Cade McNamara and Iowa's offensive players address the media ahead of week one vs. Illinois State

Kate uh name the starting quarterback officially yesterday when the dep chart came out just how excited are you to be able to get out there and for your first game since since early last year yeah I'm excited I mean it's been a long time you know I've been you know really anticipating and you know really ever since surgery I've been working for you know this week and just put my body and my mind and everything in the best position to help out the team going to be like not having SEL I mean you know anything regarding coach ference I mean you know for the rest of this year and especially for this week you know this team loves coach fence and you know we're going to rally for him and um I mean as far as any other questions go I'm not going to comment on I know you know I appreciate the question I'm not going to comment on any uh you know NCA review or anything but you know we this team really loves coach fence and we're going to Rally behind them what'll be like playing for Coach Wallace on Saturday um you know coach Wallace is an awesome dude and I think you know everyone is you know everyone's just focusing doing the best we can to prepare for this week and you know everyone you know loves sports coach Wallace as well can you describe just from the start of fall Camp to now just what that kind of process was like for the team or no no for you personally just kind of getting back into the swing yeah absolutely I mean it's been you know um you know recovering from an injury and being back on the field for the first time you know you know I think really over the course of Camp you know it's had its ups and downs but you know I think you know I'm just really excited for all the work that we've all put in as a group for it to finally come to fruition and you know hopefully have some success this weekend can you describe your connection with Kamari M yeah kamari's an awesome dude he's a really energetic guy he's one of the I would say he's definitely one of the favorites on the team and um you know me and the rest of the guys we just can't wait to see what he does this year I think that surpris a lot of people to see him as a number one running back what has he shown this fall that made him the number one uh spot for this the season opener well I mean I think Kamar you know what he's done he's just done a great job of being consistent you know but I think you know overall the running back room in general I mean you know there's going to be a lot of dudes playing there's going to be a lot of you know there's a lot of talent in that room and you know I think you know with the way our o line has been playing um you know we're just excited to see what they can do the comfortability level right now with the offense both individually and then collectively collectively I mean it's you know everything is a work in process you know as a unit you know we're excited you know to finally face you know a defense you know other than our own so um yeah we're just excited how special will it be swarming out for the first time since your injury um it's going to be very special you know for everyone um the Swarm means something for every guy but it it's important to every single guy and for me you know I still remember my first swarm and you know for me to be able to experience that again and a full kinnick Stadium you know not just me but the entire team's going to be very excited for that are there any nerves or mental hurdles of playing on an injured leg on a real field in a real game that you think you might have to get over or have you gotten over that already I mean I've gotten over I mean my leg's not injured you know I mean I've been there's no injury there's nothing my this is the best my body has felt and um I'm fully confident in that and I think the only thing just like any quarterback every single offseason the only thing we haven't done is gotten hit so you know I'm excited to finally like play some real football instead of just you know standing back there but you know there's there's no you know lagging or anything kind of injuries for me going on right now I'm in the best shape I've been you you talked about the relationship that you had with with Coach Lester I mean how has he kind of instill continue to instill confidence in you as you kind of get back in the swing of things and you know lead this new offense yeah I think you know overall um you know now that you know it's a new opponent I think you know the conversations that coach ler has with you know me and the rest of the offense is just you know we're just doing everything we can to you know because you know Illinois State's going to be running some different stuff than you know what we're used to so you know we're just doing everything we can to make sure that you know we're seeing the pictures and he's just in sing that confidence in with me with reps and you know with kind of everyone is seeing different pictures and you know doing everything we can so that we're most prepared for Saturday Kate has been a lot of POS to talk about Kate we uh throughout Camp he seem like he's really impressed a lot of coaches and it looks like he's going to get to start now uh come Thursday what have you seen from him that really sticks out to you um you know OU is just you