Takeaways: Akamnonu, Brooks prepare for rematch with Sun Devils
Texas Tech LB Jordyn Brooks and OL Madison Akamnonu spoke with the media on Tuesday evening following practice. Here’s what they had to say about facing Arizona State on Saturday night at Jones AT&T Stadium.
- Brooks said he feels confident behind an experienced defense. He said the one thing to do on Saturday is to show that this group isn’t the same from last year’s game.
- Brooks confirmed without hesitation that the biggest defensive goal, of course, is being able to stop the run and the wildcat.
- QB Jett Duffey and a couple of scout team receivers have been running the wildcat formation against the Red Raider defense.
- Brooks said last year that the defense wasn’t prepared for the formation because the Sun Devils didn’t run it a lot going into the game.
- “We weren’t prepared for it,” Brooks said. “This year, we know they’re going to try and run it since they had so much success off it last year.”
- Brooks added that he watches more film from this year on Arizona State since Billy Napier was hired back in January to take over the offensive coordinator spot. To gauge where he needs to improve, he said he watched last year’s game. The biggest difference for Brooks though is that was only his second game in a Red Raider uniform.
- “It was a wake-up call,” Brooks said. “I learned it was nothing like high school. You can’t just go out there and try to make every tackle.”
- Being more of a leader this year, Brooks’ communication with his younger teammates has been taken more seriously. He told LB Riko Jeffers that you can’t go against the Sun Devils and tackle soft since they’re a big, physical team.
- Brooks said last season they keyed in on RB Demario Richard more than RB Kalen Ballage, who went on to set an NCAA record for touchdowns in a game with eight.
- RB Desmond Nisby has been a good preparation for the defense leading up to this point in time. However, Brooks said Nisby did not practice today. Coach Kliff Kingsbury said that Nisby was OK though after dealing with turf toe following week one.
- On the offensive side of the ball, Akamnonu said he may not be on defense but the fire burned throughout the offseason after giving up an NCAA record and a loss.
- Akamnonu said the Sun Devils like to twist on defense upfront and they’re a physical group that uses their hands a lot, which is no different than last year.
- One difference on offense this year has been the presence of a run game. Akamnonu started week one after OL Travis Bruffy was ruled out with a sickness. Akamnonu stated that he couldn’t remember when he found out he would start, but he pushes everyday like he is the main man at tackle.
- During the offseason, Akamnonu suffered a back injury and had surgery on March 31st to fix a bulging disc. This set him back until the summer. He mentioned it was tough coming in having to learn offensive line coach Brandon Jones’ system.
- Akamnonu said he feels comfortable at any position but he didn’t play guard until he arrived at Texas Tech. It’s still unknown if he’ll have to start his second consecutive game in place of Bruffy, but Akamnonu said he’s ready to be back on the field after the bye week.
- During the off week, Akamnonu spent time relaxing and refocusing for the Sun Devils. One way he winds down is by listening to classical music. Back in fifth grade, Akamnonu said he began playing the violin and viola until the 11th grade while also focusing on football.
- To get pumped for football, though, he listens to rap artists like A$AP Rocky and Future.
- His one message for the fans going into Saturday is to fill the Jones and be ready.
- “We’re going to get this job done,” Akamnonu said. “There ain’t nothing to worry about. Just watch this game, have fun, bring the family out. Just support us and I appreciate all the love and support.”