Michigan State University Athletics
Photo by: Rey Del Rio/MSU Athletic Communications
Player Quotes: Ohio State Week
11/7/2018 4:13:00 PM | Football
No. 18 Michigan State hosts No. 10 Ohio State Saturday in B1G East Showdown.
MSU Game Notes vs. Ohio State |  MSU Depth Chart vs. Ohio State
EAST LANSING, Mich. -- Several Michigan State players met with the media on Tuesday inside the Izzo Family Media Center at the Spartan Stadium North End Zone Complex to review the Spartans' 24-3 win at Maryland and preview this Saturday's game as No. 18 Michigan State (6-3, 4-2 Big Ten) brings a two-game winning streak into Saturday's Big Ten East Division showdown against No. 10 Ohio State at noon in Spartan Stadium.Â
The game will be televised nationally on FOX, with Gus Johnson, Joel Klatt and Jenny Taft on the call. MSU won at Maryland last Saturday, 24-3, while the Buckeyes (8-1, 5-1 Big Ten) topped Nebraska at Ohio Stadium, 36-31. With the win over Maryland, Michigan State is now bowl eligible for the 11th time in 12 seasons under head coach Mark Dantonio.
Saturday's game is the 47th meeting between Michigan State and Ohio State, and for the fifth time in the last six matchups, both teams enter the contest ranked in the AP Top 25 (OSU eighth, MSU 24th). The Buckeyes lead the all-time series 31-15, including a 16-5 record in games played in East Lansing. Michigan State head coach Mark Dantonio is 3-6 during his tenure against Ohio State and 3-8 overall (0-2 at Cincinnati). Dantonio is the only Big Ten coach to defeat Urban Meyer twice during his tenure at OSU (2013 Big Ten Championship Game, 2015 at Ohio State).
The Spartans have defeated the Buckeyes three times in the last seven meetings. Michael Geiger hit a 41-yard field goal as time expired to give No. 9 Michigan State a 17-14 victory over No. 2 Ohio State in 2015 in Columbus en route to winning the Big Ten Championship, while also snapping the Buckeyes' 23-game winning streak. The Spartans held the Buckeyes to 132 yards of total offense in that game, the fewest ever by an Urban Meyer-coached team. In the 2013 Big Ten Championship Game, No. 10 MSU snapped No. 2 Ohio State's school-record 24-game winning streak with a 34-24 win as the Spartans clinched their first Rose bowl berth in 26 years. Three of MSU's four losses to Meyer-coached teams at Ohio State have been by a combined 14 points, including two games decided by 17-16 scores in East Lansing (2012 and 2016). Dantonio is one of only two coaches to defeat Ohio State twice under Meyer (Dabo Swinney, Clemson). The Spartans have defeated Ohio State 10 times when the Buckeyes entered the game ranked in the AP Top 25, including four times when the Buckeyes were either ranked No. 1 (1974, 1998) or No. 2 (2013, 2015).
The following is a select transcript from Tuesday's press conference:
Junior quarterback Brian Lewerke
On getting some guys back on the field the last couple weeks…
It's helped 100 percent. Obviously, Cody (White) is a fantastic receiver, and just to have some guys back that we started the season off with. To see everyone else grow has been great, to have all that ability around you.Â
On the recent play of the offensive line…
I think the o-line did a great job blocking last week. When I hand the ball of I kind of do my play fake and look at the line to see if there's a hole for the running back to run. I saw more holes than I have seen all year, and that's a testament to the o-line. They've been working together well, and I'm sure Connor (Heyward) would say the same thing. It's starting to flow.Â
On Cody White playing with the cast…
I don't think it changes anything. He can still catch with the cast. Honestly it's just a little big and gets annoying, kind of in his way, but I mean, you saw the catch he had last week. He can make that with one hand, two hands, or with a hurt hand. So, he'll do it no matter what.Â
On thinking about bowl projections…
A little bit yeah. Once you get towards the end of the season, you start seeing the bowl predictions. Now that we're in bowl position all we can do now is try and win out, win as many games as we can. Just try to keep getting to a better and better bowl game for us.Â
On it being a big week for the guys from Ohio…
Yeah. I think especially after last year, just how that went and some of the Ohio guys playing there for the first time. Now having it at home, it's a big motivational factor, especially the way we lost.
