Nov. 11, 2010
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa; - 85 - Ollie Ogbu, Senior, Defensive Tackle
Q: Could you talk about how playing against Denard Robinson, a really good running quarterback, prepares you to face a guy like Terrelle Pryor?
A: It helps us a lot, just experiencing that type of speed and that type of athlete at the quarterback position really helps us out in facing Terrelle Pryor. But, Terrelle Pryor is a whole different animal. He's a really big guy. He's about 240 pounds, so he's just as fast and just as big. It's kind of like tackling a very fast, athletic tight end out there. That's helped us in itself, but facing him is going to be a lot different than facing any quarterback we've gone up against this whole year.
Q: Ollie, can you speak to how different this team is from a few games ago?
A: We're more confident and we play with a lot more of a swagger and demeanor about us and we're also more of a team. We've come together and those other losses really made us come together and re-evaluate ourselves and also have more team continuity. We're for each other more and we're really a spoiler team and want to have everyone else be as miserable as we are if you will, in the sense that we're trying to make our team better and another team if not equally but worse than we are. I would say we're fighting hard now and everything is starting to come along for us and that's a positive thing.
Q: Do you guys go about things different or is it just something you learn after going through a couple losses?
A: It's a little bit of both, what you learn and also come up with the mind of taking one game at a time. Literally this time because we're the underdog in every game we play and you really have to take it as one play at a time and one series at a time and fight your way back. So, I think it's a little bit of both.
Q: When Sean Stanley was going through all these problems, what do you say to him as a captain? Now that he's back, how important is his quickness and his speed?
A: Well, I basically told him that you're a man and I'm a man. You know what you did and you have to see it as a positive thing. You can't take it as a negative because it happened. Now I'm pretty sure that it's never going to happen again. He explained to me that I was right and he did see the mistakes he made and now he's being a better person for it. Just having his quickness and ability really helps with the position with having Jack (Crawford) and Eric (Latimore) (out with injuries). It really gives us that run down the ball carrier, make plays when you're not supposed to make plays. That kind of energy is the...that we didn't have for a couple weeks.
Q: You've been banging heads against some of these Buckeye linemen for the last few years. What's it like playing against such a physical, straightforward type of team?
A: It's more my style. It's not like tricks. You're either going to get this play or this play and you have to stop it. It's been the most physical game every year since my freshman year so I kind of know what to expect. It's one of those games that you look forward to every year because they're the cream of the crop. They're the team to beat every year. So, whenever you play Ohio State it's always going to be a tough challenge. We've practiced well, even yesterday, and we're going to continue to practice well and I'm just going to preach to the guys more or less because I think I'm the only one from that season that actually played them back at the Horseshoe a couple years ago (2008 in Ohio Stadium). I'm going to preach to them that it's hostile out there and just to stay focused and really get to it.
Q: You guys opened as 17-point underdogs. Do you feel that is total disrespect for your program?
A: No, we haven't played well against really good teams this year so there is no reason for anyone to have any type of confidence in us. That's a good thing, that's us having a chip on our shoulder and knowing that we have to go out there and give it our all. We're up for the challenge, we've gotten better and better and better as the season has gone on so I think we're at a point now where we can really rest our head on what we've done with our past three victories and I really think we can get this fourth one.
Q: Where are Jack and Eric at now in practice?
A: Jack played about 10 plays in the last game. He's still working on getting back into the swing of things and I don't think he's 100 percent healthy. Eric has a big cast on his hand and he just got surgery on that and he's even more iffy even if he does play this next game. Right now, I'm just really looking forward to Jack getting healthy. He's the one guy we're counting on to kind of pick it up and really come along these next couple games.
Q: How's Jordan (Hill) coming along? He left the game the other day with his ankle?
A: He's fine. He's ready to go.
Q: In 2008, how exhilarating was it to win a game in that (Ohio) stadium?
A: Still to date, that is probably my top five most best experiences, not of my life, but of my Penn State career because it was just such a great game. We were both undefeated late in the season and it was great. I talked to the guys about that feeling two years ago and how it set our team apart from other teams because they were undefeated and we were undefeated and that's something we haven't done in such a long time at Penn State. It was a great feeling and they've beaten us the past couple of years but to get that "W" this week would really mean something special to us.
Q: That win year two years ago was your first win year there in 30 years. How hard of a place is that to play?
A: Oh, it's tough. The crowd is really into it and they really cheer the team on and if you don't play well they will let you know about it. It's just a great atmosphere, it's like Beaver Stadium but it's different because you're the away team so you're getting the boos instead of getting the cheers. It's going to be a tough place to play but it's something that we as a defense and as a team look forward to and we're up for the challenge.
37 - Joe Suhey, Junior, Running Back
Q: Why has the screen game been so effective over the last few weeks?
A: I'm not sure. I think it's something that we've been working on a bunch and we've really been repping in practice and working and doing a great job at it since the beginning of the year. It's something that we've been working on that has really picked up.
