Postgame Quotes From No. 2 Ohio State vs. Ohio – Ohio State Buckeyes
9/18/2010 12:00:00 AM | Football
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Video: Highlights | Head Coach Jim Tressel | Ohio State Players
Audio: Ohio Head Coach Frank Solich
No. 2/2 Ohio State (3-0) 43, Ohio University (1-2) 7
Ohio Stadium, Columbus, Ohio
September 18, 2010
Attendance: 105,075
OHIO STATE POSTGAME QUOTES
Dane Sanzenbacher, senior wide receiver
On Terrelle connecting with multiple receivers
“I think it all starts with the defensive guys. They change the game so fast we can keep the rhythm going and get back on the field. If we didn’t get done what we wanted before we can come right back and try again. Keeping a rhythm allows for Terrelle to connect with a lot of people.”
On the edge the team has
“It comes from older guys and having experience. We don’t have to preach the need to be ready because everyone already knows we can’t relax or take a break.”
On the length of play of the first team offense
“We all still wanted to be out there. The plan was to come out earlier but we all wanted to end on a high note. We wanted to come back out for one more successful drive.”
Brandon Saine, senior running back
On his involvement with passing
“I think it’s both Terrelle and the coaches getting me the ball. Some are designed plays while other times Terrelle just sees me open. Terrelle trusts me and the coaches are finding opportunities for me to catch the ball.”
On finding the endzone
“It feels great. I was happy to contribute for the team and find the endzone again.”
On keeping a focus with a big lead
“We have to remember it’s still football. We only have a certain number of games to play so we have to keep focused each game and not look ahead. We play our game out there and stay with our game plan so we don’t slip up.”
Taurian Washington, senior wide receiver
On improvement for next week
“We just need to keep doing what we did the first two weeks. We have been playing fast and hard. We need to execute everything we do and every play will start to click.”
On the third quarter
“It was a little shaky at first. There is a lot we still need to work on and some stuff that still needs to click. We need to keep executing and things will come our way.”
Jemale Hines, senior defensive back
On containing Ohio quarterback Phil Bates
“He’s the guy who has a chance to take it all the way anytime a play breaks down. We wanted to limit the big plays today.”
On preparing for Ohio University
“We were ready for everything today; trick plays, screens and fakes. We knew they would throw everything they had at us. We did a good job at staying focused and playing hard.”
Zach Domicone, redshirt sophomore defensive back
On his work with special teams
“Special teams can change outcomes of games. The defense starts with special teams. I know if I keep making plays on kick offs I have a better chance of seeing time on the field with the defense.”
On learning from the senior defensive leaders
“There are some great guys on defense who are great teachers. I know if I follow their lead and listen to what they say it will help me be a better player on day.”
Scott Sika, senior offensive line
On getting field time
“It was so nice to get out there. When you work hard your whole career your coaches will reward you. I’m just completely honored and appreciative. It’s totally different being out there than being on the sidelines. It’s nice to cheer and help the guys out it’s just so different on the field though.”
Tyler Moeller, senior defensive back
On Cameron Heyward
“He gives 100 percent all the time. He’s a great player and a hard worker. He’s always ready to make plays.”
On forcing turnovers
“Everyone is making plays out there. We’re all being aggressive. Everyone is doing a great job.”
On Eastern Michigan University
“Any team can beat us any day. Ohio University proved that in ’08 they gave us a great game. We need to play our game every week and not let go of the throttle.”
Storm Klein, sophomore linebacker
On shuffling players
“We’ve been rotating a lot of people. The coaches want to see different looks. All the guys on the team are happy for any opportunity they get to be on the field.”
Ross Homan, senior linebacker
On teammate Cameron Heyward
“After he messed up one of the last plays before halftime, he went into the locker room and got mad and told us that we’d better prepare for a big second half. He’s just a confident player. That’s the person he is.”
On offensive bench players being ready to go in
“The offense can’t sit on the bench and be comfortable. We have to force turnovers on defense, so everyone has to be ready.”
On teammate John Simon
“John is one of the hardest workers on our team. He’s always prepared for games and flying around on the field. Today he played well and looked confident and relaxed.”
Jonathan Newsome, sophomore linebacker
On different line combinations
“It was more about giving them looks. We wanted to let them get in there for the experience.”
On correcting problems with kickoff returns
“We really focused on the kickoff for this game. We kept it in our minds that we just had to read and execute.”
On going into the game
“I went in the game focusing on being a special teams player – that was my job. Going in on the corner was different for me.”
Brian Rolle, senior linebacker
On the improvement from last week’s game to this week
“We’re always looking to get better. Obviously special teams was a focus this past week but we all have room to improve, offense, defense and special teams. I think we showed improvement across the board.”
Mike Brewster, junior center
On the line’s pass protection
“There were a few times when we were holding their line for five to six seconds, which in pass protection is forever. With the veteran group that we have, we shouldn’t have a problem doing that.”
On the overall play of the line
“I think we improved from last week. We made some nice holes for the running backs and did a much better job on pass protection. We’re always looking to get better, though. Nobody’s perfect.”
Orhian Johnson, sophomore defensive end
On starting the game
“I’m honored that the coaches trust me enough to put me in that position. I feel like I did a good job today. I tried to make as many plays out there as I could.”
On the opportunity to start and replacing teammate CJ Barnett
“I’m just going to try to use this opportunity to the best of my abilities. It’s unfortunate that CJ got hurt, and I hope he gets better, but I feel I am prepared to get the job done.”
OHIO POSTGAME QUOTES
Frank Solich, head coach
Opening Statement
“Well, it was a long afternoon. Ohio State has a championship caliber football team. I felt that coming in and I feel that coming out. We had to play perfect football, execute well, play penalty free and win the turnover battle, none of which got done today. The defense hung in there pretty well. Ohio State has a good running game, throwing game and a good scramble game. That’s tough to defend against.”
On having two games in a row with five turnovers
“Well it’s been huge to a negative effect; normally we do a pretty good job of taking care of the ball. We need to have that corrected. You can’t win football games when you turn the ball over to the other team. There are a lot of areas to get better at, and we’re going to have to get better, no question.”
On Phil Bates’ performance
“It’s a bit of a mixed review – this was a difficult game to come back in and play. He only had 16 snaps coming in. I don’t think his true ability showed today. We’ve struggled at the quarterback position and we need to get that issue resolved.”
Phil Bates, junior quarterback
Overall thoughts on the game
“We had a lot of problems. We didn’t execute plays, hit people when they were open or get key blocks. We have a lot of work to do and we’ll be back next week. We missed assignments and everyone wasn’t doing the right things.”
On lack of offensive execution
“We weren’t playing to the best of our abilities. We seemed tentative and hesitated. That’s how the game rolled and that’s what happens when we don’t let it loose.”
Noah Keller, senior linebacker
On the struggles defensively
“Our job is to go out and limit and stop the run. At first we did it but they started to pass it on their own will. They completed short routes and big plays. [Terrelle] Pryor got out of the pocket a lot and we can’t let that happen. He’s a hard guy to tackle. He has a deadly arm and a killer stiff arm. We will watch film and make corrections. We will put this behind us and prepare for Marshall next week.”
On the defense forcing turnovers
“We stress three or more turnovers per game. Then we have to go after the ball. We can’t do that if we blow assignments. We have to go back to the basics.”
Donovan Fletcher, senior safety
On his two interceptions and overall defense
“That’s just playing football. They are a very disciplined team. They executed on their plays and we need to execute better on ours. We’re going to focus on Marshall now. We have a lot of corrections to be made. That’s how the game is played.”
