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Gold and Black Illustrated, Vol 26, Digital 6

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GOLD AND BLACK ILLUSTRATED VOLUME 26, ISSUE 6 18 area is third down, defensively, offensively. Those are the three areas we're going to hammer home for our guys. I think if you can win those three areas, you've got a chance to be successful in a lot of games." Gold and Black: Going into last season the talk was about finishing. You didn't. So what did you learn about it? Hazell: "That's part of the two-minute situation. All those things that happen within the two-minute situation, that's part of the finish." Gold and Black: You're not just talking offense in that either, right? Because there were games last sea - son in which your defense couldn't hold up at the end, Marshall and Bowling Green come to mind. How do you get better as a two-minute defense? Hazell: "You don't put guys on mismatch islands. You've got to make sure you play good, sound coverage in the back end and you've got to be better pass-rushers in those situ- ations and not have the penalties we had down the stretch in those situations that keep the drive extended for the of- fense." Gold and Black: Why do you like Terry Malone's of- fense? Hazell: "It's very simplistic for us. There's a lot of repeti- tive things for guys to do. I like our gap schemes that we've added. I just feel like everyone is playing like they know (assignments) exactly — because we've simplified some things in the language as well as the actual play calls." Gold and Black: The gap scheme, running some power and counter plays, getting your linemen on the move more, it sounds like the run game is going to be different than what you did last season. Hazell: "We're still going to run zone, but I think the gap schemes give you a whole different element when you're able to create blocking angles, power-blocking angles on people. I think it gives you a chance, you don't have to al - ways be perfect on a block. So that will help us. And as long as the back is patient behind those blocking angles, I think you'll be pretty sound, pretty good." Gold and Black: What's the strength of the offense? Hazell: "One of our two deepest positions is wide receiv- er. They're doing everything, not just playing, with much more confidence right now. I think with the quarterbacks being able to relate to those guys and being able to get them early catches, I think they're starting to build a relationship, and that'll help. And they're big. They look the part. They look like Big Ten, college receivers. I was standing next to (Cameron) Posey the other day, I didn't realize how tall he was. That's the strength of our offense, I think. I'm anxious to see how well these two quarterbacks (do). If they can continue where they were in the spring, I think they have a chance to be really, really successful." Gold and Black: What's the concern on offense? How do you feel about the line? You have to replace key pieces there. Hazell: "I think you're going to have maybe eight to nine guys. Now (the young players) have got a lot of work to do, but I think you're going to have eight to nine guys who will be good enough to be successful. I really believe that. You've got to get (Jordan) Roos and (Jason) King to play at a high level all the time, especially in the big games. I think Kirk (Barron) is going to be good. It'll be interesting to see where (Cameron Cermin) is when he comes back (from shoulder surgery). But I feel good about it. That's not a con - cern of ours, not at all. Offensive line is not a concern." Gold and Black: Statistically, the defense has not been good in a lot of areas. Why do you feel good about what Ross Els has brought and that you can fix some of those areas? Hazell: "I think there's a system now, which will allow guys to play off each other. That's the biggest thing, besides all the different techniques and those things. I think there's a system where, the linebackers know what the defensive line is doing. The linebackers know what the secondary is doing and they'll work together that way. I think Coach (Randy) Melvin will help those guys, Jake (Replogle), Evan (Panfil), Gelen (Robinson), Austin (Larkin), all those play - ers. I think we'll get better defensive line play, which always makes your defense better. If you don't play well up front, you don't have a chance. Now, will we have to (bring) five- man, six-man pressure at times? We might be better at that, just based off of watching our spring cutups. But you've still got to play four-man-front football and be able to stop people and not always pressure people. But I like where we are system(-wise)." Gold and Black: How is playing together, or know - ing what everyone is doing, different than what you did last year? Because you'd mentioned then you had full defensive meetings with that purpose. Hazell: "Sometimes you try and you don't get it done.

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