Post Game Quotes From Ohio State vs. Minnesota – Ohio State Buckeyes
11/2/2002 12:00:00 AM | Football
Nov. 2, 2002
Recap| Final Stats| Notes
Jim Tressel Quotes
On the Minnesota game today:
“I thought our kids came out and played hard. Obviously, our defense dominated the game. They only allowed one-hundred-and-twelve total yards (of offense by Minnesota) and they were put in some adverse positions with the two punt situations and the turnover, but our defense answered every time and did a great job.”
On halftime adjustments:
“The team just kept coming after (Minnesota), kept them off-balance and defeated the blockers. I don’t know if there were any great ‘X and O’ changes. You’d have to ask (OSU Defensive Coordinator) Mark Dantonio about that. They just did a great job tonight.”
On OSU’s running game:
“We had to get our run game on track. We struggled early in the game and Minnesota was loaded up against the run. But the kids came out and played hard, blocked a little harder and they just gave a great effort.”
On Chris Vance playing in the game after the death of his brother last night:
“There is no question about it. The touchdown (Vance) scored was a special thing for him.”
Lydell Ross, Ohio State running back
About finding out Maurice Clarett would not play:
“It didn’t make a difference when I found out (that Maurice Clarett would not play) today or last week. I come to play every time.” Maurice Hall, Ohio State running back
On playing without Maurice Clarett:
“We didn’t know how much Maurice (Clarett) was going to play or if he was going to play at all, so whenever we got the opportunity to get (into the game), we had to step it up for this team. It shows that we have more than one running back. We have a lot of running backs that can definitely step up and help this team out.”
On the offense’s slow start:
“We really could not get going at first and eventually we started clicking and took off. I thought we just kept hammering.”
On his long runs in the second half:
“The linemen definitely played great today and opened up some great holes. I just tried to get through them and do what I could.”
Mike Nugent, Ohio State kicker
On breaking the Ohio State record for field goals in a season:
“If you get out there and get cocky about it, that’s one big thing you can’t do as a kicker. If you’re doing well and having a good year, you can’t get cocky or you can go 20 for 28 and miss the last eight.”
Ben Hartsock, Ohio State tight end
On playing without injured players:
“I think we can take away some comfort that we can play without some of our big players. (Linebacker) Cie Grant didn’t play (much) today and (offensive tackle) Shane Olivea was out every once in awhile and with Maurice (Clarett) gone, those are all factors that are going to play into things. To still come away with a more convincing victory today is that much better.”
On preparation for the game and the first half:
“Minnesota had a week off so to try and counter that, the coaches tried to put in a lot of new things. We came out in the first half doing a lot of formations, sets and plays that we hadn’t ran before and didn’t have a lot of success. By the second half, we just settled down and said `we’re just going to do what we’ve been doing. Its been working every game,’ so that is what we went with.”
Strong Safety Mike Doss comments on the Defense:
“The defense played real well in the second half.”
“Everyone on our team contributes and plays well, we all play very well together.”
“We knew that Minnesota was a top team for us to play today and I feel like we performed well.”
Tailback Lydell Ross comments on his performance:
“I had to put my fumble in the past and just think positive.”
“We knew that they (Minnesota Gophers) were going to try to defeat us today so we (Ohio State) had to bring our “A” game and we did.”
“Coach (Tressel) expressed to me throughout the entire week when I am playing so to just remain patient. I started being patient out there on the field today.”
Punter Andy Groom comments on his performance:
“I dropped the punt today and there were no excuses. It was my fault and I know that must not happen again in order for our team to continue our winning streak.”
“The defense stepped up for us today and they performed real well. They played their best game all season. When the offense does not perform you can always count on the defense to step up.”
Flanker Chris Vance’s comments on his game after discovering (Saturday) his brother died:
“On the sidelines I thought about my brother every second, but I knew I had to do something, so I performed for my brother in the game. He was one of my best friends, I talked to him on a day-to-day basis. He came to see me play in the spring game and Washington State game. It’s funny because I talked to him yesterday and then he passed away today. I knew it was something (when he did not call before the game). I expected to talk to him this morning.”
Minnesota Head Coach Glen Mason
On today’s game:
“If you look at today’s score I think it’s somewhat misleading. Today’s game was a case of two pretty good defensive teams that played tonight. Obviously, Ohio State is a very good football team as far as where they are ranked and that they are undefeated. I was really proud of our defensive effort. To come into a setting such as Ohio Stadium and face a powerful team like Ohio State and perform the way we did, I think says a lot. The perception that we did not play good because we allowed 34 points, I don’t think is true.”
“I was disappointed in our offense. There are two things in offensive football: consistency and big plays. If you want to be really good you have both. If you want a chance to win you need to be consist or relay on some big plays. Tonight we had neither. We had some miscues in the kicking game which were costly and with that we will regroup and be get ready for next week.”
Minnesota Right Tackle Jake Kuppe
on Ohio State defense
“We didn’t execute. The linebackers were really phenomenal. We thought we were going to get those 2- and 3-yard gains and then 5- and 6-yard gains and open up holes, but we never got it going.”
Minnesota Punter Preston Gruening
on miscued punts
“I was having a hard time sensing where the pressure was coming from. I saw where all the guys were lined up at and it didn’t look like they were bringing eight players every time, but I think they brought everybody on the block, I’m not real sure.”
On Gruening’s dropped punt snap
“When I stumbled on the punt attempt, I was just trying to prevent the ball from getting behind me and get a handle on it. I kind of jumped at it and dropped a knee on accident.”
Minnesota Quarterback Ahad Abdul-Khaliq
on the Minnesota effort
“We came out and had some opportunities. We had a lot of things going our way but we just didn’t capitalize. We had some chances, especially me, to make some plays but we just didn’t do it.”
On changes during halftime
“We came out and had some bad plays. (Ohio State) took advantage of them and went up. They just kept the momentum flowing their way and it carried with them the whole game.”
