Josh Whyle/Jowon Briggs Discuss Indiana Matchup

CINCINNATI — UC veterans Josh Whyle and Jowon Briggs addressed the media on Tuesday. The tight end and defensive lineman touched on everything from versatile offensive weapons to life without Malik Vann.

Check out their best quotes below.

Josh Whyle

On The Offense Being Able To Split Out Wide And Show More Personnel Versatility:

It speaks to how dynamic our offense is and can be. With everybody at running back, we have good depth, and the game Tre (Tucker) and Tyler (Scott) had, just goes to show how dangerous we can be on offense.

On What The Team's learned After Last Year's Slow Start Against IU:

This past week I thought we got off to a little rocky start. As an offense, you have to start fast and stay fast. I think we got to limit turnovers and penalties. I think that's going to be a key factor to this game. At the end of the day, they're all x's on the board and we just got to be us, it's, it really comes down to that.

On The Importance Of This Game:

To me, I don't really feel the pressure. Coach (Luke) Fickell always says focus on us and don't worry about outside noise or anybody that comes in here. This is our house. No matter who comes in here, we got to protect it. It's plain and simple, and that's all that I got on my mind.

Jowon Briggs

On Malik Vann's Absence:

One of the main things that Coach (Luke Fickell) makes sure that we are doing, and its starts with the seniors, is just making sure everyone in the room is ready no matter what. We have been making sure that we got guys that are ready to go in when needed; players like Eric Phillips, Noah Potter, and Ryan Mullaney all those guys have been playing extraordinarily well. 

I think that is a testament to not only how the standard that Malik (Vann) set by performing and training the way he does but also the standard that the coaches set for all the defensive linemen, to be able to go in a game when their name gets called.

On What It's Like To Play In Front Of Ivan Pace Jr.:

That is probably one of the freakiest guys that I have seen on the field, he is just so fluid out there. I am grateful to have that guy playing behind me with (Wilson) Huber. I think he is awesome.

On When He Knew Ivan Would Be A Legit Player:

Our first practice. I remember as soon as he came here, we were running around and playing around mind you, we weren't even there in teams and we were tossing the ball around, I saw him run, and just out of nowhere, he ran and caught the ball right in front of my face. I was like 'Where did this dude come from?' I mean that's just him, that's just Ivan (Pace, Jr.).

On Facing Indiana's Third-String Center:

In my head, that guy earned his spot. He is a scholarship player in the Big Ten, so you never know. He might be the best center they got, so I am going to get after him the same way I would get after a first string or whoever would be out there. I say it is more so of a mindset, coming to play a team more than going to play an actual person.

Check out the duo's full comments below, starting at the 20:10 mark.