Ohio State Football Media Day – Ohio State Buckeyes
12/16/2006 12:00:00 AM | Football
Dec. 16, 2006
Photo Gallery
Ohio State players and coaches met with the media Friday at the Woody Hayes Athletics Center in the lone interview opportunity before arriving in the Phoenix area Dec. 30. The top-ranked Buckeyes will play No. 2 Florida in the Tostitos BCS National Championship Game Jan. 8, 2007 at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Ariz. The team will practice in Columbus next week until breaking for the holidays Dec. 23. The team has 19 seniors, including 18 fifth-year seniors, who played valuable roles on the scout team during Ohio State’s national championship run in 2002, culminating with the school’s seventh national championship after a 31-24 double-overtime victory vs. the Miami Hurricanes in the 2003 Tostitos Fiesta Bowl.
Tressel Audio
Part One | Part Two | Part Three | Part Four | Part Five | Part Six
Jim Tressel, Ohio State Football Coach
About Urban Meyer and his Ohio ties
“Urban Meyer has done a terrific job long before he got to Florida. Obviously, he was here with Earle Bruce. We just missed connecting. I was leaving to become the head coach at Youngstown State as he was coming in. I know he was with Earle at Colorado State and was with Bob Davie and those guys at Notre Dame. Tim Beckman on our staff worked with him at Bowling Green. He did a great job there and a great job at Utah. I think he has done a fabulous job at Florida. Yes, we are proud he is an Ohio guy.”
About both he and Meyer having coached for Earle Bruce
“I doubt if it puts Earle in a bind because of above (his relationships) with me or with Urban, Earle is a Buckeye. I don’t think he is in a tough spot (about who to root for). I’m sure he is proud. I know everyone of the guys I have worked with who is now getting opportunities and having successes that certainly makes me proud. I can only imagine he feels a sense of pride that he has contributed to both of us because he certainly has.”
About Earle Bruce
“The thing I loved about Earle Bruce is No. 1, he was as honest as the day is long. He is straight forward and carried about the kids. He loved the game and loved his school. It was very important for him to do things right. That is a great lesson. You are working for a guy who is the head coach at Ohio State and that comes through first and foremost. That was a tremendous blessing.”
About bowl practice so far
“The first half of our time between our last game and next game, we got a little bit of rest, we got our final exams taken care of and we had extraordinary success in the classroom. I think 61 of our players had better than a 3-point average and our team GPA was a 2.93. We are awfully proud of that. We had to work on fundamentals. Sometimes in the course of the season, especially when you play 12 straight games, you get so much into the game planning and so much into, `we’ll make this adjustment and that adjustment,’ that maybe you don’t spend the time on fundamentals that you should, so we had a chance to go back and do that. Then, of course, once we learned our opponent was Florida, we sparingly got to watch a little film. We were in the midst of final exams with our players and recruiting with our coaches, but the recruiting phase ends now and school is over. Now we are really able to dig into preparing for Florida.”
Reflecting on the 2002 national championship season
“That was such a long time ago. The kids now that are fifth-year seniors were a part of that and certainly had a contribution. And of course, we were the champions.”
About the matchup with Florida
“I think it is a great matchup. I think, much like one of the earlier questions about what I learned from coach Bruce, Urban has paid close attention to the people he has worked for. I think he builds a program the way it is supposed to be built. He builds it with discipline, like coach Bruce did. He builds it with speed. He builds it with attention to detail, most especially in the special teams area. Like you have mention, they are explosive across the ball. I don’t just think they are explosive on offense. I think they are explosive on defense and on special units. I think the matchup is a great one because philosophically, I think we’re fairly aligned. We’re both blessed with very good players. You admire the way Florida has found a way to win the SEC, because the SEC is an extraordinary conference.”
