Postgame Quotes From No. 10/8 Ohio State vs. No. 15/13 Iowa – Ohio State Buckeyes
11/15/2009 12:00:00 AM | Football
No. 10/8 Ohio State (9-2, 6-1) 27, vs. No. 15/13 Iowa (9-2, 5-2) 24
Ohio Stadium
Columbus, Ohio
Nov. 14, 2009
Attendance: 105,455
Ohio State Quotes
Austin Spitler, senior linebacker
On what inspired the defense’s overtime performance
“There was no need for any inspiration – the Big Ten championship and a trip to the Rose Bowl provides plenty of motivation. We knew we needed a stop.”
On Iowa QB James Vandenberg
“That guy had an arm on him and he made us pay for our mistakes. He was unbelievable.”
On letting Iowa come back in the fourth quarter
“We let a lot of opportunities slip away, but we fought back and responded to the adversity we faced. We never gave up and that says a lot about our team.”
Kurt Coleman, senior safety
On the defense in overtime
“We kept on fighting – that’s what our team is all about.”
On whether or not it will be tough to get up for the Michigan game next Saturday
“It’s not tough at all. We want win the championships outright and beat Michigan. That’s a lot of motivation to play well.”
On Iowa
“They had a good game play – they used play action and boot legs that opened up holes in the defense. They also had a tough QB who made plays.”
Jim Cordle, senior offensive line
On never doubting the outcome of the game
“My message to the team before the game was to ‘never doubt the outcome of the game.’ I never doubted once, and we came back and adjusted. It was everything we could have ever wanted on senior day.”
On what it takes to win
“We won. We’re going to the Rose Bowl. I can’t stop saying it. Today was the result of hard work and dedication.”
Doug Worthington, senior defensive line
On the importance of playing as a team
“It was great senior leadership. We persevered to get the job done, and we stuck together as a team. Workig together to be the best was the most important thing for us.”
On what it feels like to win
“Tonight’s win was a storybook ending. We didn’t play the best game, but together we made a team effort at the end and pulled through with a victory. We feel like we’re on top of the world.”
Jake Ballard, senior tight end
On the game
“It’s amazing. Iowa is a good football team and we knew it would go down to the wire. They gave everything they got and we gave everything we got. It just so happens that we came out on top. We’re really excited about this chance to go to the Rose Bowl. “
On going to the Rose Bowl
“Here at Ohio State, we’re privileged to go. We have a tradition of always being a good team and making it to a BCS bowl game. The Rose Bowl is the grand-daddy of them all and our goal wasn’t just to get there. Right now we have to take care of Michigan and when we get to the Rose Bowl we have to win.”
Lawrence Wilson, senior defensive line
On the seniors
“It will be a lasting legacy. We’re the winningest team and no other team has done that. We’re just excited and want to keep going.”
On the Rose Bowl
“We’re not worried about the bowl game right now, we’re just worried about Michigan. Michigan is a good team and it’s a huge rivalry. It’s the biggest rivalry in sports – Michigan and Ohio State.”
Devin Barclay, junior kicker
On the win
“It’s unbelievable. I’m pretty speechless. The fourth quarter definitely made it interesting. I’m just glad that we came out and now we’re going to the Rose Bowl. I’m really excited. It’s a really great feeling.”
On Aaron Pettrey
“I was nervous, but I had Aaron there in my ear. He was saying you can do this. Honestly, he is a great friend and a team player. He was there telling me to swing easy and that I was very capable of this.”
Brandon Saine, juinior running back
On the game
“The fans were going crazy and it was my first overtime game. The defense did an amazing job out there and they always do. It was the best game I ever played in.”
On the win
“We were really just having fun out there and stepping up and doing what we knew how to do. We weren’t trying to overthink anything. We were trying to be in the moment the whole time.”
Iowa Quotes
Kirk Ferentz, Iowa head coach
On Iowa’s performance throughout the game
“Both teams played a tremendous game. We competed back and forth all game. We had good preparation by our coaching staff. It is a tough loss, but we are going to regroup.”
On James Vandenberg’s performance
“James played a heck of a game. It wasn’t unexpected. We know what he is capable of. He was very impressive and has a good handle on our system. The thing is we couldn’t have walked him into a tougher environment. Ohio State is a great team and this is a tough place to play. But James played with mental and physical toughness.”
On the momentum swing after the kickoff return for a touchdown
“It was huge. It was a great effort by the entire special teams group. We didn’t come here expecting to handle the kickoff game as well as we did. Ohio State is always very prepared for that. They are very well coached, but we just came up a little short. It wasn’t for a lack of effort.”
Marvin McNutt, Iowa SE
On the tough game
“This game was tough. Everything was on the line. It was especially tough since we have been hearing talk for the big ten title.”
On Overtime
“For this game we didn’t execute like we needed to. Ohio State’s defense was good, and was tough to beat. The game ended in a field goal.”
Tyler Sash
On the loss of the game
“This game has not really set in yet that we lost. Our mind set as a competitor is that you want to go into an environment like this and play a great team like Ohio State.”
On Defense
“We played a solid game, bottom line. This game came down to a field goal and Ohio State made it.”
Derrell Johnson-Koulianos
On the game
“We knew this was a big ten title and a bid for the Rose Bowl so we played tough and went into overtime. Now we have one game left with Minnesota that we have to focus on and end with a positive note.”
On James Vandenberg’s performance
“He is an exceptional player. He doesn’t get too excited or too calm. He is a smart kid and prepared for this game all this week around the clock. He played well this game and surprised a lot of people.”
