Ohio State Player Quotes – Ohio State Buckeyes
10/24/2006 12:00:00 AM | Football
Oct. 24, 2006
Antonio Pittman, junior tailback
On Minnesota
“We have to be prepared for them. They have a lot of guys from Columbus and nothing would make them happier than to come here and upset us.”
On BCS standings
“I have seen them but we are not focused on them. We have Minnesota this weekend and have to focus on them. We have a couple more games before Michigan and we have to win all of them.”
On his performance this year
“I have done alright so far. I haven’t played my best yet. I am harder on myself than anyone else. I have tried my best in every game but there is always room for improvement.”
On Ohio State
“To win a national championship you have to be the best at everything. We need to keep improving each game and put it all together on every drive.”
On coaches’ confidence in him as a tailback
“I think they have more confidence in my ability this year. I would hope so. It is also okay with me if `Beanie’ (Chris Wells) goes in, too. As long as we have a running back that gets it done.”
James Laurinaitis, sophomore linebacker
On Minnesota’s offense
“They do a lot of the same things they have done in the past. They are a running team and have a good running back. Their running back was the Big Ten player of the week twice last year and they have a lot of talented guys back. (Minnesota QB) Bryan Cupito had a career game against us last year. We just have to do our best to stop them.”
On Minnesota’s offense
“They are able to do a lot of things well and they are going to test us. They know we have a young secondary and they are going to try and throw deep.”
On the game vs. Minnesota
“We have to be prepared. They are going to come in here, give us everything they’ve got and make plays on special teams. They are going to give us the best they have.” On his decision to come to Ohio State
“When I came on my visit here I just knew. It sounds clich but when I got here I just knew that this is where I should be. I had a tremendous opportunity to learn behind three tremendous guys (2005 senior linebackers A.J. Hawk, Bobby Carpenter and Anthony Schlegel).”
A.J. Trapasso, sophomore punter
On his role during a high-scoring game
“I am happy as long as we keep winning and moving the ball. I’ll keep holding (the ball for extra-point kicks). I’m not a statistical guy, but as far as me not getting the chance to punt a lot, it’s not a priority of mine. If our offense is controlling the whole game the entire time, that’s great.”
On Coach Tressel emphasizing the importance of a punt
“A punt is a team effort. I don’t consider myself better than anyone on the team. I have a job to do and I just try to hold my own with the guys who have been there before me. We have had some great punters come out of this university.”
On the team mentality towards a national championship game
“We are confident but focused. Everyone knows we are getting close. We can’t let it go. The heat is definitely on because all eyes are on us. We are just trying to stay relaxed. Everyone knows what they have to do at this point.”
On Michigan
“We try not to look too far ahead, but this is going to be an amazing game if we both go into it undefeated in the Big Ten. I think everyone on the team is handling it well, but of course the talk around town is all about Michigan. To be honest, Minnesota is on our minds, and that is what we are getting prepared for.”
### Go Bucks! ###