Similarities between the Ohio State team of 2002 and the Florida team of 2006
“The obvious similarity is that they are in the second year of their building process. You have a mix of guys you just are getting to know and a mix of guys who you recruited. I think the similarities between their ’06 team and our ’06 team are that we both have a significant number of seniors who have had wonderful moments and have had moments they wish were different, but have bought into what you are trying to do. You can see it as you watch their film. They are committed to what they do and you can see the leadership in a guy like Chris Leak or someone like that. I think we have some similarities in this year’s teams as much as our ’02 and their ’06.”
On philosophy of practice schedule
“We wanted our guys to have Christmas at home, so we’re practicing here until noon on the 23rd and then giving them a week at home. Rather than coming back here, I’m guessing the weather won’t be as good here as it is in Arizona, so we’re going to go to Arizona. I think we went even longer than that to Tampa (2002 Outback Bowl) that first year because we hadn’t been together much and we just need more time together to grow and know one another and learn what the expectations were. Really, exactly when we are going is a function of the calendar because we wanted them home for Christmas and didn’t want to come here and then go over there. Everyone is going straight to Phoenix and go from there.”
Preparations for a national championship game
“First, you talk about what it takes to be successful and that (a national championship game) isn’t any different than any other game from what you need to do to succeed. There are some other things. When we played Northern Illinois we didn’t have this type of (media) turnout. So, it is different. It is exciting. I don’t you have to discuss that with the guys because they are excited. We have never played Florida. Our guys watch Florida on TV and respect and admire what they do, but when it gets down to it, the same technique things, the same fundamental things, the same truisms are going to hold in this game as they will in any other game, but there are a lot more things around.”
On past experiences
“Any experiences you have help you in your future. Some of your setbacks help you learn what you could do better. Some of your successes you can point to and see what you did to be successful. I think all of those experiences certainly help us. Those fifth-year guys we have, just like Florida has all those seniors, they have all those experiences they can lead with. Every one of those experiences is helpful.”
About Troy Smith
“He certainly means a great deal and it has been chronicled on a moment by moment basis the last 10 days and that is all very deserving because he has worked hard and paid close attention to what he needed to do to get where he needed to go. What he has meant to our program, I am sure we can’t even quantify it. Of course someone else would have been playing quarterback if he weren’t, but who knows what we would have done in that case. He was playing quarterback and we have been able to enjoy successes. What would another win mean for him? Well it would mean the world to him because he is such a competitor. While he is exciting that he won the Heisman and his team was the outright Big Ten champion, there is only one thing in his mind right now and that is the next competition. As the people at the Senior Bowl will find out when he gets down there, there will be only one thing on his mind and it will be that competition. That is just the way he does things, so I’m sure it would mean a great deal to him to be successful in this competition.”
About Troy Smith carrying extra burden because he won the Heisman
“I suppose there is an extra target when there is extra notoriety or rank or whatever it happens to be, but that type of stuff lasts about 30 seconds, then you better do what you need to do on both sides of the ball. Neither of these teams are going to need anything extra. I mean both of these teams have a chance to play for the national championship. How many times in your life to you have a chance to do that? I don’t think either of these teams are going to have a tough time getting excited about this one.”
About Ohio State vs. the Southeastern Conference
“I am 0 and 1, so I haven’t helped a whole bunch. I can’t tell you that I know the record, outside of my own. But I know this, the SEC is an outstanding football conference. There are probably a lot of people who don’t have winning records against the SEC. I don’t know what their out-of-conference record is this year, but I bet it is good. It is the quality that you face. I’m sure if you look at the matchups over the year, whether it is Ohio State matching up against the SEC, or anyone else during the season or in the bowl season, I don’t think anyone isn’t award that the SEC is a great league.
