Aug. 9, 2012

PENN STATE FOOTBALL MEDIA DAY
Beaver Stadium
August 9, 2012

OFFENSIVE PLAYER QUOTES

No. 65 Miles Dieffenbach
Jr./So., G

Q: You've now participated in a few camps. How has the 2012 camp compared to your previous experiences?
A: This one is really high intensity, really high tempo, really fast-paced, really aggressive. It's a good camp. I like it so far.

Q: What are you looking forward to the most this year?
A: I'm looking forward to the games. The games are going to be the best part, to prove what kind of team we have and show the world.

Q: How has the team camaraderie been so far?
A: It's been really good. Everything that's been happening, it just brings us closer together as a group. We've all been together for a long time. It's really a close team.

Q: Going along with our One Team motto, are going to try and get out to other sports and give your support to the other Penn State teams?
A: Oh yeah, we always try to do that. Just support the other teams. I try to go to as many games as I can. They're fun to go to. Support my friends.

Q: What events are your favorites to go to?
A: I'm going to really look forward to ice hockey when that season opens up. But I like basketball, the field hockey games and the lacrosse games. They're all fun to go to.

No. 26 Curtis Dukes
Jr./Sr., RB

Q: How is the running back rotation working so far at camp?
A: Everybody gets the same amount of carries and reps. It's not focused on one person. It's a whole team.

Q: How do you think it will work this season, do you think there will be a few of you guys seeing time?
A: Yes, I believe so. Everyone wants to contribute and help the team win. That's what matters to us. It's all about one team.

Q: What made you decide to stay put at Penn State?
A: There is a lot of stuff going on. I wanted to finish where I started. I didn't want to run away from the situation.

Q: What are you looking forward to most this season?
A: With all the stuff that's been going on, we just want to be strong as a team. We're not going to let this stuff bother us.

Q: What has the split been like between you guys? Is there a clear-cut No. 1?
A: Everyone is just working hard and taking the same amount of reps. We are all just getting better.

Q: How has the morale been the first few days of practice?
A: It's been really good. Everyone is so excited to have practice starting. Everyone is focused on getting better as a team.

Q: What are some of the differences you've seen this year as opposed to past years?
A: We have a lot of leadership on the team. Everyone is doing their part and taking on roles and responsibilities. That's what we need as a team. We can't have anyone not doing their part.

Q: How excited are you for the first game?
A: I'm very excited. I think we all are. We are ready to put on a good performance for the fans and the community.

No. 89 Garry Gilliam
Sr./Jr., TE

Q: Is there a sense of responsibility and duty with staying at Penn State right now?
A: Definitely. I mean I'm a senior, so it's really important. I've gotten into some of the freshmen and sophomores' ears to let them know that this is more than just a bowl game or Big Ten championship. They're here for reasons and a bigger meaning than just football. You've seen that most of our team has stayed, which is very important to me.

Q: So to you, outside of bowl games, there's a deeper meaning and something to be gained by staying?
A: You're going to gain respect, not only from our football community, but players down the road. They see you stuck through something difficult and it lets them know that this guy is committed to what I want to do.

Q: You talked about Coach's new emphasis on the tight end. With the way Coach O'Brien used tight ends in New England, it creates a mismatch?
A: Definitely. A 6-6 tight end on a 6-1 safety or linebacker creates a physical mismatch. He's setting us up to get those mismatches and get into areas where we succeed.

Q: Penn State has a proud tradition of tight ends. Do you feel it's now your time to step in there, with this offense?
A: All of our tight ends have the opportunity to be successful in this offense and you'll see a lot of our tight ends be successful in the offense. With Coach O'Brien coming, it's definitely helped to catapult the tight end position back into a bigger role in the offense and I think we're all looking forward to that.

Q: Talk about how things have gone the first few days of practice?
A: It's nice to just get back out there, play football and not have to worry about everything else that's going on. All of our players are in that same mindset. It's nice to do what we came here to do, play football, and not worry about stuff that we can't control.

Q: As a group of tight ends, do you have the abilities to create the mismatches that Coach O'Brien wants?
A: I think all of our tight ends do. We've been studying film of the Patriots, just trying to figure out how they do that and what they are doing to get them in those positions to succeed. Coach O'Brien coaches us up to do the exact same thing. I think we're all excited about it. We're all really trying to benefit from what he wants us to do.

Q: For you personally, what do you want to accomplish this season?
A: I have a few years left to play, but just this season itself, I'm excited. It's not only the year I'm coming back, but with all of the things that have gone on, this season is just very important, not only to me, but to our team, university, and community. It's really on our backs to really get everyone past everything that's happened. We want to take the next step and keep moving forward. For me personally, I'm really excited to get back out, catch some balls and hit people, really contribute this season.

No. 7 Paul Jones
Jr./So., QB

Q: How do you look at this team going into 2012?
A: I think we're solid, but we have to keep working hard. There are some things we have to fix, but we're excited to keep moving forward.

Q: What was the reason you decided to stay at Penn State?
A: First, the bond I have with my teammates here. I felt like it would hard to get that anywhere else. Second, this coaching staff believes in us and I believe in them. This is the perfect place to be.

Q: Do you feel you have an opportunity to grow under Coach O'Brien? (Coach O'Brien's) a great quarterbacks coach along with Coach Fisher. They know what they're talking about, and we just have to apply it to our game and see what happens.

Q: Talk about the support you're expecting.
A: At Penn State you know that we're one team, and we stick together no matter what happens. Penn State is a family, and there's a lot of support behind us.

