Quotes From Upperclassmen Check-In (Aug. 1) – Ohio State Buckeyes
8/1/2002 12:00:00 AM | Football
Aug. 1, 2002
Craig Krenzel
Jr. QB Utica, Mich. (Henry Ford II)
On the start of camp:
“We’re all looking forward to it. We had a pretty good season last year. It was the first year working with a new coaching staff. We gained a lot of experience and matured as a team last year and hopefully that can carry into this year. We conditioned hard this summer. The skilled players did a lot of 7-on-7 drills and now the time has come to put it all together.”
“Getting a lot of experience at the end of last season was very valuable to me. I was thorwn into a lot of tough situations without a lot of reps. It helped me learn the pace of the game better and to how to keep my composure in the heat of the battle. Having that under my belt going into the fall is only going to benefit me.”
On his expectations at quarterback:
“I want to go out and prove to my coaches that we can throw the ball 35 times a game. That we can throw the ball down the field, we can dump it off to the backs, throw the intermediate routes and be consistent.”
Matt Wilhelm
Sr., LB, Lorain, Ohio (Elyria Catholic)
On his feelings heading into the new season:
“I am relaxed right now. I am ready to go, especially with all the hype. We have the opportunity to be a great team and have every opportunity with 13 games to prove that. The next 20 days are going to be big.”
On the expectations for the team this year:
“We feel we have something to prove still. We had a couple of wins last year that showed we are a good ball club and also had a few with us not ending up where we needed to be. These next 20 days are going to be huge because we have so much to prove, especially a lot to each other. We have to come together on the 24th (of August) and play as a team.”
Chris Vance
Sr., WR Fort Meyers, Fla. (Fort Scott C.C.)
On being one of the first players to report to camp:
“I am excited and ready to get back into it. I am a little anxious right now and that is probably why I am one of the first ones here.”
On what he expects for the 2002 season:
“I just want to win a national championship. That is basically the bottom line. I think there are a lot of other guys on the team thinking the same thing. We are going into the season with a lot of expectations and now we have to live up to them.”
On whether or not this team can win a national championship:
“We definitely have the firepower to get the job done. Now, we have to come together and play as a team.”
On the quarterback hype leading into camp:
“I really don’t care who the quarterback is. We just need someone capable of getting the ball to the receivers. I think anyone can be our quarterback. Craig (Krenzel) is looking pretty good and (Justin) Zwick might step up. Anything could happen. I know I am ready.”
Alex Stepanovich
Jr., C, Berea, Ohio (Berea)
On the first day being back in camp:
“We are looking to get back into the swing of things right away. I have been working out with the team and trying to stay healthy so I feel I am prepared to get the season started. It is going to be a longer season than last year so we have to watch the injuries and the heat and be prepared for the entire run.”
On switching to center:
“It is easy for me now because I played there all spring. I feel comfortable there and practice will only improve that feeling.”
On the countdown to the first game of the year:
“It feels good knowing the first game is less than a month away. It is better than it being two months away because that would make camp longer. Having the game three weeks from now is a little close, but it gives us time to prepare and get ready to play.”
On putting on the pads for practice:
“I am a little anxious right now. It is a little boring to just go out there and run. It will be good to get into the pads and start looking forward to hitting someone on another team in less than a month.”
On checking in for camp:
“It feels more comfortable moving in this year because I am used to things now. I enjoy it a little more because I am not wondering about what is going to happen around the corner.”
Scott McMullen
Jr., QB Granville, Ohio (Granville)
On his expectations:
“I received some great experience last year. It’s only going to help me out this year. We’re all going to go out there and battle and make each other better day in and day out. You just have to go out there, work hard, not make any mistakes and earn the confidence of your teammates.”
Donnie Nickey
Sr., FS Plain City, Ohio (Jonathan Alder)
On his expectations for the defense:
“The sky is the limit as far as what we can do defensively. We’re very experienced defensively which should give the offense a little more time to get better early in the season.
“This may be the best team I’ve played on since ’98. The experience and leadership is there for this team to go as far as we want.”
Maurice Hall
So., RB Columbus, Ohio (Brookhaven)
On the excitement of arriving for camp:
“We’ve been working hard all summer have been ready to start camp for a long time. We know what we can do and are ready to get this season started.”
On the competition at running back:
“It’s the same situation as it was during the spring time. We’re all anxious to show what we can do. It’s going to be a good battle.”
Bryce Bishop
Jr., OG, Miami, Fla. (Killian)
On the excitement of starting a new year:
“I am looking forward to the season and getting back to playing as a unit. I am just ready to go.”
On the offensive line:
“I don’t think the offensive line is a question mark. We will be ready come game time. I know everybody is going to play hard and give it their all. We all know each other.”
