Oct. 22, 2008
Anthony Scirrotto, Senior, Safety
Q: First off, how are you feeling and are you expected to play on Saturday? A: I'm feeling great. I got a little bump on the head but that happens in physical contact sports. Brandon Minor is a tough runner. I'm feeling good, just resting a little bit and practicing and doing what I need to do to be ready to play.
Q: So are you listed to play Saturday? A: It's a day-to-day thing. The doctor said I did better today then I did the day before, so I'm feeling good and I expect to play.
Q: When you look at Ohio State, what do you see? A: I see a great football team with great tradition the past few years. They know what it takes to win big games. Coach Tressel does a great job coaching them and getting them into situations for success. I also see great athletes with Chris Wells and the whole receiving corps. We (the defense) pay attention, obviously, to the offensive side of the ball. Terrelle Pryor has gotten better week-by-week and he's doing what's asked of him. It's going to be a tough challenge for us but we're looking forward to it. It's going to be an exciting game.
Q: You're an upperclassmen and captain of the team. When you see a guy like Daryll Clark handle it with respect for eight games, being a guy who hasn't played a lot, what does that mean to you and what is going through your mind? A: As a quarterback you're a leader of the offense no matter what year you are in your career. You're expected to lead out there and pick things up when things aren't going the right way. Everybody's looking at you and he's done a great job and anything anyone's asked of him. He continues to do so and it all comes down to how he prepares himself. He works hard on the practice field. He watches a lot of film, breaks down tape, whatever he has to do to keep our offense going.
Q: There's a lot of talk about leadership. What has made this group so successful? A: We've been around the block. Most of us got here were lucky enough to have guys like Paul Posluszny, Michael Robinson and Alan Zemaitis as our team captains and yI remember looking up to them and thinking, "that's what it takes to be a national championship contender." The past couple of years, we didn't have the seasons we wished we could have. The guys we have this year, our senior leadership, we understand what it takes and we've been pushing for a long time, since the end of last season to do what it takes to be prepared and put us in the situation that we are in now.
Q: Is it possible to really understand what you are getting into for Saturday night's game? They've played in two national championship games, got whacked by LSU. It's their first night game since 2005. They're going to be looking at this game and how do you mentally prepare for that? A: A lot of that is all about the past. I take it week-by-week. Obviously, what happened last week is done and over with. You can learn from that. That team has a lot of tradition, a lot of success and that's obvious. More so this year for our team. We're not worried about where a team has been. We're worried about getting ourselves prepared and being as ready as we can to go up against a team like Ohio State. They're a very good team. Everybody knows that. They have a great coach and athletes and they get them every year. So it's going to be a tough physical game but it's going to be fun and we've been looking forward to it.
Q: Is everyone prepared for the other stuff, the intangibles like the crowd? Everything else that goes along with it, not just the game? A: Yea. I mean, we play in Beaver Stadium. We've played in two night games so far with 110,000 people. I think we handled the situation well. Obviously those things play a role, especially when you're the home team with the fans. When you're on the road you have to blank that stuff out because it can affect you to some point. The great teams, the team we want to be, pull through. That's what it takes to be national championship contenders.
Q: A couple of guys admitted they might have been too jacked-up last week. What kind of steps do you take to prevent that from happening this week? A: It's hard because it's exciting. Obviously, you do have to control your emotions and focus on the game instead of everything around you. Sometimes you get caught up in some of the distractions. We faced a little adversity this past week, started off slow and got down. We did a great job pulling back together and making some adjustments and coming out in the second half ready to go.
Q: You mentioned adversity. You guys have faced more and more with each game. Has that prepared you enough for facing possibly an even bigger hole on Saturday? A: We prepare ourselves for anything because you never know what's going to happen. Obviously, going up against a team like that that has some weapons on the offensive side and a great defense that has been putting up points on the board as well. You have to prepare yourself for the worst, expect the worst, and pray that something good happens. It's football. There are ups and downs and like I said you have to pull through the adversity and that shows the character of your team and what kind of team we really are.