Q: Stefen (Wisniewski) just kills some people on those screens. How good is he getting out there and being able to run a little bit and making it easier for you?
A: It's great, I'm always excited when you see him out in front of me and all the guys, Johnnie (Troutman) has done a great job on those screens as well. Stefen just gets out in front and usually cuts the guy right down which is great.
Q: What's it like to get your number called on, especially on a screen or whether it's a run?
A: It's definitely exciting, and it's more so anyway that you can help the team and help the team win which is the exciting part. Whether its blocking or running the ball or catching the ball, I'm excited to do it.
Q: The offensive linemen have been playing better in the last few weeks. What specifically, are they able to last longer, are they playing more aggressively, has been making them more effective in the last few weeks?
A: I think it's all of the above. They've really been moving people off the ball. This is the fifth game they've all been together without injuries and it's (the line) really starting to click and play well.
Q: You remember watching a film of your dad when he played, do you guys have anything in common at all as players?
A: Honestly, I haven't seen too much of film of him of when he played so I'm not sure.
Q: Evan Royster was saying this morning that you have the best hands on the team. Can you talk a little bit about that and how you develop that skill or if it's always just kind of been a part of your game?
A: I don't know. I actually played a lot of receiver in high school because I had a really good receiver coach in high school and it was just something I really enjoyed doing from a young age. I guess I like doing it and hopefully can continue to catch more passes throughout the year.
Q: What's the difference with this offense right now and the productivity that you guys are getting. What's different about the offense right now, the red zone specifically?
A: I'm not sure. I think Matt's (McGloin) playing great football and he's not turning the ball over he's really playing within himself which is huge for us and everything just seems to be clicking well.
Q: In the huddle, what's different about him? We see a pretty fired guy, so what's the difference there?
A: Matt is firey. He's a competitor. He's really prepared himself each week and Rob's (Bolden) done a great job, too. In the Minnesota game, Rob was 11 of 13 before he was hurt and this week he was 4 for 5 before he went out, so he's done a great job as well.
Q: The running game has been remarkably better the past couple of games. When you balance that out how much does that help with everything in general?
A: It helps with everything. It all starts with the offensive line and they've really picked up their game and they've been playing great and that's where it starts and then everyone seems to be making plays. You see (Brett) Bracket making a huge catch and Derek Moye making a big catch and that's just huge for us.
Q: What has McGloin done for the offense since he came in there?
A: I'm not sure. He's just playing smart and he's taking what the defense gives him and he's playing really well.
Q: SYou played a lot of receiver in high school, can you just talk about the transition of fullback in the Big Ten.
A: It wasn't too tough, I think I was kind of just thrown into it and I think one of the fullbacks went down and I was just stuck behind Dan (Lawlor). It's something you just work at and I've really enjoyed the transition and really enjoyed playing fullback.
Q: Talk about facing the Ohio State defense and the challenges that they're going to pose for you guys.
A: Ohio State has a great defense and that's no secret. They're pretty much solid everywhere and every position on the field. It starts with their D line who we had trouble with last year and then their linebackers are great, too. They pose a problem but we just really need to practice hard this week and get ready for them.
Q: What do you remember most about that 2008 game at the Horseshoe, that you guys won?
A: It was truly exciting and everything in the game just kind of seemed to click. Even when the offense was moving (the ball), the defense played great and it was a complete team effort and that's what we're going try to do this week against them.
Q: You and Mike (Zordich) switch out at fullback a lot. What does he bring to the table versus what do you bring to the table and is it tough when you keep switching fullbacks so often?
A: No, I think it's something that both of us have gotten used to and we both like playing with each other. I think Mike is a really good player. He's a really tough player and he's had two touchdowns and made some great runs. I'm just in there trying to do what I can to help the team. I think we both are and I think that's why it works.
Q: How does McGloin handle the successes? Does he walk around the locker room a little more confident, do you see anything different in him?
A: No, I think he's always walking around the locker room the same way, which is why he is probably having the success. He still comes and works hard everyday. Him and Rob both are and they are both playing very well.
Q: So how's he walking around the locker room?
A: Just the same way. He hasn't changed and he always has a smile on his face. He has the same confidence and he's doing well.
Q: How probable is it for a guy to go for a walk on quarterback at Penn State?
A: I don't know, I think he's come here and worked hard everyday in the weight room and in the off-season. He focused, studied hard and it's paid off for him.
Q: How fortunate do you think you were to have your high school coach (John Holecek) who is young with so much experience coaching you in high school?
A: It was great, he actually got there my senior year so I only had him for one year but it was great and he was a great coach. It was definitely exciting to play for him.
Q: Did you ever mention the '94 Penn State Illinois game and the Illinois Penn State rivalry?
A: I haven't, but him and I the last couple years have talked after the Illinois games and this year wasn't too good but we have talked about the Penn State-Illinois rivalry.