On Florida being the toughest game of 2007
Is this our toughest game of ’07? For sure, because this is our first one in ’07. You only get one shot. I think because we don’t know that much about them and we haven’t experienced playing against them. When we line up against the teams we play every year, there is a certain understanding of what it is going to take. We lined up against Texas this year, but we had lined up against Texas before. Trying to get prepared without having really competed with someone is a little more difficult, but I haven’t watched enough film. Let’s pretend I had watched enough film and it is three weeks from now, I’m sure there will be areas of Florida’s attack that I’ll say, `that is the best this we’ve faced’ or `that is the best that we’ve faced’ and maybe not the best `this’ or `that,’ but to go through the SEC the way they did and then to win the championship game along with beating your instate rival, Florida State, that is pretty good and I’m sure it will be as big a challenge as we have had.”
On success vs. Michigan and in bowl games
“The first thing we attribute any of our success to is that we have pretty good players. Our coaches do an excellent job. The ball has bounced right for us at times. Some would even say the penalty flag has helped us, but I don’t know. Our guys love to compete and we have good players. We’ve had our share of good fortune, but there have been times we’ve not as had as much success as well.”
Florida on film
“The little bit of film I have watched, they are very physical. Again, I’ve only watched in a couple of meetings because we’ve been running in and out recruiting all the time. What is it? Force equals mass times acceleration. They can accelerate and they have good-sized guys. I have seen a lot of splattering going on in that film.”
On Ohio roots of Tressel and Meyer
“I think it is another thing for Ohio to brag about. We like to say Ohio is the birthplace of football and it is one of the great football states. If you look all over the country, historically there have been a lot of folks who grew up in Ohio that have gone on and have become very good teachers of the game of football around the country and in the NFL.”
About the fifth-year seniors
“Our fifth-year seniors for the most part spent time on the scout team in 2002. One thing I recall, now that was five years ago, but I recall that team getting ready for the 2003 Fiesta Bowl as being a team that really had great preparation habits. Part of that was part of that was what they expected of and demanded of their scout teams. A lot of these kids were on the scout team. I’m sure Troy Smith could tell you various players he emulated from the Hurricanes. I probably can’t tell you. I can’t tell you who was Ken Dorsey and who was – Troy may have been Willis McGahee for a little bit – I don’t know. They gave us great preparation and felt very much a part of that successful day. I’m sure they keep those rings with great pride and it means a lot to them.”
About being favored in the bowl game and having played as the underdog in a national championship game
“I know one thing about our guys. I’ve never seen them lack respect for an opponent, especially one like Florida. I don’t see our guys getting caught up in those kinds of things. I think they really focus in and have a lot of purpose in their preparation and I’d like to think that won’t even be part of the formula.”
On watching Florida film
“We exchange every game. I doubt if every player watches every game. I don’t know if I’m going to be able to thoroughly study every game the way I might study six of them. We create take-home tapes and particular study tapes on various concepts. It is part of our whole theory of watching a little bit to get a feel for someone as a team and then you teach some of the parts then you go back and put it together as a whole. I doubt the players would get through 13 games that we have. We have a lot of time and hopefully they will invest a lot of time in studying as much as they can.”
On the senior class
“This group – or a majority of them – have been with us five years of the six we have been here. So they have been a part of any growth we have had and many of the successes we have had. If it weren’t for them, who knows if we would be sitting here today talking about playing on the 8th of January. They have been extraordinary with their contribution and with really deciding what they wanted to be and what we could become on and off the field.”
On the 51-day layoff
“You design a system that you hope is the right one and it began with a lot of rest and the opportunity to be fresh for finals. Then fundamental work. Then digging in to your Florida preparation. Then time off to be with their families and then hopefully great focus once they land in Phoenix to polish up that preparation. It gives us a little time between the time they leave here and the time we reconnect with them in Phoenix to really look at what were doing and say, `this might not have been good and let’s do a little less of that and a little more of this,’ but I don’t have any sure-fire formula. We just do what we think is right and see how it goes.”
On embracing school’s football history
“We embrace all the way back to Francis Schmidt to Paul Brown to Woody (Hayes) to John (Cooper) and Earle (Bruce) and all the rest. We want our guys to know about the great place they have to be privileged to play. We talk about it often. We’ve even read history books about our past with our team.”
