Ohio State Meets with Media Previewing The Matchup Against No. 3 Michigan
11/21/2023 3:05:00 PM | Football
On the season so far
We’ve done a great job getting to this point being 11-0. So, I think just continuing to prepare the way we have, continuing to practice the way we have and treating it as a football game.”
On how long he's dreamed of this moment of playing QB in “The Game" ..
“When you're a little kid you dream of moments like this. Two undefeated teams and the biggest rivalry in sports, you can't draw it up any better than that. But I think at the same time it's all about the preparation during the week. It's all about putting the work in and giving yourself an opportunity to go out and succeed."
On how the Notre Dame game prepared the team for this
“I think the biggest thing now is using that experience to help us get ready for Saturday because obviously it's going to be a similar type of environment. But I think early on we did a good job blocking out the noise. So just continuing to do that this week. I think the only time you're nervous is when you're not sure if you put in the preparation or not. So during the week - that's when you really win the game, during the week. Watching film, getting your body right, getting your mind right and going out and having good practices. I think that's where you gain confidence. So when you step out there on Saturday it's not anything that you haven't done yet.”
On feeling better over the past couple weeks coming back from injury
“I keep getting better and better each week. I feel like last week was the best I have felt, and I’m just going to continue that into this week too.”
On how last years game against Michigan motivates him
“It's a slow build until the ball hits the field. You can let everything go at that point. So we are going to focus on staying locked in this week and making sure we put our best foot forward on Saturday.”
On how it feels going into this game compared to freshman year
“You have to experience it to know what the rivalry is like. Now that I have experienced it firsthand and got more experience, I know what it means to this university and it means something special to me as well.”
On not beating Michigan in his career yet
“It’s everything. We need to find ways to give more effort and preparation, to be better teammates, and do something to get over that hump. It’s tough. It’s not an easy feeling to have but that’s what we’re working on.”
On how ready the team is
“Everything we’ve done this entire year has gotten us ready for this game. We couldn’t be more ready for it. Our coaches have done a great job of letting us slowly build to this moment. This is the reason you come here.”
On getting Tommy Eichenberg back
“He’s such a big leader on or off the field. We’re just so thankful we can have a leader like that on our team and help us get ready for this game.”
On Michigan quarterback JJ McCarthy
“He’s really creative. He can make something out of nothing. Our goal is to contain him as much as possible and not allow him to make the crazy plays he usually makes. He’s a good player.”
On how exciting it is to finally be here [Rivalry Week]
“I’m super excited. It’s exactly how I dreamed of it.. both teams undefeated. It’s exactly how I wanted it to be”
How much do you need this win for your class’ legacy?
“You know we all go in the locker room and debate on how has the best class.. who has the best team. And the number one question is: Have you beat the team up north? So it’s a deciding factor in where your class ranks and I would say it definitely matters.”
On what was going through his mind leaving the stadium last Saturday
“Not for certain, but it could have been my last time [playing] in Ohio Stadium and just looking back on how far I’ve come and I think it’s kind of funny, in the Spring Game my freshman year, I caught a slant in the exact same place I caught my last touchdown in the ‘Shoe. I didn’t expect to accomplish as much as I did, and my career is not exactly over, but it is definitely a special moment, a special place to play in front of those fans every Saturday. It is definitely a blessing and one thing I am going to miss.”
On his best memory playing in the Ohio Stadium..
"I would say the Penn State game this year. The touchdown in the fourth quarter, the moment, who Penn State was as a team at the time, just the magnitude of the game. It is something I’m always going to remember."
On the confidence coming into this game
“We have to just go out there do our job. Hold each other accountable, play physical, next play is the most important play, stop the run and run the ball. Can’t do much more than that. This game is about respect for us. Especially my class the last two years we haven’t got it done, no gold pants. We just have to go out there and be us.”
On the burn since last years game..
“It’s horrible. Especially when you’re at Ohio State, livelihoods are at stake. You have to win this game. It’s mandatory. We’ve had to live with this for 365 days and now it’s here so we’re ready.”
