Coach Carr Comments from Weekly Press Conference
11/23/1998 12:00:00 AM | Football
Weekly Football Media Luncheon
On the Ohio State game and team overall ...
"The one thing I can say without doubt is how proud of this football team I am. Every guy played hard and there was not a lack of effort by any guy out there, from the first play to the last. When you get down 14-0 in that stadium early in the game it is very easy to get blown out, but they fought back and just could not make some of the plays at the end of the game. I think Ohio State is a great football team. There is no question they are the best Ohio State football team that I have seen.
"We made some big mistakes in the beginning of the game that put us in a position where we had to fight back to get within 11 points going into the half and I thought we had a chance. We came out and had a nice drive to start the third quarter and then on third down (quarterback) Tom (Brady) threw a ball that was ruled an interception and was not. The ball hit the ground and they go on to score so now we are down 28-10. We were not having much success running the football to begin with and with (tight end Jerame) Tuman out and (right tackle Jon) Jansen hurt, we had to start throwing the football. Defensively we gave up eight plays for over 25 yards and anytime you do that, you are going to have a hard time winning. We had our opportunities, but we just could not get it done."
On the structure used to determine the Big Ten's Rose Bowl representative ...
"I think something needs to be done. Ohio State has now been twice denied an opportunity to play in the Rose Bowl. Three years ago Ohio State did not play Northwestern and this year they do not play Wisconsin and the tie-breaker we use does not seem to be working. I think what we need to do to solve the problem is add a 12th team and have it decided in a championship game. The Big Ten coaches have recommended an addition of a 12th team and it is a major decision. They have been moving slowly and I understand, it is a decision that has far-reaching implications, not only athletically but in a lot of other areas."
On playing in Hawaii and the weather ...
"This is a very, very short week. We ran yesterday a little bit inside and hopefully that will help us, but there is not a lot you can do quite honestly. We are going to practice outside because anytime you go on the turf you increase the chance for injury so we are practicing outside. I think we are in very good physical condition and we have a day or so to prepare. I worry more about the time change because we are playing past midnight here. That is part of the challenge that our players are going to have to face."
On the itinerary for Hawaii ...
"We are leaving early Thursday morning and as soon as we get in we are going right to the stadium to work out in helmets for an hour and then back to the hotel. We will then have dinner with a group of Michigan alumni that are out there. Friday afternoon we are going to visit Pearl Harbor and then going to get into our regular Friday-Saturday game schedule."
On the injury update ...
"Chris Ziemann is on crutches as we speak. He is coming along fine. Hopefully, he is going to be able to run here soon in the next week or so, but at this point it does not look like he will be back for spring ball. Demetrius Smith will be back for spring ball and is doing some activity, but no contact at this point. Ray Jackson is out until spring practice as well."
On Hawaii ...
"They utilize two quarterbacks, one is a thrower and one is an option quarterback. Last week against Northwestern the option guy did not play and they threw the ball the whole game using up to four receivers at a time. They present a guessing game for our defense."
On playing the extra (12th) game ...
"I want them (the players) to have a good time first of all. They are giving up Thanksgiving vacacation and it comes after a tremendously emotional three-game stretch. It was a tremendously hard-hitting game on Saturday. Every single play was a fight. Mentally it is not going to be an easy game to get ready to play. We knew going into the season that we were going to have this game and we understand they are a team that is winless. We also understand that Notre Dame had to win the game in the last two minutes of the game last year. This is a scrappy bunch of guys, but I have been impressed on film with their effort. This game can impact our bowl situation, but more importantly it can impact our season. I do not think this group of kids wants to go out on a losing note. They understand it is going to be a challenge and they are ready."
Contact: David Ablauf, Jim Schneider (734) 763-4423