know he's an older dude but I think you know he's really found himself like at wide receiver this year and I think you know um I think his biggest asset is his speed you know so I think you know I'm really excited to see what he can do you know on the field and at the wide receiver position look how does the coaching staff go about motivating you guys and you know you don't overlook anybody at either how do you guys do that yeah I mean just respecting our opponents is the biggest thing um you know we every every every game is a test and uh just just super excited to get back out there I mean they just they that's the thing respect our opponents and go out there and um you know Play Thank The Experience off the 10 just kind of are your thoughts on you know the attic competition and just the realignment of the conferences around college football yeah it'll be cool uh different opportunities um you know different opponents at times so um obviously it it'll be cool but obviously just really focused on the 12 teams we have on our schedule uh at the end of the day is there any one new opponent that you're intrigued to play or that you're going to be like boy that's going to be interesting playing Washington playing UCLA or whatever yeah um you know I think at the end of the day all the games I I mean it's been since sept mber 16th 2023 since I've last played a game and uh I think I'm just super ansy to get back out there for this first one um I feel like there'll be a lot of different nerves going back out there again but um at the end of the day it just it's just football and um so yeah I'm I'm just really excited to get back out there's is there a moment that you think is uh kind of set in that okay you know you're back yeah you know first play uh that's always the biggest thing the first play you have so many nerves but after that things get better and uh you can uh play you know play better without the nerves so it's good what's this week been like for you I mean do you have a countdown set on your phone for that first game since September whatever last year I mean it seems like this is got you've got to be hungry for this one yeah I'm I'm super excited for it uh no no uh no timer on my phone but they're it's all over the building so I see it there and um yeah I just just can't wait when's the last time you went this long without playing in the game I me never you know this is this is it uh I've never had I never had like an injury like that that kept me out for that long so uh I mean man it would I guess it would have been since the last game of you know whenever or you know bll game till the first you know that's the longest it's been or high school probably but but yeah that was the longest one you said that date without hesitating September 16th is that in your mind uh it is it it also helps it's one of my best friend's birthday his name is Charlie so it helps but um you know obviously it's going to be back in the back of my mind for for a long time your players have said when they're injured you know you got the team concept but there's also like loneliness did you feel that did you go through that I mean were you're kind of isolated cuz you're not out there you have to battle with that sure you you battle with it but uh my teammates did a really great great job of including me and um being able to travel um to to every game aside for pen State like it was you know it made it easier I was with my teammates um got still got to go and uh eat with them at dinner and um so you feel a little bit lonely just like you know I was watching I was I'd watch the games in the Press Box by myself so like that's that's a bit lonely but um you know it was it was still good cuz they were super it was weird yeah it was really weird it was so good is there anything you pick up from you it's kind of a different perspective than you're used to seeing live yeah yeah it is you know it's it's weird too like cuz you're in the meetings and you know what like oh here's this play coming like like I knew Eric scored against Purdue on the the little he was in the back field and kind of ran past the end and scored on like kind of a wheel and I was like oh this play's coming we're gonna score so it's like cool to to to have that different perspective and you know know what's gonna be ran and uh yeah I mean have like an Insider look just from the Press Box it's cool this might be a stretch here but is there anything that you can kind of take away from that yeah I mean just the biggest thing is I don't want to be like have it like that again you know you want to be out on the field um but you know you learn and uh it's a cool experience too thanks thank you I know you've been asked us a few times but we we're kind of swapping spots in the media Gaggle here so just a little bit of comment on what it's going to be like without Kirk out there you know how how hard that's going to be for you as a team for week one yeah I mean at the end of the day we're just going to go out there it's we we're really just focused on the task at hand playing Illinois State um and yeah you we're we're approaching this the same as we always have so um it'll be it'll be fine did you guys know about it before he made the announcement or how did he break the news to you guys team um we found out about it in our the first thing when we woke up I had a text it was