Player Comments from
Weekly U-M Football Media Luncheon
11/15/1999 12:00:00 AM | Football
Tom Brady | Anthony Thomas | Rob Renes
Senior Rush Linebacker James Hall
On the Michigan-Ohio State rivalry ... "Same as it has been for the past number of years. A huge game is going to decide a lot as far as our season, bowl games and, more than anything, pride in both our programs."
On bowl game hopes ... "Right now we're not even thinking about that. Right now we have the last game of the season coming up against Ohio State. Even though they've struggled this year, they are still a very talented football team. We know they have a lot of pride in their program and it's going to be a hard-fought game as it always is."
On Michigan's concerns of Ohio State players ... "They have a lot of talented players and two talented wide receivers. Their quarterback is very athletic and can throw the ball on the run. Their running back, (Michael) Wiley, is very fast. Once he gets the secondary, he is very dangerous. They have a big offensive line that is very athletic. They have a lot of talented guys up front also."
On Ohio State's struggling season ... "You use it to let yourself know that no matter what your record is or what kind of season you have going into this game, it doesn't matter. When it's Michigan-Ohio State, all the records are out the door. Anything can happen."
On Michigan's defense ... "We're starting to do a better job executing on those defenses that we've been practicing. We're doing a good job getting pressure on the quarterback, and the secondary is doing a great job of coverage. We're starting to do a lot of things that we did in the beginning of the season. We're starting to have some success there."
On Michigan's defensive performance at Penn State ... "When we play aggressive like that, we play with a lot of emotion and enthusiasm. It carries over and it shows in our performance. We were happy that coach (Jim) Herrmann called the number of blitzes that he did. Whether or not that is going to be the case this Saturday, I don't know yet."
On Ohio State's losing record at Michigan Stadium ... "Yeah, it does surprise me, especially with this rivalry. As far as opposing teams coming to the stadium, we take pride in that -- one of the goals of every Michigan team is not to lose in the Big House. We've already taken one loss and that's one too many in the Big House. It's going to be our goal going into this game not to let it happen again."
On Saturday's match-up being his last home game ... "It hits home. You have to also realize that's not going to help us. It was Penn State's last home game and that only helps you so much. It might get you emotionally fired up for the game, but other than that you are going to have to go out there and execute and play hard."
Junior Offensive Lineman Steve Hutchinson
On the Michigan-Ohio State rivalry ... "It's an intense rivalry, especially this year. They are going to come in here knowing they beat us in Columbus last year. They are going to give us their best punch and we're going to be ready for it. I think we're gonna have a great week of practice. It's usually a pretty good week of practice. It's going to be as big as ever. In a game like this you have to throw the records out. No matter what they've done this year or what we've done, it's like a one game season. Michigan-Ohio State. This is for bragging rights."
On Ohio State's struggling season ... "I watched film on them yesterday and today. They've got a great defense. They've got some big, fast guys inside and they have a good linebacker and a great secondary. I don't know what happened to them in a couple games, but from the looks of their defense on film, they are a real good team."
On Ohio-State's losing record at Michigan Stadium ... "Our team takes a lot of pride in playing at the Big House, especially against Ohio State. Usually it is our last game of the season and we want to step it up and play our best game. Fortunately, that's what we've been able to do the past number of years. We want to continue that this week. You never want to lose and you never want to lose at home against Ohio State."
On the Michigan offense ... "We have to be able to run the ball this week to have any success. We have to be able to mix it up with the run and pass, and run the ball to possess the ball and keep the defense off the field. The line has been healthier the past three or four weeks. We've had injuries pretty much all season. Everybody is starting to get healthy. The offense is starting to click."
On the team's preparation this week ... "You try to do the same preparation as much as you can, but I think everyone is going to come in and watch a little more film to make sure they know this team better than they normally would because it is the Ohio State game. Practices are going to be more intense. Everybody is going to be a lot more into it. Things are going to happen a little faster and people are going to get ready to go this week."