On how this season has been…
It's been different. It has a different feel from last year, but we're still in the same position. We can still end up with the same record we had last year if we continue to play well. And I think we will. We're still just focused on what's in front. Â Â
Senior safety Khari Willis
On the Ohio State game last year…
I remember they came out and asserted their will on us. They were able to get on the scoreboard early and we weren't able to come back. That's pretty much what I remember.Â
On moving forward after the loss to Ohio State last season…
I think we just had to come ready to play. I think we have a lot of pieces back, they have a lot of pieces back. That'll make it interesting. But, I'm more so proud of how we've been carrying ourselves this year with the things we've gone through. I think last year was definitely eye-opening for us though.
On the defense against Maryland…
I think we're trying to peak in November, as most teams are. We're trying to peak and play our best football in November, put ourselves in position to do great things. I feel like against Maryland our coaches had a great scheme for us. Up front we played physical, we were able to play on the other side of the line of scrimmage a lot, and that resulted in some big plays for us. That's something that definitely helped us. We're going to need something similar this week.Â
On challenges of facing Ohio State quarterback Dwayne Haskins vs facing J.T. Barrett last season…
I think Barrett was more of a runner, and Haskins is more of a thrower, not as many runs for him. I'm not saying he can't run, but he's more of a thrower and probably has a better arm.Â
On Coach D's record in November and putting an emphasis on those games…
He definitely puts an emphasis on winning games in November, the importance of it, and what it means for the season. I feel like the rest of our coaches do as well. It's important around college in general to play your best football in November. Â Â Â
On goals for the rest of the season…
I think whatever bowl we can get in, the highest one, I think that's a big deal right now. But, we're more concerned on just winning out and seeing what happens from here. College football can be crazy, you never know what can happen. My focus is just on trying to win, trying to beat Ohio State, trying to find ways to put ourselves in position to win a game. Working on getting my troops ready to roll.Â
On the return of Josiah Scott…
I don't think he's lost a step. He had been practicing for a couple weeks prior to getting his game legs on. Obviously, you see he made a play, defended a deep ball, which is something we need. He does it like few, so his presence of being there is going to help us in the long run. I'm just glad he's able to get back playing the game he loves. Seeing him out there being happy, being Josiah, is more exciting for me than anything.
On being a Spartan on Saturday, is he still a (Lumen Christi High School) Titan on Friday nights (Lumen Christi is in the playoffs)...
Oh yeah, definitely. I'm a Titan, still a Titan. All I know is green. I'm pulling for them every week. I talk to Coach Brogan almost every day. I watch their games as much as I can, I've got two little brothers playing, so I'm pulling for Lumen Christi all the way.
On Tre Person learning trial by fire in filling in for Josiah Scott and relationship with him…
Tre and I have always had a great relationship. He was originally a corner, then got moved to safety, now back at corner. Tre's real smart, so I think a lot of mistakes he may have made in the past, I think he knows. He's still a big time player, he's young, still only a sophomore, so he still has things to learn. I'm sticking with him through his ups and downs. Â
Â
Senior linebacker Andrew Dowell
On motivation and learning experience from last year's game…
Yeah, definitely it's a learning tool and also a motivational thing. They blew us out and we didn't even come to play that day. We weren't mentally prepared, and everything like that, so we have to be better this year, prepare well in practice, and get after it.Â
On how the game went down last year against Ohio State and able to recall a game like that where just didn't have it on that day…
No, the game always goes to the fourth quarter. It's always a football game and that wasn't even a football game. We couldn't even just do what we do and squeak out a win or whatever it takes. So we have to step up this week. Us leaders have to lead the team and we have to have better preparation to prepare for Ohio State.Â
On experience playing them as a freshman in 2015…
Yeah, 2015 was my first time going down to play Ohio State, down in the Horseshoe, so that was a great moment. For us to win that game and then go to the Big Ten Championship after that was special. Â
On rivalry being meaningful...
