Chip Kelly, Buckeye Offense Previews Rose Bowl Matchup Against Oregon

COLUMBUS — Ohio State offensive coordinator Chip Kelly met with reporters for the last time before heading out to Los Angeles for the Rose Bowl. Also speaking with the media were quarterback Will Howard, running back Quinshon Judkins, and receivers Emeka Egbuka and Jeremiah Smith. The highlights of everything that was said can be found below.

Chip Kelly

On getting back to the Rose Bowl coaching against his old team in a place that used to be his home stadium: Haven’t really thought about it.
What made the Tennessee plan work? The players executed and Will Howard played really well. Was very accurate. The offensive was cohesive.
On the lack of running game against Oregon in the second half in October? They got into more of a throwing situation in the game. They were backed up at times. It was more self-inflicted wounds on their part. That’s all correctable.
How confident are you that you found something in the run game against Tennessee that will work against Oregon? Every game is different and the matchups are always different. Oregon has one of the best defensive lines in the country. They were missing DE Jordan Burch the last time and he’s back now.
On Devin Brown remaining with the team: “I think it says a lot about Dev’s character.” It says a lot about how much he loves this team. “It tells you everything about Devin. He hasn’t taken any visits.” He’s only focused on this team.
The players are intrinsically motivated to win. They don’t need outside noise and doubts to motivate them. Oregon is the No. 1 seed for a reason. That gets your attention right away.
They have watched all 13 games Oregon has played this year.
The first time Jeremiah Smith wowed him was probably in winter workouts just moving and jumping like he did with his size.
The rotation at guard worked very well. It allowed them to stay fresh and gain feedback. That’s going to be the plan this game as well. It’s a credit to those guys. They have all earned playing time. It’s a meritocracy here. The more depth you can have, the better.
“I’m a big Jelani fan.” He works his tail off. He continues to develop. He’s a physical football player. He has length and height, but he’s tough too. “There’s an innate toughness to Jelani.” Combine that with his athleticism and it’s a pretty good package.
How is the team handling the fatigue of so many games? They get little breaks with 10 days between games. You just have to manage it, but the other teams are going through the same thing. It is going to be a battle of attrition. Everybody deals with injuries. Look at Georgia losing their quarterback. There’s no better model than Cardale Jones here at Ohio State 10 years ago.
You do hope the momentum from the Tennessee win continues. The mood is good right now. The energy in practice is good as well.
The Oregon defense has continued to improve over the course of the season. The guys who played while Jordan Burch was out have only gotten better from that opportunity.
Will Howard has been the same this week as every week. Every Monday is the same for him. It’s a consistent approach and you admire that. He is never looking ahead.
On Austin Siereveld playing two spots: There’s a big different between playing on the right side and left side. You’re facing different looks. Facing different players. Using different balance and technique. It’s a tough task and he’s been able to do it.
On the return of Will Kacmarek: He’s a big, strong guy. He can be an in-line tight end who can block defensive ends and block the C gap. He can be a sixth offensive lineman and compete like that. He’s added to the depth.
On returning to his old home stadium, will he do anything differently? Probably get some sun screen. But the Rose Bowl is a special place, and playing there on January 1 is special as well.
How has he grown this past year: When you’re around this staff, you can’t help but grow.
On Dillon Gabriel and nearly landing him at UCLA: “I’m not surprised at the success that Dillon had.” You could see it in high school and then UCF. He’s extremely accurate and calm. He doesn’t get rattled. He has a true understanding of what they want to get accomplished there. “I think he’s the complete package.”
At what point did you feel most comfortable with this offense and it was operating where you wanted it? That’s always a work in progress. Sometimes you feel good after a game and sometimes you feel like you left some things on the field. You approach it on a week-to-week basis because each game is different. “Our job is to put those guys in a position to make plays and then let them go make plays.”
On being an OC after being a HC: “It’s been a lot more football and a lot less overall meetings that a head coach has to do.” It’s been fun. “I really enjoy being back in the meeting room.”
How does a defense bracketing Jeremiah Smith help you: He impacts a play every time he’s on the field. If he is option one and being doubled, that means somebody else should be open vs one-on-one coverage. Then it’s up to Will Howard to process the reads and throw an accurate ball.
Will Howard sits in on the game plan meeting so they can bounce ideas off of him and get his thoughts on things. When you have a younger guy, you can’t always get that good feedback because they’ve not done as much as a veteran like Will Howard.
Never seen anybody as good as Jeremiah Smith as a young player. “I have not seen anybody like Jeremiah.”
What makes you confident that Jeremiah Smith is built for the playoffs: He’s consistent during practices. He’s been there every day. He really enjoys practicing. He loves football. “He’s built for it.”
On moving Jeremiah Smith around: Most of it is gameplan specific. How are teams trying to defend him? “There’s not anything we’re ‘just trying.'” It’s about how a defense approaches him.
Jeremiah Smith after the catch is underrated: “I don’t think anything JJ does is underrated.” He’s great after the catch. He’s not just a guy who is a 50/50 ball catcher. He can take short passes and turn them into big gains. The one thing that may be underrated is that he’s a really good blocker. He takes pride in that. “There’s nothing that he’s not going to do to help us win.” “He’s the complete package.”

