Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl:
Houston vs Florida State
Tuesday, December 29, 2015
Charles Kelly
Lamarcus Brutus
Terrance Smith
Nile LawrenceStample
DeMarcus Walker
Jalen Ramsey
Florida State Seminoles
THE MODERATOR: We're joined by Florida State
defensive coordinator Charles Kelly, defensive back
Jalen Ramsey and defensive end DeMarcus Walker.
Coach, talk a little bit about this bowl experience you've
had thus far, even though we're only a little halfway
through, as compared to others you've had in the past.
COACH KELLY: Well, this is my second visit to the
Peach Bowl, and I can tell you my first visit, the people
were just so professional, incredibly -- to me what's so
good about it is they do everything for the players. And
it's a reward for both teams for long competitive
season. The city of Atlanta is a great place to have a
bowl game.
I mean, it's so tradition-rich. The visit to the College
Football Hall of Fame I think was great for our players,
for them to see some of the history that they might not
have known.
And just being able to play a quality opponent like the
University of Houston and the great season that they've
had, I think our players are looking forward to that, and
I just think this is as good a bowl experience as you
could ever have.
THE MODERATOR: Jalen, just talk about what's been
the highlight active bowl week for you so far.
JALEN RAMSEY: The highlight for me really is being
able to hang out with my teammates, have fun with my
teammates, see them have fun and the challenges in
the lip-sync battle and milkshake challenges and
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basketball competitions -- just being in Atlanta, like
Coach Kelly said, a great city to have a bowl game in.
I've enjoyed probably more than anything just being
with them at practice, actually playing ball, doing what
we love.
THE MODERATOR: DeMarcus, what about you, what's
been your highlight so far.
DEMARCUS WALKER: The same what Jalen said, just
being out there with my brothers, just competing, and
like the basketball challenge and the milkshake
challenge, it's just a blessing being out here and
spending these last couple of days with my whole
family.
THE MODERATOR: Questions?
Q. Your thoughts about Greg Ward. You've
watched him on tape. Studied his game. What do
you guys think of him?
COACH KELLY: Well, I can tell you right now he's as
dynamic a quarterback as we've seen. I mean, his
numbers tell you everything. He does a good job of
moving around in the pocket. He can see downfield.
He makes all the throws.
We've got to do a good job of containing him. I mean,
he makes their offense go. I've known Coach Herman
for a long time. He's a great developer of
quarterbacks. And he's done a fantastic job with him.
So he definitely deserves all the accolades that he's
gotten.
JALEN RAMSEY: Coach just said it all basically. The
dynamic of a player he is. We all know we didn't face
anybody like him this year. It's definitely going to be a
challenge. You can definitely tell he's a leader of his
team. Guys really play for him out there. We can
definitely tell that watching the film.
DEMARCUS WALKER: He's a great playmaker, great
legs, great arm. Heck of an athlete.
As far as the "D" line we have to be smart, rushing, you
know what I'm saying, don't want to have any big gaps,
anything. We just got to stay disciplined with our rush
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and stay to our game plan.
Q. Coach Kelly, all year long this defense has done
a great job against dual-threat quarterbacks. What
does it say about how selfless this team is and
willing to give up trying to make an individual play
to help make a team play and shut down a
quarterback of that caliber?
COACH KELLY: The one thing that I believe our players
have done all year long is play together. I didn't even
realize it until about the ninth game of the year,
somebody brought up the stat that we had had, I think
it was through nine games, we had had a different
leading tackler in the game, nine different leading
tacklers, so that tells you something. We feel like we
have good players at every position, and we have a
saying that the play doesn't care who makes it.
And I think all these guys that are here today and the
rest of our defense, it's just one of the things where
when you have an opportunity, you have to make a
play.
And today's football, dual-threat quarterbacks are
something that you have to deal with. It puts a lot of
stress on the defense, especially when they're uptempo, because they're playing more plays in the
game.
But, again, I think it's just a focus of our guys and just
unselfishness.
Q. Coach Kelly, really night and day between how
you guys have been able to perform defensively
last year to this year, what do you attribute that
change to?
COACH KELLY: Well, I think one thing, I think we had -I think we had a mature group coming back. Now, we
were young in a lot of places. And we knew we were
going to be young. But we've had -- these guys up
here, we've been through a lot of wars together over
the last three years.
So you've got DeMarcus, Jalen, Terrance and Reggie
who played a lot of ball. You've got to go back and say
two years ago we lost five guys on defense and all five
of those guys started, not played in the NFL, they
started in the NFL.
When you have a drop-off like that, sometimes it takes
a while. I do think that we've done a better job of
keeping the points down. We haven't gotten caught up
on just individual statistics.
