Head Coach Kevin O’Connell

HEAD COACH KEVIN O’CONNELL

I knew it was going to be a tough, hard-fought game especially against their defensive side. I was proud of the way we kind of responded whenever it seemed like they did make a play against our defense. Obviously, the big one over the top when they were backed up, that possession really could have swung the whole game right there. But I was just proud of the way we played relatively clean. I know we had the early turnover which was frustrating because those types of things can’t happen. But I thought Sam Darnold played well. I thought to close it out with another turnover to break even in that department was really important. And then the turnover on downs, making it hard there in the second half. I thought we had some other opportunities, maybe to put the game away, try to stay aggressive and one down there too Speedy (Jalen Nailor), but he’ll make that play. I have total confidence and trust in him. And now we’ve got to continue to build on another road challenge next week against a good Bears team that’s going to be a tough place to go play.

What impressed you most about Sam Darnold today?

Yeah, a lot of the things we really talked about, as starting points for his play, I thought his feet and eyes were really good. I thought, as he’s done most of the season, his ability to kind of extend some plays, that’s a good front, really good interior front, that there’s going to be some push. There’s going to be sometimes where you need to move with two hands on the ball. Some of those play extending plays to keep drives alive and then give up some earned first down ops to then activate some of the play passes like J’s and like I said to Speedy’s op later on in the game. I thought Justin (Jefferson) ran some great routes today as well. Winning against, a lot of the similar program we saw last week. But just continuing to be the best I’ve ever been around but continues to improve regardless of how he’s being defended….