Football Continues To Prepare For Season Opener – Ohio State Buckeyes
8/28/2001 12:00:00 AM | Football
Aug. 28, 2001
Coach Tressel
On early season games
“Our guys are anxious to get started. We’d obviously rather be playing games than practicing. You could tell our guys were starting to get itchy on Saturday and Sunday watching their peers. For our staff’s transition and readiness the calendar fell in our favor this year starting a week later.”
On practicing against the option
“Our defense needs to see it in practice. We always have to have that in our repertoire. You never know what Akron is going to do. They’ve always had good movement at quarterback. We also know that our first Big Ten opponent (Indiana) has a lot of option. Whenever (Antwaan) Randle El is under center we have to be ready for the option.”
Steve Bellisari (Sr., Boca Raton, Fla., Boca Raton)
On his thought on the offense
“There are definitely high expectations. Even though we have some young guys, we can go out there and get some things done, some very positive things. We can win a lot of football games. Offensively, with our depth at the receiver position, you can probably expect a lot more rotation of receivers. A lot more guys will be in the mix, a lot of new faces. Even with the running backs, were going to have a lot of people at fullback and tailback. We’re going to mix it up. I think the more new faces we get out there, the more fresh legs, the better off we’ll be.”
Mike Doss (Jr., Canton, Ohio/McKinley)
“The only thing I expect right now is for the team to come out and fight every week and play hard and in the end we’ll see who comes out on top in the Big Ten. The season kicks off in less than two weeks and right now we’re taking it day by day and getting ready for Akron.”
Kenny Peterson (Jr., Canton, Ohio/McKinley)
On what to expect from the defensive line
“We’re going to be a relentless group of guys that are flying to the ball and getting after it. We’re going to know our responsibilities and know what we’re supposed to do. We’re going to eliminate thinking on the field and just play. The defensive line has some depth. We’ll do whatever we can to reach the quarterback.”
Mike Collins (Sr., Newark, Ohio/Newark & Fork Union)
“Everyone worked hard on all the fundamentals in camp. Expectations are high and there is no room for letdowns.”
Donnie Nickey (Jr., Plain City, Ohio/Jonathan Alder)
On what to expect from the defense
“I think we’ll be real strong up the middle with the linebackers, Mike (Doss) and myself coming back. It’s going to be hard for offenses to run up the middle. I think we’ll fill the gaps well, make some team pass on us and blitz all out.”