Q: What are you goals during training camp?
A: I'm doing whatever I can to prepare myself to help the team.

No. 54 Matt Stankiewitch
Sr./Sr., C

Q: How is Matt McGloin embracing his position as the starting quarterback?
A: Matt's a leader on offense. Matt is a natural leader. Matt is really embracing that role and will propel us to the front.

Q: You've gone through this media day a few times, how is it different today?
A: It's two different cultures, two different styles. It's a little different, but just minor changes.

Q: Do you see any subtle changes with guys leaving, or are things moving along as planned?
A: Guys are stepping up. The younger guys are having opportunities to step up and are doing that. They are showing who they are.

Q: What have you seen from the offensive line and what kind of goals have you been setting for yourselves?
A: We set our goals very high. We want to be the best. Each day we go into the meeting room, weight room or locker room with the mindset that we want to get better and are going to be better. The mindset is the big thing for us.

Q: How important is the camaraderie to how you guys work together?
A: Camaraderie is a big thing. We all get along great. Maybe this is the best year I've had so far. We all joke around and we're all friends. No one is selfish and no one has an ego. We're helping each other get better.

Q: Is there anything different this year with the approach to the blocking schemes?
A: There are some minor differences. When it comes down to it, blocking is blocking and tackling is tackling. There are some different plays and schemes. You have to adjust to that.

Q: What do you see from the new guys? Who is standing out to you?
A: Miles Dieffenbach is doing very well. He has a great attitude. The big thing about these younger guys is their attitude. Donovan Smith and Mike Farrell are doing well. People want to get better. They're practicing for that first game.

Q: Coach O'Brien talked a lot of moving forward, do you feel that's how the team feels?
A: It's out attitude. We're moving forward into the future. We can't change the past. The best thing we can do as a team is look to the future and be positive.

Q: How much support have you guys had from the community?
A: We've received so much support from the town, from our hometowns, family and friends. It's been fantastic. Everyone is supporting me and the team.

No. 80 Matt Zanellato
So./Fr., WR

Q: On the new conditioning program
A: It's been great. Coach Fitz [Craig Fitzgerald] has been doing a great job. We're doing some explosive lifts like power cleans and hang cleans, as well as working on core exercises like squats and bench. We're outside running every Tuesday and Thursday doing sprints and conditioning tests. We've also been running sprints and hills over by the baseball field. That's been a lot of fun.

Q: On the first practices
A: It's going well, but we just got the pads on yesterday so we won't truly know how it's going until we get the full pads on Saturday. But it's going well so far.

Q: On the leadership of the team
A: Every role that needs to be filled is getting there. Bill Belton has been great. (Michael) Zordich and (Mike) Mauti have been great leaders, among others. Everyone is stepping up that needs to step up.

Q: On the opportunity for playing time this season
A: It's the same as if someone got hurt, it's the next man up. You just have to take the opportunities you have and try to make the best out of them.

DEFENSIVE PLAYER QUOTES

No. 39 Jesse Della Valle
Jr./So., CB

Q: You've now participated in a few camps. How has the 2012 camp compared to your previous experiences?
A: It's actually been a lot of fun so far. The coaches are really coaching us hard, but at the same time we're having fun.

Q: How has the team camaraderie been so far?
A: A lot of guys are just coming together. After last year with everything, we've been a pretty tightknit group and we're all looking forward to the season.

Q: What are you looking forward to the most this year?
A: Just that first game is going to be awesome. We know that the fan support is going to be crazy. We're ready to kick off against Ohio U. and get going on the season.

Q: Going along with our One Team motto, are going to try and get out to other sports and lend your support to the other Penn State teams?
A: Me, personally, I always like to go to other sport events. I'll definitely be around to see basketball games.

Q: Is basketball your favorite sport to go out and support?
A: Yes, I like going to the Bryce Jordan Center for games. It's pretty fun.

No. 27 Jacob Fagnano
Sr./Sr., Saf

Q: On playing the safety position
A: The position they have for me is the best fit. I like to play aggressive, but smart at safety. I like to know what's going on before the snap. I don't like to hesitate. I need to trust in my ability to study and know when I make my decision, it's the right one.

Q: On earning a starting spot in the spring
A: It makes me feel really good. It's an opportunity for me. I went into spring with that intention and earned a starting spot. Now I have to keep progressing and keep it. It's a great feeling. I can't just be happy with it though. I have to keep improving and show I'm capable of making plays.

Q: On his senior season
A: This is the biggest year of my sports career. I'm going to take full advantage of it. I've never been more excited for a year to get started.

Q: On playing for a coaching staff with considerable NFL experience
A: When they walk in a room you stop and listen. They bring that sense of power and control with them. You sense that right away with Coach O'Brien.

No. 43 Mike Hull
Jr./So., Linebacker

Q: What made you decide to stay at Penn State?
A: Ultimately I decided this was the place I wanted to be. I chose Penn State out of high school and I love the campus, love my friends here and love the team and opportunity.

Q: Can you talk about the senior leadership, particularly Michael Mauti and Michael Zordich?
A: They're great leaders. We're going to have a good team this year. Everyone's been working hard all summer long, and I honestly think we're going to have a great year despite people leaving.

Q: How do you think the team's come together with the recent events?
A: The guys who have stayed have really come together. We've always been a close group and this just brought us closer together.

Q: Talk about the beginning of camp and opening the season at home.
A: We're real excited to get started. Camp is going to be tough, and I can't wait to see the fans on September 1 (in the season opener against Ohio). It's going to be great.