Hello HOB. Good Wednesday to y’all. I’m back over at the JCFTC for today’s practice wrap-up. It’s defense day, so we’ll have DC Brad White and select coaches/players joining us to discuss their ongoing prep for a matchup with Alabama on Saturday at Kroger Field. We’re slated to talk to White at approx 5:30 ET. Stay tuned for the latest news and notes…
BRAD WHITE Q&A:
* Milroe playing at an extremely high level right now, extremely talented athlete, and not just that but being able to operate the whole offense at a high level. He's getting it to playmakers with great ball placement, making big plays with his legs when the play breaks down. Really tough challenge when you have a guy like that with the talent around him.
* On Milroe losing his job earlier this season, getting it back, what's that tell you? ... Some shrink in that situation, he elevated.
* Guys understand what a big opportunity this is. Limited games remaining. There are some games they feel like they let slip away, so there's no room for error down the stretch. Heightened urgency. I think they’ll be excited about that.
* On whether Anwar Stewart will show them his clip of the blocked put return to beat Bama in '97... Not sure. Not really his style. (laughs) Will petition the NCAA to see if they can get him back out there for one more game as the good-luck charm.
* Tape of MSU game showed guys straining, getting to the ball, tackling better after the one long drive. Had a good look in their eyes on the sideline. Never any panic. D-Jack's pick-6 was a big shift in momentum and gave them a boost to their swagger.
* On JQ Hardaway… Re-earned that nickel spot, worked hard to get better. Confidence growing from making some plays the last two weeks. But he's a guy they thought would be the main guy at nickel back when camp opened.
* On whether Bama is doing anything different with Milroe in the run game later in the season... They are finding more comfort and consistency with it, finding their identity. Took them a little bit to find it, but they are who they are now.
* On facing old UK staff member Eric Wolford coaching Bama OL and whether either one of them can take from that knowledge... At this point in the season, there aren't really too many secrets left. "Your tape's out there."
* Asked how you guard against Bama's explosives... White said you can't really prepare for it, you just try to prevent them. Cap the defense, don't let them over the top of you. But they've got a lot of talented athletes with a lot of speed and a QB with a big arm. Tough challenge. "Do you want the honest answer? Sometimes you just hold your breath and hope they don't hit them."
BRAD WHITE Q&A:
* Milroe playing at an extremely high level right now, extremely talented athlete, and not just that but being able to operate the whole offense at a high level. He's getting it to playmakers with great ball placement, making big plays with his legs when the play breaks down. Really tough challenge when you have a guy like that with the talent around him.
* On Milroe losing his job earlier this season, getting it back, what's that tell you? ... Some shrink in that situation, he elevated.
* Guys understand what a big opportunity this is. Limited games remaining. There are some games they feel like they let slip away, so there's no room for error down the stretch. Heightened urgency. I think they’ll be excited about that.
* On whether Anwar Stewart will show them his clip of the blocked put return to beat Bama in '97... Not sure. Not really his style. (laughs) Will petition the NCAA to see if they can get him back out there for one more game as the good-luck charm.
* Tape of MSU game showed guys straining, getting to the ball, tackling better after the one long drive. Had a good look in their eyes on the sideline. Never any panic. D-Jack's pick-6 was a big shift in momentum and gave them a boost to their swagger.
* On JQ Hardaway… Re-earned that nickel spot, worked hard to get better. Confidence growing from making some plays the last two weeks. But he's a guy they thought would be the main guy at nickel back when camp opened.
* On whether Bama is doing anything different with Milroe in the run game later in the season... They are finding more comfort and consistency with it, finding their identity. Took them a little bit to find it, but they are who they are now.
* On facing old UK staff member Eric Wolford coaching Bama OL and whether either one of them can take from that knowledge... At this point in the season, there aren't really too many secrets left. "Your tape's out there."
* Asked how you guard against Bama's explosives... White said you can't really prepare for it, you just try to prevent them. Cap the defense, don't let them over the top of you. But they've got a lot of talented athletes with a lot of speed and a QB with a big arm. Tough challenge. "Do you want the honest answer? Sometimes you just hold your breath and hope they don't hit them."
