Ohio State
Purdue
Buckeyes Speak to the Media Ahead of Purdue Match Up
10/12/2023 9:56:00 AM | Football
On getting in a rhythm early in the game:
“I think the biggest thing is just finding completions early on, get yourself going and I think it’s honestly just a mental thing trying to feel the game out. If Coach Day calls a shot early on, take the shot if it’s there. If he calls the intermediate pass, read the defense, space it out, whatever it is just get things rolling. I feel like when we start fast and put points on the board early we are going to be really hard to compete with.”
On the development of himself & the team so far this season:
“I think just taking a step back and looking at the five games I think I’ve made good progress from game one to game five. It’s exciting knowing that we’re 5-0 and we’re in a good spot, but there’s so much for this team and myself to grow upon. I feel like we’re not even tapped into the potential team that we can be and so knowing we have a lot more room to grow, it’s exciting.
On where Gee Scott has taken the biggest steps this year:
“Obviously coming over from receiver I really don’t think he has ever lost anything in his route running and his ball skills or anything like that. I feel like the biggest thing was just him becoming that physical presence on the field and it takes awhile when you play your whole life in the perimeter and now you have to put your hand in the dirt but he’s done a great job embracing that. He’s one of the toughest guys on the team and I feel like he really enjoys the dirty work.
On what it takes to be great against the run:
“Being tough and understanding formations. Understanding where the back is located so you have leverage. In the run game you have to be tough, play with your hands and get off the ball.”
On the feeling of playing every snap in a game:
“I don’t feel it until the next day actually. When you are in there you don’t pay attention to how many plays or snaps you are in but what you can do better or the little things to get an edge on their offense. I really don’t feel all the snaps I play until after the game or the next day.”
On his goals for playing this year:
“I really wanted to work on my stamina. However long my brothers or my coaches need me out there I want to be able to play at full speed every play and as many plays as I can. That was a big thing I wanted to do is be able to withstand playing that amount.”
On Tyleik reaching the level of play he has lately:
“If you think about Tyleik, at his size should not be moving like that but instead he makes it easier for everybody else on the defensive line just seeing how he moves and how physical he is. It’s scary. I can’t wait to continue to grow with him and all my brothers out there.”
On playing on the defense:
“I hard work every day in practice and show I have what it takes to be out there and eventually it was going to start paying off and I want to continue with that. Always having fresh guys is what Coach Jay likes. Having fresh guys out there every couple of snaps. So I feel like we just need to keep doing that always play fast and strong.”
On his thought process during plays:
“I'm not going to stop until the echo of the whistle is called. There's always something that can happen in a play to give you the chance to make that play. So honestly, just continuing my rush even though he steps up or moves away from me. I'm not going to stop until I get there or if somebody else gets there so I can celebrate with him.”
On what Xavier provides off the bench:
“Xavier can do it all. You can see him in the games last year and whether he’s playing in the slot, outside or in the backfield with the QB he’s very capable of doing all of those roles and he provides that ability to switch in between. X is excellent in everything he does.”
On Carnell Tate being ready for more play:
“I think there’s always a handful of guys that are ready to play like Emeka and Marvin were back in 2021 for the Rose Bowl. That’s always the goal you never know until you know but I think the work that is being put in throughout the week gives me lots of confidence.”
On Brandon Innis:
“I think he’s doing a great job. I think that he’s buying into his role and wants to help this team more than ever. I think he’s going to be a guy that will give us an opportunity at punt return if needed and also the depth in the slot position. I’m very grateful with where he’s at and the steps he’s taken.”
When told what separates him as a blocker and a pass catching option is his first two steps:
“I think some of the things that you're able to take to the football field, some of that's God given ability. There's some times that they're guys I see come out here every day and do some things that just aren't normal, that are things that you are just gifted with. Coach Day likes to talk about a lot is discipline and skill. And so a lot of my skill, my hands, my ability to block, all comes from working at it, but maybe l'm just more explosive coming off the ball. That's maybe something l've been gifted and I plan to just keep using that to my advantage as I continue to grow and get stronger and bigger to really move guys off the line of scrimmage. So I think that will be a weapon for me moving forward.”
On being the best version of himself:
“Everything is amazing. The way I approach football is the same way I approach everything else in my life. Whether it's school, relationships, the way I treat the people around here, the way I'm a leader, all of those things kind of go hand in hand. The whole goal is to be even a better version of myself now. And you know, God willing, the next time I come and sit down here, l'Il be a better version of Gee Scott Junior.”
On the defensive line play:
“They play tough. They play within the defensive scheme which is the most important thing. Pressure is great right now we’re getting guys to rush and force the ball out quick. The guys are working hard and our time is going to come moving forward.”
On JT:
“He’s very consistent. His IQ is high and he wants to be great. He understands that as long as he plays in alignment everybody has a chance to do well and I think he’s doing a great job at not getting frustrated because he’s not getting a sack he just keeps playing hard.”
On Caden Curry:
“That guy is a football player. I’ve said it since day 1. He’s a great kid, a hard worker and wants to be great. He is willing to do anything to help out our defense and that’s what I like about him.”
On Carnell Tate:
“He’s a great player already. The sky is the limit for the kid and he does everything well. He comes out and is very level headed and really mature. His route running is very good, he’s good with his hands and the sky is really the limit for him. He takes every aspect of the game seriously not just catching the ball and not just doing this in a receiver standpoint but being able to come out and make plays on the outside and block on the inside.”
On his season so far:
“It’s been great. I get to go out there, practice every day and I get to do what I love everyday. I get to be around the people I love every day so it’s been great. Especially from a health standpoint and just being able to do whatever is asked of me.”
