Football Quotes (Sept. 5, 2006) – Ohio State Buckeyes
9/5/2006 12:00:00 AM | Football
Sept. 5, 2006
Troy Smith, senior quarterback
On preparing for the Texas game
“If you try to go into any week with more emphasis, you’re shorting yourself. Every week should be the same amount of emphasis in time, practice and film study.”
On the heat in Austin
“I don’t think it will affect too much. We have a set plan for hydration. It has worked so far and we ought to be able to carry that plan down to Austin.”
On the rematch
“It’s not a game of revenge. We are just trying to stay even keel as a team. At times that’s tough to do but you can’t let yourself buy into that. You have to treat it like every game.”
On the hype for the game
“Once you take your eyes off what’s important and start thinking about the hype, you lose focus. We all know it’s a big game but we have to treat it like every other game. It is just as important as last week’s game and it’s just as important as next week’s game.”
Quinn Pitcock, senior defensive tackle
On Ohio State’s defensive preparation against Texas
“Basically, we are going to do what we always try to do. We will create pressure up front and in the back end make the tackles. We will correct any mistakes we made in the first game.”
On the attention the game between Ohio State and Texas is receiving
“It is exciting to have so many people following us. But we can’t get caught up in it. We have to treat this game like any other game. I try to block out it’s No. 1 vs. No. 2. I try to just think of it as Ohio State vs. Texas.”
On Texas quarterback Colt McCoy
“I think he is a great quarterback. He has a good offensive line that allows him to sit back and read the coverages. They give him time.”
On staying focus before the game
“I don’t watch the television or read the newspapers. I’m just in the Woody Hayes Athletic Center watching film and practicing all day.”
David Patterson, senior defensive tackle
On the team attitude towards Texas
“We don’t want revenge on Texas. They have great athletes and we have great athletes. They have great players at every position and are going to be a great challenge for us. Our coaches will help prepare us to put in our best effort for the game.”
On the pressure of being No. 1 on the road
“We are not concerned about rankings when we are on the field. The only thing we think about are specific plays. We want to be No. 1 at the end of the season. That is our goal. We just have to take every game the same, because they are all a fork in the road. One loss can really hurt you.”
On playing Texas in their stadium
“They have a great stadium and great fans. Texas is a great environment to play in. Our guys are ready and we will lean on each other for support. The more our team bonds, the more we will be there for each other.”
Jamario O’Neal, sophomore strong safety
On preparation to face Texas
“We are not going to do anything different. We just have to calm down and take it like any other game. There is no motivation for revenge. It’s a big game and they want to win just like we want to win.”
On comparing the Texas game last year to the upcoming game
“There are a lot of things that go through my head. I have been watching the film from last year and it is definitely a learning experience. The crowd will be loud again, but we don’t want to get too caught with how big the game really is. Right now it is all about extra film study and doing the things our coaches ask us to do.”
On the mindset towards the Texas team
“We respect Texas just as they respect us. There is no animosity felt for Texas. Big time programs want to play other big time programs – it will only make you better. It is going to be a big game and it’s important to visualize yourself making a big play. If you visualize it, you can make it happen.”
Kirk Barton, junior offensive tackle
On facing Texas
“It’s not so much about revenge. We remind ourselves all the time that we didn’t do so well. This game means everything for the season.”
Remembering the 2005 Texas game
“I remember that feeling I got on the bench, watching them complete the pass and looking at the scoreboard. It was just disbelief in the locker room. All the work faded. There was a lot of climbing to do after dropping that game.”
On the importance of the Texas game
“Our goal is to make it to the national title game and you have to win it all to get there. It’s most likely going to be two undefeated teams facing each other. If you don’t win just one game in the regular season, you’re probably not going to be playing for a national championship. You have to treat all games throughout the season like it’s the Super Bowl. Last year, when we faced Notre Dame, it was only the fifth time we (the programs) have played each other. Who knows when we’re going to play them again? This game is the same. I don’t want that lasting taste to be a bad one. I want to look back fondly on the OSU/Texas game.”
On comparing Troy Smith to Vince Young
“I don’t know if he (Troy Smith) likes being compared to Vince Young. They both work hard to make sure their teams don’t lose. When you see Troy’s great performances strung together, you think he has a sixth sense for the game.”
On replaying the Texas game
“I’ve re-watched the game at least 50 times. I want to remember that feeling. It gets me motivated. The feeling in the locker room after – it was like you’ve been hit by a car. You’re done. One week you have high expectations, and then a week later it’s dashed. We finished (the season) well, but it wasn’t what we wanted.”
