Quotes From The Ohio State Football Media Luncheon – Ohio State Buckeyes
9/16/2003 12:00:00 AM | Football
Sept. 16, 2003
Defensive tackle Darrion Scott
On winning close games
“The great thing about our team is that we have found a way to come together no matter the situation.”
On having the defense on the field to end the game
“It’s great to be the difference in winning a game – to have it come down to a goal line stand and have that become what is remembered about a game.”
On the senior defensive linemen being in the game each overtime
“When it comes down to crunch time we’re going to have the veterans in there, the guys that have started three years. Of course we’re fatigued, but that’s part of the game and it’s not going to keep us out of the game at that point.”
On playing in such a long game
“It was definitely a long game. We are still trying to recuperate. We’ll go hard in practice today but maybe not as long and try to get some of the backups in.”
On his first thoughts about Bowling Green
“Josh Harris is an impact player. He runs and throws very well. I’m sure they’re going to come in here fired up and play their best game against us.”
Punter B.J. Sander
On his performance and the overall success of Ohio State’s punting unit
“Overall, I am happy with where I am after three games. There are some things I still need to work on, but I am pleased with our success as a unit. Our punt team did a great job last week of picking up the NC State rush. Our long snapper has been great so far this year as well. Basically, I just need to hang the ball up there and let our guys run under it and make a play.”
On holding the extra point attempts for kicker Mike Nugent during the overtime periods in the NC State game
“It really was not any different from holding for Mike at any other point in a game. There really was no added pressure involved. I just go out on the field and hold for Mike. He is the one who needs to put the ball through the uprights. I just do my best to make that as easy as possible for him.”
On Ohio State’s ability to win close games
“We have a lot of self confidence as a team. Last year’s success in close games has helped that confidence grow. We just seem to build on that after every close game.”
Split end Michael Jenkins
On improving the running game
“We like to see the running game go. We like to be downfield blocking for those guys and it’s frustrating because we want to be more consistent, but we’re working on that. We’ll get the offensive line together and we’ll get the running backs in the hole and we’ll have a consistent running game.”
On Bowling Green being confident playing in Ohio Stadium
“Everybody comes in here thinking they can win in the stadium. We just have to do what we can control, like turnovers and our defense getting three-and-outs, and with special teams. When we are doing things right, it makes it hard for them to win in our stadium.”
On losing the “air of intimidation”…
“We don’t really care about that ‘air’ we just know that if we go out and do the things we need to do we’re going to win ballgames, and that is all that matters.”
On the Bowling Green defense
“They play hard. They’ve got some experience in the secondary, with three seniors and a junior. They’ve got a lot of experience behind them. They are going to be ready to play.”
On the improvement of the offense in overtime
“It is a stepping stone. We did some things well in the passing game in the overtime period, but it is just that determination factor when we know we definitely need to get touchdowns. That’s just the kind of character and determination we have when we know we have to get things done.”
On Craig Krenzel playing hurt
“That’s just the type of guy he is. He’s going to do anything he has to win.”
On his favorite TD of the NC State game
“It was nice to catch the ball and run, instead of just catching it on the sidelines and running out of bounds, so it was sort of nice to get downfield a bit. The second one (in overtime) hurt a little bit – I got a bit of a headache catching that one, so I’ll take the first one.”