Jeremiah Smith

On the Tennessee game: Felt like he played a great game. He told Brian Hartline that he wanted to be challenged. “That’s what I want.” So Hartline did that and then it led to the game that he had.
Challenged how: Just being pushed throughout practice.
Ready to get on a roll offensively: For sure. “We’re hungry for sure.”
“I feel like every ball thrown to me I have to catch.” Whether he’s being interfered with or not. If it touches his hands, he should catch it.
Not worried about not winning the Freshman of the Year Award, he’s worried about beating Oregon.
Is it frustrating being bracketed: Doesn’t matter if he’s being bracketed, he’s open.
They repped the touchdown throws against Tennessee so many times in practice. Will Howard told him that if there’s press against him, he’s gonna throw it up and give JJ a chance to make a play. That’s what they did.
The challenge against Oregon is going to be great. They have great corners. The best group they’ll see.
When are you not open: Maybe if they put the whole team on him, but he still thinks he should be able to make the catch.
Football is all he knows and all he cares about. Doesn’t care about the stuff outside of it. “I just want to play football the rest of my life.”
On dealing with high expectations: “Expectations? I came to Ohio State for a reason. That’s what I wanted.” His coaches and teammates have helped him every step and they’re a big reason for his success.
The most difficult part about playing college football: “That playbook.” New plays every day. “I’m pretty sure I’ve got it down pat right now but next season I want to learn everything, the H, the Z…”
What goes through your mind when there’s single coverage lined up against you: “Win.” “You’ve got to win your one-on-one battles.” On being matched up with linebackers at times: “I just start laughing in my head a little bit.”
The best part of this season for him? Just being in a room with a great group of receivers. Going out there and competing each day. Learning from Emeka Egbuka and Carnell Tate and Brian Hartline. Gaining knowledge.
How much have you thought about the way the Oregon game ended in October with the pass interference call: “I think about that call every day. It was a crazy call. The DB was holding me. I was just clearing his hands. I guess receivers can’t be physical anymore. DBs can hold 10-15 yards downfield.”

