Penn State Nittany Lions College Football Pregame Quote, 12/29/2024

Q. What makes Ashton Jeanty special, and how tough will it be to corral him?

ABDUL CARTER: If we hit him on contact, he keeps his balance. He’s low to the ground, low center or gravity. They have a great running back, but we also have two good running backs.

Q. Do Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen help you prepare for a guy like that?

ABDUL CARTER: Definitely, the last three years, going against Nick and Kaytron, they prepared for games like this.

Q. How do you feel about the College Football Playoff setup? You have to win so many games?

ABDUL CARTER: I just do my job and play the number of games we have to play. I can’t control the amount we play.

Q. Before it was maybe one or two extra games, but now it’s four.

ABDUL CARTER: It’s definitely a lot different, but it just is what it is. I’m happy to take the opportunity.

Q. What makes Ashton Jeanty so tough to defend?

ABDUL CARTER: He has about 2,000 yards after contact. That’s what we have to focus on. We have two great running backs in the country in Nick [Singleton] and Kaytron [Allen] We know how to prepare for this situation.

Q. You’ve probably seen every carry [Ashton] Jeanty has had this season by now. Where what do you think the biggest mistake defenders make against him is?

ABDUL CARTER: I would say panicking. A lot of people panic, and you can’t really panic. He can stiff-arm you, run you over.

Q. What do you think of Boise State’s left tackle [Kage Casey]? He’s All-American, All-League.

ABDUL CARTER: I go against the best every day, so I’m prepared and ready for this opportunity.

Q. Do they not look like a Big Ten team on tape? Can you look at the tape and say: That’s not a Big Ten team.

ABDUL CARTER: I don’t think like that. No matter if it’s the Big Ten, SEC, no matter here you are, we’re just excited to be in this game.

Q. What do you see on tape when you see number 77 [Kage Casey] for Boise State?

ABDUL CARTER: That running back has over 2,000 yards. They are doing something right. We’ve got to prepare.

Q. Talking about [Ashton] Jeanty specifically, almost 1,900 yards after contact.

ABDUL CARTER: Low center of gravity, hard to tackle. Got to make sure you grab hold and can’t miss tackles.

Q. We talk about we compete in what league. But we saw the Arizona State running back [Cam Skattebo]. He rushed for more yards there. When you look at Ashton’s [Jeanty] game, do you think that dude can play at any level?

ABDUL CARTER: Anywhere, any conference. You can’t stop greatness. It could be the Big Ten, SEC, doesn’t matter. If you’re great, you’re going to prevail wherever you are.