actually David I I got a Tweet someone sent me the Tweet of David's and that's how I found out but um you know found out shortly after in a team meeting this guy is everywhere for sorry you had to find out that way what what were your emotions when you first heard that news um you know it it's tough but um really just trying to focus on what we got going on this week in the game at task hand what's Seth Wallace brought to you guys what's it been like to kind of prepare a little bit to have him on the sideline and what will that be like to have him out there as a head man on Saturday yeah you know as far as like this week it's been the same as it's always been you know we've we've been approaching it the same and um you know I have full full trust in coach wall and um you know how he's going to handle things but um you know we're we're just really focused on Illinois State kind of throw you and Kate in the same mean you guys missed a lot last season with the injury obviously but you both have been named captains again I for you guys have missed that much time but to come back and still be voted captain again guess what's that mean mean to you knowing that you can kind of step back in where you were yeah it means a lot uh it's super cool and you know it's you know a testament uh you know to to the way we operate I guess um I don't really like to talk about myself like that but um you know we're we're just going out there and um trying our working our best you know uh to to help lead the team um and yeah I guess you know I guess some of the other teammates see that too so so after missing so much like do you feel like you have something to prove even though everything that you've accomplished um I mean I feel like everyone should have something like feel like they have something to prove because you know everyone's competitive and you know so sure yeah I'm I'm looking forward to getting back out on the field and um you know showing everyone that I can still play the way I did before the injury uh so yeah just super excited for that look you're literally always like the happiest guy of like ever I mean I guess I'm just curious when I when we watch you on the football field there's still still like streak you I mean what do you like what do you Channel like what drives you to to play at the level that you want to play yeah you know you can be a different guy off the field than you are on the field um I feel and um yeah it just it switches when you go out there and you strap your helmet on you know when that's all tightened and stuff you really got to go because uh no one else is going to be playing nice you know and uh there's no there's no reason to play nice you got to go hit someone it's a physical game um and yeah I just just yeah that's when it really switches you mentioned your first play back is going to be where it kind of really it's the journey for you what have you envision that first play looking like um you know hopefully I'm I'm low low quick off the ball and really put my pads into someone and uh you know that's that's my Envision that's how I have been Vis envisioning it and uh just super excited for that I think also like in the Swarm going out there again uh it'll really set in too because um super special and um it's not something anyone should take for granted because uh you know you see all your teammates out there um going out there and uh you know in unity going against the other team and uh it's just super cool to see and to be a part of but um you know it's it's way better to be a part of than watching it was your first play back in practice like a similar Milestone or would have been similar milestones in your recovery yeah uh yeah I'd say you know I don't really remember the first play back in practice but cuz I was in Spring um but yeah it a little bit of nerves but um you know after the play's over you're like oh that's you know 46 seconds TR going as hard as you can and then going and just doing it again over and over and over again so uh yeah it was fine um I you know I expect it to be good on Saturday I think a lot of people were surprised to see Kamari Molton as a starting running back for Saturday what's what's Kamari showing this fall that's put him at the top of the depth chart of running back yeah I just say Kamari has gone out there and done whatever the coach has asked of him um he he's done a really good job um you know hitting the hitting the holes and and getting vertical and uh just super excited for him he's a great great kid and uh just he's going to do well so you envision hitting somebody on the first play so are you already leaking the script it's a run play well even if it's a pass play you know I'll go and you know get separation um I no I have no idea what coach Lester plans to call but um you know I just want to hit somebody sounded like a lot of the offensive linemen really respected you for that I mean they brought your name up like immediately like that's my guy I love him love watching him play was that the way you always played or is that something that you reinforced when you came here i' say more of a reinforcement as I've come here uh just taking each day as it comes you're not promised anything so so I've been tuned into that a little more like every day that I'm out there it could be uh my LS not to speak negatively but that's the truth um so I'm going