Washington excited what future may hold for himself, TTU defense

The Red Raiders will head out to Tempe to take on Arizona State this weekend, and select defensive players met with the media on Tuesday night to discuss the coming contest.

Texas Tech redshirt freshman nose tackle Broderick Washington took some time to discuss his first game as a Red Raider and what the defense must do to be successful against Arizona State.

Q: How do you feel the first game against SFA went as a whole?

"It went pretty good. We showed a lot of energy in playing, and we went out and did what we had to do."

Q: What was the first time coming out of that tunnel as a guy that was going to play in the game feel like? How do you feel like you played?

"Really, I was just focused. I was just ready to play. I mean, it was nice being out there in front of the fans, but it was like I had tunnel vision. I was just so ready for the game. I did alright for the most part. There was a lot I could've done better at, though. Just got to come back this next week and work for it. I just made the most of my opportunities."

Q: What do you think you did well against SFA, and what do you feel like you need to work on?

"I think I did a good job of hustling. I really can just honestly still work on that more. I need to make sure I'm going after it on every play with every single chance I get. I just need to go, go, go."

Q: What was it like playing in that first half and holding SFA to negative six rushing yards? What do you think of that?

"That was a big plus for us. It made everybody feel really good, and we tried to keep making that negative number grow and grow and grow, and we came out and kind of kept doing that in the second half."

Q: How did doing that make you feel?

"It was very encouraging. For me personally, it really just made me want to get after it more. I feel like we all felt like that, really."

Q: What's it been like learning from some of these veteran guys like Ondre Pipkens and Breiden Fehoko?

"It's been a very fun experience so far. They've both taught me a lot, and it's really helping me grow as a player watching them do their thing, and then I get a chance to try and come in to do that or do better."

Q: What's your relationship like with Ondre seeing as you're his backup and playing right behind him in the rotation?

"He's like a big brother to me, really. Anything I need, anytime I need him really, I know I can call him and he'll be there for me."

Q: What do you think it's going to be like taking on Arizona State's offense this weekend? They have some big running backs that seem to be the focus.

"We're going to have to come with it if we're going to beat these guys. It's really going to be about us making sure we tackle well. We've just got to stay in our gaps as a D-line, and when our chance comes to make plays, we've got to make those plays."

Q: When talking to other guys, whether it be on the defensive or offensive line, they always tell me that you're the guy that kind of sets the tone physically for the group. Why do you think that is?

"Really, it's just about dominating whoever is in front of me. Whether it's going against our offensive line where I'm trying to give them the best look I can give them while at the same time trying to get myself better, or if it's going against other teams, I -- Honestly, I don't want to look bad on tape. That's how the world is going to see you. I don't want people to look at our tape and say, 'Oh, 96? He's just another guy.' I want to stand out."