I mean, our guys -- you can ask them separately. We
talk about breaking out of the stack, running to the
football. You know, protecting the end zone. Not
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getting caught up on all the other little things, that's our
job is to try to keep the points down. They've stayed
focused on that. And I think that's helped us this year.
Q. Guys, last year you were a team that always had
a chip on your shoulder out to prove everybody
wrong about your team, your defense. What's it
like facing a team now knowing you were those
shoes a year ago against a team that's coming in
with a chip on their shoulder?
JALEN RAMSEY: We still have a chip on our shoulder.
Nothing is given. We know we have to go out there
and do. We're always going to play like that as a whole
team -- defense, offense, special teams. We're always
going to play with a chip on our shoulder. We've got
something to prove still. We've trying to get these
seniors their 50th win. Still a lot of people doubted us.
A lot of people said we had a failure of a season
because we're not the top four teams, but I look on it
it's just as big a game. We got a lot to play for in this
game, so we're playing with a chip on our shoulder as
well. It's just going to be a fight out there.
DEMARCUS WALKER: Exactly. Our main goal is to
have the senior class come out with their 50th win and
that's our goal and everybody on the team -- the scout
team, to the 2s to the 1s -- everybody is out there
playing for one another. And we still -- we'll always
have that chip on our shoulder. If we are the underdog
or at the top we stay humble, we still play for the
brothers right next to us.
Q. Coach Kelly, how critical is just stopping their
rushing attack, whether it be quarterback Greg
Ward or their running back in terms of slowing
down their offense?
COACH KELLY: That's the thing about what Coach
Herman has done such a good job for a lot of years is
being able to have a mobile quarterback and with good
running backs. And I mean, you're defending
everybody on the field. So you've got to be very
disciplined in what you're doing, starting up front, you
have to be very sound in your gap control.
Linebackers have to fit properly. In the secondary, we
have to play with great eye discipline. When you
combine that with play-action passes -- because
anytime you have a good running attack like they do, it
creates opportunities in the passing game. And it goes
back to being very disciplined at every position.
Q. Jalen and DeMarcus, I asked Coach Kelly about
the defense from year one to year two. Have you
noticed a difference in Coach Kelly in his second
year how he's coached you guys maybe more
relaxed, you've seen him a little bit more emotional
on the sidelines? Have you noticed a difference?
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JALEN RAMSEY: Coach Kelly has always been the
same ever since I met him. Always been the same
man, always been the same coach. Always coaches
hard.
I guess it really took a year for us to really build that
chemistry and really get it down the way that we really
have wanted it to be.
I mean, it's just showing right now. And when we are
out there making plays, when we're out there having
excitement, it's good to have a coach go out there who
is getting excited with you. You can go over to the
sideline with high five, chest bump. We feed off all that
energy. So that's all good. That's fine. And we
definitely had that last year. I know we had that last
year. I guess this year y'all are just seeing it a little bit
more.
DEMARCUS WALKER: Team chemistry was one thing
that built, and I just feel like just our attitude and energy
is just way better. And just we still love each other we
still play for each other, still fight for each other.
Q. Coach Kelly, is this offense one that you can
compare to one of your regular season opponents
and possibly one that your team feels really
comfortable going into this game with?
COACH KELLY: You know, we looked at it, I go back to
first day in fact both of these guys the first day we had
a scouting report meeting both Jalen and DeMarcus
had things to say about this offense. They had already
watched them on video. And I think the thing that
stood out to me what Jalen said is I'm telling you right
now, this quarterback is as good as we've faced all
year.
Told everybody in the room that. And DeMarcus just
talked about up front, what you have to do up front to
be able to create pressure on him. And I think it's a
combination of a few teams that we've played. I go
back to NC State, the way they spread the ball out and
create different formations, tempo, up-tempo, making
sure we're ready to play in a critical situation.
That's what they do is they'll get you in critical
situations up-tempo, bam, it's a big play. I think Jalen
had a good point early in the year. It's a different style
offense, but the play, Greg's play running the ball is
very similar to Justin Thomas at Georgia Tech. It's a
different style offense but when you watch him as a
runner, he's very similar to the way Justin ran the ball.
And then from a scheme standpoint, I think Tom's done
a good job of taking everything good he can create
problems for you by formations. He can create
problems for you by personnel match-ups. So I think
we have to do a good job of giving different looks, but
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again keeping it simple enough where our guys can
play fast. The whole key to us, these guys will tell you,
when we can play fast, we can be effective.
Q. What are you guys hoping to get out of this bowl
game besides obviously winning?