About what sets Urban Meyer apart as a coach
“I think great detail. Great passion to succeed, much like his mentor, coach Bruce. I think he is very creative. I have always enjoyed, not that I’ve been able to watch him long, but once he became a head coach here in Ohio and then at Utah and now at Florida, our guys (coaches) were down visiting with them in the spring. He has had good experiences and has paid attention when he was in those experiences and then he has taken what he has learned a made a program that would embrace the past, but yet build a creative future. It has been impressive to me.”
On playing a game with nerves
“We all have a lot of nerves and jitters. You always do going into games. The first play of the national championship game in ’02, we went out there with 12 guys on the field and got a penalty. Then the second play, our running back lined up on the wrong side and we didn’t have a receiver where we needed him. Then after that it was OK. I’m sure we’ll have jitters. As much preparation you put in and as much hype as a game like this gets, you can’t help but be excited. Once you get hit a few times, the jitters will go away and you’ll be in a good, hard-fought football game.”
Darrell Hazell, assistant head coach and wide receivers coach
On Anthony Gonzalez helping teammate Brian Robiskie
“Anthony is a very relaxed person, so he helps calm Brian down because Brian can be a worrier a little bit. He definitely helps ease his concerns. Anthony is a student of the game and that filters over to Brian. He helps him study the game and know the importance of being a well-rounded guy.”
On Anthony Gonzalez’ confidence
“His confidence level right now is through the roof. He is playing through confrontation and he wants the ball. He is just playing with confidence.”
On OSU receivers playing against Reggie Nelson, a finalist for the Thorpe Award
“We prepare and try to play well every week no matter who we are playing.”
Dick Tressel, running backs coach
On how head coach Jim Tressel wins the big games
“Winning the big game is not a science, rather it’s with heart. It takes skill and artistry to get into the situation of playing in the big game and still have the juice to win the big games.”
On head coach Jim Tressel’s coaching philosophy
“Everyday, all year long, we are pressed into thinking about the next play. We always have a forward-looking approach. In the long term, if the education is good, the educator’s plan will work out.”
On the national attention Antonio Pittman has received
“He may be unsung with the national media, but those guys have so many inches in their columns. Coming to Ohio State, there are so many guys to talk about, but other people do realize he is a good football player.”
On Antonio Pittman and Chris Wells’ relationship
“They have a very strong relationship. The come from the same town so they come from similar situations. They both are smart football players who want to be a part of a winning team. Pittman wants to help the young guy and Chris recognizes he should take Pittman’s advice.”
On Chris Wells’ touchdown against Michigan
“A play like that does a lot for a coach. That was a giant play for Chris. He is a great football player and had high expectations for himself and that play took a load off his back.”
John Peterson, tight ends coach and recruiting coordiniator
On head coach Jim Tressel’s success at Ohio State
“He has been here before. He is a coach’s kid and he has a consistent system that he believes in and translates to his staff. All the coaches and the kids believe in it.”
Jim Heacock, Ohio State Defensive Coordinator
Being ready after a 51-day layoff
“We may never have enough time to prepare. It’s probably not going to seem much different to anybody. We’re recruiting. We’re having practice. Our guys are lifting weights. It’s just so hectic. I don’t know if you really notice if it’s 51 or 31.”
Replicating Florida’s speed after a long layoff
“One of the things we’ve been able to do over the years, which coach (Jim) Tressel is a believer in, is we go one’s (first team offense) against one’s (first team defense) for at least a portion of the practice. So we’re going against Teddy (Ginn Jr.) and Gonzo (Anthony Gonzalez), so we’re going against some pretty good speed.”
On using Michigan’s game tape as motivation
“We try to do in that game – what we do in every game – take anything that we feel like we didn’t do well and we try to improve upon it. We probably took that game and tried to study some big plays and look at them.”