On facing tough competition
“If you play for a top-flight program, you can’t be afraid to face other top-flight programs. Those are the teams you want to play. Those are the games you tell people about. That’s what you’ll remember – beating Notre Dame, Michigan and those programs.”
On preparing for the Texas game
“The biggest mistake is to change your routine because of the opponent. I eat the same meals. I do the same stretches. If it isn’t broke, don’t fix it. You’ve got to be ready to go and play in every game. Teams that you’re not expecting can sneak up on you. Just work on your fundamentals and work hard.”
Doug Datish, senior center
On the upcoming Texas game
“This is a huge game. Texas has great fans and it will be a crazy environment. We will go down and play the best game we can. We have played huge games before and our experience on the offensive side is invaluable. The defense will gain experience really quick.”
On playing a huge game as visitors
“Going anywhere into a hostile environment, we are like the enemy invading. You just have to stay close to your team and stick with your guys.”
On the loss to Texas last year
“Any time you lose, it is horrible. They were a great football team with great players — and they still are a great football team. They are big and fast, with sound fundamentals. They are the defending national champions – that is no secret.”
John Kerr, senior linebacker
On the upcoming Texas game
“This is a big game, but every game is a big game to us. This is why you come to Ohio State and why you play football.”
On Texas quarterback Colt McCoy
“I respect him and respect their offense. Age doesn’t matter. He is definitely a good quarterback. I watched the game (vs. North Texas) last week and he threw good passes.”
On the team goals for the Texas game
“We have some unfinished business. They are a good team and just another obstacle in the way. If we get past them, we surpass the national champions of last year. We must go through them to get to the top.”
Stan White, senior fullback
On the Texas team
“They have great coaches and great athletes. We have watched the game from last year about 100 times. When you go in and play the defending national champions in week two, they deserve respect. We understand the challenge of going into Texas and playing them at their home.”
On traveling to away games
“In college, you will always have young guys inexperienced with traveling. There will be yelling and screaming when we get there. There is a huge fan base for both schools. Traveling on a plane and sleeping in a strange place makes it hard to go on the road.”
Jay Richardson, senior defensive end
On being ranked No. 1 and playing No. 2
“The game is a little bigger now. I think we have earned our No. 1 ranking and if we go down there and play our game we should prove it to everyone.”
On Texas
“They are a great team and they are the defending national champs. Last year’s lost cut deep and that loss will always be in the back of your mind.”
On the Ohio State-Texas game being at night
“I love playing at night. It reminds me of high school. Last year the game was really hyped up and I’m sure this year is going to be even bigger.”
TJ Downing, senior offensive lineman
On Ohio State’s offense
“We are going to put as many points on the board as we can. Texas has a bunch of big defensive tackles, about 300 to 350 pounds, that are going to try and get in our face and stop us.”
On the Texas game last season
“I try not to watch the film from that game. When you want something so bad like that and you come so close it is heart breaking.”
On being a senior
“This is my last year and this is our last shot at Texas for a while. We all want to go down there and win. If we go down there and take care of business we should win.”
Antonio Smith, senior cornerback
On last season’s game vs. Texas
“Last year was rough and we kind of shot ourselves in the foot. We just have to be focused. We will be ready. If we do our job we should play well.”
On the offenses of Ohio State and Texas
“People talk about this game like it is going to be shootout but I don’t know about that. If we can stop the big play then I think we will have played well.”
On Ohio State’s defense
“We all just have to do our job individually. We each just have to be one 11th of the defense and not try to do too much.”
Jim Bollman, offensive coordinator/offensive line coach
On the offensive line’s performance against Northern Illinois
“They were okay. There’s certainly a lot of room for improvement. Three or four guys had winning performances. Overall, they need to get a little better at technique.”
On scoring seven points after the beginning of the second quarter
“I was more disappointed with the overall consistency after we got to 28. We have to improve on that.”
On knowing that Troy Smith will be the starting quarterback going into the game vs. Texas this years
“We are in a little more of a comfort zone. The players know what to expect, what kind of leader he is and what he is capable of. He puts us all on an even keel.”
Luke Fickell, co-defensive coordinator/linebackers coach
On the team concept the players have
“There are 11 guys on the fields at all times. We use no names. There is only one name – Ohio State.”
On the competition at the linebacker position
“Every position is intense. There are seven guys good enough to play every game.”
On the linebacker’s performance vs. Northern Illinois
“We have a very mature group of guys. For the first game, they did a good job of communicating.”
