Quotes From The Ohio State Football Media Luncheon – Ohio State Buckeyes
9/24/2003 12:00:00 AM | Football
Sept. 24, 2003
A.J. Hawk, linebacker
On starting Big Ten action
“I have only been here a year, but I have been around long enough to know that the Big Ten is a serious football conference. We know we are starting the Big Ten season and we take that seriously. We want to represent ourselves well.”
On what he learned from the defensive seniors last year
“I tried to learn a lot from the guys last year, especially seniors Matt Wilhelm and Cie Grant. Playing behind them helped me out a ton. They showed me how study to film, what to do on the line and a lot of other things.”
On strong safety Will Allen
“We know that Will (Allen) is always going to make the big play. We don’t wait for him to make the big play because we all want to make a big play, but it is a good feeling knowing that we have a senior leader out there helping us.”
On Big Ten football
“A lot of teams in the Big Ten run the ball. Northwestern has been running the ball this season so hopefully they are going to try and keep that up because as a defense we like the challenge.
“I know that in the Big Ten any week we can lose. Even though people try to say that Northwestern isn’t as good as they have been in the past that is not true. I think they should definitely be 3-1, they lost a close one to Air Force that they should have one. We (the team) aren’t taking anything lightly especially in the Big Ten.”
Mike Nugent, place kicker
On starting Big Ten play Saturday vs. Northwestern
“I don’t think it makes that much of a difference in preparing for an opponent. Whether they are a conference opponent or not, we just try and keep our focus on the team we are playing that given week. The only difference is that conference games count toward winning a Big Ten championship.” On the beginning of fall quarter classes at Ohio State and its effect on the football season
“When school is back in session there seems to be more hype. All the students are back and the atmosphere gets a little more exciting. On our end, we now have to worry about going to class, practice in the afternoon and then doing school work at night and then doing it all again the next day. It all comes down to time management.”
On Ohio State’s recent close outcomes
“The way we won games last year, with six of seven games decided by seven points or less, has helped build an outstanding character on this team. We know that every team is going to bring their best when they play Ohio State. What would be better for a team than to knock off the defending national champions. That is a big motivating factor for them. Winning the close games speaks well about the type of team we are.”
Nick Mangold, offensive lineman
On what it is going to take for Ohio State to win the Big Ten:
“I think it is always wide open. There is always a chance for anyone to win the Big Ten. I think it’s going to be the team that knows what they are doing and that is physical. The Big Ten is all about big hitting and big plays and big teams. I think it will come down to who prepares the best, who’s able to play the game and really hit.”
On Ohio State being a physical and hard hitting team
“We have a great defensive front and a great line backing corp. You have seen A.J. almost kill a few guys as they cross the middle. I think we’re a great hitting team. Even the offensive line has been able to hit some guys. Especially last week we were able to come off the ball and really move people, so I think this team will be a very hard hitting team, especially as we improve every week.”
On what the offense is doing well
“I think we’re improving overall. Everyday we go in and watch film to see what’s going on. When we get on the field, we practice all the things we need to get better at and I think we take that to heart and actually do those things better.”
On getting more playing time
“It was great. How do you put any words on starting for Ohio State? That’s every kid’s dream around Ohio and the nation, so it’s definitely exciting and I’m looking forward to it later on in my career, but it has definitely been a blast for the past few games.”
On creating depth with guards Mike Kne and Adam Olds
“One of the big things we’ve been working on is depth, having that behind us, because next year, I mean not looking ahead, but next year, we got four guys to replace, so I think depth is a big part we worked on in the spring and in the fall camp. I think it is starting to come out and play better for us.”
On the difference in the running game last week
“I think our big focus was getting lower and pushing harder. Everyone knows what they have to do assignment wise, but the big thing was pushing harder and getting lower, so I think that was the big improvement we worked on.”
