Football Quotes – Ohio State Buckeyes
11/13/2000 12:00:00 AM | Football
Nov. 13, 2000
Jamar Martin
Feelings going into this week
“Right now we’re really excited about this week. It’s a big game. It’s a big traditional event going on right now, but we’re excited. We’re playing for the Big Ten Championship and we have Michigan at home. We’re really excited right now.”
On playing for the Big Ten Championship
“Right now we’re really confident. A lot of people did count us out earlier in the season. But, with the way the season went, things have worked out for us. We had two losses, but we’re fortunate enough now that everyone else has losses so we’re in a position to win. I’m looking at where we are right now as being fortunate for us. We’re going to take advantage of it this week.”
What the team was thinking last week at the end of the game against Illinois
“I think they were trying to put a lot of pressure on Dan (Stultz) by calling a lot of timeouts. We were just really anxious for them to stop calling timeouts and for Dan to get out there and kick it (the field goal). But, we just had to wait for our turn. I think the assignment was better and we had a lot of confidence in Dan. We knew he would go out there and make the kick.”
On if the game last week will have a carryover affect this week
“We picked up a lot of momentum. I think that was a big confidence builder for this offense. We struggled here and there throughout the season, but I think when it came down to crunch time, we went out there and did what we had to do. We drove down the field and set up the field goal for Dan. I think we will have a carryover affect to this week because that was a real confidence builder for us.”
Did you think they should have given the ball to you more?
“Not really. I don’t really get caught up in if they are giving me the ball or things like that. Certain things don’t have anything to do with me. I’m not really concerned about that. I’m just concerned about this team and how well we’re going to do against Michigan as a team. Whatever plays Coach Stobart calls for us is what we’re going to go with. I have confidence in him, just like he has confidence in me. This is a team game, so whatever we have to do together as a team to beat Michigan is what we’re going to do.” Darnell Sanders
How you feel about the game this week
“We’re very excited. Michigan is a big game for us.”
Thoughts on your play this season
“I feel I had a pretty good season this year. The team is coming on very well also. I try to make the plays that I can. Steve (Bellisari) has matured and he’s going to all of his options on the field now. Really, Steve is stepping up now. He’s making the plays that need to be made.”
Your game plan for this week
“Basically, we’re going to go out there and play our game. Whatever happens, happens.”
Chad Cacchio
Are you surprised to be playing for the Big Ten Championship?
“I don’t know about a surprise, but it’s definitely a great feeling. We’ve obviously had some ups and downs and we had a couple of setbacks. It’s really nice to be in position to play for a championship.”
On the Michigan defense
“I’ve never heard of a bad Michigan defense. They have some athletes out there that are very capable. They’re disciplined and they do a lot of different things so offensively we’re going to have to be ready.
Their corners are very athletic, they have some strong safeties that will come up and hit you, their linebackers play well in pass defense and they also have a good pass rush. The one thing about them that is a lot like Michigan State and Minnesota is they’ll bring a lot of blitzes from anywhere. The key for us is to be able to recognize what they’re doing and be able to counter that.”
On last week’s game against Illinois
“It’s tough at the end of the game when you’ve got your big name players out and not playing. Our team really pulled together in that fourth quarter and some people stepped up and made plays for us.”
Rodney Bailey
How you are looking at the game this week
“Personally, I’ve made this very simple. It’s my last game at Ohio Stadium, it’s my last game in the Big Ten. This whole season has gone by like a blur. I’ve been concentrating hard on this season. It’s going to be an honor and a privilege to play in a game of this magnitude.”
Coach Cooper is 2-9-1 against Michigan for his career, does that factor in to your thoughts on this game?
“I can’t really think of what the records have been in the past. There’s a lot that goes into that record, but there’s really nothing I can think about in that respect. The only thing I’m going to be thinking when I wake up on Saturday morning is there’s another football game to play and it’s an honor to be there.”
What are your feelings on the game this week?
“Honestly, it’s just another game. It’s another opportunity to get up and go play. That’s just the way I’ve taken it all year. I think it’s the way this team has taken it all year and there is no reason for us to start beating on ourselves. We know what our plan is as a team. We know we are going to be playing a very good football team in the Michigan Wolverines and they are going to be coming to our house. That’s all that is really important. We have a game to play.