Yeah, we rank the Ohio State's, Penn State's and Michigan's all right there together. Each guy has their own preferences per say. Coach D told us the other day there was 28 of us on the team from Ohio, but regardless of that, this game has great big implications with them being a top 10 team, and it can determine what we do for the rest of our season.
On differences in Ohio State offense from last year…
They still have a talented offense, a bunch of talented receivers. Mostly all of their receivers are home run ball guys. They've got a little bit different style QB, but we just have to prepare for it well.
On week leading up to game in 2015 with injuries…
It had its complications like any other week does, but we knew the offense was going to handle their stuff and the leaders that year in Riley Bullough and Darien Harris. They were going to lead the defense and we were able to come out with the win.Â
On more pressure on defense when there are QB injuries…
We put a lot on ourselves each week. Our big thing this past game and throughout the entire season is sudden changes so whenever we're put in a tough situation we know that we're still going to be able to hold and we're going to make them kick a field goal. We hold ourselves to that standard no matter what the offense is doing.
On having same personnel back this year and Ohio State having same defensive backs as last year and motivation to do better…
They've got great two backs in J.K. Dobbins and Mike Weber. They've got some good blocking tight ends. They've got talented guys in each position. They gave it to us last year like Coach D has said. So we have to rally as a defense and prepare well this week to try to stop them.
On last year's game sticking with them, how game prevented them from having number one rush defense...
Yeah, it sticks with us personally and as a team… Spartan defense we pride ourselves on stopping the run and they rushed all over us, so that was something that we hold ourselves to a higher standard than that.Â
Junior linebacker Joe Bachie
On Coach Dantonio comparing him to Chris Spielman and who he looked up to at linebacker growing up in Ohio…
He [Chris Spielman] was in the past a little bit. One of the Ohio State guys I actually talked to a couple of weeks ago was James Laurinaitis, talked to him a little bit and I watched him when I was younger. He was somebody that on Saturday I was excited to watch.
On how much preparation he does…
If you want to be a good football player at this level any giveaways you can get, playing to your advantage, will help you on the football field. Any tips, alerts that you see on the field, where certain plays are coming, that all comes from film study and great coaching. You take that all in throughout the week and you just try to exemplify it on Saturday's.
On if he's a visual thinker…
Yeah if you throw something on the board I can see it. When we go to the sidelines we make quick 10-second adjustments I can see it once I'm on the field. That's something I was blessed with.
On how much last season's loss to Ohio State sticks with him…
I think about it a little bit because I'm from Ohio, I've got buddies of mine who remind me about it. We know we've got to play better and that's what we're going to try and do this year.
On what this game means to him being from Ohio…
A little something extra, just like the Michigan game for a lot of the guys from Michigan. It's the Ohio State game, it's a big game for me. I grew up an Ohio State fan, most of my life basically until high school. All of my buddies back home, family, friends and stuff, are Ohio State people so it's going to be a good one to hopefully get this year.
On how Ohio State's offense differs from last year…
Well first, they can run the ball, everybody in the country knows they have a good offensive line. Big, physical running backs and their quarterback this year has a little bit of a stronger arm. J.T. (Barrett) was good, a very good quarterback for them who controlled the game very and I feel like Haskins can make more deep balls, more deep throws, so we've got to check that in the back end and get a little pressure on him.
Sophomore running back Connor Heyward
Do you prepare differently every week since LJ Scott is questionable…
No, every week I go in preparing like the starter. LJ is day-to-day, we will see what he's like at the end of the week. I am ready and going to prepare like I am the starter.Â
On last week's performance…
I always believe in myself and my teammates, it was another opportunity for us to go out and show what our offense is like and be able to showcase our running game.
On the offensive scheme…
(Offensive coordinator) Coach Warner has talked about how one game we may able to throw the ball, another game run the ball. We haven't be able to put both together. We all know what we were able do. We have to go out there run the ball and catch the ball and do our job to the best of our ability. We can't worry about the scoreboard. Hopefully the points are up there in the game.Â
On memories of last year's Ohio State game…
Last year was a different outcome, they beat us and it didn't feel good. It left a bad taste for our team. We're looking to redeem ourselves and show the world what we are all about.
