a great job making sure we're all on the same page. If you ask any of those guys, Parker Brailsford, our center, he may be very undersized, but he's the best offensive linemen out of all five of us.

Right guard, Julius Buelow, my roommate, is just savvy. He knows the game of football. Really high IQ and Roger Rosengarten does a really good job protecting Michael's blindside. Best offensive tackle in the country.

A lot of the those guys, we don't get here by not working hard, you know what I mean?

Those guys push me every day.

Q. (Indiscernible.)

TROY FAUTANU: Man, we've always talked about being places like this, having opportunities like this to showcase what we been working for pretty much all our lives, more specifically since we been here.

That bond will never die and will continue to grow closer. I'm just happy that we are all able to stick around and be in this stage.

So, yeah. I did, there was a lot of talks. My first three years at UDUB weren't always -- a lot of things didn't happen how I wanted it to happen. I eventually stuck it out just by the trust of God and my family. They had given me a lot of good advice and here I am.

Just excited that I'm still here and able to share those moments with guys like Nate and Julius and the rest of that 29-team class stuck around.