On Quinn Pitcock’s impact on the defense
“I think we will really find the benefit of Quinn Pitcock next year when we don’t have him. I think the linebackers will be taking on a few more blockers. Quinn is just an unselfish individual. He’s very strong and very explosive and he just demands two or three guys to block him. It really makes it nice for the linebackers and gives them an opportunity to make a lot of plays. I think next year they will realize, as they get some blockers coming off at them, they will wish they had Quinn back.”
On Florida’s use of two quarterbacks
“They have two outstanding quarterbacks. (Tim) Tebow is a little bit different than (Chris) Leak. They both throw the ball well. Tebow probably throws a little better than most people think. He’s got a strong arm. I think he’s got the ability to throw the ball well and of course he’s a good runner. They utilize him a little bit more with the run and getting into the red zone. The combination of those two quarterbacks means you have to prepare for both of them and have a scheme for both of them and be aware of who is in there.”
On Urban Meyer’s offense
“Very multiple. They do a lot of things. You better be prepared for a lot of different things and you have to be disciplined and you have to defend the whole field. A lot of different looks and a lot of different plays. And it could change. We may see something that we haven’t seen yet. It’s challenging.”
On the No. 1 reason for defensive success this season
“To me it’s the No. 1 most important reason why we had some success is the seniors. They did a tremendous job. Not only in playing, obviously they have to step forward and play, but halftime, pre-game preparation leading up to the game was all critical.”
Jim Bollman, Ohio State Offensive Coordinator and Offensive Line coach
On his health
“Pretty good, I think. I haven’t had any real problems with anything. I have to keep this rehab program going. It’s been pretty good.”
On being from the same town (Ashtabula, Ohio) as Florida Head Coach Urban Meyer
“It’s got to be unusual that Urban (Meyer) and I are from the same town, especially that same town. We both kind of crossed paths once we were in this profession. Anytime you can be from a situation like our town, a fairly small town, growing up and you see people having success it makes you proud.”
On Florida’s secondary
“They challenge you. They play quite a bit of man coverage. They all run very well, the whole defense runs very well. And they have a great safety back there who covers a lot of ground. He makes a lot of plays from the middle.”
On Florida’s defense
“They are really good up front. I think any good defense in the United States is really, really good up front. It gives people a chance to do their jobs and you don’t have to cover people quite as long cause you have great pass rush. The linebackers can make plays because you’re handling people up front.”
On OSU preparations
“This team has great chemistry. Regardless of the situation they’ve been pretty even keel and do a pretty good job of doing what needs to be done.”
On working with Jim Tressel as a big-game coach
“Through the years I think he’s always done a great job, especially in bowl games, with timing and moving things along. When we get into our normal game situation out in Arizona it will be like getting ready for a normal game. Through the years, when I think back, it’s a matter of trying to be prepared ahead of time and do whatever we need to do to utilize our players to the best of their ability.”
Luke Fickell, co-defensive coordinator and linebackers coach
On his opinion of the defense
“We are pleased as a staff. We thought they worked hard all year and that is all we can ask for. We had a combination of young guys and guys who had not played a lot. They have done an unbelievable job playing as a group and that has been a key to our success. We all feel they are a tight group and have come together well.”
On Florida’s versatility on offense and its impact on college football
“All of it is impressive. The multiple sets that teams use in college and the ability to use a running quarterback in more plays is what sets college football apart and makes it what it is. All the different things you see from week-to-week in this game you don’t get in the pros. Preparing for the different game plans and schemes is what makes my job difficult, but it is what makes it fun. That is the joy of what you do as a coach”
On linebacker James Laurinaitis
“He has had an unbelievable season. He has assumed a leader position as a sophomore. The postseason awards were warranted, but he knows the better the team is the more publicity you get. He knows the better the guys up front are the more publicity you get. He knows where he needs to get as a player and is in a great spot as a sophomore. He brings great humility. There are not a whole lot of sophomores out there who could handle success as well as he has.”