On not knowing his starting status…
I'm not going to say it doesn't go through my mind, but you have to prepare like you're the starter everyday, Monday-Friday, take notes, can't slack on any part. Do your part and show the coaches what you're able to do Monday-Friday in practice and continue to stay locked in.Â
Â
EAST LANSING, Mich. -- Several Michigan State players met with the media on Tuesday inside the Izzo Family Media Center at the Spartan Stadium North End Zone Complex to review the Spartans' 24-3 win at Maryland and preview this Saturday's game as No. 18 Michigan State (6-3, 4-2 Big Ten) brings a two-game winning streak into Saturday's Big Ten East Division showdown against No. 10 Ohio State at noon in Spartan Stadium.Â
The game will be televised nationally on FOX, with Gus Johnson, Joel Klatt and Jenny Taft on the call. MSU won at Maryland last Saturday, 24-3, while the Buckeyes (8-1, 5-1 Big Ten) topped Nebraska at Ohio Stadium, 36-31. With the win over Maryland, Michigan State is now bowl eligible for the 11th time in 12 seasons under head coach Mark Dantonio.
Saturday's game is the 47th meeting between Michigan State and Ohio State, and for the fifth time in the last six matchups, both teams enter the contest ranked in the AP Top 25 (OSU eighth, MSU 24th). The Buckeyes lead the all-time series 31-15, including a 16-5 record in games played in East Lansing. Michigan State head coach Mark Dantonio is 3-6 during his tenure against Ohio State and 3-8 overall (0-2 at Cincinnati). Dantonio is the only Big Ten coach to defeat Urban Meyer twice during his tenure at OSU (2013 Big Ten Championship Game, 2015 at Ohio State).
The Spartans have defeated the Buckeyes three times in the last seven meetings. Michael Geiger hit a 41-yard field goal as time expired to give No. 9 Michigan State a 17-14 victory over No. 2 Ohio State in 2015 in Columbus en route to winning the Big Ten Championship, while also snapping the Buckeyes' 23-game winning streak. The Spartans held the Buckeyes to 132 yards of total offense in that game, the fewest ever by an Urban Meyer-coached team. In the 2013 Big Ten Championship Game, No. 10 MSU snapped No. 2 Ohio State's school-record 24-game winning streak with a 34-24 win as the Spartans clinched their first Rose bowl berth in 26 years. Three of MSU's four losses to Meyer-coached teams at Ohio State have been by a combined 14 points, including two games decided by 17-16 scores in East Lansing (2012 and 2016). Dantonio is one of only two coaches to defeat Ohio State twice under Meyer (Dabo Swinney, Clemson). The Spartans have defeated Ohio State 10 times when the Buckeyes entered the game ranked in the AP Top 25, including four times when the Buckeyes were either ranked No. 1 (1974, 1998) or No. 2 (2013, 2015).
The following is a select transcript from Tuesday's press conference:
Junior quarterback Brian Lewerke
On getting some guys back on the field the last couple weeks…
It's helped 100 percent. Obviously, Cody (White) is a fantastic receiver, and just to have some guys back that we started the season off with. To see everyone else grow has been great, to have all that ability around you.Â
On the recent play of the offensive line…
I think the o-line did a great job blocking last week. When I hand the ball of I kind of do my play fake and look at the line to see if there's a hole for the running back to run. I saw more holes than I have seen all year, and that's a testament to the o-line. They've been working together well, and I'm sure Connor (Heyward) would say the same thing. It's starting to flow.Â
On Cody White playing with the cast…
I don't think it changes anything. He can still catch with the cast. Honestly it's just a little big and gets annoying, kind of in his way, but I mean, you saw the catch he had last week. He can make that with one hand, two hands, or with a hurt hand. So, he'll do it no matter what.Â
On thinking about bowl projections…
A little bit yeah. Once you get towards the end of the season, you start seeing the bowl predictions. Now that we're in bowl position all we can do now is try and win out, win as many games as we can. Just try to keep getting to a better and better bowl game for us.Â
On it being a big week for the guys from Ohio…
Yeah. I think especially after last year, just how that went and some of the Ohio guys playing there for the first time. Now having it at home, it's a big motivational factor, especially the way we lost.
