Aaron Flowers Discusses Growth From Redshirt Year, Prep for Oklahoma State

Redshirt freshman safety Aaron Flowers started his first college game for Oregon in the Ducks’ 59-13 win over Montana State. He met with the media following Tuesday’s practice to reflect on his growth since arriving in Eugene and the team’s preparation for Oklahoma State this week.

Below are some of the top quotes from his media availability as well as full video.

On how his first start felt

Flowers: “It felt great. I feel I could play better for sure. Could have made more tackles, but I felt great for my first start out there. So can’t really complain.”

On excitement of facing Oklahoma State offense after not being tested much in Week 1

Flowers: “That’s really exciting for us, ’cause I feel like we’re ready to get tested. And really young secondary, everyone’s just not sure about us and we’re sure to go out there and just play our best.”

On uncertainty around secondary being a motivator this offseason

Flowers: “That motivated us a lot for sure ’cause they say we’re young, untested and then I feel like everyone in our position group was just trying our best. Playing good in practice and getting ready for the game. So I feel like it motivated us a lot for sure.”

On difference preparing for MSU vs. Oklahoma State

Flowers: “I feel like for DBs for sure it’s more back pedaling instead of just trying to be in a run fit. And more pass thought first and run thoughts for sure.”

On what makes Brandon Finney Jr. different

Flowers: “His mindset for sure is different. He’s always here first guy in, last guy out. Asks every question. In film, just asking every question he can. Asking what the safeties do, what the STARs do, just trying to learn the best. He knows the defense all throughout, so that’s what he’s playing.”

On what shows up in practice that shows DBs are ready to be tested

Flowers: “I just see us going out there making plays in practice against our offense, which is one of the best in the nation. So I feel like we’re just ready to play and ready against everybody.”

On where he’s improved most from last year going into this year

Flowers: “I feel like mentally I improved the most. Because I feel like mentally last year I wasn’t as ready as I am this year. This year I think I’m motivated and just knowing what my whole defense is doing, where I can fit in each specific play. And not just knowing my exact position, like everybody, what they’re doing.”

What he’s seen Oklahoma State quarterbacks, Zane Flores

Flowers: “They both are really good quarterbacks. They’re both gonna try to take shots, ’cause I feel like that’s where their offense is. I feel like he’s good, just trying to take the top off and I can’t really tell from a small sample size, but that’s what their main offense is.”

On how rotating in secondary helps

Flowers: “That helps keep us fresh. Just going out there in a game so you’re not all just gassed, tired playing all 80 snaps on defense and just having enough two-deep so you can rotate guys and play so you’re fresh and have the best players out there.”

On what makes Autzen such a tough environment to play in

Flowers: “I feel like just the crowd for sure. It’s one of the loudest stadiums in America. If you’re the opposite team just in there, I feel it’s hard to play with all the crowd noise and all that.”

On how Dillon Thieneman helps a young safety

Flowers: “I feel like experience helps a lot and his leadership for sure. Whenever he’s on the field I know the guy next to me, I can trust him. He knows all the play calls and if someone doesn’t know the play, he can go out there, really good communicator. He helps us get set up and gets us right.”