Joe Daniels, quarterbacks coach
On whether Troy Smith will have an “off” game after winning the Heisman Trophy like other winners have done
“The two factors that I think judge a quarterback are one, toughness, and two, competitiveness. To be great you got to be competitive. Troy will do anything in his power to not go out there (in the bowl game) and not have a great game. He will work his butt off to get where he needs to be.”
On whether Troy Smith will be a target for Florida since he won the Heisman Trophy
“The quarterback is always a target. The defense always goes after the quarterback.”
On watching Troy Smith evolve as a great player and person
“To have seen his growth, the whole process has been fun. From seeing him in high school, his freshman year here trying to see what it’s all about, his redshirt freshman year getting in there a little and then the last three years learning. Some might take it for granted where he is now, but it’s not an easy road. I’m really proud of Troy.”
On Troy Smith being a leader
“I have had lots of senior quarterbacks and I have enjoyed Troy a lot. He has a very inquisitive mind from a football standpoint about what he’s seeing out there. It’s been a lot of fun to be in the film room with all the quarterbacks, too. You know Troy is not opposed to getting on a teammate about something, whether it was wide receiver who ran a wrong route or something like that, Troy gets his point across. And when he shows leadership like that, you ask how do they react to it. It’s all positive. He’ll talk to them and point out something they could have done. That’s what leadership is.”
On the practices leading up to the bowl game being good for the young quarterbacks
“It’s like another spring practice. They take it that way. The young quarterbacks know this whole process involves bowl practice, spring practice and fall camp to determine what will happen next year. They’re trying to make the most of it.”
Paul Haynes, safeties coach
On Percy Harvin, Florida freshman wide receiver
“They use him in so many ways. He is very fast, talented and confident. Like all their opponents, we’ll just try to limit his big plays because every time he touches the ball he has a chance to score.”
On Ohio State’s depth at safety
“They are working real hard. The thing is that nothing is every set in stone, so they know they always have to get better. We’re just always trying to find the two or three best guys to put on the field.”
Troy Smith, Ohio State senior quarterback
Does the world seem like one endless interview?
“No, it is just a lot of necessary things that have to be done. It’s the biggest game in college football and you’ve got to get ready for it and prepare for it they way you need to prepare. These are all necessary things that have to be done. So we have to get it done.”
What did you take away from being a part of the 2002 championship team?
“A lot of things. The incredible need to win as a group, as a whole. Endless leadership skills and leadership qualities. Also, a focus to understand and know that it’s going to take every phase of the team to win a national championship.”
On possibly winning a national championship
“It would be huge to get a win and to get a chance to put another accolade on Ohio State’s long list and line of things that they’ve done. To put your own little notch in all of that is key. Your growth as a person and as a Buckeye.”
On Florida’s defense
“So far they trust in their front seven, their front four. They play a lot of man-to-man defense behind it having that faith in their guys up front that they will put enough pressure on the quarterback or disrupt the running game and let their DB’s run with you all across the board. Obviously they have faith in those guys and after watching film I can see why.”
On being prepared for any defense
“Our staff does a great job of putting us in the right situation. Being able to break some things down and give us great situations to make plays.”
How important is this week of practices?
“I think every workout that you get a chance to take part in, in preparation to play anybody that you play is important. The ones here are definitely more important than people would like to think because the stuff you do here sets that base and foundation for the things that you will do once you get to the actual bowl site. Although it’s not game week, it’s treated that way. Everything is just as serious.”
What people (media) were saying heading into the 2002 championship game
“Back then I treated the media the same way. They will say a lot of things to help you and they will say a lot of things that you might not like. I treat it all the same way. You can’t buy into things when things are good for you and you definitely can’t buy into them when they are not good for you. I know there were a lot of doubters back then and there still are doubters. But that’s life. There is not much you can do about it.”
On his relationship with quarterbacks coach Joe Daniels.
“I try not to think about it (not being with Coach Daniels next year) because that’s the sad part that you don’t want to think about. But he will continue to be a guy that I lean on and call at anytime, which I do, because he’s helped me so much thus far. Joe Daniels is a very, very special person in that you don’t meet many like him in your lifetime. He will always stay dear to me.”