On how this season has been…
It's been different. It has a different feel from last year, but we're still in the same position. We can still end up with the same record we had last year if we continue to play well. And I think we will. We're still just focused on what's in front. Â Â
Senior safety Khari Willis
On the Ohio State game last year…
I remember they came out and asserted their will on us. They were able to get on the scoreboard early and we weren't able to come back. That's pretty much what I remember.Â
On moving forward after the loss to Ohio State last season…
I think we just had to come ready to play. I think we have a lot of pieces back, they have a lot of pieces back. That'll make it interesting. But, I'm more so proud of how we've been carrying ourselves this year with the things we've gone through. I think last year was definitely eye-opening for us though.
On the defense against Maryland…
I think we're trying to peak in November, as most teams are. We're trying to peak and play our best football in November, put ourselves in position to do great things. I feel like against Maryland our coaches had a great scheme for us. Up front we played physical, we were able to play on the other side of the line of scrimmage a lot, and that resulted in some big plays for us. That's something that definitely helped us. We're going to need something similar this week.Â
On challenges of facing Ohio State quarterback Dwayne Haskins vs facing J.T. Barrett last season…
I think Barrett was more of a runner, and Haskins is more of a thrower, not as many runs for him. I'm not saying he can't run, but he's more of a thrower and probably has a better arm.Â
On Coach D's record in November and putting an emphasis on those games…
He definitely puts an emphasis on winning games in November, the importance of it, and what it means for the season. I feel like the rest of our coaches do as well. It's important around college in general to play your best football in November. Â Â Â
On goals for the rest of the season…
I think whatever bowl we can get in, the highest one, I think that's a big deal right now. But, we're more concerned on just winning out and seeing what happens from here. College football can be crazy, you never know what can happen. My focus is just on trying to win, trying to beat Ohio State, trying to find ways to put ourselves in position to win a game. Working on getting my troops ready to roll.Â
On the return of Josiah Scott…
I don't think he's lost a step. He had been practicing for a couple weeks prior to getting his game legs on. Obviously, you see he made a play, defended a deep ball, which is something we need. He does it like few, so his presence of being there is going to help us in the long run. I'm just glad he's able to get back playing the game he loves. Seeing him out there being happy, being Josiah, is more exciting for me than anything.
On being a Spartan on Saturday, is he still a (Lumen Christi High School) Titan on Friday nights (Lumen Christi is in the playoffs)...
Oh yeah, definitely. I'm a Titan, still a Titan. All I know is green. I'm pulling for them every week. I talk to Coach Brogan almost every day. I watch their games as much as I can, I've got two little brothers playing, so I'm pulling for Lumen Christi all the way.
On Tre Person learning trial by fire in filling in for Josiah Scott and relationship with him…
Tre and I have always had a great relationship. He was originally a corner, then got moved to safety, now back at corner. Tre's real smart, so I think a lot of mistakes he may have made in the past, I think he knows. He's still a big time player, he's young, still only a sophomore, so he still has things to learn. I'm sticking with him through his ups and downs. Â
Â
Senior linebacker Andrew Dowell
On motivation and learning experience from last year's game…
Yeah, definitely it's a learning tool and also a motivational thing. They blew us out and we didn't even come to play that day. We weren't mentally prepared, and everything like that, so we have to be better this year, prepare well in practice, and get after it.Â
On how the game went down last year against Ohio State and able to recall a game like that where just didn't have it on that day…
No, the game always goes to the fourth quarter. It's always a football game and that wasn't even a football game. We couldn't even just do what we do and squeak out a win or whatever it takes. So we have to step up this week. Us leaders have to lead the team and we have to have better preparation to prepare for Ohio State.Â
On experience playing them as a freshman in 2015…
Yeah, 2015 was my first time going down to play Ohio State, down in the Horseshoe, so that was a great moment. For us to win that game and then go to the Big Ten Championship after that was special. Â
On rivalry being meaningful...
Yeah, we rank the Ohio State's, Penn State's and Michigan's all right there together. Each guy has their own preferences per say. Coach D told us the other day there was 28 of us on the team from Ohio, but regardless of that, this game has great big implications with them being a top 10 team, and it can determine what we do for the rest of our season.
