Postgame Quotes From No. 12/12 Ohio State vs. Illinois – Ohio State Buckeyes
11/5/2005 12:00:00 AM | Football
Nov. 5, 2005
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Ohio State Player Quotes
Anthony Gonzalez, sophomore flanker
On the play of the offense
“We started a little rough today but we started to really focus and execute in the second half. I’d say we failed in the first half but we really poured it on at the end and it felt great.”
Santonio Holmes, junior wide receiver
On the big plays of the offense
“As an offense, we have more faith in Troy (Smith), the O-line, the receivers and the running backs to get the job done. More guys are stepping up to make the big plays and we’re not giving up.”
On his first TD reception
“I made a good move on the sideline to get the guy off track and I got a great block from Ted (Ginn Jr.) to get in the end-zone.”
Marcel Frost, sophomore tight end
On his contributions
“I’m getting there. The coaches have more and more confidence in me to get the job done and I’m ready to do it. As an offense, we’re getting better and better but we still have a lot of work to do.”
Antonio Pittman, sophomore tailback
On Northwestern
“This is a big one for me. Tyrell Sutton is from Akron as well, so it’s going to be a big day for Akron running backs. I’m real fired up for it.”
Troy Smith, junior quarterback
On film study
“After the San Diego State game I started watching film and I think it has allowed me to become a successful quarterback. I am able to see more guys on the field and don’t have a tunnel vision. I think it has given the offense more confidence in me.
On his performance
“I came out on edge during the first half, but I was not willing to give up. We have to be there for all four quarters. (Nick) Mangold told me during the half to be consistent and then we got the touchdown, which gave us momentum in the second half.”
Nate Salley, senior free safety
On the game
“It was a great accomplishment not allowing the offense to score because they have a fairly good offense. It was our goal to come out and be physical and I think we did a good job today. The main thing was trying to get their quarterback to make quick plays and not giving him a lot of time to think.”
On facing Northwestern
“Northwestern is going to be a huge game. It is bittersweet for me, because it is my last game in the “Shoe.” It will be fun to get out there and hopefully hold our own and come away with a victory.”
Rob Sims, senior offensive tackle
On a slow first half
“It is always important to have the offense, defense and special teams going in the first half and we were slow to put it together until the second half. We need to have a complete game to continue to win. It was hard to adjust in the first half to Illinois, but I think we should have put it together a lot sooner.”
On playing Northwestern next weekend
“Northwestern is always a good team. We want to come out with a big win next weekend. Northwestern has skilled athletes and coaches, so we have to have a good practice this week in order to come out hard on Saturday.”
Bobby Carpenter, senior linebacker
On facing Northwestern
“Last year was a tough loss against Northwestern, so we will have to play hard this year. It will be a big advantage to be playing at home. Northwestern is a good team with a good offense, so we will have to come in and play our best.”
Illinois Quotes
Head Coach Ron Zook
On Ohio State’s performance in the game
“They are a well-coached and disciplined football team. We’re not the first to have trouble against Ohio State’s defense. They have a lot of seniors and are very athletic in the secondary. (Bobby) Carpenter presents the offense a challenge because you don’t know where they are going to play him.”
On Illinois’ performance in the game
“We’ve got everything we need to create a good program. Our young kids will continue to learn and improve. We played well in the first half. The kids didn’t give up any big plays and I’m proud of them.”
Steve Weatherford, senior punter
On the game…
“We played our hearts out today but we were outmatched. I think if we can put two halves together like our first half today we’ll be starting something.”
On the call for the fake punt…
“Actually, we called the play earlier in the game but we checked out of it. So, I knew if they got up on us and we needed a momentum swing then we were going to do it. It was actually a good time to call the play it just didn’t work out.”
Tim Brasic, junior quarterback
On the Ohio State defense…
“They came off the ball hard. They threw a lot of twists and turns in there and the linebackers kept moving, so that made it difficult for us.”
On the game…
“We came in expecting to play well, do well and win. We didn’t just want to keep up with them. Coach came in and told us not to worry about the score but to keep playing hard. Our guys fought and competed and competed and I’m proud of them. I know the scoreboard doesn’t reflect that exactly, but we played well.”
Justin Harrison, sophomore free safety
On the game…
“We felt that going out there we had to let them know what the game was going to be like. We wanted them to know we were here to play. We wanted to get down into the money zone. But, we have to know our assignments and we have to execute to do that.”
Kevin Mitchell, sophomore strong safety
On practicing returns…(75 yard defensive PAT return)
“We had been scooping plays against the defense but that was the first time we had done that. It was a long drive and I don’t have the greatest stamina. So, I was lucky some of our guys made great blocks for me.”
On the point after return…
“I just saw the ball on the ground and went for it. We don’t have the greatest luck, so I thought that we would have penalties. When I looked back from the end zone, though, and it was good. A lot of great things happened during the game that I think we can build on.”
