Football Quotes (Oct. 10, 2006) – Ohio State Buckeyes
10/10/2006 12:00:00 AM | Football
Oct. 10, 2006
Rory Nicol, sophomore tight end
On Michigan State
“They are a good team and have a physical defense. There are some big guys. They have a linebacker who is really fast and they are a very sound football team. They play a tough game; their record is 3-3. We just want to come out and play hard. Michigan State is going to scratch, fight and claw their way. It’s going to be a physical game.”
On Michigan State head coach John L. Smith
“He is a fiery coach, but that is not a bad thing. He looks like the type of guy who likes fire under all his players and probably gets them all riled up to go out and play.”
On studying the history of games
“Over the years and years that football has been played, the same factors predict the outcome of the game. I don’t even have to see the score to know what the outcome is. More than anything, it usually comes down to special teams.”
On winning offensive lineman of the week
“It is humbling. I’ve been working hard all year and every week I can go out and get better. The season is starting to slow down and I’m starting to figure out my role on offense.”
On playing on the road
“To have already played in two games on the road where each had a hostile environment is huge. To be successful in both games is great, as well. We are not going to fall apart under what is ahead of us.”
Quinn Pitcock, senior defensive tackle
On Michigan State quarterback Drew Stanton
“He (Stanton) is a great quarterback. Pressure is going to be key. He is a senior, he is experienced and he is the team leader. The pressure we put on him is going to make the difference.”
On learning from last year
“Michigan State is a great team. It is a game of inches and mistakes. Certain situations, like a field goal, can make the difference. We have learned that history has a tendency of repeating itself and we are going to learn everything we can from our mistakes.” On David Patterson
“David being injured is a key loss. He is a great player. At the same time, we have Joel Penton and Todd Denlinger who have been in the line-up all year and will be great players for us.”
On Drew Stanton
“He is a great quarterback because he is a veteran senior. He can throw any kind of ball. He can throw deep or across the field. He is very mobile and can get away from tackles. He will throw on a dime and reads coverage very well. The defense is going to have to put a lot of pressure on him and try to get him frustrated.”
On Jehuu Caulcrick
“He (Caulcrick) knows he is a big guy and he will use it to his advantage. He has great speed and he will try to run over you. The defense is going to have to get low and tackle him.”
On Michigan State
“It is very tough to play a team who is batting 500. It is difficult to play a team who’s back is against the wall. They have nothing to lose. They are going to be at home with their fans behind them. It will be a tough game.”
Antonio Smith, senior cornerback
On Michigan State quarterback Drew Stanton
“He (Stanton) is a good quarterback. He has a lot of experience and he knows how to win games. He throws the ball extremely well. We have focused a lot on Drew Stanton and the things he does well this week.”
On Michigan State
“Michigan State has a lot of talent. They probably should have won some of the games that they lost. They are going to come ready to play and it will be a tough game.”
On season statistics
“The defense prides themselves on being able to stop the rush. We need to stop the running game and stop the other team from making big plays. If a team can rush the ball and make big plays they have a chance to be successful, so we have to stop that from happening.”
On the intensity of the team
“We have been putting a lot of emphasis on keeping up the intensity throughout these next few weeks. Our defense thrives on intensity so we have done our best to keep it up from game to game.”
On being a senior
“Being a senior, some of the guys look up to you, but as a young defense we all kind of look up to each other. I try to pass things down to the younger guys that I have learned from guys before me. I just try to make sure they are doing things the right way.”
On the defense
“We still need to improve in the rushing area but we aren’t giving up touchdowns. We have been very consistent in stopping the other team from scoring touchdowns. We still want to improve on stopping the run and preventing big plays, but if we can continue to keep people off the scoreboard we are doing our job.”
Doug Datish, senior center
On OSU losing to Michigan State in 1998
“It definitely brought up a lesson to learn that it happens to someone every year. We don’t want it to happen to us. We have been reminded of that several times this week. They had us on the ropes.”
On the Ohio State offensive line
“The fact is that we are not as good as our potential. Overall, as the season progresses, we have gelled together more. We play tough in conference and out of conference, too. But we can always get better. There are things we mess up every once and a while that we shouldn’t.”
On playing road games
“We have learned confidence and focus on the road. You can’t let the noise and environment get to you.”
On Michigan State
“I think they are definitely better than their record (3-3). If you watch them on film and didn’t see the score, you wouldn’t know who won. I think it’s a media stigma that they are down on themselves. If I was playing a No. 1 team, I would want win, just to put ourselves back on the map.”
On playing with T.J. Downing
“I’m definitely the cerebral guy who talks with everyone to calm them down. T.J. fires everyone up. We are like the ying and yang of the team. Between the two of us, we are a good team. T.J. plays his game with a tough, strong and good attitude on the field. We work well together.”
Jay Richardson, senior defensive end
On Michigan State
“Michigan State is a tough team. Drew Stanton is a great quarterback who tries to make plays with his arm. He will be a tough challenge for us. This is the Big Ten and every game you get is going to be physical. We are prepared for that.”
On the team approach for playing on the road
“We want to jump on them early and get them out of the game from an emotional standpoint. They will have a great crowd; one that reminds you of Penn State or Iowa. They have a great stadium and it will be a tough place to play.”
On what the defense needs to improve
“From a defensive standpoint, we still have a long way to go. For us, it’s not just about being good enough. We have to be the best. We are still giving up too many yards. There are definitely some things to clean up. At the end of the day, it is all about who puts points on the board and we are doing a good job of preventing that – but we don’t want to bend at all.”
On staying at the No. 1 spot
“We don’t feel more pressure as every game goes on. As a veteran, the challenge is to keep the young guys focused. As the season goes on, we all must stay on the same page.”
Troy Smith, senior quarterback
On Drew Stanton
“He was my roommate at the Elite Eleven camp. Night in and night out, he was the guy I was looking at. It was a great experience for both of us, as it has definitely paid off. I talk to him all the time. We have a lot in common.”
On Michigan State
“They will hit you at any time. They have some of the best defensive players in the Big Ten. It is going to be tough because of their tradition to get wins at home. They are led by a great senior quarterback, so this game is going to be a fight and they will give us their best.
On his Heisman candidacy
“I do not go home and think about taking a trip to an awards ceremony and envision myself as the winner. Right now, Michigan State is my main priority. I can’t let myself go overboard. It’s about my team first.”
On his evaluation of this season
“Some very positive things have happened this far, but there is always more room to improve. You read things in the paper about first downs and touchdowns, but to me, it’s all the little things that matter. Usually, they are the ones that get ignored.”
On his approach to a game
“As a quarterback, I would love to throw the ball 50 times, but that is not what football is all about. That is just a dream. Not only do you have to pass, but you also must run the ball. Right now, I’m cool with the way things are going. Our record is right where it needs to be. Looking at that, you know our coaches and staff are doing something right.”
