Postgame Quotes From No. 1 Ohio State vs. Michigan State – Ohio State Buckeyes
10/20/2007 12:00:00 AM | Football
No. 1/1 Ohio State (8-0, 4-0 Big Ten) 24, Michigan State (5-3, 1-3 Big Ten) 17
Ohio Stadium
Columbus, Ohio
Oct. 20, 2007
Attendance: 105, 287
Dexter Larimore, freshman defensive tackle
On Ohio State’s offensive struggles
“Our offense turned the ball over a little more than we would have liked, but that just made our defense play that much more.”
On Ohio State’s run defense
“I thought we did okay against the run, but we can always do better. Next week will be a good test because Penn State is a good running team.”
On Ohio State’s defense
“We had to prove ourselves on defense when the score was 24-17. Our secondary was great, our linebackers were great and our front was great. We have 11 guys who can make plays, and I think we showed that today.”
Brian Robiskie, junior flanker
On Ohio State’s Offense
“We never panicked today. We have done a great job all year not depending on one guy to make plays. We played together and came out on top.”
On OSU’s offensive mistakes
“A lot of it was us shooting ourselves in the foot. We were playing well and should have continued playing the way we were in the first half.”
On playing at Penn State next week
“It will be a good test for us. They have a really strong defense so we have to be ready. Now we can focus solely on them. It’s going to be a great challenge.”
Jake Ballard, sophomore tight end
On his touchdown
“As a tight end I am not going to see many passes so when one comes my way I know I have to take advantage.”
On his touchdown
“I have been lucky this year because I have been a bigger part of the game plan. Todd (Boeckman) threw a little farther then I thought he would but I was still able to make the play.”
Steve Rehring, junior offensive linemen
On Chris Wells
“Beanie (Wells) was in a zone today. I am lucky I get to see him do that everyday in practice. Finally he was healthy enough to do it in a game on a national stage.”
On Michigan State
“I thought we had more talent up front but they did everything they could to get after Todd (Boeckman). They threw a lot of blitzes at us.”
On the sack and fumble of Todd Boeckman
“That was a screen pass in which Todd has two options to throw right or left. Michigan State timed it just right and was able to get to him (Boeckman) before he could get the pass off.”
Brian Hartline, sophomore wide receiver
On the game
“Today’s game was a real battle. I think we showed again this is a team of fighters and we are not going to give up or back off.”
On the game
“This game started to remind me of the Purdue game near the end. I felt like we had played well enough to win but we were still in a tight game.”
Kurt Coleman, sophomore safety
On the game
“With the turnovers we felt that we could lock down the (MSU) offense. When the guys on the offense turned the ball over a few times we (the defense) just told them to keep their heads up because we can’t win without them.”
On the game
“This was a great atmosphere today. It was a real close game with a lot of intensity. These are the kind of game that I love.”
Brandon Saine, freshman running back
On how it feels to be the No. 1 team in the nation
“We just have to get out there and play hard no matter what. We have to have a hard practice this week and go and play well next weekend.”
On Chris “Beanie” Wells’ injured ankle
“He really toughed it out today. He stayed out there and played the whole game and he did well.”
On the two Michigan State defensive touchdowns
“I knew we would definitely pick it up as an offense and the whole team would pull together to get through.”
Todd Boeckman, junior quarterback
On the Buckeye offense
“We hung in there the whole game. We made some mistakes, but we came out and got a victory and that is the good part.”
On how to handle offensive struggles
“We just have to be poised, stay focused and stay calm. We have to pick ourselves back up and keep moving.”
On whether or not the offense shows tenacity
“I think we definitely did today. We can not hang our heads when things aren’t going our way. We can’t get down on ourselves and we did not do that today.”
On giving up 14 points
“I think we maybe feel a little guilty. Our defense is so good and we should not have given up those 14 points.”
Michigan State Postgame Coach and Player Quotes
Mark Dantonio, Michigan State head coach
On the game
“We had a great comeback, but when you play a great defense like Ohio State, you cannot afford to put yourself in a hole. We couldn’t move the ball on offense because they made us one-dimensional. Defensively, we had opportunities. We just gave up a little too much early on. You have to give Ohio State credit for the way they played, but I was impressed by the fight in our guys and how they kept playing and making good things happen.”
On whether Ohio State has a championship-caliber defense
“I was surprised we couldn’t run better than we did against them, but then again that is a great defense. Their secondary is quick and really gets after it. I think they’re good up front, good at the linebacker position and exceptional in the secondary. It’s as good a team we’ve played all season.”
On the momentum the game created for the program going forward
“We showed a lot of character out there today. Our guys hung together and kept playing hard even though we were down big. It’s a great feeling coaching that kind of athlete and that is the kind of attitude we want to create around this program.”
On coming back to Columbus
“It’s nice to see friends and people you’ve cared about your whole life again. It’s strange looking across the field at guys that you’ve been with for so long, but that goes out the window once the game starts. It’s also exciting to be back in this atmosphere for a football game.”
Pat Narduzzi, defensive coordinator
On the performance of the defense
“We talked at halftime about going out there and playing more physically. We definitely were more effective, but it just wasn’t enough today. You can’t give up points to teams with great defenses like Ohio State and expect to win. Our kids didn’t quit which is really what we look for in these big games.”
On the Ohio State running game
“We knew they liked to switch up their looks at running back, so we tried to make adjustments for each guy that came in there. We didn’t do a good job of leveraging the ball and they burned us on more than one occasion. All three backs were effective and you just have to give credit where credit is due.”
Don Treadwell, offensive coordinator
On the Ohio State defense
“They’re pretty darn good. Our bread and butter is the run and then we take our chances over the top. They blitzed us early in the game and we just didn’t get into an offensive rhythm. We have to work to get better, but our hat is off to them on a great performance.”
Aaron Bates, freshman punter
On coming back to Ohio
“It was really nice. I had a lot of family and friends here, so that was nice.”
On the game today
“It was obviously a big game, so I was a little more nervous. I looked forward to the challenge and like to play in front of big crowds. That is why I came to Michigan State.”
On the second half
We’ve been a second-half team all year. We were down 17-0, but knew we had a chance to come back. With three minutes left we still had a good chance, we just didn’t do it.”
Otis Wiley, junior free safety
On his interception
“We came for the walk-through Friday and I had a vision of an interception. I was put in and knew I had to go out hard. I played like it was my last game. I was just glad to be able to help my team.”
Justin Kershaw, junior defensive tackle
On the game today
“It was frustrating, but Ohio State is a good team. We played hard and they played hard. Football is about inches and they got them today. They are just a really deep team.”
