Michigan State University Athletics
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Michigan State Player Quotes: Ohio State Week
10/1/2019 4:43:00 PM | Football
EAST LANSING, Mich. – Michigan State players met with the media on Tuesday in the Spartan Stadium North End Zone Media Center to preview this Saturday's showdown between No. 24 MSU (4-1, 2-0 Big Ten) and No. 4 Ohio State (5-0, 2-0) at 7:30 p.m. in Columbus.
Below are quotes from Tuesday's media session:
Senior linebacker Joe Bachie
On what they see from the Ohio State offense…
It's a spread offense; they run an inside zone and they run an outside zone. They're going to try to win up front, in the trenches…It's kind of a strong on strong suit right there, but they've also got a great quarterback and great talent on the outside. We basically have to make sure our eyes are on the right spot in the back end and get pressure on the quarterback.
On any pressure that comes with this game…
No pressure on ourselves, we've just got to go down there and play our game, play with full confidence, go out there and have fun. That's why we come to Michigan Sate to play in big games like this. They're going to be very talented, we know that. It's going to be a fast-paced game.
On how you stop a quarterback like Justin Fields…
We can't give him step-up lanes. We know that he steps up, he keeps his eyes down the field, he's going to make great throws down the field. He's done it plenty of times this year. We've got to get pressure in the space. These past two weeks the average time the quarterback gets the ball off is two seconds and that's crazy fast and unheard of. They're going to hold it as long as they take those deep shots and hopefully our defensive line can get into those spaces a little bit.
On how much this game means…
It's a great challenge and we're very excited for it. Very excited to get after it today during practice for the first time this week. If we think we're going to be one of the best defenses in the country, this is the game that we've got to show up and that's kind of the mindset.
Senior safety David Dowell
On what he's seen from Ohio State…
They have a lot of weapons at every offensive position. We just got to make plays. The biggest thing for us is just making sure we are competing when the ball is in the air, especially in the defensive backfield and just make plays on the ball.
On how Justin Fields changes the offense…
I think he's similar to the guy they had last year. He's got a big strong arm, he can make all the throws and he can run as well. He's a great player, he's been doing a great job for them, we just got to come ready to play.
On how the defense is going to keep everything in front of them with Ohio State…
I think that's the key in any game, especially being a safety, a defensive back. Just to keep my position, keep everything in front of you. I think eliminating big plays, eliminating the deep ball is something that we always focus on.
On comparing this Ohio State team to last year's…
I think we're a different team, they're a different team. Each season is like its own story in itself. Obviously, you can go back and look at the things we did well and look at some of the things they did last year. It's a new season, it's a whole new team and whole new game. We just have to come ready to play.
On this game adding extra motivation after the 2017 loss to Ohio State…
I wouldn't say it provides an extra motivation. I think it helps that a lot of us that are now seniors or juniors have been down there in that atmosphere before. It's going to be a great environment on Saturday. I think it kind of epitomizes what college football is all about. I'm excited for it. This is what we play for, we do all this hard work to play these big games. I'm just looking forward to it, excited.
On what stands out on their offense…
To be honest, it's that they have those athletes. They have these big-play athletes that can make plays and score touchdowns on any play. For us, it's kind of focusing on what we are doing and just getting ready to play. For me personally, it's just about being able to compete throughout the entire game, throughout all four quarters of the game and going out there and playing with confidence.
Senior quarterback Brian Lewerke
On the difference from last year's OSU match-up…
It's a different year; we're not focused too much on last year or two years ago. We're focusing on what we can get done this year and the offense is confident. It's the maturity, I guess. We kind of had a younger team and maybe wasn't quite ready for that one (two years ago), but I think the seniority of this team will be ready for this one.
On playing on road in the Horseshoe…
You got to rally together. There's only a set amount of guys going to road games and you're with them all the time. You're in the hotel, you're on the bus, you're playing and all that stuff. It's fun, you know, big crowds are always good. I think we as a team embrace those and we enjoy playing in front of a lot of people.
Senior DT Mike Panasiuk
On confidence that has built over this season…
Our offense is able to put points on the board, so you know that's all we wanted to see. As a defense we know that our offense can do it. This past week they've had our backs and we've had their backs in the past and hopefully we can come in together and put it all together.
On the OSU offense, and comparing from last year to this year...
Good quarterback, good coaches, you know, all around good team. I'd say they're Ohio State, they're always going to bring it up front and you can't really say if it's a better team (than last couple of years), we'll have to see when the time comes. Once we are there and it's game day, we'll be able to measure up.
On the pressure J.K. Dobbins presents…
He's a good, cut running back; downhill, he brings it all. We're going to have to be able to contain him.
Senior DT Raequan Williams
On playing OSU on the road…
We like going on the road. We had a few road games last year that we enjoyed a lot and those types of atmospheres bring out great games, so we're excited.
On OSU's performance so far this season…
They're one of the best teams in the nation, probably are the best team in the nation and they've got some players. They've definitely got a great quarterback, a great running back. It's a great offense and we're excited for the challenge.