Will Howard

On starting in the Rose Bowl growing up a Big Ten fan: It’s cool to think about but this is where they expected to be. “This is when it really starts. This is crunch time here.” But playing in the Rose Bowl is something he’s always dreamed of.
Was the Tennessee game the best he’s played in his career: “I played well enough for us to win and that’s all that matters.” Felt good about the performance but “we’re gonna need more down the stretch. Can’t be satisfied.”
Excited to be facing Oregon again. He said it walking off the field in Oregon that they would see the Ducks again.
“I still have nightmares about that play.” He still runs that last play against Oregon over in his mind. Now he has an opportunity to go out there and right a wrong. That game still hurts. “We’re still excited for another crack at these games. We’re both very different teams than we were back then.”
Gee Scott is doing a heck of a job. He can go out there and have zero catches and be perfectly fine. He sometimes gets overshadowed by the other guys in the receiver room. It’s his birthday today.
On finding the right mental edge against Oregon: That’s the challenge. Keeping that edge. They play well when they have that underdog mentality. They can’t listen to the good stuff because the same people patting them on the back right now were beating them up after the loss to Michigan.
When Jeremiah Smith is bracketed, what does it do for your decision-making process: It creates matchups elsewhere or gives you numbers in the box. You’ve got to work with it and take advantage. You can’t forget about the other guys. If you try to take one guy out of the equation, there are other dudes who can make plays. That’s all part of the chess game.
Playing the first playoff game has given them momentum. Having four weeks of rest like Oregon will have might make him feel a little weird.
Is Jeremiah Smith always open: Yes. He makes crazy plays. When the ball is in the air, he goes and gets that thing.
How many times have you rewatched the first Oregon game: “More times than I can count.” He watched it a lot during the bye week afterwards. There were so many opportunities to win that game. “It makes you excited because we’ve got another chance at it.” Oregon is a great team. They do some really good stuff. It’s not going to be easy. Gotta go in there, take what they give us, and then impose our will.
On Oregon’s corners: They’re very athletic. They’re not as physical as some of the corners they’ve played against but they’re very good shadow guys. They don’t like to get beaten over the top. They’ve got good guys to work against in practice too. “They’re both solid players but I think we’ve got an advantage physically a little bit that we need to take advantage of.”
How are you different since that Oregon game: You try to evolve every week. You try to learn from the good things and the bad things. Just trying to get smarter with decision making and getting more comfortable in this system. Just trying to learn from the good and the bad.
On having Chip Kelly as his OC/QB coach: “It’s been really good.” He’s super bright in the run game and pass game. He’s coached some of the best players that Will Howard grew up watching. “I feel like we’re in sync right now pretty damn well.” They see things the same way but they’re also able to have a healthy discussing of what they like and what he doesn’t like.
On the second touchdown to JJ Smith, he was just watching the safety the entire time. Seeing if Tennessee was “crazy enough to leave him one on one. They were.” If there is a call for Jeremiah Smith as the first read and he’s got one-on-one coverage, then it’s probably gonna go to him.
When you’re around Jeremiah Smith every day you forget that he’s a freshman. “I’ve never seen a kid his age — I’ve never really seen anyone — be able to do some of the stuff that he can do.”

Emeka Egbuka

Super excited to get back to the Rose Bowl again. Having a chance to redeem themselves is something they don’t take lightly.
Jeremiah Smith not winning the Freshman of the Year award will only fuel him more this season.
What impressed him most early on about Jeremiah Smith: His mindset. The way he approached the weight room. He was the only freshman to ever earn Iron Buckeye. “That’s kind of when I knew.”
How did JJ Smith push the vets: It’s the same way Emeka and Marv pushed Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave. That’s Zone Six. Smith challenged him to grow as a leader and in the weight room. They competed against each other. Gave Egbuka more of an edge that he needed this year.
How do you keep the edge mentally after a big win: “If you lose your edge, I wouldn’t really call you a true competitor. If you’re not more intense than you were the last week, then something’s wrong.”
On the Rose Bowl: “I don’t know. There’s just something about it. There’s something in the air in Pasadena. It’s the game you dream of playing in when you’re a little kid playing in the backyard with your friends.”
Will Howard is a laser-focused person. You can see that this game means everything to him.
Egbuka grew up an Oregon fan and dreamed of being a Duck.
The more Jeremiah Smith does great things, the less Egbuka reacts to it. It’s just more common now.
Is there something about this matchup that favors you: Not entirely sure what Oregon’s game plan will be but they’re prepared for everything. Whether he has 10 touches or zero, he’s got to do whatever he can.
Carnell Tate is selfless and will do whatever it takes to win. Egbuka stays in his ear about sometimes the ball doesn’t come to you. It’s easy to be focused on stats, but nobody is gonna remember that if they’re holding the trophy at the end of the year.
He could be a number one receiver on most teams, right? He IS a number one receiver on this team. There is no number three receiver on this team. They’re all alpha dogs.
Would this be the ultimate, beating Oregon: No, this just happens to be the next team in the way. The ultimate is winning it all. “They’re just a nameless, faceless opponent.”

Quinshon Judkins

What did you find in the running game against Tennessee: Schematically the coaches did a great job of finding ways to use the players in space.
On playing in the Rose Bowl as an SEC kid: The playoffs were always a goal but the Rose Bowl will be fun.
On his fumble against Oregon: That’s past them now. That game is past them. They’re looking forward to how they can win this game. That’s all that matters.
On staying motivated and playing with an edge: Everybody is keeping the same mindset that they had going into Tennessee game.
Will he be back next year: Just focused on winning a national championship right now. Have not thought about the future.

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