Head Coach John Cooper Luncheon Quotes – Ohio State Buckeyes
11/8/1999 12:00:00 AM | Football
Nov. 8, 1999
Head Coach John Cooper
%^$On Illinois’ offense
%^$”Illinois has always been a strong team like any school from the conference. This team is a lot better than the team we met last season. They have made vast improvements and really developed well from last season. What is unbelievable is that their quarterback has only given up two interceptions. Kurt Kittner is a great asset to that team and does a great job leading the offense.%^$
%^$On the season
%^$”Obviously we are not happy with the way we played against Michigan State. We know we could have played a lot better and have in the last two weeks. I have told the team that we must move on and get ready for the next game. I have already thrown out the Michigan State tapes and now we must get ready for Illinois. This is a big game for us, because it decides a bowl game. %^$
%^$On the team
%^$”We have to play fundamentally well on both sides of the ball or we can not win. That is one of our biggest problems. However, the fundamentals are going to be sloppy sometimes, because this is a young team. %^$
%^$”Our inability to run the ball is one of our biggest problems. You can’t win with just passing. You have to maintain a running game and we rely too much on our passing ability.%^$
%^$”This team has always played hard. That was especially true last Saturday. It would have been a lot worse had they not played all out like they did. I will always say they have worked hard in every game and every practice. Unfortunately we do not have the wins to show it.”%^$
%^$On the senior class
%^$”These are great players and this is a very special game for them. All of them have been great leaders and outstanding players. I know this team wants to get them a win on Saturday.”%^$
%^$On Ohio Stadium renovations
%^$”This game also will be special for the fans. This will be the last game in the stadium as it looks today. There will be more seating and will be closer to the field. I am very excited to see the renovations next season. These changes are really for the best. Having the fans seated right next to the field will allow us to be a louder and more intimidating stadium.” %^$
%^$On the four losses%^$”We are not happy with losing and it is always tough on the coaches. But most importantly it is the toughest on the team. As a coach I have been through this and know how it feels, but these guys do not know. These seniors have never had a losing season and it is probably hurts the most for them.”%^$
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%^$Sr. Cornerback Ahmed Plummer
%^$On Illinois quarterback Kurt Kittner
%^$”The Big Ten has some very good defensive backs and for him to only have two interceptions that shows he’s accurate on his throws and reads.”%^$
%^$On his final game in the stadium
%^$”It’s gone by fast. It’ll be very emotional for me. I came here to this great university to get an education and to do what I could while I was here and for it to come down to this game, I’m sure I’ll be emotional.”%^$
%^$On the game against Illinois
%^$”This is a game that can very well decide if we go to a bowl game or not.”%^$
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%^$So. Quarterback Steve Bellisari
%^$On Kittner’s improvement from last season
%^$”It comes down to experience. It’s going out there and getting game experience. He’s a perfect example of what experience can do.”%^$
%^$On seniors last home game against Illinois
%^$”Every time you have a last game for your seniors you want to play well for them and send them out on a good note.”%^$
%^$On playing in a bowl
%^$”Our main focus right now is Illinois. We’re not looking past that to any bowl games right now.”%^$
%^$Jr. Place-kicker Dan Stultz
%^$On Illinois
%^$They’re a good team and we can’t go into the game and think we can go up one or two touchdowns on them. We saw what they did to Michigan.”%^$
%^$On the remainder of the season
%^$”It is key for us to not only win one more game to get to a bowl game, but to win out.”%^$
%^$”We need to go back to the basics and play Buckeye style football. We need to forget about the losses and go back to the positives we’ve done as a team and learn from that.”%^$
%^$Sr. Free Safety Percy King
%^$On playing his last home game at Ohio Stadium
%^$”This is my last game in the Horseshoe and we don’t want to lose at home. We want to win this game and the next one to salvage the season.”%^$
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