Jack Miller, Brennen Beyer, Derrick Green

Jack, you guys had so much attention on the offensive line coming in to the year. Through three games can you kind of rate how you guys have done and do you think it’s kind of stabilized?

JM: “Yeah, I think we’ve done a pretty good job. There’s been a couple bumps in the road but overall so far I think the group’s done a good job coming together and playing pretty well.”

Why do you think that is? What’s the reason you guys have made this leap?

JM: “I think the work that we put in in the offseason. We worked extremely hard and did extra work for offensive line-type stuff and I think that’s paying off for us.”

This is for Jack as well. I asked Nussmeier what the biggest different is from the start of fall camp to now in terms of improvement and he mentioned communication. How much does that have to, I guess, adjust on a game-by-game basis depending on what you’re seeing or is it a constant thing that you can make the same according to your offense?

JM: “Well, I think that’s why you have three practices a week and you watch a lot of film and those types of things so you’re not surprised come gameday with the types of looks and those types of things that you’ll get. The calls and the communication, while necessary, can be kind of a backup things because everyone should know what’s going on and what to do and those types of things so just the practice and the film work and those types of things really help that become an easier process come gameday.”

Jack, this is also for you. What have you seen from Mason Cole? He was thrusted into a starting position as a freshman, but how have you seen him kind of take on the transition?

JM: “You know, I’ve been very impressed with Mason since he first came in. The poise that he has for an 18-year-old kid playing offensive line is remarkable, and he’s got maybe the best attribute to have as an offensive lineman which is just being consistent play-in and play-out. He knows his job, he’s a smart kid, and he goes out and plays hard and tries to get it done and whether he does a good job or a bad job he’s on to the next play. And like I said, his poise and demeanor is pretty exceptional for such a young kid.”

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Derrick, everybody’s talked about for you seeing that offseason ramp up in conditioning and all that…was there a turning point for you where you decided ‘Okay, to operate at a high level I need to do this, this, and this’?

DG: I’d probably say definitely at the end of last season. I definitely knew there was a lot of things that had to change as far as my weight and the way I approached practices and camp and stuff like that so I just definitely had to change my whole mindset with everything and make sure I was more keyed in and just focus coming into the season.”

Jack, did you guys note anyway upfront in the huddle, did you guys notice a difference with Derrick [and] the way he was running as the game wore on? Could you sense maybe some hunger there from him?

JM: “Yeah, it’s hard to tell. You know, it’s hard to tell while the game’s going on because all I’m thinking about is my job and what I need to do and ‘Oh, how was that double team’ or ‘How was that block’ but when you looked at some of the big chunks of yards we were gaining you could put it together that he was running really hard and determined.”

[Inaudible] Jake Butt- a couple of people have mentioned his work ethic and how hard he’s worked and how they weren’t surprised that he was able to kind of get himself back out there and involved so soon. Can you think of examples of ways that Jake has worked hard?

JM: “Well, I don’t know the standard protocol for what it takes to come back from an ACL surgery or whatever but I think he surpassed that, which that in and of itself tells you that he was getting extra treatment, he was rehabbing all the time which I know he was because he was always in the building doing those types of things. I think he set a goal for himself to get back by Notre Dame week which he obtained so we’re happy for him, and that shows us as players kind of the commitment that he has to this team and it’s been great.”

Brennen, your thoughts on the pass rush and the difference between maybe getting sacks or getting hits on the quarterback and hurries that aren’t sacks. Are they almost the same to you or how do you guys look at it?

BB: “I mean, a sack’s a sack, you know. A hurry and a hit, they’re not the same as a sack but they definitely have an impact on the game and on the quarterback, you know, when he feels that pressure. When he gets a big hit he’s going to remember that. Hopefully that can get in his head and throw him off his game a little bit so if we get QB hits and hurry him up that’s definitely going to help us.”

Brennen, both coach Hoke and coach Mattison talked about the defensive line and how many guys they feel comfortable playing there. What’s the chemistry like amongst the group in terms of the personalities there? Is there anyone that’s funny or that jokes or how do you guys all work together?

BB: “I mean, we’ve grown a lot closer this year I’d say than any other year I’ve been on the team. I don’t if anyone in particular, but when we’re together we’re always having a good time. When we’re watching film we’re serious when we have to be but we’ll laugh and have fun when we’re watching film too and everyone’s just having a good time together.”