Target on his back after winning the Heisman
“I don’t feel that way but I know there is. To rattle or disrupt what’s going on, you will have to do more than try and take myself out of the game. There are so many other elements to our team as to why we are so successful. I am nowhere near the most important to me. I think our most important and most valuable player is Doug Datish. Without him making those calls and getting guys in the right direction a lot of the fantastic plays that you see won’t happen. With us being No. 1, I think we all have a target on our back.”
What has it been like since winning the Heisman?
“It’s been cool. I’m sure it won’t hit me until I’m far, far removed from the university. I try to keep everything in perspective. There are always a lot of little jokes about it, but I still try to be as cool, and as loving as I was before. I don’t want anybody to think that because this is a part of our career here that this will change. It won’t change. If anything it will make it better, make it stronger. Again, literally, without these guys, I wouldn’t be able to be known as that.”
David Patterson, senior defensive tackle
On the layoff between the Michigan and national championship game
“I am happy about the layoff. It gives us extra time with our teammates. It was actually great for me because I went to the (College Football Foundation) banquet Monday with Troy and we celebrated in New York. The guys are ecstatic for him. He is the best player in the nation.”
On Florida’s offense
“Florida has a lot of speed and its defense has great players. They have the two quarterbacks who do great things for them.”
On Ohio State’s preparation for Florida
“Playing against Troy Smith in practice prepares us. He is an efficient passer and will run if he needs to, so the defense is ready for all aspects of the game. When you practice against the Heisman Trophy winner, it elevates your game.”
On the practices and drills in Columbus before leaving for Glendale
“The drills here at home are very important. At the bowl site, sometimes you have to worry about moving in and all the events, but right now we can just focus on the game and not have any outside distractions. We have this time to study film. It’s like a little camp.”
Antonio Smith, senior defensive back
On Ohio State’s break between Michigan and Florida games
“It is a great time for rest and recovery after a long regular season. It also is a time to educate the younger players. This time of year is not as fast-paced as (pre-season) camp and we can spend more time with the younger guys.”
On Florida
“They have great size and speed and a talented group of wide receivers. They use multiple quarterbacks, who both play at a high level. They are so fast. They are a great opponent. We will have to do a great job in preparation to win this game.”
On his personal progress from a walk-on to a starter
“I have come a long way. I am happy where I have gotten. I came in as a walk on and moved into playing special teams and now I am in a starting role. I did not expect all of this to happen, but I am happy to be here and help the team win. At first, I just tried to be a great scout player and help as much as I could in whatever role I was in.”
Quinn Pitcock, senior defensive tackle
On going to Arizona again for the bowl game
“That area feels like my third home. There is Piqua and Columbus and then the Phoenix area. My grandmother lives in that area and it has been great to see her just about every year. Hopefully, she will get to go to the game this year.”
On going back to the national championship game
“A lot of us seniors talk about that year. None of us played in a single game, including the national championship game, but we all have spent the last four years striving to get back there. We are blessed that we get the opportunity again.”
On playing scout team in 2002
“I played as a defensive lineman for Miami. I was a nose tackle in a 3-down set. I always worked hard my freshman year and knew it would pay off.”
On the long layoff
“It gives us an opportunity to heal some minor injuries, work out and lift more than we do in the regular season. It gives us an opportunity to gain some strength heading into the game. It also is a time to rest up and by game time, we should be at our optimum performance.”
Jay Richardson, senior defensive end On possible distractions Ohio State faces leading up to the game
“I give credit to Troy (Smith). Winning the Heisman can be a distraction to the team, but he has made it a non-factor. We tried to tease him a little this week about it and he did not have any of it. So, that is good.”
On making it back to the national championship game
“I got here in 2002 and it is exciting to think I have to opportunity to win one in my first year and last year. It would be a great honor.”
