Postgame Quotes From No. 13 Ohio State vs. Troy – Ohio State Buckeyes
9/20/2008 12:00:00 AM | Football
No. 13/14 Ohio State (3-1, 0-0 Big Ten) 28, Troy (2-1, 1-0 Sun Belt) 10
Ohio Stadium
Columbus, Ohio
Sept. 20, 2008
Attendance: 102,989
Ohio State Postgame Quotes
Terrelle Pryor, freshman quarterback
On his performance overall
“I thought I messed up a lot. When we sit down in the film room, I’m going to get yelled at but that’s a good thing. We all need to keep improving going into the Big Ten schedule.”
On starting the game
“Todd Boeckman is a great quarterback. I looked up to him a lot before I got here. Starting my freshman year never even crossed my mind when I committed, so it came as a big surprise.”
On the game
“I enjoyed coming off the loss and taking a step in the right direction. That was important for us going into the Big Ten schedule.”
On throwing four touchdown passes in the game, a new freshman record
“That goes with the wide receivers and offensive lineman. Without both of them, it wouldn’t happen. It’s as much their record as it is mine. I have great teammates playing around me.”
Lawrence Wilson, junior defensive end
On Kurt Coleman’s interceptions
“They were spectacular plays. We really needed those interceptions. Kurt played great for us today.”
On the upcoming Big Ten season
“We are definitely on the right track. Today really helped us improve on our game. I think we are ready for Big Ten action to start.”
Mike Brewster, freshman center
On his first start
“It was good to get my first start. At first I was a little nervous, but after the first couple plays you realize that you’re playing football and it’s what you do everyday in practice. It’s a learning experience and I’m getting better.”
On playing center
“To play center as a freshman is hard. I’m still learning a lot, but it’s good to have Jim Cordle next to me. I really appreciate him being there. It’s great anytime you have a veteran to learn from.”
On Terrelle Pryor and himself starting
“We came to Ohio State to learn and to play. It’s great to see both of us playing as freshmen and we’re looking to get better as the season progresses.”
Cameron Heyward, sophomore defensive back
On the variety of Buckeyes getting playing time
“We had a lot of guys who were able to play in this game. We kept everyone fresh and everyone new. It was good to see a lot of guys get to play.”
On the upcoming Big Ten season
“The Big Ten competition is the main concern now. We have to get ready to play Minnesota next weekend. They’re a tough team so we have to be ready.”
On the game
“We had a mental focus. We’re getting better as a team and learning from watching the tape. We contained them well and stayed focus.”
A.J. Trapasso, senior punter
On the importance of punting
“Coach Tressel has always stressed the punt game. A great punt will take a lot away from the other team’s offense and it helps the defense out tremendously.”
On the team’s performance overall
“It felt good to get the ball moving again. We also were really happy to come back and play at home here in the Shoe. This game helped us get ready for Big Ten play and I think we are really ready for conference action to begin.”
Kurt Coleman, junior defensive back
On the defensive performance
“Coming into the game, we knew they were going to spread the ball out. Jermale (Hines) did great cutting the field down for us. We all did a good job reading the field and I give credit to the whole team for our performance.”
On Troy’s touchdown
“They knew to do the slant on us. They have quick receivers and took advantage of it. However, we know how to handle adversity and weren’t going to give them any more points than that.”
On the first interception
“We both had our hands on the ball. When he started turning, I put my hands all the way around the ball and took it.”
Jermale Hines, sophomore safety
On the Ohio State defense
“The coaches are constantly challenging us and our toughness at practice. We did a great job today. We still have a long way to go because the Big Ten is going to be a lot tougher. We are going to keep working hard and keep our confidence high.”
On the dropped interception
“I knew I had that pick. The play happened so fast and it just bounced off my chest. I really wanted it.”
Thaddeus Gibson, sophomore defensive lineman
On the game
“We played fast and smart. The coaches told us all week that Troy was a quick team, so we knew we needed to be fast off the line. It was a small step in the right direction after the game last week.”