Brennen, any surprise at all that the last two games you guys have allowed combined less than 100 yards on the ground?

BB: “That’s what we set out to do, stop the run, so that we can get after the passer on those third downs and I think it just shows the hard work that we’ve put in in camp and then during practice, how hard we’ve practiced to stop the run.”

Jack, you’ve talked in preseason camp about that you were a little irritate that you lost the starting job last year and kept working hard. What was the difference you felt coming into this camp and coming out of this camp in your ability in securing the starting job?

JM: “I think a whole ‘nother offseason is a chance for you to get bigger and stronger. You know, I couldn’t say that [it was] another chance to learn the offense because everyone started new in January, but like I said it’s another chance to be big and strong, which is kind of important when you’re playing offensive line. You know, you go through the rest of that season, spring ball, all the things you do in the offseason and then into fall camp, that’s a lot of practice and a lot of reps in there and it helps you become a better player taking all those types of reps so I think I’m getting to a point where I’m playing pretty consistent and I think the main contribution to that is experience.”

Brennen, have you guys started watching and diving into film for Utah?

BB: “We started just a little bit the other day.”

When you see the numbers, and obviously they are what they are, what kind of stands out to you in terms of what makes them so dangerous or whatever it is?

BB: “Obviously their tempo. They want to score as much as possible and have the least amount of time of possession so as a defense we’ve just got to get them out of their rhythm, force them to take their time and be ready up front for the speed, for the tempo.”

When they do get going rapid fire is it kind of making sure you’re ready for every play, because I’d imagine that’s how mistakes can happen is when they get teams on their heels a little bit…

BB: “It’s just being able to know your job and not let the speed make you forget what your job is and what you’re supposed to do and just keep your composure and play as hard as you can every play.”

Derrick, after watching yourself last week against Notre Dame what were the things you really wanted to work on heading into this last week or practice? What did you need to correct or fix?

DG: “I think the biggest thing for me was just being more consistent in practice and bringing that to the game and also with me was communicating with the o-line and quarterbacks if I see something so I think those were the two biggest things.”

What do you mean by communicating for instance?

DG: “If I see something different with the defensive line that we didn’t see on film then, you know, just communicating with them and letting them know that.”

Derrick, as far as the creases that these guys are opening for you, are you seeing that more consistently than say maybe a year ago and are you better able to now having played at this level take advantage and find those spots easier?

DG: “I would definitely say so. You know, the o-line, they’re doing a great job this season opening the holes and with me I’ve got to just be patient and wait for the hole to open. They’re going to make a hole, it’s just up to me to hit it.”

Jack, what role did Nussmeier play in the offensive line’s leap from last year to this year?

JM: “I think it’s been huge. I think coach Nuss, he’s a player’s coach. We love playing for him and he’s putting us in good spots to go out and do our job. Having him on the sideline also helps. You know, you can kind of have a- I mean, I think it helps, personally. It can- you know, you can make sure everyone’s on the same page with what the coaches are thinking and we can relay what we’re thinking, what we’re seeing a lot easier so it’s been great. I think he’s had a big part in the o-line’s success thus far.”

Jack, you mentioned bumps in the road so far this season for you. The offensive line took a lot of heat last year. Do you feel like maybe the heat’s off a little bit because you’re developing some consistency, and also could you talk a little bit about- we don’t talk much about Braden and I was just wondering your opinion on the way he’s been playing.

JM: “Yeah, the heat’s off right now. It’s going into week four but if we don’t play well the heat will be back on next week so I don’t know if it ever is there or not there. It’s always got the potential to be there. We are playing better this season and we’re looking forward to keep[ing] that going and to opening holes for Derrick and giving Devin time to throw the ball.

“As far as Ben goes, I mean, you guys have been hearing it for years. I think he’s one of the most gifted players on the team, probably, athletically and he’s done some really good things for us this far. He’s committed, like the rest of the team is, to going out and going to work every day and getting better at what he does.”

JM: “Sorry I wasn’t dressed up. I’ll wear a suit next time for you guys.”

You gonna wear a tux next time?

JM: “I can. Maybe I will. You guys have a good day.”