Football Teleconference Quotes – Ohio State Buckeyes
9/30/1998 12:00:00 AM | Football
September 30, 1998
COLUMBUS, Ohio –
HEAD COACH JOHN COOPER
What do you think of having a bye week before facing Penn State?
“I think the off week benefited us. Penn State has had an off week almost every week we’ve played them. We rested our players a little bit last week, but worked hard on fundamentals. I’ve got to believe that we’re a better football team at this stage then we were last week. I think we took advantage of the off week.”
On Michael Wiley:
“We’ve been blessed with good running backs at Ohio State for a number of years. We had Robert Smith, Raymont Harris, Eddie George, Pepe Pearson did a nice job for us, particularly his junior year. But I think Michael has really had three good ballgames for us. Michael would be the first one to tell you that the offensive line is a little bit better this than year than they were last year. Michael Wiley, so far, has played about as well as we expected him to play.”
Have you noticed a difference in Joe Germaine now that the quarterback job is his alone?
“We never pulled the quarterback when they made a mistake. We rotated them by quarters – Stanley would play the first quarter and Joe would play the second quarter. I’m sure Joe Germaine feels a lot more comfortable now knowing that he’s the guy and that he’s going to be in there the entire ballgame as long as the game is in question. He’s always been very poised and confident. He’s always done a good job running the offense when he’s in the ballgame.”
Are you preparing for Penn State to use Aaron Harris at running back?
“It doesn’t make any difference to us who the running back is. Penn State is a little bit like us and Michigan – they have a lot of good running backs. Aaron Harris, we know, is a very good football player. We tried to recruit a couple of those players. We know they have some good running backs. So it really doesn’t make any difference to us which back is in the backfield.”
What are your concerns with Penn State?
“They have very good football players. At this time last year, I think they were ranked number one in the country. Joe Paterno is an outstanding football coach. They have good talent. I think it’s an outstanding matchup between two outstanding universities and two good football teams.”
Talk about Damon Moore.
“Damon Moore is a very good football player. Damon had a very good sophomore year for us and particularly played well in the big ballgames – the Notre Dame game, the Michigan game, the Penn State game. Last year, I don’t think he played as well as we would have liked to see him play, but this year he’s had three solid ballgames. He’s a good football player and a good athlete. He played quarterback in high school. He ran a lot of option offense in high school. He’s got good football sense. He’s a good tackler. He breaks on the ball well. But the most important thing Damon gives us is the leadership he provides for our secondary.”
Talk about Nail Diggs.
“I think we’re very fortunate to have Nail Diggs. He’s a good football player. He’s got good speed. He’s still learning. I think before he leaves here, he’ll be an all-star football player. He’s got good size and along with Jerry Rudzinski and Andy Katzenmoyer, give us a good set of linebackers – similar to the set of linebackers we’ll face this week.”
Talk about the offensive line.
“We don’t have an Orlando Pace or Korey Stringer playing for us. I think our offensive line is getting better. We would have been a lot better if we would have recruited a couple of those players were playing against this week. I think our offensive line is making progress. We’re still young on the offensive line. Brooks Burris is the only senior we have starting for us on the offensive line. So far I’m pleased with the way we’ve played.”
Has being the No. 1 team been a burden so far this season?
“I don’t thing there has been any added pressure on us. There is pressure in every game you play when you coach and play at Ohio State. Starting with the West Virginia game I felt as much pressure going on the road for that opening game against an unknown team like West Virginia than I have in the two other games we have played.”
On the last two wins over Penn State in Columbus.
“I can’t give you a reason other than the home field advantage. Obviously you feel a little more comfortable playing at home. The crowd usually helps you playing at home. Just like you are at a disadvantage when you go on the road. We have gotten some good breaks when we have played them over here the last couple times. Our football team has been a pretty good football team the last two times.”
Do you sense the team is getting more excited about Penn State than the other games this season?
“I don’t think there is any question when you play conference games than you do non-conference and particularly a team like Penn State. We have great respect for Penn State. It will be the first game for our students. Our players should be excited to play at home. I know I am excited. It will be a big game for both Ohio State and Penn State.”
When did Joe Germaine prove his toughness to play quarterback?
“The first week he was here. Joe is a tough football player. You don’t have to real big to be a tough football player. The best example of that is Antoine Winfield. He is probably pound for pound the toughest football player I have ever coached. Joe is a little bigger than (people) think he is. He is a very competitive football player. The fact he stands in the pocket and takes some hits is indicative of the type of football player he is.”
Does this defense have a chance to be as good as the defense of 1996?
“I want to reserve judgement on our football team until after we play a few more ballgames. That defense in 1996 was very good. We have played good defense in the first few ballgames we have played. We have not faced a football team like Penn State or some of the other teams we will face down the road. We had eight players on the 1996 team that made NFL rosters.”
Do you agree that Katzenmoyer is off to a better start this year than last and why?
“He is off to a better start than he was last year but I don’t know if he is any better than his freshman year. I think he was a little heavy last year. He has lost some weight and is in better condition. He has got better people surrounding him than he did last year.”
With a week off for both teams is it a no excuses game?
“There could be an upset. I don’t think there will be any excuses about the open date being an advantage for one team or another. This year because it is so early in the season both teams are playing new players in some positions. I don’t thing either one of us has been tested so far this year. I think there are still a lot of unknowns about our football team and Penn State’s.”
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SENIOR OFFENSIVE GUARD ROB MURPHY
Does the off week mean it will be a wash as far as advantage and the best team will win?
“Regardless of whether you have an off week or not the best team is going to win. We have prepared very hard and had a couple good hard days of practice last week. I think the best team will win and we will go from there.”
What changes have you noticed in the Penn State defense?
