Postgame Quotes vs. Indiana
11/12/2022 5:08:27 PM | Football
Ohio State 56, Indiana 14
November 12, 2022
Ohio Stadium — 103,888
Ohio State head coach Ryan Day
On the triumphant return of Kamyrn Babb
“Where do we start with that. This is somebody that has overcome four ACL surgeries. That’s nine months recovery times four. So that’s a long time to be in recovery, not being able to do something that you love. With what had happened the last time, there’s a lot of questions on whether you want to do it – he did it. He never batted an eye, said that’s what I want to do. He put his faith in God and felt like this was his journey. What happened today in this stadium was magical. That’s what college football means to a lot of people. Not everybody, but to a lot of people. That’s one of the reasons why college football is special. It’s one of the reasons why you coach – to see something like that happen. Hopefully there’s somebody else out there that’s going through tough times that can see that as a motivation to overcome. Because it’s one thing to see that little bit right there but it’s all the morning workouts he had with Adam Stewart. It’s all the mornings waking up on crutches. It’s the disappointment because that’s not what you picture when you graduate high school and sign with Ohio State. It was something special that went on on the field out there and you can see it with our team and I’m just really happy for him. Just really selfishly proud to be part of a moment like that, to see someone overcome such great obstacles in life. I just can’t say enough about it, because there will be great wins and there’ll be great accomplishments here at Ohio State, but what he’s overcome is one of the great accomplishments and it’s not something that people will see. But at least they were able to be a part of that right there. And you know, those who are in the stadium were able to be a part of it because that’s a special I’ve been around.”
On Dallan Hayden stepping up in the backfield
“I think it’s pretty remarkable that we have that many guys who are capable. But whether it’s Trey (Henderson), Miyan (Williams) or Chip (Trayanum), you’re hoping to get all these guys back up as soon as we can. It’s been frustrating. Obviously not having a full-strength room there. I guess the positive spin on that is we’ve been able to keep it going. But yeah, I think Dallan (Hayden) had some really nice runs today. I thought he got into a rhythm. He had a nice run early on, got the first touchdown run, bounced around – nice job with the vision on that, overall ran hard. Even a couple of those runs there in the fourth quarter – I thought he finished those runs. If it was a three-yard run, he was finishing at six.”
On C.J. Stroud and the offense
“He’s the leader of our offense. There’s no question about it. And when your leader is just into it and pushing the guys and understands how important balance is in your offense, that’s super important. There was a little bit of an edge to the offense this week. I think that was all week in practice. And we’re going to keep that going, that’s how we’re going to reach our goals here.”
On the Veteran’s Day festivities in the stadium
“Well, first off, it makes you realize that this isn’t as important as that – it puts everything in perspective. You’re talking about people who are putting their lives on the line for the country, so that we can have an opportunity to do something like this on a day like today. I know we don’t take that for granted. Every Wednesday we have some folks come over to the facility after practice and the guys get to thank them for their service. I think it gives them a little perspective on that. Sometimes it feels like what we’re doing here is you know, the most important thing in the world. But it’s not. We have so much appreciation for all those who have given the ultimate sacrifice. There’s nothing more unselfish than that. When you’re trying to build a great team, it’s a great message and a great example of what it means to give to the greater good of somebody else. That’s what our military does. We have so much appreciation.”
Ohio State defensive end Jack Sawyer
On Kamryn Babb scoring his first touchdown
“It almost brought tears to my eyes seeing how hard he’s worked, how humble he is and how big of a man of faith he is. It inspires me. Seeing him out there catch his first touchdown at Ohio State means the world for all of us. We see how hard he worked and how good of a person he is. It inspires us all to be better people.”
On the defense
“I think there is a lot of stuff to work on, but we’re starting to beat to the same tune and make plays. We’re all figuring out the defense as we’re going and we’re playing good football at the best time – in November. I feel like we’re clicking at the right time.”
