Post Game Quotes From Ohio State vs. Iowa – Ohio State Buckeyes
10/18/2003 12:00:00 AM | Football
Oct. 18, 2003
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Mike D’Andrea, sophomore linebacker
On the Iowa running game
“Our main focus coming into today’s game was to contain their running game. I think we did a great job doing that today.”
Bobby Carpenter, sophomore linebacker
On getting the start
“Getting the opportunity to start today really did a lot for my confidence. It’s nice to know that our coaches have confidence in me to go out and do the job.”
On containing Iowa running back Fred Russell
“Fred Russell is a great running back and our defensive line really did a great job today in stopping him when we had to. The key to having a strong linebacker core is to have a strong defensive line. They really did a great job to help us get off our blocks so could get to the running back.”
Mike Nugent, junior place kicker
On the 53-yard field-goal
“The kick really felt good as soon as it left my foot. I think jumping out on them early really gave us a big boost.”
A.J. Hawk, sophomore linebacker
On the defensive line’s performance
“When our defensive line dominates their offensive line like they did today, it really makes our job easy. Coach (Mark) Dantonio always stresses to our defense to play fast and good things will happen.”
Drew Carter, senior split end
On the offensive performance
“I felt like the running backs were running a lot harder today. We had great pass protection up front and it gave us the opportunities to make some plays today.”
Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz
On the loss to Ohio State
“It’s obviously a tough loss. It was a battle and our kids competed. Ohio State did a great job, just like they’ve done for the past 21 games. It was a defensive battle and neither defense disappointed. We didn’t get the job done on special teams and that’s a tough one to live with.”
On the lack of offensive touchdowns by Iowa
“They had a tough time scoring, too. I think all the touchdowns today came off special teams, right? It was two pretty good teams slugging it out. You have to give Ohio State credit. I think all our guys played hard. Our effort and courage and toughness were certainly not the problem.”
On the blocked punt
“Anytime you let a guy come up the middle, it’s not a good thing. We just dropped our guard a little and their guy made a great play.”
On his punt and punt return units
“We did nothing to help ourselves with field position today. It’s bad enough when you give up one of those (touchdowns off a punt), but to give up two is a bad formula.”
Chad Greenway, Iowa linebacker
On the game
“We gave up that field goal off the first drive, but other than that we played well. We didn’t give up very many yards. What more can you ask for? They’re a physical team but I hope that they know now that we are a physical team, too.”
On chances of winning the Big Ten with two losses
“Well, you always hope you can and I think the way the Big Ten is this year, it is up for grabs. I think two losses may be too many. You never know how it’s going to work out in the end. It’s about who you beat and when you beat them.”
On Iowa defense keying in on Ohio State’s running game
“We knew they were going to come in trying to be physical and run the ball because that’s what they do. I don’t think they were trying to get away from what they do. We knew they were going to try to run the ball, but who they were going to run the ball with, we really did not know. We didn’t know who was healthy. We didn’t know if the freshman (Ira Guilford) was going to play. We just had to come in to stop the run and try to make the team one-dimensional.”
On the game being decide by defense
“In a game like this it’s just a dog fight. Any points you can get you have to go with and seven points defensively is going to be huge factor. Obviously our defense didn’t score any points, but we were there field-position wise.”
Bob Sanders, Iowa defensive back
On the tough loss
“It hurts, but we have to deal with it. We’ll just move on to next week. We have a lot of football left. It was a tough loss today, but I think we’ll come out next week and push ourselves even more.”
Nate Kaeding, Iowa kicker
On the fake field goal touchdown
“Coach and I called it. At that junction in the game we didn’t think three points would get it done. We executed it well and got six points out of it. I was running for my life because Ohio State has some hard hitters.
“We got seven points on the board from it, that’s the way I look at it. There were a couple key blocks and I saw open green in front of me, so I just went for it. When I saw the end was sealed I knew I had it. It was a big play because Ohio State’s defense is so good.”
Robert Gallery, Iowa senior offensive lineman
On the toughness of the Ohio State defense
“They did a good job and we knew coming in they were going to be a tough defensive front. They did the things they had to keep us guessing and make some big plays. I think we did some things to hurt ourselves and it was still a close game so that tells you how close and how small a margin for error there is.”
On true freshman Mike Jones coming into the game
“I’m sure it was tough on him. He is a redshirt freshman in his first game against last year’s national champs, so I think he did a great job. He was little nervous and I tried to help him out as much as I could. I think he held his own. He did a really good job. The whole offense can’t make the mistakes we did.”
Nathan Chandler, senior quarterback
On his injury in the game
“I just bruised my knee and I’ll see what it looks like tomorrow.”
On Ohio State’s defense
“They’re a strong defense and the one thing they do is they make you beat them. They don’t give you anything and we made too many mistakes.”
On how tough it is to play in a game like today’s
“Any game is tough when the running game is not working really well. It’s difficult, but we have seen throughout our season that just because it doesn’t start off great doesn’t mean it won’t come around. I don’t know what the final stats were, but I think our approach is to continue to pound away.”
On the center-quarterback exchange
“It’s something we need to get better at.”