Q; Can you talk about he dynamic of Terrelle Pryor on the offensive team and how much of a challenge that's going to be? A: Terrelle's a great football player. I've been watching him for a while now because he's been on TV. A great football player, like I said. He has the ability to run the ball and break out. He's got great speed and a good arm. Like I said, week by week he's been getting better and better and he's starting to use his weapons more with Brian Robiskie and Brian Hartline. They're doing a great job right now.
Q: What kind of things are the doctor's having you do to make sure you're alright? A: I had to work out this morning. Do a little bike work this morning for 20 minutes to get my heart rate up and then do some balance tests. I had to do a couple written test things. There's a baseline test that we took when we first got here that they compare it to. I feel fine. It's obviously a precaution because you have to be careful with head injuries. I feel great. Getting better day-by-day. I'll be ready to go.
Q: When you talk about leadership and when you look back on Daryll's grades and his struggles and how he's seized his opportunity as a leader, how much does that rub off on other people in how much he's been able to do and overcome? A: He's kept pushing. He came here and had some issues with academics stuff. Had to push through that and then being behind Anthony Morelli was obviously something he had to go through, but he wasn't focused on that. He was focused on bettering himself as a football player from year to year and he's been doing so. He's worked very hard this off-season. Getting together with the wide receivers and the linemen and taking part in 7-on-7 drills trying to get the chemistry going because that's very important for an offense to be clicking and on the same page. He's stepping into that leadership role real well and doing a great job.
Q: Tell us how that has rubbed off on you guys. A: Obviously it rubs off. It makes us more comfortable with him that he's handling everything so well. That's what was expected of him and he's done everything that was expected and the younger guys look up to him, especially in his position. He's doing a great job.
Q: There is so much emphasis placed on Pryor. Todd Boeckmen had a great game against you guys last year. How much are you prepared to face him in case that happens? A: You have to be prepared to face anything. As you said, Todd did have a great game against us last year and they really beat us up and were very prepared. We're expecting anything. They can play them both. Todd throws the ball a little more. Terrelle can run it. Who knows what's going to happen. You have to be prepared for anything and we are.
Deon Butler, Senior, Wide Receiver
Q: Ohio State's secondary always has a pretty good reputation and when you look at them this year, how good are they? A: They're still great. Like you said, they always have a great reputation. I don't think they're letting down this year. Obviously, it starts with Malcolm Jenkins. He's a great corner and makes plays. He's all over the field and not just on defense but special teams as well. They get great play out of their safeties so it's definitely going to be a big challenge. On top of the physical part of the game there's going to be a lot of mental games being played out there. You have a wide receiver corps like ours that have been playing a lot of games and their secondary has a lot of experience themselves. There are going to be a lot of mental games as far as them hiding plays and us having to make moves on the fly as far as route adjustments.
Q: A lot of the guys on the offense now are the guys who went to Ohio State in 2006. How far as an offense have you guys come? A: We've come a long way. I think we're a lot more comfortable with the offensive scheming and what we want to accomplish. That's because a lot of the coaching staff has added in new plays. So we've come a long way since then and we've definitely looked forward to this week and going out to Ohio State.
Q: You were in the 2006 Orange Bowl. Really no one else on your team has really played in as hugely significant game. Ohio State has played a couple national championship games, has played against USC. How much of a disadvantage do you think that will be? A: I don't think so. There's nothing we can do about that. Obviously, it'll be their first game for some of the guys but I think the biggest thing we can rely on is our senior leadership. There are some guys who were on that Orange Bowl team that have been through some things. I think to just rely on the guys and being poised and knowing it's still a football game no matter where we are. We went into a hostile environment at Wisconsin, but obviously this is a different team and environment but there are still some things that you can pull from a road trip like that and bring to Ohio State.
Q: Just like you guys have the White Outs here and the atmosphere, they're going to have that this time. They're looking at this as a game where they can make a statement. How much is everyone prepared for that? A: We're definitely prepared for that. This is their game to get back on the map, kind of redemption to get that USC loss behind them. On the flipside, it's our game to make a statement. People are saying that we haven't played a top-notch team yet. To continue to stay in the race for a Big Ten title we're going to need this game. There's a lot at stake for both teams. Just as hyped up as they are, we're going to be hyped up as well.