On the defense’s “next play” mentality
“Coach Knowles preaches that the most important play is the next play. Last year, we let big plays mess with our heads, but this year we’re bending not breaking. We know that in football, teams are going to make plays. There are a lot of good players on a bunch of different teams and they’re going to make plays every once in a while and we have to regroup for the next play.”
On the defense finishing sacks
“It feels good to finally get home a couple times. I think as a unit we’ve all been so close to getting sacks. We’ve been able to get a lot of pressures and a decent amount of sacks, but being able to get home a couple times felt good.”
Ohio State safety Lathan Ransom
On Kam Babb’s touchdown
“It was so special for the whole team. We know how much work he puts in and it was special for all of us. I’m so happy for him.”
On the blocked punt
“Coach Fleming wrote that punt block up mid game. Then when he saw a flaw in their protection, he put me in a position to block the punt and I executed it. Every week we practice trying to block a punt without hitting the punter and stuff like that. I’ve been wanting to block a punt since I’ve been on punt block. So, I’m just happy I finally got the chance to do so.”
On his performance today
“I didn’t like the way I played, personally, last week. So, I think this week I came with a different approach to the game. I was more focused. Last week there were two plays that I didn’t make, but I should have made. I just wanted to fix those mistakes, and work to get better every day. At this point, that’s what Coach stresses – how can we continue to get better.”
On missed plays
“We gave up some big plays, but those were just miscommunications and plays that we beat ourselves on. We understand that we’re the only ones that can beat ourselves, and when we get those plays fixed, we can continue to be a good team.”
Ohio State wide receiver Kam Babb
On what catching his first touchdown meant to him
“The past five years, that’s always what’s been a dream of mine: that whenever I catch a touchdown, whatever it is, to get on my knees, and give it to Him; to Jesus Christ. That’s the only hope that I truly have. I love football, I love what you can do for so many people that you know. It is a world with a whole bunch of stuff going on and so many people need hope. So if I could give in shine, the light that Jesus had given me, give that to others. I think that was my responsibility. So that moment has kind of been in my mind for the past five years.”
On what has allowed him to stick with football through four different ACL surgeries.
“I would say I love football, but it’s been mostly faith. Knowing that when I truly surrendered my life to Jesus and he showed me his love and who he is, I just wanted to share that with the world. It’s such a big platform in Ohio State. I just thought, you know, if it doesn’t work out, then he’s still good. He’s still King, still Lord, and my Savior, it doesn’t really matter if it works out in a way that I think it can. There’s so many people that I can turn to him, you know, and I think there’s a lot of sadness and stuff going on in the world and I just wanted to be able to tell people about what Jesus has done in my life.
Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud
On throwing the touchdown pass to Kamryn Babb
“When I saw the coverage that we got and seeing that leverage that we had a corner, I was like “Oh no, I better not screw this up for my guy.” So, I’m happy to have made the throw. Honestly, words can’t describe it. I really honestly don’t care if I threw eight picks in the game. When you see someone like that who has been through all that he has been through, and still helps the team and pushes Christ. He has inspired me. We were just happy for my guy.”
On being more active in the run game.
“I feel like I’m pretty decent at running the ball. I am willing to do anything we need. I’m willing to die for this team, so whatever we need I am ready to do. I’m ready to fight for my brothers.”
Indiana Head Coach Tom Allen
On the Ohio State offense
“Obviously, with all the playmakers they have, the run-pass conflicts they put a team in, there was a concern going in.”
On the Ohio State run game
“We didn’t fit their run. Obviously not very close to what was acceptable, so we’re disappointed in that regard.”
On the Indiana defense
“ D-line has to play better; linebackers have to play better and finish tackles better. It was the front seven I put it on more than everybody. They have to step up.”
On Dexter Williams II
“I liked what I saw. Obviously it gives us more of a chance to do more things with him and see how he grows. But we still have to find guys on our roster that can help move the football on offense and get first downs, then eventually score points.”