On the bowl games at stake ... "We want to get to the best bowl we possibly can. It's not up to me what bowl we go to. We want to win and we have to in order to get to the best bowl game possible. That's all we're focused on right now -- to win this last game."
On playing Ohio State ... "Each team and each fan for each team expects their team to win this game. Every player is giving his all during the whole game to try to win. That's what makes this rivalry unique. This game is full of hard hits, big plays. It's just 60 minutes of intense football."
Senior Strong Safety Tommy Hendricks
On playing Ohio State ... "This Ohio State game. I've been thinking about this game since we played them last year. Every time I look at that schedule since the season has began, I always glance down at the end of the schedule to see Ohio State. It's a big game. It's always a big game against Ohio State because it's a great rivalry. Both teams put out a tremendous effort anytime you see an Ohio State-Michigan game. It's a big game because it's the last game for the seniors at their home stadium. There is going to be a lot of emotion out there."
On Ohio State's season ... "It means absolutely nothing. When Ohio State and Michigan play, the records mean nothing. It doesn't matter what is going on with the teams. You can pretty much throw the records out the window. It's going to be an all-out war no matter what the situation is."
On the Michigan-Ohio State rivalry ... "I really didn't fully understand the rivalry when I got here until we lost last year. It really was a terrible feeling for me. It was bad for me because I didn't feel like I played my best game. Knowing that, I understand that I personally have to come out and play the best game I've played here at Michigan. That's the kind of game it's going to be."
On what it takes to win this game ... "The only thing that matters in a game like this is that the team that makes the least amount of mistakes and the team that executes better is going to win this football game. Everybody is going to be emotional. Everybody is going to hyped before the kickoff, but it really comes down to execution in a game like this."
On what's at stake in this game ... "It seems like every year there is always something at stake when these two teams play, like a Big Ten Championship. This year [Ohio State is] playing to be in a bowl game, we're playing to get in a New Year's Day bowl. There is always something on the line. Again, emotions will be running high. It's going to be an up-tempo game."
On what Michigan has to do in order to win the game ... "We definitely want to get after these guys. I'm not sure exactly what we are going to do, but we definitely don't want that quarterback to sit back and have time to throw because they do have receivers that have the ability to get open. They are game-breaking receivers. We definitely want to have to make them run around a little bit and not just sit in the comfort zone."
On redshirt freshman defensive back Cato June ... "Cato is just playing outstanding football right now. I think before he leaves here he is going to have a great career. He just makes plays when he's out there. He did that when he was on special teams. He blocked some punts on special teams and caused some fumbles. That's carrying over when he plays on defense. He is just an outstanding athlete and outstanding player."
Senior Quarterback Tom Brady
On his fake limp off the field at Penn State ... "I think all the guys on the team said it wasn't very good. I was trying to limp off slow, and Aaron Shea just said, 'Tom, just run normal and they'll think you're hurt.'"
On his last game against Ohio State ... "This is the game I'll probably remember the most, being the last game in the Big House and the last time I get to play in front of such great fans."
On Ohio State losing several key players from last year ... "A team like Ohio State, they've got players to back them up. They're still very quick on defense. They're very strong, and we've really got to run the ball well this week if we want to achieve our goals."
On last year's loss at Ohio State ... "Last year, they got up on us early, and special teams, we had a couple breakdowns, and we didn't move the ball as effectively on offense as we would have liked. Anytime the defense takes away one aspect of your game -- and last year it was running the ball -- you have a very difficult time maintaining that balance that we always talk about in succeeding in an offense."
On the rivalry with Ohio State ... "Anyone associated with this rivalry knows that this it the biggest game on our schedule, and certainly it's the biggest game on their schedule. We know the kind of Ohio State we're going to face when they come in here, and that's going to be the same Ohio State team that took it to us last year. We're going to get their best game. No doubt this rivalry is very intense. Regardless of the records, it's still a huge game."
