Postgame Quotes From No. 1/1 Ohio State vs. Minnesota – Ohio State Buckeyes
10/28/2006 12:00:00 AM | Football
Oct. 28, 2006
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Ohio State Player Quotes
Marcus Freeman, sophomore linebacker
On shutting out Minnesota
“It is the ultimate goal of any defense to not allow any points. It is a really good feeling, but as a defense we still have a lot of work to do.”
On Ohio State defense
“Each game we are getting more and more comfortable and experienced. Dominating feels good but we still have work to do. Each person is doing their thing and has their own assignment.”
Chris Wells, freshman running back
On getting back into play
“Coach (Jim) Tressel installed confidence in putting me back in the game. He just said to keep my head up and be ready to play football. It meant a whole lot then to be back in the end zone.”
On Michigan
“We work hard no matter who we are playing against. It is hard not to think about Michigan, but we need to take it one game at a time.”
Steve Rehring, sophomore offensive tackle
On running the ball today
“The conditions made it so we had to run. The wind was really strong and gusty so we had to run. It is fine with me if we run or throw as long as we are getting the yardage and winning games.”
On before the half
“I made a bad mistake with hand to high in the air. I feel bad because I guess Troy (Smith) had a good run. I didn’t even know what I did until afterward.”
James Laurinaitis, sophomore linebacker
On the win
“It was another Big Ten win. It also was a rewarding win because it was cool to play against guys I played in high school and have some ammo against them. It was important for the defense to get a shutout because we were close the past two games. With our defense we don’t panic when we have our backs against the wall. We have confidence and bend instead of breaking.”
Stan White Jr., senior fullback
On the offense
“It is really simple. The offense is versatile. We can run down the middle with players like Antonio Pittman. Plus we can spread the field out with Heisman candidate Troy Smith and the receivers.”
Antonio Smith senior cornerback
On turnovers
“Turnovers have been an emphasis for us this season. We didn’t win the turnover margin today. I think it was 3-3. We saw the offense start to turn it over a little. Then we knew we needed to create some of our own.”
On the OSU defense pitching a shut out
“It felt good to get this one. We missed getting one a few weeks ago, so it was nice to get this. The younger guys did a nice job coming in and protecting what we had worked for. It was a total defensive effort today.”
Minnesota Postgame Quotes
Head Coach Glen Mason
On today’s game
“Today we faced an incredible football team. We have had many problems and we continue to have problems. It is hard to get past those problems and get better when you play a team like Ohio State.”
On Minnesota
“We have got a lot of work to do and not much time left to do it.”
On pre-season expectations of Ohio State
“I think a lot of coaches expected to see a drop-off because of the caliber of players they lost last year, but there has been no drop off. We saw it today and so have the other teams that have played them this year. They have an explosive offense, a tough defense, and a great kicking game.”
On talent of Ohio State
“You are talking to the guy who just got shut out by them. They are a very good football team; very, very good. I didn’t need to play them to know that though. Ohio State is very skilled and they know what they are doing.”
On aspects of Ohio State that surprised him
“They are even bigger in person than on film. They are big up front, they have big linebackers and they have big wide receivers.”
Dominic Jones, sophomore cornerback
On Minnesota’s game
“We just have to take the positives from the game. We have to keep building and we have to get stronger. As players, we have to keep positive attitudes. We have to come out and play hard. We have to play as a team. If you don’t have camaraderie, you can’t win.”
Mike Sherels, junior middle linebacker
On the team
“Any time you lose it is a frustrating experience. We can’t get caught up in the loss. They are the No.1 team in the nation. They are a good team. They should have won. But it was a fun game to play in a great atmosphere.”
Jack Simmons, sophomore tight end
On Minnesota’s attitude
“We are not playing well, but we have to show up every day with positive attitudes. The coaches have not given up on us. We just have to get better.”
On playing Ohio State
“They are Ohio State. They are going to reload. We expected more out of ourselves. As good as they played we should have played better.”