DEMARCUS WALKER: I don't care about stats or
anything. I just want a W. Play great Florida State
football. Play great defense like we always do, tough,
physical, smart, get a W. I don't care about sacks or
anything. I don't really play for that. Just get better.
JALEN RAMSEY: Definitely what he said. Like I said
earlier, definitely getting that 50th win for the seniors,
letting them go out with a bang this year, just as a team
going out with a bang, remain in the top 10 to end off
this year, that's a big thing. We really are building a
dynasty here at Florida State and we'd like to keep it
that way.
Q. Coach, with Derwin James enrolling early,
curious at what stage in his development did you
see the progress and the learning of the defense
where you thought he could make that jump and
really contribute this season?
COACH KELLY: I think one thing is Derwin works
extremely hard. He's an extremely talented young
man. These guys will tell you: He came in with
absolutely no expectations, did not want anything given
to him. He worked and he earned everything he's
gotten.
Now, he's a very intelligent player. And it's -- I think it's
been very good to have players who have been in
those situations to help him. DeMarcus and Jalen
were in that situation our first year together at Florida
State. Jalen came in, started as a true freshman.
DeMarcus came in, played tremendously for us that
first year.
And I think having guys on your team that have done
that that can kind of show them the ropes and how to
approach it, I think that's -- I think that's great. You
learn by watching somebody else do things. He was
very patient early in the year. And there were some
things that he had to get better at.
I mentioned earlier things with eye discipline. Because
things move faster at this level. That's the biggest thing
I think both Jalen and DeMarcus will tell you, the
difference from the levels of football that you play is the
speed of the game. And having that eye discipline and
being able to adjust to that speed, there's absolutely no
doubt that he's tremendously talented and he is -- I
think both of these guys will agree, he's a great
teammate.
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THE MODERATOR: We're joined by linebacker
Terrance Smith, safety Lamarcus Brutus and defensive
tackle Nile Lawrence-Stample.
Talk about your experience, the highlight of your trip so
far.
TERRANCE SMITH: Probably be yesterday and Mario
Andretti getting to race those go-karts. That's probably
my highlight from this week.
THE MODERATOR: I heard you wrecked your car.
TERRANCE SMITH: No, I can drive. It's probably one
of these two.
LAMARCUS BRUTUS: It wasn't me. I would probably
say the same thing. We did the Andretti go-kart racing
yesterday, but I played other games that were there. I
didn't wreck my car. I actually had one of the fastest
times out of the team. I think I might be the best driver
on the team. But I think that's probably one of my
highlights, just the time with the players on the team.
NILE LAWRENCE-STAMPLE: I have to agree with that.
I think yesterday was probably the funnest time. I got
first place in my group. So I don't want to brag too
much. But I'm definitely competing for best driver on
the team as well.
THE MODERATOR: Those cars aren't meant to carry
those big guys around real fast.
NILE LAWRENCE-STAMPLE: I was turning the
corners tight, you know what I mean, trying to get my
fastest times.
THE MODERATOR: You guys tied it up now. It's 2 to 2.
So it's getting serious now.
TERRANCE SMITH: They can make milkshakes and
lip sync.
THE MODERATOR: When it comes down to the skills
you guys got that covered.
TERRANCE SMITH: On the court and on the track, we
got it.
THE MODERATOR: Questions.
Q. Terrance, what have you guys seen from Greg
Ward, Jr. their quarterback and his ability to
sometimes, when a play breaks down, maybe make
something out of nothing and just his overall
athletic ability to create?
TERRANCE SMITH: From what I've seen on film, he's
probably their best athlete on offense. And anytime
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you have a dual-threat quarterback like that who can
extend the play with his feet and even make the plays
down field with his arm, you have to account for him all
over the field.
We've been preparing for him with his scrambling
ability and even with his arm. So just a guy like that
you have to contain him and you have to keep him in
the pocket. You can't let him get out of the pocket and
extend the plays and make the big plays like that.
LAMARCUS BRUTUS: I would say the same thing.
He's a great athlete, a great quarterback. I know the
offense feeds off him. But we can't allow him to be the
dual-threat quarterback that he is. We can't allow him
to get a pass going and get the run going. We'll have
to contain him on the runs and get a pass rush on him
to affect his passes.
With that being done, I think we'll be able to contain
him, have a good game and we just can't let him get
his momentum going.
NILE LAWRENCE-STAMPLE: Like they said, I think
we've been able to really have a good basis of being
able to contain a quarterback like that. From the prior
quarterbacks we've been able to face. So I think it will
be a little easier, but just the fact that he's probably one
of the fastest quarterbacks we've had to go against is
going to be a challenge for us.
