Buckeyes Spoke to the Media Ahead of Nebraska Match Up
10/23/2024 12:06:00 PM | Football
On 12 team playoff expansion:
“I think that mindset really started last Wednesday and because we had a bi-week. We spent a few more days chewing on and identifying some of the things we need to get addressed and fixed. Once we got into practice on Wednesday it was time to move on. This is about us, it’s not about all the people across the country. We’re in control of our future and that’s it. Wherever everybody else is at the end of the season that’s up to them. That kind of energy re-motivates our guys to get back out there and redirect their energy forward and not backwards after Oregon.”
On importance of second years:
“It’s important for a lot of these guys to come in and play well. You can see Lorenzo Styles get more and more reps, same with Jermaine Matthews. All these guys have to find themselves on the field and are important to the second half of the season.”
On what to fix:
“There’s a lot we’re trying to fix. Every week even when we do win games there is always something to fix and clean up. Really tuning into those little details and trying to fix the little details so we can grow from there.”
On Oregon performance"
“Oregon was a really good defense. Offensively we played really well. There were some mistakes made, but that’s what we practice for. To clean up those mistakes and try to get better.”
On Zen:
“He’s been working really hard even before the season. He had a great spring and a great summer, especially throughout fall camp. He took a lot of reps and went against the top defense in the country, so I think he’s ready.”
On team goals:
"Obviously the game that we had down in Eugene it was easy for a lot of people on the team to get down, but that being said it is a 12 team playoff and a long season and the top 2 teams go to the Big 10 championship. We have bigger and better goals than just winning the game now on the road. We have goals for the entire season so our plan is to make a huge run."
On chemistry between Emeka and Will Howard:
“I think it is just that trust level. We do it everyday out here in practice. We had a great day today and he is finding me on the field so I think having that trust in one another helps us on Saturday's."
On DB’s and their struggles against Oregon:
“I think their demeanor comes out to practice in a sense. Being very intentional about the things they do, the way that they practice, getting better with each and every snap. Even if our DB’s would have gone out there in Oregon and held all the receivers to zero yards they would still have that same demeanor coming into practice everyday. So we have a lot of men in the DB room who really don't hang their hats on football. Obviously we are all very passionate about the game, but they are very grounded in their faith and they know that one game does not define them so just having that confidence in themselves and just trying to make sure they know that we are confident in them as well.”
On improvements with defense:
“It’s definitely been a tough week and a half. It’s a good time for us to refocus and play a cleaner game which starts with me. We definitely had some struggles which we are working to fix but our biggest goal is to play our best football these next 6 games.”
On his role as captain during team obstacles:
“I feel all of that pressure and blame but feel fully responsible to lead the defense. We didn’t play to our best standard and we have to be better at all times and in all phases.”
On turning the season more positive moving forward:
“It starts in practice for sure and definitely hurts worse when you don’t have a game since you can’t shift your focus. We all had to sit with that loss for a little bit but we get back out there and will put another foot forward to keep fighting. Our goal for the next 6 weeks is that we have to fight and win everything.”
