Jim Knowles Updates: Pass Rush Was Better, Still More Needed Overall

COLUMBUS — Ohio State defensive coordinator Jim Knowles met with reporters on Tuesday to discuss his defense, last week’s win over Nebraska, and this week’s monster game at Penn State. Knowles answered question about the Buckeye pass rush, coverage, personnel, schemes, and much more. The highlights of everything that was said can be found below.

Jordan Hancock stepped up really well at safety. It was a big change and he handled all of it. Having Lathan Ransom back helps with the run-stopping ability, as long as he can hold up this week.
What do you need to do better to keep QBs from scrambling effectively up the middle? When they bring pressure they need to be better with their assignments and gaps and keep working on the rush lanes. “It’s not easily done” when you want guys to move and create pressure. Seams get created.
Getting more pressure was a big emphasis last week.
On DL rotation: “I’m comfortable with whatever Coach Johnson deems appropriate. He knows what he’s doing.”
What worked and what didn’t with the blitzing: “I think it worked.” They brought more people in different ways. “Not just relying on our guys up front.”
What have you identified in fourth quarter struggles against elite teams? “Just fundamentals. When you’re away and it’s loud, you have to really go back to your basics and you have to be able to line up fast and adjust to a thousand different formations. You can’t get too cute.”
What should your role be in making sure the players you want on the field are on the field? “It always has to involve the full group, including the head coach. You always want to defer to the position coach.” There are other opinions that people have and you all work together on it.
Why are Kenyatta Jackson and Caden Curry inside on the Rushmen Package? It’s a constant experimentation on who’s good at what. Caden Curry has had success against guards in the past, for instance.
How do you coach a player out of PI situations, like Davison Igbinosun? “We have to help them.” They have put gloves on him this week in practice so that he can’t grab. “I like him being physical.” You have good position, you don’t need to latch on. “I’d just like the finish to be different.”
Penn State’s offense is a lot different this year. Multiple formations and shifts all the time. Window dressing to create stress on the defense. Then you also have to deal with the QB run.
Should a player be ejected for targeting when nobody can agree on it? “That’s above my pay grade. But we freed Arvell, right?”
On the defense last week, it was good but still have to eliminate the explosive plays. Good resilience from the defense and they stopped Nebraska when they had to. That’s something to build on.
On going against two different QBs this week, as well as TE Tyler Warren: “It’s a big challenge.” A QB who can run really changes the game plan. Warren is another guy who you never know where he’s going to be and what he’s going to do. You have to be aware of where he’s at.
On Jaylen McClain’s performance: “I liked it. True freshman and he’s got a lot of guts.” He missed a tackle but he was in the right place. Made a great play on a PBU. “Really heads up play for a kid.”
Are you generating enough pressure with a four-man rush? “You’re never satisfied. It’s always a work in progress just getting those guys to do what they do best. They’re talented and they’re coachable.”
Do you just tell JT Tuimoloau to do what he did two years ago? “Absolutely.”
What’s the key to stopping a window-dressing offense? “Do your job. It boils down to that.”
Did Denzel Burke have the bounce-back game you wanted? “I don’t see a difference. He’s always competitive. He always wants to get better. I’m proud of him. They went after him a couple of times and he did a great job. I thought it was a strong performance by him.”