“They return for the most part everyone. They are flying around to the ball a lot more and gang tackling more than last year. They are coming off their blocks and tackling in groups which is what you want to do if you play defense.”
What makes Joe Germaine such a good leader on the field?
“He just leads by example. When he says something people listen. It is not often that he says something. When he does everyone’s ears perk up. He has led by example the last two years and has a Rose Bowl victory under his belt. His leadership started two years ago.”
Are you more excited about this game than the others so far this season?
“It is at home and we think we have the best team in the country. They think they have one of the best teams in the country. I love playing in front of our home crowd. They are great fans. I am looking forward to it.”
Do the players have a feeling about having one quarterback rather than two all the way through the season?
“We are more comfortable with one guy back there. Last year we had two guys back there and Stan Jackson moved around and it was hard to maintain the blocks. This year Joe is going to stay in the pocket. He takes some vicious hits but gets back up. I like that because it shows he is real courageous and will do anything to win.”
Does Penn State’s offensive line look any bigger than last year?
“I still think they are a little undersized. What don’t have in size they make up for in mobility. They are a lot stronger on film than they look the last two years.”
How would you compare your running game this year to last year?
“I think it is real obvious. When we want to run the ball we will run the ball. A team could put eight guys in the box and we are confident we can run the ball. We are capable of the big play with the run. Anything is possible with Michael Wiley and Joe Montgomery in the back field. We are playing with confidence.”
Is Penn State becoming a good rivalry for Ohio State?
“Anytime you get two great teams together it is going to be exciting. We are always in the Top 5 year in and year out. There has been some blowouts on both sides. We are always scrapping down the final whistle and it is a good thing for both of us.”
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SENIOR LINEBACKER CAPTAIN JERRY RUDZINISKI
How does Penn State rank as far as rivalry?
“Anytime you have the tradition of these two schools and you put them that close in the Midwest it will naturally produce a big rivalry. Both teams have lost a close game and a blowout. Both teams have felt the emotions of the rivalry so it is going to create a lot of tension.”
Is this defense as good as the 1996 defense?
“It is too early to say. The 1996 defense came out and proved what is was capable of. Potentially, this defense could be as good or better in terms of talent. We don’t have the statistics or the record that the 1996 defense did. We are hoping to keep inching our way toward that.”
How much to you think and talk about being No. 1?
“We have been dealing with that since the beginning of fall camp. The team has handled it real well. You would like to ignore it and act like you are the underdog in every game but that is not living in the real world. We know we are No. 1 and teams are gunning for us. We try to use that as a plus.”
What do you think your defense still needs to do to reach the 1996 level?
“I would go with our pass rush. I think we have the personnel to compete with our pass rush of 1996. We have not put up the numbers yet than they have but we are working on it every day.”
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JUNIOR TAILBACK MICHAEL WILEY
What are your impressions of the Penn State defense?
“They are very athletic from top to bottom. They have some great defensive ends, the linebackers play real well and they have a great secondary.”
Did you think it was possible for you to lead the nation in yards per rush when the season started?
“Not exactly. We did not know how our offensive line was going to do. When you look at film it is obvious how I am doing that.”
How do you judge your style?
“When I was younger I tried to emulate Marcus Allen. Right now I am more of a slasher with a little more power than I had last year.”
How much of a difference does it make to have Joe Germaine as the No. 1 guy right now?
“It provides a lot of stability in our offense. The timing is much better with one quarterback than with two.”
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SENIOR CORNERBACK ANTOINE WINFIELD
How does Penn State rank as far as rivalries go?
“They are pretty high. Our first rivalry is Michigan. We all know that. Penn State is second.”
How do you prepare for Penn State with the two QB style? Did it help have two at OSU last year?
“We faced it the last two years (here). Penn State has the same situation. They are kind of similar to Joe and Stan.”
Some have said the OSU secondary is the best in the country, what do you think?
“I believe we are. We have not given up many big plays.”
The 1996 defense turned in big plays all the time. Can you be as good as that defense?
“I believe we can if our defensive line can step up and make big plays and put pressure on the quarterback.”
Are you more excited about playing this game than any of the others this season?
“I think this will be our first big challenge. West Virginia and Missouri were good teams but Penn State is undefeated and ranked No. 7 coming into Ohio Stadium.”
Difference in Katzenmoyer this year compared to last year?
“The first couple games Andy did not have the stats we all wanted him to have. Many people tried to run around him rather than at him.”
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SENIOR QUARTERBACK JOE GERMAINE
Is it nice not to have to look over your shoulder?
“It feels nice. It is something I have been waiting for for a long time. I am grateful for the opportunity.”
On passing success against Penn State.
“We had a great game plan last year and we went out and executed.”
What advice would you give to the Penn State QBs playing in the two QB system.”
“They are 3-0 and the bottom line is winning. They are doing something right and as long they work together and have a great attitude about what they are doing they will be okay.”
Did you watch the Penn State pass rush against Pitt?
“They bring a lot of pressure and some confusing fronts. I have faith in our offensive line and them picking up who they need to pick up.”
On the PSU secondary and their size.
“Our receivers are taller than they are but they are great athletes. Last year it was not that big advantage for us.”
What makes it so tough to play in Ohio Stadium for opponents?
“There is a lot of tradition. The fans are incredible. The support is second to none. Especially when the Big Ten games come around.”
Staying in the pocket and being tough.
“I kind of take pride in being tough. I don’t go out there trying to prove anything. I just try to do my job. That is the way I have always played. I don’t worry about what is going on around me while concentrating downfield. I know taking hits if part of football.”
Do you have anything to prove this year?
“I don’t think there is any added pressure on me this year. I do not go out there trying to prove anything. I just try to do the things I have done in the past.”
