Postgame Quotes vs. Rutgers
11/22/2025 3:53:00 PM | Football
Location: Ohio Stadium; Columbus, Ohio
Attendance: 100, 023
Final Score: No. 1/1 Ohio State 42, Rutgers 9
Watch Ohio State Postgame Press Conference
Ryan Day, Ohio State head coach
On the team's mentality without Jeremiah Smith and Carnell Tate…
"The guys had a really good week of focus and it was an opportunity for guys to step up in different ways. Whether it was defense, special teams or on offense, nobody really flinched. It was like, 'Come on, let's go play.' "
On the seniors…
"For the seniors, I can't thank them enough publicly. They're the true warriors on the field and everything they've done, they put it on the field, they're the ones. And so on behalf of everybody at Ohio State, these seniors deserve to be thanked for what they've done, certainly what they've done for me and my family, and all the coaches, and for their brothers. That's why it was our obligation to make sure we did our best for them and to make sure that their last game on the field was special."
On the approach heading into Michigan week…
"As we know, everything that comes with this game, we want to keep it as routine as we can and keep the guys focused on what we worked on all year. They're always in the back of our mind, in terms of what we're working towards. We know this is the last game of the year and what it means to everybody here."
Max Klare, Ohio State tight end
On the anticipation ahead of his first rivalry game…
"I'm super excited to be a part of it. That's why you come here – to play games like that. And just like every other week, we've got to attack it. Attack the game plan, attack the preparation and go out there and execute at a high level."
On his responsibility to step up in Carnell Tate and Jerimiah Smith's absence…
"I think I came through for the most part. There's obviously a couple I want back. Just got to keep building on that and keep going each week."
What it's like for offenses to have the Ohio State defense on their side…
"It's definitely special to have a defense like that, and it only helps us. We have so much confidence in them.It gives us the confidence to go out there and just let loose."
Caden Curry, Ohio State defensive end
On his strip sack...
"I definitely thought that I got in the end zone, but I got off the ball good. I just made the play when my number was called and tried to capitalize on it."
On playing his last game in Ohio Stadium...
"It's heartbreaking and motivating at the same time. This is the best stadium in America and being able to give my all to be a Buckeye is something that I will always remember, and it motivates me because we have so much more to accomplish as a team."
On mentally preparing for the Michigan game...
"Everybody has just stayed locked in and motivated. We all have something that we need to prove, and we all need to accomplish something. We just need to keep playing football like we are and go out there and play as hard as we can."
On how he felt after the loss to Michigan last year...
"It was heartbreaking seeing how those guys went out last year. Just for me as a player, seeing all of the hard work that those guys went through to come up short again, I don't want to be that guy. So I just want to win this game for them (seniors last year)."
Kenyetta Jackson , Ohio State defensive end
On Ohio State's defensive performance…
"The defense did well. We did well today; coaching staff, they did a good job of making the plays, calling the plays. And we went out there and we executed it to the best of our ability."
On facing Michigan next week…
"It's a huge week, but we're going to stick to our regular routine all season. Not much is going to change, we're going to stick to it and we're prepared."
On Senior Day…
"Emotions were through the roof. Guys like Caden Curry, Sonny Styles, I came in with them. Just proud of seeing them from freshman year all the way to senior year. It's incredible to see this, it's real special."
Carson Hinzman, Ohio State center
On playing in The Game next week…
"I've obviously played in The Game in the past few years, and so this is a big week for everyone. Not just the players, but the city and people of Columbus and Ohio. For us to go up there is a huge opportunity. It's going to take everything we got and everything we've been doing the past 11 weeks. So, we're going to need all of it when we walk in there."
On the Buckeyes' mindset…
"We came off the natty, we kind of regrouped and reset our minds to wanting to go and compete and win every single game we play, regardless of who it is, regardless of the setting or game it is. We have to go out there. We have to compete and win."
On the Ohio State offensive line…
"We got depth, and I know, obviously last year and every year now, with potentially 17 games you're in, you need it. For us to find that we got that depth is huge for us. We got more guys in the chamber, too, that are working and competing."
Greg Schiano, Rutgers head coach
On Rutgers' play...
"Yes, they did some good things, but we made mistakes that, you know, I think we need to stop making them if we're going to have a chance to compete with a team like that. And it's not just players, it's not just coaches; it's everybody, starting with me. So we have to get better, incremental improvement, 24-hour rule. We'll get back home get to work on it, move forward. We've got a big game next week."
On how much impact the penalties had on the team...
"Yeah, we got a sack, we get a hold. And then the fourth down play we were off. You get a penalty. The third touchdown, proud of the guys. They started with the ball on the one yard line, right? So we stopped them coming out at half, which is what I said, "Hey, man, we got to come out and get a stop and then go score and win the middle eight and have a chance to take this thing into the fourth quarter." The whole plan was get it to the fourth quarter and see if we can win this game. And at points, I thought we had a chance to do that. And you know, they get the ball at the one yard line on the sack fumble. I was proud of our guys. They stuff them and they cause them to commit a foul, moving back to the 11, and then that play you judge for yourself. I'm not real happy with that play, but I'm not disappointed."
On his approach going into the Penn State game next weekend...
"I mean, the approach is the same as always. It always is. Circumstance cannot dictate your behavior. Is it exciting that you have a game that if you win you keep playing? Yeah, that's fun as a competitor. You love that. But the preparation, if you let circumstance dictate your behavior, you know, tough life, and that's what I try to teach these kids, right? You have to react to things. There's no doubt about that, but you can't let that be the impetus for what you do. Otherwise, you're going to be chasing things the rest of your life. You have to learn how to put your feelings aside and make choices, and that's what we have to do. We have to lock in and focus and get better. And there will be stuff from this game that we can improve on and evaluate what Penn State's doing and come up with a plan and go practice all week and get ready to go play."