On playing Minnesota next weekend
“They are 4-0. We’re going to have to play a great game to beat them next week. The defense will need to improve off the first four games.”
Jim Cordle, junior offensive lineman
On Michael Brewster’s first start
“I thought he did a great job for his first time out. We know we have a lot of capable guys. Mike was solid for his first start; it is nice to know that we have so many capable players that can step up at any time and make things happen.”
On Steve Rehring’s injury and the status of the line
“Steve is a good player and when he is ready to go again he will step up and play well. We are definitely comfortable moving forward with what we have after today’s game. We just need to go back and evaluate film and learn from our mistakes and get better.”
On Todd Boeckman’s demeanor during the game
“It was good. He kept his head up and supported the team. Todd will always be a leader and he showed that today.”
Ross Homan, sophomore linebacker
On Terrelle Pryor
“During a game I really just try to worry about my side of the ball. We know the coaches will do what is best for the team, but I do think he played really well today.”
On A.J. Trapasso’s punt that pinned Troy deep in OSU territory
“That really gave us a big shot of momentum when we needed it and took a lot of pressure of our backs. You always play better when you have a team pinned deep and the crowd noise to help you.”
Dan “Boom” Herron, freshman running back
On the preparing for the Big Ten season
“We know we have a lot of great teams coming up, so we just need to have a great week of practice. We know Minnesota is going to come out fighting and we have to do the same. We just need to take it one game at a time.”
On the win propelling the team into the Big Ten schedule
“They (Minnesota) are 4-0 and have been playing very well, so it is nice to get another win before the start of the conference. You always play better when you are confident and I think this game will definitely help us.”
On the possible return of Chris Wells
“I’m excited to get Beanie back, and if means that I don’t start for the rest of the season I’m fine with it. I’ll just keep working hard and helping the team anyway I can.”
Troy Postgame Quotes
Head Coach Larry Blakeney
On the game
“We lost a ball game today, and we maybe had a chance to win there. We just made too many errors and they made the big plays. In all three phases of the game, we weren’t error-free. We needed some first downs in the second half and to get the ball down the field more, but they did a great job on special teams keeping us pinned deep. We need to continue to improve and work hard to find our playmakers.”
On Ohio State quarterback Terrelle Pryor
“It looked to me like Pryor had confidence back there and he brought a different perspective to the game. When guys were open, he got it to them. We had a chance late, but we didn’t make enough plays and they did.”
On Troy’s offense
“Coming in I had a concern about our pass protection, and there were some match ups upfront that weren’t great. We needed to throw the ball down field more, but we didn’t have enough time back there. They were able to get some good rushes on us with just their front four.”
DuJuan Harris, sophomore fullback
On playing in Ohio Stadium
“It was amazing to play in here today. It was good experience for all of us. We wanted to make history and take down a big time program, but like coach said, they made all of the plays and we didn’t.”
Jamie Hampton, sophomore quarterback
On Troy’s offensive game plan
“We tried to use a short game to open because we knew they had a good defense. We just tried to keep it simple in the beginning. Today turned into mainly a short game because their defense was so good.”
On playing at Ohio State
“This is the first big game I’ve started in. You dream of going to play at big colleges and today that’s what we did. It was a good experience. We wanted to make history today; this would have been our biggest upset. It just didn’t work that way.”
Bear Woods, junior linebacker
On the Ohio State atmosphere
“They are diehard fans; they love their football. You grow up watching teams like this and it would have been great to have had an upset. But it is what it is. It was a good experience.”
On remaining competitive throughout the game
“We were well conditioned. There was a point when we were on the sidelines and we weren’t tired. We were right where we wanted to be at the fourth quarter.”
On the Buckeye running game
“They were very persistent. They do what they do. They have power. There was no surprise with the offense. They just keep pounding and pounding. But overall, we planned for it and were ready.”
