Postgame Quotes (Ohio State vs. USC) – Ohio State Buckeyes
9/13/2009 12:00:00 AM | Football
No. 8/7 Ohio State 15 (1-1), No. 3/3 Southern California 18 (2-0)
Ohio Stadium
Columbus, Ohio
September 12, 2009
Attendance: 106, 033 – Ohio Stadium record
OHIO STATE POSTGAME QUOTES
Brandon Saine, junior running back
On the game
“We had a lot of opportunities and didn’t capitalize. Both teams left it all on the field and played the best that they could. The defense kept giving us chances. We tried our best but could not convert.”
On Terrelle Pryor’s performance
“Pryor played a great game. He didn’t buy into all the hype and just went out there and played his game. He should be proud of the way he handled himself.”
On Ohio State’s interception in the first quarter
“We knew we had to get one back after the interception. We had to go out there and play hard. It didn’t affect our attitude. We went into the second half still fired up.”
Cameron Heyward, junior defensive end
On the game
“We only played three quarters. I really thought we would win and everyone in that locker room thought we would win. No one gave us a chance coming into this game and it was right there for us.”
On the defense
“We played hard. I thought we had a lot of good (open field) tackles and we were getting stops. We just couldn’t hold them at the end. We had our chances.”
Grant Schwartz, junior wide receiver
On his missed block punt attempt
“I should have blocked it. I had a great look at it and thought I had it. I don’t know how I didn’t block it. I got free and either over ran it or misjudged it.”
On having the opportunity to make an impact play
“It is going to stick with me for a while. Careers are made off of making big plays in big games. I’ll come back Monday, though, and keep on working hard.”
Dan Herron, sophomore running back
On Ohio State losing big games
“It is all about execution. We have to execute better in big games and limit our mistakes. We had it inside the 10-yard line twice tonight and came away with field goals. You have to convert those into touchdowns if you want to win.”
On the loss
“The whole team is going to take this hard. We had it and it just slipped away. We will come out with a chip on our shoulder and keep working hard and getting better.”
Doug Worthington, senior defensive tackle
On the game
“We know every week what we play for and what we are striving for, right now it hurts, but we have to get ready for Toledo. We have a great offensive line and tremendous talent. The defense showed up today and we had a great battle.”
Jake Ballard, senior tight end
On moving forward
“This game we came short but we stuck to our guns and tried to keep it simple. We have to look forward and put it in the past.”
On scoring
“We needed to score last in the game. We had a lot of young guys on the field, that’s a tough situation for them.”
On USC
“USC did everything we expected them to do. They didn’t change it up much and I thought we adjusted well when we needed to.”
Jon Thoma, senior punter
On the game
“I had a pretty good game, but it doesn’t feel great because we lost. It’s tough to experience a loss like this. We just need to forget it and get better next week. “
On the next game vs. Toledo
“They looked good last night. We need to play better than we played tonight. We have a tough task ahead of us and we need to play well enough to win.”
On the game atmosphere
“It was my first night game experience and it was something different. It was a great atmosphere and the fans were amazing. They helped us a lot during the game.”
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA POSTGAME QUOTES
Pete Carroll, USC Head Coach
On Top 10 matchup vs. Ohio State
“It was a terrific night of football and both defenses did not let up. Ohio State’s defense did a great job and it took every second to get it done. It was a very special game and we will cherish it for a long time. Joe (McKnight) highlighted the last drive for us and it took every play and every guy on our team. It was a really fun atmosphere with the crowd. It was a defensive night for both teams.”
On USC’s last offensive drive
“We knew it would be a close game and they were great with the special teams. They put us in tough field position for most of the night and it took us a couple of play to get us going offensively. We challenged the guys before the last drive with 80 or so yards to go and they came up big. Ohio State played really good.”
On Ohio State quarterback Terrelle Pryor
“We knew we wouldn’t be able to totally stop him, but we just wanted to control him. He is a big time player and threw the ball well tonight. Our guys got it done.”
On USC freshman quarterback Matt Barkley
“I understood why a lot of people would question Matt, but he is a legitimate player. The guy is really calm but not cocky. He is a complete football player and it’s great to see him be successful so early in his career. He showed us he could take the team through a fourth quarter in a tough environment.”
Matt Barkley, freshman quarterback
On USC’s game-winning drive
“You really have got to believe you’re going to score in that situation. I knew we were going to score. It’s important that you really just go with that mindset.”
On the crowd noise in Ohio Stadium
“It was really loud. I think my ears are still ringing a bit. Some of the time the tackles and tight ends couldn’t hear me. The shotgun formation was really nice with the silent count but the noise really didn’t affect the way we played.”
On USC’s field position throughout the game
“We really had some tough field position but I’ve got to give credit to the defense. They really held them (Ohio State) down.”
On his learning experience as a starting quarterback
“Today I learned it really is fun. It was fun last week too but this is what we’ve been working so hard for all summer. We had our section of fans that helped out and the guys on the sideline were really rocking it. I learned I just have to trust my guys.”
On the performance of the offensive line
“The line today was huge. I have to give them 100 percent credit for the game today. The depth that we have at lineman is just so great. They’re the ones that made those plays happen.”
Joe McKnight, junior tailback
On the runs plays from the last drive of the game
“We just had to keep pushing and stay with the line. We’ve got the best line in the country up there, we just had to stay patient.”
On freshman quarterback Matt Barkley
“Matt was composed. He stayed cool, calm and collective. He called the plays and didn’t make mistakes. He showed he’s not an 18 year-old anymore. He stepped up and made plays.”
On missing some playing time during the game
“I just had cramps. I had to get off the field and get it stretched out. I didn’t want to miss too much time though. We worked too hard this summer. I just had to finish.”
Chris Galippo, sophomore linebacker
On USC’s first-quarter interception
“They (Ohio State) lined up in a tight split formation. Malcolm (Smith) came up and jammed one of the receivers off the line. He got open and Terrelle (Pryor) was looking right at him so I knew where he was going with the ball. I just stepped up and made the pick.”
On watching the last USC scoring drive from the sidelines
“It was huge. Inspiring. I told Matt on the sidelines, ‘Play inspired.’ He didn’t play like a freshman. I’ve never played in an environment this hostile before, but he stepped up and proved that he’s the man.”
On the difference from playing Ohio State last year
“I was on the sideline and didn’t play last year. But this is an amazing program and Jim Tressel is an awesome coach. They didn’t come in flat and they took their shots downfield.”