On what makes this rivalry so big…
This means everything…All the chips are on the table, so this is going to be a big game and we're excited.
On playing Ohio State…
They've got great players and we're just excited for the opportunity to go against these guys. We just focus on what we have to do up front and who we're competing against.
Below are quotes from Tuesday's media session:
Senior linebacker Joe Bachie
On what they see from the Ohio State offense…
It's a spread offense; they run an inside zone and they run an outside zone. They're going to try to win up front, in the trenches…It's kind of a strong on strong suit right there, but they've also got a great quarterback and great talent on the outside. We basically have to make sure our eyes are on the right spot in the back end and get pressure on the quarterback.
On any pressure that comes with this game…
No pressure on ourselves, we've just got to go down there and play our game, play with full confidence, go out there and have fun. That's why we come to Michigan Sate to play in big games like this. They're going to be very talented, we know that. It's going to be a fast-paced game.
On how you stop a quarterback like Justin Fields…
We can't give him step-up lanes. We know that he steps up, he keeps his eyes down the field, he's going to make great throws down the field. He's done it plenty of times this year. We've got to get pressure in the space. These past two weeks the average time the quarterback gets the ball off is two seconds and that's crazy fast and unheard of. They're going to hold it as long as they take those deep shots and hopefully our defensive line can get into those spaces a little bit.
On how much this game means…
It's a great challenge and we're very excited for it. Very excited to get after it today during practice for the first time this week. If we think we're going to be one of the best defenses in the country, this is the game that we've got to show up and that's kind of the mindset.
Senior safety David Dowell
On what he's seen from Ohio State…
They have a lot of weapons at every offensive position. We just got to make plays. The biggest thing for us is just making sure we are competing when the ball is in the air, especially in the defensive backfield and just make plays on the ball.
On how Justin Fields changes the offense…
I think he's similar to the guy they had last year. He's got a big strong arm, he can make all the throws and he can run as well. He's a great player, he's been doing a great job for them, we just got to come ready to play.
On how the defense is going to keep everything in front of them with Ohio State…
I think that's the key in any game, especially being a safety, a defensive back. Just to keep my position, keep everything in front of you. I think eliminating big plays, eliminating the deep ball is something that we always focus on.
On comparing this Ohio State team to last year's…
I think we're a different team, they're a different team. Each season is like its own story in itself. Obviously, you can go back and look at the things we did well and look at some of the things they did last year. It's a new season, it's a whole new team and whole new game. We just have to come ready to play.
On this game adding extra motivation after the 2017 loss to Ohio State…
I wouldn't say it provides an extra motivation. I think it helps that a lot of us that are now seniors or juniors have been down there in that atmosphere before. It's going to be a great environment on Saturday. I think it kind of epitomizes what college football is all about. I'm excited for it. This is what we play for, we do all this hard work to play these big games. I'm just looking forward to it, excited.
On what stands out on their offense…
To be honest, it's that they have those athletes. They have these big-play athletes that can make plays and score touchdowns on any play. For us, it's kind of focusing on what we are doing and just getting ready to play. For me personally, it's just about being able to compete throughout the entire game, throughout all four quarters of the game and going out there and playing with confidence.
Senior quarterback Brian Lewerke
On the difference from last year's OSU match-up…
It's a different year; we're not focused too much on last year or two years ago. We're focusing on what we can get done this year and the offense is confident. It's the maturity, I guess. We kind of had a younger team and maybe wasn't quite ready for that one (two years ago), but I think the seniority of this team will be ready for this one.
On playing on road in the Horseshoe…
You got to rally together. There's only a set amount of guys going to road games and you're with them all the time. You're in the hotel, you're on the bus, you're playing and all that stuff. It's fun, you know, big crowds are always good. I think we as a team embrace those and we enjoy playing in front of a lot of people.
Senior DT Mike Panasiuk
On confidence that has built over this season…
Our offense is able to put points on the board, so you know that's all we wanted to see. As a defense we know that our offense can do it. This past week they've had our backs and we've had their backs in the past and hopefully we can come in together and put it all together.
On the OSU offense, and comparing from last year to this year...
Good quarterback, good coaches, you know, all around good team. I'd say they're Ohio State, they're always going to bring it up front and you can't really say if it's a better team (than last couple of years), we'll have to see when the time comes. Once we are there and it's game day, we'll be able to measure up.
On the pressure J.K. Dobbins presents…
He's a good, cut running back; downhill, he brings it all. We're going to have to be able to contain him.
Senior DT Raequan Williams
On playing OSU on the road…
We like going on the road. We had a few road games last year that we enjoyed a lot and those types of atmospheres bring out great games, so we're excited.
On OSU's performance so far this season…
They're one of the best teams in the nation, probably are the best team in the nation and they've got some players. They've definitely got a great quarterback, a great running back. It's a great offense and we're excited for the challenge.
On what makes this rivalry so big…
This means everything…All the chips are on the table, so this is going to be a big game and we're excited.
On playing Ohio State…
They've got great players and we're just excited for the opportunity to go against these guys. We just focus on what we have to do up front and who we're competing against.
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