Ohio State Assistant Coaches’ Quotes – Ohio State Buckeyes
10/25/2006 12:00:00 AM | Football
Oct. 25, 2006
Ohio State Running Backs Coach Dick Tressel
On junior Antonio Pittman not receiving the credit he deserves
“I think the people outside of Columbus are starting to come around. I think during games people are starting to see the spark he brings to our offense. Whether it be something like the screen pass last week where all of a sudden we were backed up and we tossed it out to him and we got 20 yards. I think those kinds of things are recognized internally. I don’t think he will be under the radar if he keeps putting up these kinds of numbers.”
On Pittman’s relationship with freshman Chris Wells
“They really get along well and I think that maybe Pitt sees a little of himself in Beanie (Chris Wells). They are kind of in the same mold. Pitt had to go through a learning curve and probably fumbled when he was a freshman and has gone through all those things Beanie has gone through. It’s a good relationship.”
On Big Ten competition this season
“I wouldn’t say other teams in the Big Ten don’t have the talent that we have or that Michigan has. I would say their talent hasn’t come together yet as a team. There are talented guys on every team we play whether it be Indiana, Northwestern or Illinois. But maybe they have inexperience at the quarterback position or whatever, but I think other teams have the talent. It just hasn’t developed as far as it can yet.”
On the Ohio State offense
“This is a veteran crew we have here. They are executing and we are hoping they will continue to execute. They have a lot of fifth-year players and that helps a lot.” Ohio State Safeties Coach Paul Haynes
On the OSU defense wanting to give up fewer yards than last year in Minneapolis
“It’s a big motivating factor for them. I think because it was almost a school record for total yards. I think it’s a motivator but the thing we are working on is getting better. We want to get better game by game.”
On the Minnesota offense
“They have a very good team. Their offensive line is getting better and better each week. They lost some really good players after last year, but I think the guys that have stepped in are doing a great job. Their receivers are talented. Some of them are really tall which gives them that fade threat.”
On Minnesota receiver Logan Payne
“I compare Logan Payne to Gonzo (OSU flanker Anthony Gonzalez). He runs great routes, very aggressive and he’s got great hands. He may be one of the best receivers we’ve seen thus far.”
On the Big Ten
“I think a lot people lost a lot of players last year, but I think you’ve got a lot more young players playing. So the execution is going to be a little off. I think everybody is like we are. You just have to go week to week for everyone to get better.”
On Minnesota being a dangerous opponent
“They’re all dangerous at this point. I think everybody is dangerous because on any given day if you don’t execute, you can get beat. They have a lot of Ohio kids who are really excited to play. They are going to be in front of their family and friends so of course they are going to be a threat. I think everyone is a threat especially when you are No. 1. You are going to get the best out of everyone because they are going to want to knock off No. 1.”
### Go Bucks! ###
