Buckeye Defense Previews Peach Bowl Matchup vs. Georgia
Ohio State players met with the media Wednesday morning to discuss team progress looking ahead to the Dec. 31 Peach Bowl.
On accepting invite to Senior Bowl
“It’s just an honor to be considered one of the best in the country and really showcase my talents and prove to everybody else the player that I think I am.”
On facing Heisman finalist Stetson Bennett
“He’s got an arm, he does a great job of alluding defenders, gets a lot extra time to throw the ball to his playmakers. But, we play a Heisman finalist everyday in practice though so it’s nothing we haven’t seen before.”
On how excited he is to potentially go out a national champion
I’m very excited for the opportunity we had the chance in 2020 and let it slip away from us. We have to take it one game at a time, just beat Georgia, do what we do against Georgia and give us a chance to go win a ring.”
On the loss against TTUN:
“I think all of the mistakes that were made were on us. I think it’s all stuff that we can definitely fix… I think that just comes with being responsible for your job and what you’re doing.”
On potentially playing TTUN for the championship:
“We’ll get there when we get there. Right now, we’ve got Georgia in front of us.”
On trusting Coach Knowles:
“Whatever he concocts… I think if we just play to it then we’ll be fine.”
On being the underdog:
It’s about coming to practice and focusing on us as a team. We are out here playing Buckeye ball and trusting the process and technique, leaving it all out there on the field.
On team brotherhood:
Everyone has kept my motivation on track. These boys have pushed me to go my hardest and bring the best out of me daily. I know who we are as a team and what we can bring. We have to reiterate that the job is not finished.
On playing Georgia:
It’s a big game. We have to treat it like any other game and go out there and have fun, playing the best way we know how.
On the second chance opportunity in the CFP
“It means a lot, a lot of players have come through this program and just being able to get a chance to play in the national championship and compete is a blessing. We can’t take this for granted and I think the guys in the room understand that.
On team mentality playing Georgia in Atlanta
Just go out there and compete. Anytime you get a chance like this, you just gotta take advantage of it. We were willing to play anyone on that schedule, we just wanted a second chance and we got that. We got to put in the work and these upcoming weeks and get prepared and we’ll handle business when the time comes.”
On potential challenges with Georgia’s tight ends
“Two athletics guys. They have a very athletic room and they have different guys in that room that can do different things and move better than the average tight end. It’s a challenge and it’s an opportunity for the guys (defensive backs) in that room and the entire defense.
On a second chance in the CFP
“You put in so much work year-round as college football players with academics and football. When you fall short of your goals, it hurts and it’s painful. To still have the opportunity to win a national championship makes me feel grateful.”
On JT Tuimoloau speaking before practice
“To be honest, nobody really wanted to be here because we thought everything was done. He just reminded us that we still had a chance and to not waste this day and get better so when that day does come, we’re prepared.” (edited)
