Ohio State Player Quotes, Oct. 31 – Ohio State Buckeyes
10/31/2006 12:00:00 AM | Football
Oct. 31, 2006
Drew Norman, senior long snapper
On approaching the end of the season
“I think it’s one week at a time and that is why we’ve had a great focus all season. Our coaches do a great job on Sunday, after a game, when they come in and inform us on the new team. Coach Tressel’s mantra is to get better each and every day. We are in great condition – mentally and physically. When you combine those two things you are going to have a good November.”
On the Illibuck trophy
“Any time you are playing for something, you always play to win. We want to head to Illinois and come back successful, especially when that trophy is on the line. None of us on the team have been to Champaign for a game, so we want to make it count.”
On the team’s progress
“We are getting better, as you can see when you turn on the film. From a special teams’ point of view, I think I’ve gotten better as the season goes on. Everyone on the team is getting better – but we still have a long way to go. We want to take one step further and get it done. Everyone is pretty focused and not very concerned with everything else that is going on around us.”
On teammate Aaron Pettrey
“He is relaxed, funny, down to earth – loose when he goes out on the field and very confident in himself. Special teams are so important to us. Our expectations bring out the best in our guys. Aaron has always had a lot of confidence and holds his head high. We know he will go out there and put the ball in the uprights. As long as I do my job, and A.J. (Trapasso) does his, there is no doubt that the ball will go through the uprights.”
On the team captains
“All four have their own unique personality. I enjoy them. It is neat to see all four, different guys take on a different perspective of the game. Troy is the most calm – he always comes out and tells us what needs to be done. When we get out of our players’ meeting on Thursday, we know what needs to be done, because our captains do a great job.”
On the field
“I think it’s great. Our ground keepers do a great job. They work as hard as they can and do they best they can. Our support staff will stop at nothing to make sure we have the best equipment and the best field.”
On special teams
“As Coach Tressel always says, `Special teams win championships.’ He gives us just as much credit for a win as the offense and defense. He understands we are all equal in having a part in the win.”
Marcus Freeman, sophomore linebacker
On the defense’s success
“You have to give the coaches a lot of credit. They continue to put us in the right positions to do things wells. Also, the defensive line has played a major role. They have been putting a lot of pressure on the quarterbacks every week and that makes our job easier.”
On preparation
“I am watching film as much now as I did against Texas. The coaches have been stressing the importance of it and it is something the defense as a whole has continued to do.”
On the Big Ten’s young quarterbacks
“They are very talented, regardless of their age. You know you will continue to see them the next few years, but they are talented right now and we have to prepare for them right now.”
On the defense
“We have been getting better each week. Our goal at the end of the season is to be the No. 1 defense in the nation. For now, we just keep trying to get better every day.”
On his preseason expectations of the defense
“We had a meeting at the beginning of the year and the coaches continued to tell us we had talent and we could see our potential. We haven’t reached our full potential yet this year and we are not the best yet, but we keep getting better.”
On peeking in November
“Coach Tressel demands that his teams practice hard. He demands that his teams give 100 percent and he demands that we continue to improve, even through November. By this time of the year we really begin to hit our stride.”
On stand-out qualities of Illinois
“Juice Williams. Everything that Illinois does revolves around him. He is a playmaker and he is quick on his feet. The key for us is going to be stopping him.”
David Patterson, senior defensive tackle
On Illinois
“Illinois has a great offense and they do some terrific things. They are a mix of all the teams we have seen and they do a lot of things well. They do not look like a two and seven football team.”
On Indiana’s Kellen Lewis vs. Illinois’ Juice Williams
“They are very similar. Illinois likes to run Juice more and they have more designed runs for him. He can run the option, fake the dive, or run the quarterback keeper.”
On preparing for young quarterbacks
“We prepare the same. We practice the same and put just as much effort into preparing for a young quarterback as a veteran one. All of the young quarterbacks we have faced have done an excellent job for their teams and are great players. I can’t see them doing anything but getting better.”
T.J. Downing, senior offensive guard
On the offensive line
“I think we have been getting the job done since the beginning of the year. Now it is just a matter of getting things rolling. We are into Big Ten play now and we know that every team can beat us. We know we have the chance to lose and that will get anybody rolling.”
On the team’s attitude
“Each week we all anticipate playing. We know what we are capable of doing. The offense is getting it done and we have excellent special teams. We just look forward to every Saturday.”
On Illinois’ record
“Illinois is at the point where they have nothing to lose and those are the teams you have to watch out for. They will throw everything they have at you. It shouldn’t bother us because we are so focused. We know we just have to prepare for what they will give us and continue to stay focused.”
On team focus
“I think the senior leadership has a lot to do with the focus of the team. Me, Doug (Datish), Troy (Smith), Stan (White) and all the seniors try to tell everyone to keep their focus and concentrate on each game like it is the last.”
Brandon Mitchell, senior free safety
On Illinois
“Any time a team comes out to play us, they are going to give us a good game. Wisconsin was ranked pretty high when they played them and they gave them a good game. When you look at them on film, they do not look like a 2-7 team.”
On the weather conditions for the game at Illinois
“Our guys are concerned about the wind and weather. In the 2002 game (vs. Illinois), it was the coldest game I’ve ever been to as a player. But it is still a Big Ten stadium and it will be a great environment.”
On the team approach for playing Illinois
“When you look at film from the 2002 game, Illinois got a couple of deep balls on us. They were definitely challenging. This year, we must contain them. Coach has put a few wrinkles in the game plan, so hopefully it will help us.”
On their season so far
“I feel like we’ve played against some really great offensive coordinators. Our defense doesn’t play too differently every year, so we are trying to disguise our plan. This is key – especially when we will be playing against a young quarterback (at Illinois). We just have to keep up with the fundamentals, like making sound tackles and playing low – and we will be alright.”
On the defensive depth chart
“Coach Heacock has done a great job of running guys through the line. We had to replace nine starters. We just put the young guys in and they are relishing in the moment when they get to go out and play.”
### Go Bucks! ###