to give everything that I have every time that I can uh and then hopefully I incorporate that on the game days as well sounds like you guys practiced the Swarm about a week ago what was that like is somebody experiencing that yeah it was cool um great tradition uh they explained the tradition behind it uh so I mean it's a cool thing uh brings us together uh it's cool to to be together like everybody's uh nerves are running before the game just understanding that that happens with everybody um so it was cool great experience would you say there's a definite leader in this wide receiver room say that one more time say would you say there's a definite leader in this wide receiving room I say there's multiple leaders in the room um everybody's uh had a voice uh from from Caleb to to Seth uh to buoy to me to everybody in the room has uh spoke up you know tried to incorporate their their knowledge uh their leadership uh skills into the room uh which has been beneficial it's been great uh just hearing different voices knowing that everybody can be be put into that role so it's been awesome when you look at the offense itself um how was it a challenge for you to really integrate yourself into it or it take a lot of time or is it something you picked up fairly I'd say I picked it up fairly quickly uh it's Universal things I've been in a offense like this in the past um it's I mean it's at the end of the day it's college football playbooks um just getting into the books getting uh getting in and learning it uh was the biggest part for me so uh once I got over that leap uh and getting reps with it it's been uh fairly easy are you excited to see it on the field I am yep I'm excited I'm very excited uh we've been putting the work in all summer all Camp just got out of Camp uh had a great Camp as a offense I'm excited to see how we do uh it's coming Saturday what's your onfield connection like with Kade and what what did he do to earn the number one spot on the roster uh yeah the connection has been great uh we've been uh putting in work after if we miss something like on the field uh in reps uh we'll get it come back and get it after uh just continuing to build that connection uh it's been awesome you know obviously it's not going to work like that the offense what is the mindset of being patient while also like you can't just you can't be too patient cuz it's not the summer anymore you got a game in front of you got yeah I mean just taking each play as it comes not getting too down uh the down plays not getting too up with the high plays just coming back to neutral uh we've been talking about that a lot this uh this Camp as an offense just always getting back to neutral always playing at a neutral uh level it just keeps you composed keeps you ready for the next play so what's the demeanor like of of Tim Lester on the field I mean is he a you know holler like Phil Parker or is he calm and quiet how does he kind of handle himself uh I'd say a little bit in between uh when when there's things that need to be addressed he addresses them uh and we make plays he's there for us he uh he's excited for us um and then like when we have to go through things on our own he lets us go through that as well growing pains and things like that so so it's been good see him on the field same question about Coach Wallace how was head coach Wallace like that a little weird to you no not at all coach R has been a great guy a great guy for us uh not just defensive but he talks with the offensive guys as well uh you know he's cheering us up uh making plays he's letting us know that he appreciates us and things like that uh coach W is a great guy so I'm I'm excited to see how he purchas it this this weekend as well you know what position he played in college uh linebacker he played wide receiver wide receiver really I did not know that he pun returner all Le I did not know that that's awesome you learn something new every day that's awesome is it going to be odd um or let's go this way when when the news about KF comes out like what's the emotions like with the players with you specifically uh I mean obviously uh felt a little weird about it um but you uh find out you move on from it you know uh grow grow from it uh K coach fance um addressed us and uh we took it as that I mean people make mistakes you know move on from it uh grown grown uh grown man moves on from IT addresses it and uh yeah and does that affect you at all on Saturday any kind of round rounds I mean not at all I mean at the end of the day uh he mentioned earlier uh when he addressed us the players wi games um coaches help a lot but at the end of the day players got to go out there and win the game so you maybe mentioned this a little bit but this coaching staff talks a lot about life lessons things to learn through adversity things like that what is it that maybe through this situation with Kirk that maybe a lesson you've learned A Life Lesson youve Learned uh you know that people make mistakes uh no matter where you are in life uh mistakes come adversity comes uh you got to take it to the nose take it to the chin uh take take what comes with it and move on from it you know grow from it uh and he's done a great a tremendous job of it uh great example for us as a team um and I appreciate him for it so a lot of respect for him what was the best piece of advice you received when