Rutgers Players’ Press Conference @ Penn State 11/30/19

COURTESY OF PENN STATE ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS DEPARTMENT

Tyshon Fogg | LB | Jr/Jr

Q: Tyshon, how was it the last nine weeks since Chris’s [Ash] firing and just being able to deal with adversity?

A: It was very tough, I mean, those last nine weeks were a lot for all the guys on the team, but at the end of the day I’m proud of the guys and how they finished through the year strong and how we stayed together as a family. We finished out strong today, even though the result is not what we wanted.

Q: Is this game indicative of the team’s heart? You know, 7-3 at halftime, 13-6 you know a manageable game going into the third quarter. Do you think this is indicative of how tough this team plays?

A: Absolutely, all year guys have been playing tough. They fight to the end. The scores aren’t what we wanted at the end, but guys always played to the end of the ball game. This one was going to be tough because, you know, I thought we were going to pull this one out, but at the end of the day, guys played hard and we are going to transcend that into next year and try as hard as we can to get wins.

Q: You mentioned your team fighting these last nine weeks, how much of that was coach Nunzio and how he lead you guys?

A: Coach Nunzio [Campanile] is a great guy. He is a very passionate guy. He came here and he wasn’t ready for the position, but he popped up quick. He got our guys motivated, got everybody on board, got everybody locked in and I really appreciate everything he’s done over the last nine weeks. He is a tremendous coach, a tremendous head coach, and a tremendous guy. I loved playing under him so I’m going to miss him and whatever the future holds, I hope he is going to do well.

Johnny Langan | QB | So./Fr.

Q: Has it been tough to close out that noise going on outside?

A: Yeah, definitely something to deal with, but I think we did a really good job not paying attention to the noise.

Q: Are you looking forward to the future? You know, the next couple days hearing about whatever happens with the coach [Greg] Schiano possibility or just whoever the next coach is. Are you looking forward to seeing who that is?

A: Yes, I mean, of course, I’m looking forward to it and I’m really excited to see who’s going to be the next guy to lead this football program and that is all I can really do.

Q: What do you think Coach Nunzio’s effect was on this program?

A: I think it is clear for everyone to see that we got better every week. He did a great job just pulling us all together when it is easy for a team with a head coach who has been dismissed to fall apart, but that didn’t happen and we stayed together and proved that every week.

Justin Davidovicz| K | Jr./Jr.

Q: How did it feel to be a big role in the game?

A: It’s a big honor. I love having the chance to get out there, everyone is playing their hardest to give me chances and the whole team chances obviously, and when they give me chances, I try my best to put points on the board for our team. So, I was happy in the last game of the year I was able to get some chances out there and try and help our team.

Q: What happened with the field goal in the first half?

A: It was tough in that stadium. This is one of the best venues in college football and I can tell you they got very loud even with the stadium not being full. I couldn’t even hear Cole [Snyder], our holder, talk to me and I think there was a little bit of weight and I just pushed it right. Just focus on the next one and I got another chance to get out there and I put it through.

Q: This performance overall, was it just kind of indicative of this team’s heart?

A: We have a great group of guys in that room I could tell you. Everybody fights to the last minute in every game. They give it their all, and everyone plays for each other. I’m excited for the future, can’t wait to see what it holds and I’m looking forward to it.

Zach Venesky | OL |5th/Sr.

Q: What have you learned about the team, fighting the adversity for the last weeks?

A: Just a lot of upstanding guys on this team. They really show throughout the season just playing for each other and how hard we play. Just how much love we have for each other and I couldn’t be happier to be a captain of this team and just playing with these guys, it really meant a lot to me.

Q: What is it like for you, a Pennsylvania native, to come back and play your last game here with everything that happened this year?

A: It was definitely exciting and everything and it’s definitely special to end my career here in my home state. I was saying to the guys ‘Today my home state is New Jersey.’ We’re playing for that. So, it was definitely awesome.

Q: Tough situation with your past coach being fired, how do you think Nunzio did stepping into that role?

A: Coach Nunzio [Campanile] is a great guy. He’ll be a guy that I stay in touch with for the rest of my life. He did an outstanding job just coming in. Everybody bought in and played as hard as possible for him, and like I said earlier, it really goes to show the type of guys we have, really upstanding guys.