Q: You talked about Malcolm Jenkins. What kind of things does he do to shut out the guys at wideout and how do you beat a guy like that? A: He's a big corner. He can press and run with you down the field. Those are definitely his strengths and he has great ball skills once the ball's in the air. He's definitely a complete corner. As far as wideouts, you just have to move and get them off the line. We have to use our speed and quickness. He's a bigger guy than us so we definitely don't want to let him get his hands on us. We definitely want to try and move him off his spot and get him going down the field.
Q: Does he try to jumps routes? Have you noticed over the years playing against him? A: He jumps some routes but he's comfortable in what he does. He's been around a long time at Ohio State it seems like. He's real comfortable. He's studies a lot of film. He knows routes and tendencies. As far as jumping routes, he comfortable making breaks on what he sees.
Q: Last week Daryll was talking about him and A.Q. in the huddle. Daryll's more serious and A.Q is more of a jokester. Take us inside the huddle and what's it like? A: The huddle is amazing. Like you and A.Q said, Daryll's a serious guy and he should be. That's his characteristic and he's going to get the plays called and "let's go." A.Q. and Rich Ohrnberger -- that speaks for itself. We're in clutch situations and the wideouts stand in front of the linemen and he's pulling guys saying, `hey, hey come in the huddle'. He's just joking around and it keeps the huddle loose. It can be in any situation. Last week we were down points to Michigan and people were starting to think, "here we go again." Instead of being real panicky in the huddle, Rich is smiling and laughing, saying, "hey guys we know what we have to do, we just have to stay focused." It's a fine line. They're not too loose but they keep a happy atmosphere in the huddle, the opposite of Daryll who's the more serious guy.
Q: Are you surprised that Daryll has taken that much control? A: No, not really. He's always been a serious guy since he's been here. He's paid attention to detail. He's always wanted to strive for perfection. We tell the story of over the summer he was throwing every day and I was telling him, "look, Daryll, you're going to throw your arm out. I don't want to play to today. I've been playing ball for a long time. I want to go lay down." You know, the wideouts have been here for a while and we're like, "look Daryll, we know when to start it." Everyday he'd call us and want to play and would drag us out of bed. He's always been that type of leader and guy who wants to strive for perfection. I'm definitely not surprised that he's taken control of the team the way he has.
Q: The best teams here have had the biggest successes on the road. Is there a type of mentality you need on the road and does this team have it? A: You just have to enjoy going to someone else's house and beating them and silencing the crowd. This team definitely has it. We have a lot of guys who have been playing ball for a long time. We have the moxie, the guys who are relaxed in situations like that. I definitely think we have what it takes. It's definitely going to be another big challenge this week at Ohio Stadium but I think the guys are going to be prepared for it.
Q: Have you gotten a chance to watch a replay of your touchdown - no touchdown (vs. Michigan)? A: I think I've asked everyone I've walked past about that play. It's confusing. At first I didn't think I caught it because of the way it hit the ground. Then people were telling me I crossed the goal line with possession. I think it's up in the air whether I caught it or not. Obviously, I would have loved to have it. But that's definitely something I've questioned everyone on.
Q: Daryll's an Ohio kid and he's going home for this game. He's probably going to be jacked up going into this game. Is there anything you are going to say to him to keep him to keep him grounded? A: I'll probably just tell him that it's another football game. There are a lot of people out here on a national stage. Just like any other game. There are just a little more implications to it since both teams are ranked. Like I said, we just have to keep pulling stuff from that Wisconsin win. We went out to Wisconsin, another rowdy environment. They were ranked team, but you just have to stay grounded. A couple of the guys will jut pat him on the head and tell him to stay calm and know what you are here for.
Q: Looking at Ohio State's defense, what kind of speed do they have? A: They flow to the ball real well. I don't think there's a better linebacker in the country than (James) Laurinaitis, who does pass coverage. Sometimes I think he's a safety. He has more interceptions than the corners. All of them flow to the ball real well. Then there's (Marcus) Freeman, a guy who not many people talk about but he's a great linebacker in his own respect. They definitely have team speed. Their safeties get to the ball. We're just going to have to do some things to counteract their speed. It's definitely going to be a great match up with the speed I think we possess on offense. It's going to be a fast, hard-hitting game.