What I mean by this is when the ball is kicked off and I have my uniform on and helmet on and my mouthpiece in, I have to put my hand down in the stance and go just like we’ve done for weeks now. With all the stakes riding on the game, it will take care of itself. We just have to go play.”
Your thoughts on the defense’s opportunity to set the program record for sacks
“We weren’t aware of the record a couple of weeks ago. It’s really something we try to not even concentrate on. It’s all the stuff I really don’t think a lot about. It’s just passion to play football. That’s where it is. It’s another opportunity. I’m cherishing the moment. It’s my last Big Ten game and it’s going to be a sweet feeling to be with all of my teammates one more time.
How did you feel toward the end of the game in light of the injuries?
“We’re a team. This team is not just the 22 guys who start, there are 100 guys on this team. Every guy works hard every week. Everyone gets the same patterns and runs the same patterns. They run the same routes. There are a lot of different guys who backup the starters. They block the same guys every week and they know what it takes to go in there and make some things happen. I was just really happy to see guys step up and make plays when it had to be done.”
What is important for the defense to remember this weekend?
“The important thing about our whole defensive scheme is to know we just have to play as a unit. We play together, we play as a team and we’re out there talking and communicating. how well we do as a defense is going to depend on that.
“The most important thing as a defense for us is to play our game. We’ve done some good things in the past and we’ve made some mistakes at times. Just go, basically.
Joe Cooper
What do you think of Michigan’s offense?
“They’re impressive across the board. They have a great running back, great offensive line and a great quarterback. David Terrell’s tough enough in himself as a receiver.”
What do you need to do to beat Michigan?
“We have to pull everything out of our hats to win this game. They’re a great team.”
Is Michigan the best team offensively you will face this season?
“Yes, clearly. As a whole, across the board, they are the best team we’ve faced offensively this year.”
Growing up in Columbus, what does this rivalry mean to you?
“I never watched this game. No, actually I know this rivalry goes back a long time and has a lot of importance around here. I want to be a part of it. I have my chance this Saturday, along with the rest of my teammates. We’re going to go out there and play to the best of our ability. It’s going to be a tough game. We know that, we’re prepared for it. We’re going to go out there and do what we can.”
What do you think about Drew Henson, UM’s quarterback?
“He has that baseball arm and he’s a great quarterback. He reads his keys, he makes sure you’re playing your assignment and you’re not out of your zone and that you’re not looking to see what he’s going to do. If you get tunnel vision, he’s going to beat you. You basically have to play a perfect game against this quarterback in order to win.”
Is it easier to get ready for Michigan offensively because they run the same type of offense as Ohio State?
“That’s true in a sense, but at the same time it’s Ohio State and Michigan and you can throw everything out the window. Everything goes into this game. They’re going to throw everything at us. Even things we haven’t seen all year from them, they’re going to throw at us. We have to be prepared for anything. At the same time, if they stick to their tendencies, it shouldn’t be too hard getting ready for this team. At the same time, we can’t have any mental letdowns because they’re a great team.”
On Michigan’s offense
“They do so many things out of every formation. Unlike teams we’ve played this season, where you know if they line up in a certain formation in certain splits, you know what play they’re going to run. With this team, they line up and you don’t know what is going to happen. Basically, you have to be ready for anything at all times.”
On Michigan’s David Terrell
“He’s great. He’s a great receiver. I mean, he’s All-American, all-everything. He reads his keys, he runs great routes. We have a great cornerback in Nate Clements, it’s going to be a tough match-up. The best player that day will win. Whoever makes the fewest mistakes of that match-up will win.”
Are you surprised to be playing for the Big Ten Championship?
“No, I knew if we took care of ourselves last Saturday everything would fall into place. We knew the outcome of those other games in the Big Ten before we played. I kind of told myself and my teammates that I had a funny feeling, even though I told them that we still weren’t out of it, that after Saturday we would definitely have a chance to play for the Big Ten title this week.”
As a captain, what do you think you need to do on the practice field as a leader for this team?
“We have to take everything like we’ve taken it all year. The next game on the schedule is the toughest game. You can’t look at it any differently. I know it’s Ohio State and Michigan and everyone says it’s more than just a game. Sometimes when you tend to get away from the focus on the next toughest game on your schedule you change everything you do. You get out of sync on how you think and how you react to things which can be a downfall for you.”
