Postgame Quotes From No. 1/1 Ohio State vs. Cincinnati – Ohio State Buckeyes
9/16/2006 12:00:00 AM | Football
Sept. 16, 2006
Recap | Final Stats | Notes
Marcus Freeman, sophomore linebacker
On the game
“This win felt real good. I’m very proud of all the guys. We got a lot of yards rushing and got things done. I’m looking forward to next week’s game.”
About the first half
“UC came in with a good game plan. We had to settle down and play Ohio State football. Each week at practice we get better and better. We need to show that on the field.”
On the start of the game
“We came out slow. We were back on our heels and coach (Jim Heacock) made some great adjustments and we got better as the game went along.”
On James Laurinaitis’ interception
“It was a big play for us. They were moving the ball on us and we really needed a big play and for the second week James was there for us. He is a great player and he has played great this season.”
James Laurinaitis, sophomore linebacker
On the first half
“We know our play-making ability. Most of the mistakes were common sense things we needed to change. We all just needed to line up with our man and execute.”
On the offense
“I’m proud of our offense. We need each other to get things done. We (the defense) gave up some big plays but were still able to come up with a win.”
On improving their strategy
“We will always dwell on our mistakes but we need to fix them. We need to get better every day.” Rory Nicol, sophomore tight end
On his big plays
“It was fun to make big plays with some good catches. I can’t take all the credit. It’s important for everyone to be involved and execute.”
On Cincinnati
“We knew UC was going to come in here hungry. They had a good plan and they have a really good team.
On Antonio Pitman
“Pitman works so hard. He was getting us all pumped up and a tight end was able to get in on the action. I still have a long way to go and improve everyday.”
Doug Datish, senior center
On Ohio State’s defense
“A big thanks to the defense for doing a good job today. Once we (the offense) started seeing the field, we started getting better.”
Troy Smith, senior quarterback
On the University of Cincinnati’s performance
“Coach (Mark) Dantonio did a great job offensively with the Bearcats. Ohio State’s defense did a great job to hold a good team like that to under 10 points.”
On Ohio State’s offensive plays
“There were just minor things, but the plays got better as the game went on because we got a better feel of the Bearcats and the field started to open up. We didn’t fuss and bicker over the small things when things were going wrong because we just moved on to the next play.”
On Antonio Pittman’s performance
“Pittman is one of the unsung heroes on the team. He does the grinding day in and day out, and if you give him enough touches he’s going to make some plays.”
Quinn Pitcock, senior defensive tackle
On the defense’s motivation
“We were motivated this week to work hard and fill the gaps to lower the rushing yards. From watching film and our preparation this week, we were able to put pressure on the quarterback. We had a problem with the quick outside passes. We had calm down and focus on the next play because they’re a good team and are going to make plays. After the first touchdown we (defense) started going.”
David Patterson, senior defensive tackle
On the start of the Big Ten season
“I’m looking forward to the physical play of Big Ten football. I think preparing for Big Ten games makes us better and better each week.”
Maurice Wells, sophomore tailback
On Ohio State’s play against the Bearcats
“The game didn’t go the way we wanted it to, but we got the win and that’s important. On offense we didn’t get things started until the second half. (Antonio) Pittman got it done today for us, and did a great job.”
On the offense
“We have a great offense. We have a have good receivers and a great quarterback but it all starts with the running game.”
On the running game
“The offense works as a unit when one part is doing poorly it brings everything else down. In the first half we could not get the running going and the offense struggled but when we got the run going in the second half everything picked up.”
Nick Patterson, sophomore free safety
On the defense’s pressure on the Bearcats
“We came out flat but we settled down and did our job. We have a swelling mentality this year to put pressure on the quarterback. We did a better (with) the rushing today.”
Curtis Terry, junior linebacker
On the start of Big Ten play
“A lot of the guys still remember the loss to Penn State (last year), so we are focused for that game. It’s always a great atmosphere at Big Ten games. I am always just happy to have a chance to play and be there when the team needs me.”
Antonio Pittman, junior running back
On his running
“When I’m out there putting my head down, getting those tough runs, that is just me doing what I am suppose to do. I was brought here for a reason and that was to run hard every play.”
On the offense
“We got started a little slow in the first half. In the second half we came out and stuck with the run and it opened up the pass.”
On the other running backs
“It is what is best for the team to have a lot of good backs. Competition is always a good things it forces you get better.”
Anthony Gonzalez, junior wide receiver
On Ted Ginn Jr.
“He is just amazing. When he puts his feet on the ground and turns on you he is almost impossible to tackle.”
On Mark Dantoino’s defense
“We had seen a lot of the defense on film but as soon as we stepped on the field the coaches said forget about it because he (Dantoino) is going to throw something all new at us. I saw a formation with only one down linemen, I had never seen that.”
Ted Ginn Jr., junior wide receiver
On playing with Troy Smith
“We just go out and have fun. We practice all the time and when we are in rhythm we are really hard to stop.”
On the Cincinnati defense
“They played tough. They came up and jammed me a lot and that will work sometimes but if you don’t get a good jam on me, I’m gone.”
Cincinnati Quotes
Mark Dantonio, Cincinnati head coach
On Cincinnati
“We came to play today. We started well with a solid first half. At halftime I told them to play one play at a time. We sustained in the third, but started to fail at the end. The defense played well but ran out of gas.”
On Ohio State
“I give Ohio State credit. They had no turnovers. If you don’t turn the ball over and have a good football team like they do, they are tough to beat.”
On Cincinnati’s team
“I’m proud of the players. We will re-evaluate, re-focus and move forward.”
On Ohio State’s defense
“Ohio State has a good defense. (David) Patterson is one of the best defensive linemen I ever saw play as a freshman. I feel Pitcock will be a first round draft pick. Ohio State has a great front four. It allows the linebackers to run free.”
On competing against Ohio State
“I like coaching against Tressel. He is a good man and I enjoy the experience coming here. I sold players on playing against the No. 1 team in the nation, playing against players from Ohio and players you know. Ohio State is a first class football team in every aspect.”
Brett Celek, senior tight end
On the atmosphere in the visitor locker room at halftime
“At halftime, the feeling was that we could really take them. Our defense was playing well as was the offense. We just stuttered out in the fourth quarter. Sometimes things don’t roll your way.”
On their play during the second half
“We played hard the first half. Then things started going the other way. We played with the No. 1 team in the country for the first three quarters. We are never going to give up.”
Jared Martin, freshman wide receiver
On his first collegiate touchdown
“My first catch felt great to score a touchdown. But we didn’t get the victory and that is all that matters at the end of the day.”
Mike Mickens, sophomore cornerback
On playing against Ohio State
“They had a good offense. They were playing good and had a couple of receiving touchdowns on us.”
On Ted Ginn
“Ginn is a good athlete. You have to cover him on every play and if not he’ll get you. We just tried to be physical and get our hands on him. There was good coaching on their side. When they saw he couldn’t get the pass up top, they let him go across the field where it was harder for us to get to him.”
Haruki Nakamura, junior free safety
On Ohio State
“They have a good team and great athletes. We played our hardest and sometimes you get tired.”
Dustin Grutza, sophomore quarterback
On the Ohio State defense
“Their defensive line was good. They have good athletes. If there was a person on me, that is when you saw me scrambling and using my feet. They had me trapped in there.”