On Florida’s offense
“Their running game is a factor for sure. Urban Meyer uses a lot of sets and is very versatile. They can spread you out with multiple receivers and they can line up and play power football. Florida does a lot (on offense) and does all of it well. You just have to play your position and not get caught up in their misdirection and trick plays.”
Doug Datish, senior center
On the long layoff
“It is all about staying focused. With school being out, it is easier. We just have to look at the task at hand and practice hard, watch film and get after it like we do every week of the season. It gives us the opportunity to work out more and get stronger. We have more preparation time, so we should know more about this opponent than we have of any all year.”
On the possibility of going wire-to-wire at No. 1 this season
“That is something that would be special. It was our goal from the beginning of the season. We all thought we could do it. When you are No. 1, you know you are going to get the best each week from your opponent. We have done our best to take it one game at a time. I think that is what we have done best all season.”
On the Ohio State offensive line
“I don’t know if we have been overlooked. Just like any offensive line in the country, no one knows anything about you unless you do something bad. We just live through the skill guys. Troy (Smith) mentioned us at the Heisman ceremony and that was special. It does not necessarily have to be in the public eye like that though. If he says something in practice that is appreciated just as much.”
On Florida
“They are a great football team. They have tremendous speed. They play fundamental football and are disciplined on defense. They have great speed on defense.”
Anthony Gonzalez, junior flanker/slot receiver
On the possibility of going wire-to-wire at No. 1 this season
“The wire-to-wire thought has crept into my mind, but I don’t think there is anything positive that can come out of thinking about it. We have just been emphasizing working hard in practice and film study.”
On playing a team from the SEC
“I think the two best conferences in the country are the Big Ten and SEC. Which one is the best? Who knows? I think it trades back and forth every year. I think it is only fitting that we are playing a team from the SEC in the national title game. That debate will get decided in the bowl season.”
On the illnesses of Jim Bollman, offensive coordinator and line coach, and Joe Daniels, quarterbacks coach, this season
“I think the most rewarding thing we have this season is how we have dealt with adversity as a team. They are coaches we work with everyday and build relationships with. To see them go through a personal battle is tough. Everyone has found a way to deal with it and do the right thing.”
Brandon Mitchell, senior safety
On the speed of Florida
“I think that wherever you are from, they talk about their speed. If you’re from Texas, you talk about Texas’ speed. If you’re from the SEC you talk about the SEC’s speed. If you’re from the Big Ten, you talk about the Big Ten’s speed.”
On Troy Smith
“There is not bigger character on our team than Troy. But the thing with Troy is that when he steps on the field, whether that’s the practice field or the game field, he is so serious. But back in the locker room he makes people laugh and feel at home. That’s why people rally around him.”
On Troy Smith’s return after winning the Heisman Trophy
“He was very upbeat and focused. Dick Tressel tried to say a few nice things about him in front of everyone in practice the other day and Troy didn’t like that. He said he had a good time in New York and that he ate well, but he was ready to get back home and get to us.”
On Ohio State not having a winning record against the SEC
“You have to look at every team and every game on its own.”
On what it would mean for Ohio State to win the national championship
“The most exciting thing about it is that we talked back in the spring that we had the talent to do it. And then to see the fruits of your labor and get to this point undefeated. If we win this game we will have met all our goals. And this is No.1 vs. No. 2. This is what it’s all about.”
Antonio Pittman, junior running back
On returning to play in the national championship game
“For the fifth-year guys it’s their second time, but for everyone else it’s our first time, so we are pretty excited.”
On Troy Smith running less this year
“We have a lot of weapons. That might get overlooked sometimes, but that doesn’t bother us. Last year it was just me and Troy running. This year Troy hasn’t had to run the ball as much because it has been me and Beanie (Chris Wells).”
On the NFL
“I can’t name a player on this team who hasn’t dreamed of playing in the NFL someday. Us juniors would like to fill out the paperwork for the NFL and at least see what we need to work on.”
On what he is working on now
“I’m just trying to get through these practices. We are going at it pretty hard out here.”
