[Ed: Thanks to Mike Persak of The Daily for audio from Piscataway]

 

Things Discussed

• Shea Patterson played pretty well
• Harbaugh tries to respect Rutgers, fails by calling their coach by the wrong name
• Tru Wilson's performance
• Rashan Gary is from New Jersey

[After THE JUMP: Rob]

 

Can you talk about Shea (Patterson) and just the shrewd decisions that he makes, plays, and just how efficient he is?

 

“Shea was really playing tonight. Just does everything you ask him to do. You ask him to throw the ball, he throws it. That was a really tough night to throw the ball. … My days back in Soldier Field, those windy conditions. He made some throws that were just unbbelievable. Put in the right spot, with the wind blowing, swirling. The throw he made to Oliver Martin, on the run, was great. Ones to the left, third-down conversions. And also, receivers did a good job catching the ball. It was not an easy night to catch the ball. Really tough elements, there. Our guys have continued to really do a good job catching the ball. (Zach) Gentry, Nico Collins, Donovan (Peoples-Jones), Oliver — it was really impressive that way. That was not gonna be an easy night to move the ball offensively. Rutgers were doing a good job containing our run game and sreally, Shea. And the offensive line. Protection was really terrific all night. All those things were really good. The throw and catch part was really difficult, this game. Our guys did it at as high a level as you can do it, in terms of throwing the ball and catching the ball.”

 

Shea didn’t, I don’t think, run one time. Was that by design, tonight?

 

“Yeah, we weren’t really — we’ve been running the ball quite a bit the last couple weeks. Couple different type of plays where he can zone read and come out throwing the ball. So it was a nice extra wrinkle for us, get him moving out of the pocket instead of running the ball as much. Yeah, it’s just a nice addition to the offense.

 

And then can you talk about the job Tru Wilson did —

 

“I mean, that puts some pressure on the defense, now. We’ll be handing it off, a zone play inside, quarterback could be pulling it, quarterback could be pulling it. Then coming out and throwing it. So, it was a triple-option effect.”

 

The job Tru Wilson did, running the ball for you tonight?

 

“Yeah, he really did a heck of a job. Just running well, running hard. Keeping his speed the entire time. Got so much better on when to cut back and when not to cut back. When to lower his shoulder. … But he runs hard and tough.”

 

Does it help when your fanbase makes it sort of a home game for you guys, with the presence in the crowd?

 

“Yeah, it’s great. Great following we have. Rutgers has a — that was a good — I thought their home fanbase was really good. The team was really improved and competitive. That’s a competitive football team. They did as good a job of anybody at containing our runnning game and also really impressed with their young backs. And they run hard, those guys. Quarterback looked good, too. He made some real plays. That was a competitive game. Knew it would be, going in. We saw the way they played Northwestern. Saw the way they played Indiana. That’s a team that’s very close to breaking through and winning multiple games, consecutive games. Rob does a really good job with the team. Thought they had a really good plan offensively and defensively.”

 

Jim, you mentioned the pass to Oliver. Shea ran out — a rollout to his right — and then felt a second pressure, sort of escaped that. So, how much of that is something that can be taught or repped, versus just innate feel that he has?

 

“I think the biggest majority is that feel. Pocket awareness, where the quiet spot is. He looked as good as he’s ever looked tonight, in the pocket. Not panicking, moving subtly to get to the quiet spot. There’s drills, for sure. Things that you coach. I’ve done — we do the same drills with some guys and they don’t ever get it. We do those drills with guys that really have the spatial awareness of the field, the innate ability and it can get really good. Yeah, I’d say greater share innate, guys that really understand spatial awareness, where guys are on the field. He’s gifted. He’s really gifted in that area.”

 

How has Rashan (Gary) changed the most since you recruited him out of New Jersey?

 

“I don’t think — he’s the same, good, genuine, down-to-Earth person he’s always been. I don’t think he’s changed, really, that much. Jennifer did a great job raising him, and he’s the same. He’s very respectful. He’s quiet, somewhat. When he talks, it’s something important. And always works, continually works hard. It’s great to see. When the guys — they choose. Nobody gets to choose for them how hard they work, how hard they play. How precise they are, how smart they are. Nobody gets to choose that for them, they choose that for themselves.”

 

Jim, did you feel it’s important to get both those guys in, Brandon (Peters) and Joe (Milton) today?

 

“Yeah, Joe — we wanted to get them both playing, get in those reps. Brandon was only one play, cause Chris (Evans) popped a run, 68-yarder. And then really that was about — he did have three plays at the very end. Yeah, they both need game reps to move forward. Get them ready before you need them.”

 

How do you feel about the fight for the 2-spot? Or is that Brandon right now?

 

“I don’t know. I think the way we’re going is we like things that both can do. And, we’re in a situation, keep getting them both ready. Getting them both ready to play, and be ready to have them both if that need arises.”

 

Coach, we saw Josh Metellus in warm-ups, but he didn’t end up playing. What went into that decision?

 

“Just — he had done something to himself on Thursday. Soft-tissue. So, just working through that. And really wanted to play. It’s just — we were gonna see how it loosened up, before the game. And if it did, we went with Brad Hawkins as a starter and Josh more in an emergency role. And — who else could you ask about?

 

Lavert (Hill)

 

“Yeah, Lavert, he’s being evaluated for a concussion. Didn’t play him in the second half, came out before halftime. Aubrey Solomon didn’t play, he got sick, last two or three days before we left for the game.”

 

Kwity Paye, how about him?

 

“Yeah, not sure exactly.”

 

You spoke earlier about Rashan coming back home to New Jersey, what’s your thoughts on the way Brad Hawkins played today, coming back home as well?

 

“Think he played really well. We’re really confident in Brad Hawkins. He’s elevated himself to that third safety on the team. We’re really confident with him playing — I thought he played really good tonight. … Up quite a few notches this year. So, he’s on the right path as a still relatively young football player. Doing really well.”

 

Looks like you have an elite defense, Shea playing at a high level — does this team have a chance to do something great this year? Do you feel that way about what this team might do the next couple months?

 

“Oh yeah. We’ll get a chance, sure. A good one. Just keep preparing, keep focusing, keep taking it one game at a time. See how good we can get.”

 

Coach, anything special you’re gonna talk to your team about this week with, obviously, the big game against Ohio State, but having Indiana first, so they stay focused?

 

“Yeah, I mean that’s — players get to make the decision at what level they play at. How smart they play, how strong, how tough, how precise they play. Nobody gets to make that decision for them. And I was excited to see what level they were gonna play at tonight. I thought they really came out and played at the highest level they could. And, expect that to be the case next week as well. I’m excited to see how they respond.”

 

What did you see on the 80-yard run and what did you like about the way those guys responded?

 

“Yeah, they faked a reverse and Chase (Winovich) was playing a zone read by the quarterback. I don’t know what happened, how they got inside or how we gave up the gap inside. But like I said, the backs were hitting hard. They were really running hard. They’re fast, they got good young backs. And, we were in man-to-man coverage and there’s little secondary support there. Yeah, good play by them. They had a good play. Well-designed play. Well-executed. They tried it a couple more times after that. We made the adjustments and then stopped them for a one or two yard gain.