transferred here uh just as far as um just or advice like how to fit into a new team a new Big 10 School some no not exactly known for it's receiving room yeah I mean just uh connecting with guys you know being more I'm a laidback guy just being more out there uh getting to know people I feel like uh makes you more comfortable and once you get more comfortable uh you feel a lot better about your situation and where you are so I feel like that was the biggest biggest thing for me you were just kind of encouraged by the new offensive coordinator like in spite of cuz Iowa is not obviously not known for throwing ball M but your decision coming here how much of that hindered on like anticipated offensive changes from Tim Lester I mean yeah the pass is the pass so I didn't want to let that influence my decision too much I'm just excited to to see what the ler what coach Lester can bring uh to this to this offense so so yeah I let I just let the pass be the pass so James do you know I mean going in against a team like Illinois State I know they play in a lower division but is this a game where you know that like boy they really are going to bring their best cuz this is kind of like a Super Bowl to them you know they know this is game that could put them on the map yeah you take each week as it comes uh y tremendous team um great team we've been watching film on them uh they play they play hard they play physical um you know every every opponent is a good opponent uh so we're going to apprach it as that uh as as it's our biggest game each week is our biggest game uh so so yeah I think you're one of like six or seven guys on the line to have significant starting experience how helpful is that when you know the guy on each side of you in this I think it helps us but I think it also helps coach Barnett sleep better at night like I'm read talking about that where it's like uh when we're less experienced it was harder to be like uh sleep like a baby on Friday nights before a game um now I think he's super confident and um if one of us goes down which just ends up happening every season we some wi's going to go down some bad is going to happen but we're 100% prepared for whatever would happen so if I'm remembering right from your recruitment you had some pretty big offers I think Michigan LSU kind what made Iowa the best option for um it was honestly just the people like that was what I was looking for in my recruitment um not not to do like docs and anybody else like say they were bad but I just 100% trusted in the the fundamentals the program the the the togetherness that we have as a unit like when we swarm out on a Saturday we feel tight we feel close together and that's what I was looking for in a program so yeah you feel like any of the veterans that we were familiar with Logan Tak a jump yeah yeah know everyone's taking a big jump everyone's taking uh time to improve like um we see it during camp we see it during spring ball um everyone's got uh their things that they need to get better at still but um I've seen a lot of success on everyone's end any favorite moments as a Hawkeye um every wi that's pretty much my favor moments is when we win the game um I'm just excited to keep winning games so um do you think this line can kind of get back to the level that kind of people think of with Iowa offensive lines um I have 100% confidence that we can do a great job this year so yeah who is the best slipping slide for him who is s uh dunker yeah he's the one that got it for us so he's e obviously was 100% invested in that so yeah there's a lot of questions about the running back room just being super heavy with a lot of talented guys this year and Kamari won be the number one RB was surprised to a lot of people as an offensive lineman who's blocking for those guys what have you seen out of Kamar what's he done to kind of prove himself in that spot um just Improvement and uh mentality every day to show up and and all those guys do a great job um there's a lot of guys that like in my class we had Max white as well those guys they come to show they show up every single day um and they come to play and that I'm just excited to see like that that since we have so much depth in the running back room is I'm just excited to see how many uh yards we can gain this year so yeah if I'm remembering correctly from your recruitment am I I think you committed right around the same time that Tristan went pro Tristan yeah did that help in terms of knowing that there's this kind of track record of going pro yeah no yeah uh there was that was something I thought about in my recruitment obviously um just o line is developed at Iowa and we one of the schools that I feel like just does a really great job of just develop guys were not a school that takes festar Talent most of the time so uh when you can get a lot of guys in the NFL like that it gives you a lot of confidence in the program so yeah um with K becoming starting quarterback just what have you seen with his ability to sort of the off oh no he was he was a leader of day one when he got here um he had that mentality that he wanted to lead he wanted to push every single one of us to be better um so just through this spring Ball Camp um I just seen a lot of improvement on his end I see a lot of big play being made in practice and so it just gets you excited to start the season so yeah