On Ohio State's defense ... "Last year's was the probably the toughest defense I've faced since I've been here, and I think Penn State will rate second behind that. They mix their coverages very well, and anytime a defense can do that, they really keep you off balance. You have to go out and attack them and try to force them into certain personnel groupings and short-yard situations."
On wide receiver Marcus Knight ... "Well, Marcus seems to play his best games in the big games. Last week was no different; he caught two huge touchdown passes. For little guy, he breaks tackles, and he's got a big heart. He just never gives in, and he keeps battling."
On his calmness during games ... "I think that calmness comes from knowing that your teammates are going to come through as well. If you feel like you're out there by yourself, then you'll be frantic and trying to make plays that shouldn't be made. One of the biggest things was, last weekend, the way our defense played. If the defense doesn't stop them at the end, then we don't get the ball back and we lose the game. So, knowing that my teammates can do the job certainly gives me a lot of insurance."
Junior Tailback Anthony Thomas
On Ohio State ... "These guys are coming in ready to play. Them not having a good record, you can throw that out the window because the records really don't mean anything. The rivalry is deeper than the records that we have and they have. They're going to come in and play, and we're just ready to accept the challenge."
On emotions when playing Ohio State ... "For some people it's very emotional, but to me, I try not to let it get to me. I just try to go in and play my game. I'm not trying to get into all the talk and all that stuff. We're just trying to go in and put our game plan in and try to execute."
On knowing OSU linebacker Na'il Diggs ... "We know each other on a different basis than the football side. We talk back and forth during the summer. We hung out and trained, but it's more than a rivalry now because we know each other. It's more like go out and get each other and see who can get the best of the (uniform number) 32s."
On his chance at having a big game against OSU ... "Once our offensive line gets started and our receivers start catching the ball, I put my faith in their hands. Once they get started, I can do pretty much what I want to do. The offensive line is doing a good job."
On the big hit with Penn State's LaVar Arrington ... "It was a pretty good blow. I really wanted to walk out onto the sidelines myself, but I felt that I just wanted to keep it going for my team. If I can get one play without him in there, I might get a big play."
Senior Nose Tackle Rob Renes
On the Ohio State game ... "This is the reason you come to Michigan. Ohio State-Michigan, really, truly throw out the records. This just comes down to one day. We remember what happened last year. We have that in the back of our mind. Hopefully, we've learned a valuable lesson from that loss and the losses this year, and that's something we want to avoid as much as possible."
On Michigan's long-time football rivals ... Michigan State-Michigan, Notre Dame-Michigan, Ohio State-Michigan, the traditions, the rivalries, they're so big that people can't help but get caught up in it. Fortunately for me, I've had the opportunity to represent Michigan in those rivalries."
On the Michigan-Ohio State rivalry ... "To say that the Ohio State-Michigan game doesn't hold a special place in your heart, in you mind, is a lie. It's not only our last game, but anytime you have a chance to play Ohio State. ... Just look back over the last 30 years. Those are the sort of games that bring recruits in and divides the states right along the boarder."
On the Michigan-Ohio State game ... "Both Ohio State and the University of Michigan have a lot to shoot for and yet there's only one game left. This will make a big impact on what both of the schools do over Christmas break. All that stuff, really, when it comes down to the players, really doesn't have as much an effect on the players as does the rivalry and the meaning of that one game every year. You can't necessarily determine where you are going to go despite your record at the end of the year, but you can get ready and you can look forward 364 days a year to that (next Ohio State) game."
On the remainder of this football season ... "We have a lot of things that we'd like to do after this game, but as long as we take care of what we have to do this week, that stuff will take care of itself. If we don't, then all that assumption, all that excitement for what could be can be thrown out the window."
On his role in the Ohio State game ... "I need this to be my best game personally, the team needs it. All the seniors collectively, we need this to be our best games, the team needs it to be our best game. We need it to finish the season the way we started it, the way we want the season to continue. We need it so we have something to be proud of, so people can talk about this Michigan team the way they talk about the great ones."
Contact: David Ablauf, Jim Schneider (734) 763-4423