So I just think making sure that we are disciplined in
our rush lanes and the DBs are coming up to really fill
in and contain and stuff like that. That's going to be
key for this game.
Q. What does it mean for you guys to be a source
of inspiration this afternoon to the kids at the
children's hospital?
TERRANCE SMITH: I mean, anytime you're able to
give back to the community and the less fortunate and
people going through hard times, you want to do it.
With our roles as athletes and football players, that's
one of the things that we're able to do. We're able to
make people's days with the littlest things from a smile
to a hug, just spending time with them.
So to be able to give back is a part of what we do.
LAMARCUS BRUTUS: I think it's very important for us
to give back, take some time away from football to kind
of show people that there's more to life than just
football and we're more than just athletes who only
care about being in the spotlight and playing the game
of football.
I mean, just that little motivation to a kid can just give
them that little push to keep going, keep fighting. And
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they look up to us as being athletes and as role models
and it's important for us to go show them that we care
and that it's not just about all us, it's all about them
also.
NILE LAWRENCE-STAMPLE: Yeah, I think it's a really
amazing feeling just to be able to help somebody just
by what we do on the football field. So if that goes with
just going to the hospital and spending some time with
them, I think that's an amazing accomplishment just for
us to really just play a game that we love and be able
to share happiness and help someone feel a little bit
better or just make somebody's day is a huge, huge
accomplishment for me. So I'm really happy about
that. I can't wait for that to happen.
Q. Terrance, last year you guys were a team that
every week had a chip on your shoulder defending
your ranking. This is a team now that for a few
days we've heard how upset they are about their
ranking entering this bowl game. Can you talk
about what it's like playing throughout a season or
entering a game with that chip knowing that
Houston is coming after you guys with that big
chip on their shoulder?
TERRANCE SMITH: Anytime you're playing with a chip
on your shoulder you have extra motivation. This game
here would be huge for Houston. Coming from the
conference they're coming from, they've had a really
good year.
I mean, to be able to come in say they beat Florida
State in a Power 5 conference that would say
something about their program. But I mean we've
been preparing for them and we haven't taken them
lightly at all. They are a really good team no matter
what conference they're coming from. Like I said we
have a bowl streak we're trying to defend and we're not
going to let them come in here and take it.
Q. For any of you guys, can you talk about who this
offense looks the most common to you as far as a
regular season opponent? Is there something that
stuck out when you guys watched the film -- they
looked like whether it's NC State or Texas State or
anything like that?
LAMARCUS BRUTUS: I would say their offense
reminds me of Louisville, especially having the dualthreat quarterback and being their quarterback being
one of their best athletes, someone they feed off. It
just reminds me of them, Lamar Jackson from
Louisville, that's who Greg Ward reminds me of.
did well from Louisville will definitely help in this game.
Q. Can you talk a little bit about what it would
mean, Terrance, to be able to get the 50th win as
seniors and for the seniors, what that would mean
for the program?
TERRANCE SMITH: I don't think anybody understands
the magnitude of that yet, but if we were able -- if we
are able to win this game, you know, we would be the
winningest senior class in college football history. To
be able to come in and accomplish all the things we've
been able to accomplish here at Florida State, it would
be great to get that 50th win and leave out of here on
top.
LAMARCUS BRUTUS: I would say the same thing.
You always hear about the great teams at Florida
State, when they won the national championships and
the Charlie Wards and the Deions and all of them. And
now you have a chance to be a part of that. You can't
talk about a great team at Florida State and not talk
about the senior class with 50 wins, more wins than
any other class at Florida State. To be a part of history
like that, it's a great accomplishment. You really don't
understand it until it's over and done with. You kind of
just look back and reflect on it, you see how important
it was and how great of a season, a team that you did
have. And it just shows the importance of this program
and how great it is to have guys come in and be a
winning program like this. And it just shows the
reflection of Coach Fisher, how he can bring guys in,
keep it going and keep the program going.
NILE LAWRENCE-STAMPLE: Talking after two people
is kind of hard to answer a question like that. So I
guess just being here for five years, like all of us have, I
just think it's like icing on the cake, being able to come
in and go to a Champs Bowl, go to an Orange Bowl, go
to a national championship and then competing in a
playoff game, I just think it's really just icing on the
cake. It's a really good way to leave. We've been able
to really help this organization get back to the dominant
culture that it's always been a part of. So I just think it's
going to be just a really good way to finish.
THE MODERATOR: Thank you.
NILE LAWRENCE-STAMPLE: I would agree. I think
they kind of look like Louisville a lot. And just being
able to kind of make sure we take the mistakes that we
made from Louisville and capitalize on the things we
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