Quick Quotes Week 6: Previewing Michigan State
10/1/2019 6:02:00 PM | Football
Jeff Hafley, Co-Defensive Coordinator/Secondary Coach
On things they could add to the defense to make it more complex:
There is more stuff that we have practiced that we just haven’t had to show yet. Overall for us it just comes back to fundamentals and technique. The little things is what makes this defense special. That’s what makes this team different. They’re buying so much into the fundamentals and the technique.
On coaching at Ohio State:
I’m very happy here. This is truthfully the most fun I’ve had coaching in a long time. I feel re-energized. I love the staff. I love working for Coach Day. I love these players. I love coming to work everyday. I haven’t been able to say that in a long time and I mean that.
Baron Browning, LB
On assessing the way the linebackers have been playing:
I feel like we’ve been growing and getting better each week. That’s kind of been our mindset, just continue to get better each week and just focus on trying to get better each week.
On having fun playing defense:
I think that everyone is excited to see each other making plays. It’s just a love for one another. We’re just excited to see each other do well.
Joshua Alabi, OL
On improvements from Fields:
Just his poise. He’s a great quarterback. He’s vocal on the field. He’s doesn’t seem like he gets flustered. Just his leadership on and off the field.
On his expectation of his role moving forward:
My expectation is to always stay ready no matter when my number is called. I tell myself to make sure you’re ready, because if you’re not ready things can go bad. That’s just really my mindset right now.
Justin Fields, QB
On the offensive line getting the job done:
Coach Stud does a great job with the o-line. I think that they work hard. They do a great job in the weight room and everything off the field, too. In terms of coaching and practicing with our d-line, I think that all contributes to their performance on Saturday.
On preparing for Michigan State’s defense: I think I’ve prepared in recent weeks a good bit, so I’m not going to change up my routine at all just because we’re playing Michigan State. They are a great defensive team and they do have a great scheme. (They have) great coaches on defense, great coaches on each side of the ball. They have great players.
Shaun Wade, CB
On how much faster he’s playing:
Some plays you just know it’s coming. We practice it and practice it…like Jeff (Okudah) said you just play fast. Everybody’s playing fast because we know what’s coming.
On the cornerbacks’ performance this year:
We’ve just got a chip on our shoulder. Last year we were scarred. This year we’re trying to take those scars off and be perfect… hit them in the mouth, intercept anything we see, hit anything we see. That’s our mentality. That’s the difference.
Wyatt Davis, OL
On Michigan State:
They have a great defense, period. It’s going to be another challenge for us. They’re all very well coached. They play hard and physical and they don’t stop, so it’s going to be another great challenge for us.
On Joshua Alabi stepping into his role:
He’s a guy that doesn’t really say much. He just keeps his head in the grind…it just tells you how much of a student of the game he is. When we were out there, I didn’t have to explain to him nothing but what the defense was doing. He’s over here making calls. He’s being loud. I feel like he’s been doing this.
Jeff Okudah, CB
On how much faster he reacts to plays:
I would say it’s night and day for me. Getting a coach like Coach Hafley who was kind of able to pick my brain and I’m able to ask him questions. We talk to each other about what we see on film. He gives me nuggets on what he’s seen in the NFL. It just helps me because I’m getting the perspective of someone who is really smart.
On how prepared he feels to move onto the NFL:
I think right now I’m taking a lot of steps in the right direction, but at the end of the day I think we’re all, the whole secondary, is taking a step in the right direction. (Damon) Arnette’s playing really great, (Jordan) Fuller is playing more confident than ever, and even Shaun (Wade). I would say that Coach Hafley has really helped the whole group to take steps with our confidence, with our football skill set. It’s just really been a great transition.
Jonathon Cooper, DL
On his impact coming back from an injury:
I feel like I can still have a pretty good impact. Every day I’m getting better and getting back to that 100% status. I feel like even though my season didn’t start the way that I wanted it to, I can make sure it finishes the way I wanted it to.
On being the leader he wants to be on the field:
You want to be out there, and your teammates want to see you out there if you’re putting in the work as them. To be the leader that I want to be, I want to make sure that I’m in the fire in the game with my teammates.
Master Teague, RB
On playing physical:
It’s a thing that I’ve trained for. I didn’t always run as physical as I have been, but after practicing and practicing and really just getting into the mindset of doing that continuously, it’s kind of become part of my game.
On what comes to mind when he breaks into the open field:
It’s something that I need to get used to. I feel like I haven’t truly played football in a while. That’s a process, too, of just having that vision of an open field, but really I’m just trying to get downfield as fast as I can.
