John Cooper Media Luncheon Quotes – Ohio State Buckeyes
8/31/1998 12:00:00 AM | Football
August 31, 1998
“We’re anxious to play. We need to play. We’ve had a lot of nagging injuries this fall.”
On the freshman:
“We have about seven or eight freshman that we anticipate playing this year. On the offensive side of the ball, Steve Bellisari, Jonathan Wells, Jamar Martin, and LeCharles Bentley are four players that I would say have a very very good chance to play, if not this week, then some time during the course of the year. On defense, Ryan Pickett, Nate Clements, Derek Ross, and the possibility of Donnie Nickey. Ryan Pickett and Nate Clements will play for sure this week and Derek Ross may play.”
On West Virginia:
“I think they’re a solid football team. Are they a great team? I don’t know if they are or not. I don’t know if they know or not. Are we a great team? I don’t think anybody knows how good we are. I think we’re both anxious to play. I think it’s going to be an entertaining football game. It’s a big ball game for us and I think it’s a big ballgame for West Virginia.”
On the hype surrounding the game:
“I think it’s natural hype. You’ve got two teams that are ranked in the top 10 in the country opening the season, and with that game on national tv, I think the hype is expected.”
On how the team is dealing with the hype:
“They just need to do their job when they’re on practice field. That’s the main thing.”
On playing in Morgantown:
“It’s going to be loud. They don’t have a track around the field. Mountaineer fans have a lot of pride. They’re like Buckeye fans. They support their team. It will be a hostile place to play.”
On Amos Zereoue:
“Obviously we haven’t ever played him, but I know he’s a good football player. He’s 5-11, 200 pounds, low center of gravity, will be the all-time leading rusher in the history of West Virginia – that speaks volumes for itself. He’s got a good supporting cast to. Outstanding wide receivers, a good solid quarterback, and a good offensive line. But you have to stop Amos Zereoue, no question about it.”
On playing several different people:
“We’ll play a lot of people on Saturday. Particularly on the defensive line, there’s not much difference between No. 1 and No. 2. We anticipate playing a lot of people up front. We’ll rush the passer, chase the ball around, do things like that.”
On tailback:
“We’ll play Micheal Wiley. We’ll play Joe Montgomery. There’s a possibility of playing Derek Combs, depending on how he practices this week. He’s coming off a pulled muscle. Maybe Jonathan Wells. I’d say those four.”
