Football: Jim Tressel Previews Home Opener Saturday vs. Youngstown State – Ohio State Buckeyes
8/30/2007 12:00:00 AM | Football
Jim Tressel, Ohio State football head coach
On the possibility of the team being over anxious Saturday vs. Youngstown State
“I think that might be a reasonable assumption. These guys train all year round and work hard on investing themselves fully into this program. I think they’re going to be a little anxious, but we have to make sure they’re prepared for that when they take the field.”
On coaching this team
“This team has shown attentiveness and a willingness to learn from the coaches. The thing you have to be careful with is not killing their creativity and playmaking skills. Sometimes their instincts will tell them to go against what we coached, and we have to let them go out there and let it rip. We need discipline, but we also need an element of chance to succeed.”
On trying to reach their full potential
“In college football, every minute counts, which separates it from any other sport. Improvement over the course of the season is key to playing at a championship level. You have to know how it works, and be ready to go out on Saturday and play to your full potential.”
On what would happen if the game gets out of hand
“I said it on Tuesday, I just don’t see that happening. Youngstown State is really a good football program, and they’re going to come in here gunning for us. I’ve never been into style points because it’s just not what Ohio State football is about.”
On his feelings before the home opener
“The general feeling among the coaches is an anxiousness to get going and get out there and play some meaningful football. The last hour before a game is the hardest because you come to the realization that there is absolutely nothing that can be done at that point. You just have to trust in your players and your abilities as a coach.”
On the effect of pregame distractions on younger players
“Some kids might get distracted by looking around, but if they get too distracted they’ll get knocked on their rear end, and that’s the end of the distraction. We try to prepare these guys for that, but until you’ve actually done something, you don’t really know what it will be like.”