On differences in Ohio State offense from last year…
They still have a talented offense, a bunch of talented receivers. Mostly all of their receivers are home run ball guys. They've got a little bit different style QB, but we just have to prepare for it well.
On week leading up to game in 2015 with injuries…
It had its complications like any other week does, but we knew the offense was going to handle their stuff and the leaders that year in Riley Bullough and Darien Harris. They were going to lead the defense and we were able to come out with the win.Â
On more pressure on defense when there are QB injuries…
We put a lot on ourselves each week. Our big thing this past game and throughout the entire season is sudden changes so whenever we're put in a tough situation we know that we're still going to be able to hold and we're going to make them kick a field goal. We hold ourselves to that standard no matter what the offense is doing.
On having same personnel back this year and Ohio State having same defensive backs as last year and motivation to do better…
They've got great two backs in J.K. Dobbins and Mike Weber. They've got some good blocking tight ends. They've got talented guys in each position. They gave it to us last year like Coach D has said. So we have to rally as a defense and prepare well this week to try to stop them.
On last year's game sticking with them, how game prevented them from having number one rush defense...
Yeah, it sticks with us personally and as a team… Spartan defense we pride ourselves on stopping the run and they rushed all over us, so that was something that we hold ourselves to a higher standard than that.Â
Junior linebacker Joe Bachie
On Coach Dantonio comparing him to Chris Spielman and who he looked up to at linebacker growing up in Ohio…
He [Chris Spielman] was in the past a little bit. One of the Ohio State guys I actually talked to a couple of weeks ago was James Laurinaitis, talked to him a little bit and I watched him when I was younger. He was somebody that on Saturday I was excited to watch.
On how much preparation he does…
If you want to be a good football player at this level any giveaways you can get, playing to your advantage, will help you on the football field. Any tips, alerts that you see on the field, where certain plays are coming, that all comes from film study and great coaching. You take that all in throughout the week and you just try to exemplify it on Saturday's.
On if he's a visual thinker…
Yeah if you throw something on the board I can see it. When we go to the sidelines we make quick 10-second adjustments I can see it once I'm on the field. That's something I was blessed with.
On how much last season's loss to Ohio State sticks with him…
I think about it a little bit because I'm from Ohio, I've got buddies of mine who remind me about it. We know we've got to play better and that's what we're going to try and do this year.
On what this game means to him being from Ohio…
A little something extra, just like the Michigan game for a lot of the guys from Michigan. It's the Ohio State game, it's a big game for me. I grew up an Ohio State fan, most of my life basically until high school. All of my buddies back home, family, friends and stuff, are Ohio State people so it's going to be a good one to hopefully get this year.
On how Ohio State's offense differs from last year…
Well first, they can run the ball, everybody in the country knows they have a good offensive line. Big, physical running backs and their quarterback this year has a little bit of a stronger arm. J.T. (Barrett) was good, a very good quarterback for them who controlled the game very and I feel like Haskins can make more deep balls, more deep throws, so we've got to check that in the back end and get a little pressure on him.
Sophomore running back Connor Heyward
Do you prepare differently every week since LJ Scott is questionable…
No, every week I go in preparing like the starter. LJ is day-to-day, we will see what he's like at the end of the week. I am ready and going to prepare like I am the starter.Â
On last week's performance…
I always believe in myself and my teammates, it was another opportunity for us to go out and show what our offense is like and be able to showcase our running game.
On the offensive scheme…
(Offensive coordinator) Coach Warner has talked about how one game we may able to throw the ball, another game run the ball. We haven't be able to put both together. We all know what we were able do. We have to go out there run the ball and catch the ball and do our job to the best of our ability. We can't worry about the scoreboard. Hopefully the points are up there in the game.Â
On memories of last year's Ohio State game…
Last year was a different outcome, they beat us and it didn't feel good. It left a bad taste for our team. We're looking to redeem ourselves and show the world what we are all about.
On not knowing his starting status…
I'm not going to say it doesn't go through my mind, but you have to prepare like you're the starter everyday, Monday-Friday, take notes, can't slack on any part. Do your part and show the coaches what you're able to do Monday-Friday in practice and continue to stay locked in.Â
Â
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