Player Comments from
Weekly U-M Football Media Luncheon
11/13/2000 12:00:00 AM | Football
Jeff Backus | Steve Hutchinson | James Whitley | David Brandt
Junior Quarterback Drew Henson
On crowd noise ... "From what I remember two years ago, there's a lot of loud stadiums in the Big Ten but this one is probably the loudest, especially in the closed end by the students. It's a great advantage for them. I basically have to scream as loud as I can and make sure Dave (Brandt), the center, hears me and that he can pass along the calls to the rest of the offensive line. But a lot of times, when they can't hear, they have to keep an eye on the ball and wait until he snaps before they go. Crowd noise is definitely an advantage."
On how important it is to click early on offense to overcome the crowd ... "That's one way to overcome it is to get out to a lead. That always settles the crowd down. As long as you control the game, you can do what you want. I think a goal that both teams have is to establish the run, establish a lead early."
On how Ohio State puts so much pressure on the opponent's quarterback ... "They bring guys. They do it with numbers and they do it with a lot of people and they do it in a lot of different ways. They bring guys from the boundary, they bring the secondary, linebackers, everybody. They probably have the most complex blitzing scheme out of any team that we face."
On why he feels he is a better player now than when he was early on in the year ... "Just experience. Being able to relax when I'm in there. I have received enough where there's less I really have to think about. I can just go out and play and let my instincts take over. Having played in eight games, I have that time with the receivers and the running backs and tight ends from a passing standpoint. We're quicker and better each week. I enjoy myself also. I'm having more fun because I'm out there competing and helping lead the team."
On how part of the allure to coming to Michigan is the Michigan-Ohio State game ... "Large reason. I lived out west growing up. I didn't see Michigan on TV all the time but you always knew when they played Ohio State. You always knew who won. Then I moved back to the Midwest and people in both states are talking about this year round. Coach (Lloyd) Carr talks to our team about if he could pick one scenario it's to go down to Ohio Stadium with the Big Ten championship on the line and go out and try to win. If we win down there then we know we've earned it."
On visualizing himself playing in big games ... "Well, you always picture yourself in the big games. I, personally, like playing on the road. In a way I get more excited because you have another obstacle that you have to play against. When you're doing well and you silence an opposing crowd that's a great feeling. It is a situation when you're growing up where you say, Yeah, you're in the big game, you're playing quarterback. These are the reasons that I play quarterback. These are the reasons why I came to Michigan."
On how much of an asset Anthony Thomas is to the offense, especially blocking in pass protection ... "He's done it (saved me from a blitzing linebacker) a number of times. I don't usually see it during the game until we watch the film the next day. You see him step up and he hits defensive lineman that he's giving up 40 to 50 pounds to and just hits them right in the mouth. I appreciate that a lot. He's an all-purpose back. He's in there on third down to pass protect or catch passes. He doesn't say much about it but he takes as much pride in his pass protection as he does running the ball."
Senior Tailback Anthony Thomas
On his last Ohio State game ... "It's just like every other game, I'm excited about it. This is my last season. Every game I go into it knowing that this is special."
On the toughness of running against OSU ... "It's hard to say that because we were usually a one-dimensional team against them. But now we are more balanced and can do more things passing and running the ball. We do different things now."
On what it is like playing OSU ... "It's very difficult. They have a very loud crowd and do their part of making it hard when we have the ball, making us use signals and our cadence to win the game."
On the rivalry ... "There is enough pressure with this game, that is what makes it a rivalry. It makes it more special to play in. I know they are looking forward to playing us, and we are looking forward to playing them. It will be a good game."
On Michigan's recent success against OSU ... "It's hard to say. We know when we go to play those guys they are going to give us everything they have every time we play them. So we are looking for a good game."
On his best memory from the rivalry ... "There are so many, good ones and bad ones. I guess it would go back to my first time playing them because I didn't really know about the rivalry. It's a different experience when you don't know that much about it and they throw all of it on you as a freshman, and you just have to go with it."
Sophomore Defensive Tackle Dave Petruziello
On his recollection of the Michigan-OSU game growing up ... "Probably the earliest recollection I have is the cold, November days on Saturday, watching the game on TV. Being from Ohio, there is a lot of tradition and family-type atmosphere; it's something special."
On the emotion of the game ... "Of course the hype always motivates you. For the most part, we are just trying to keep it as regular as possible. Looking at the outside influences sometimes is distracting. Just going out there and practicing the normal way we would for a week of preparation I think is important. You will feel that emotion on Saturday, I think that is when it's shown."
On the difficulty of bottling up the emotions prior to the game ... "I wouldn't say it's hard to bottle up the emotions. You are out there trying to get your job done. It's an important game, obviously, but we are not thinking in that aspect. We're going out there to win, just like every other Saturday."
On going back to Ohio for the game ... "It's a little more special, I'd have to say. It's just like the guys from Michigan, they take a lot of pride when they play Michigan State. They try to tell us [but] not being from Michigan it's hard to understand the rivalry with Michigan State. But it is a big rivalry and they try to tell you how important it is. Well, it's the same for the guys from Ohio when we play Ohio State. Being from there, we know a lot of their players and everything. It's exciting and a fun game to be in. It's really why you choose to go to these schools."
Senior Nose Tackle Eric Wilson
On the possibility of winning the Big Ten championship ... "Yes, it's possible. Like I said before, this Big Ten season has been crazy and some years it happens like that. We're grateful that things turned around. We gave it away twice earlier in the season, and now we have a big chance to go down to Columbus and fight this one out."
On the last trip to Columbus ... "The last time we went down there we didn't perform. We know that we have to take a look at that film again, find the mistakes, wait till the game plan is put in, and execute that to come out with a win."
On the crowd affecting the linemen ... "Sometimes it does. We may get calls from the linebackers that we have to get, and sometimes the crowd does influence that a bit. It's a loud place to play when you go down to Columbus. We just have to make sure we get our checks and get our assignments and execute."
On playing in this rivalry ... "It's a great rivalry. When you go down to Columbus it's going to be a hard-fought ball game. They have a great team, and we are going to go down there and give it our best shot and they are going to give us theirs. Even though they may have some guys questionable, they are still going to come out with their best shot."
On the mood of the team going into this week ... "When it comes down to the last week of the season, and you are fighting for the championship, you can say we tighten up a bit. It's going to be an aggressive week. And when we put the game plan in, it's going to be a hard-fought ball game. So when it comes down to something like this at the end of the season, on a cold day in November, it's going to be fun. We just have to execute down there."
Senior Left Tackle Jeff Backus
On stopping OSU from making sack record for a season ... "No, that is the job of the offensive line to protect the quarterback and open up some holes. We are going to have the same mindset as we do every week. We don't ever want to give up a sack. That's going to be a goal this week, just like it is every week. Ohio State probably has the best pass rush that we have faced this year, and we are going to have our work cut out for us."
On going into the game two years ago compared to this year ... "The intensity of the crowd and the fans. It's the loudest place I have ever played in. It was just a sick feeling, with the way we lost, and the way their fans ran onto the field after the game. It definitely stuck in my mind."
On the intensity of the fans close to the field ... "I can't imagine it being crazier than it was. I don't know what they changed down there, but I'm excited to see how it looks."
On the importance of the game ... "It's important because it's Ohio State. Ever since I have been here Ohio State just pumps you up because of that. Plus, it's our last game and we want to finish on a good note. We want to have one strong last week of practice. For the seniors, it will be the last time practicing at Schembechler Hall. We really want to just put our efforts into finishing up right."
On the rivalry of the game ... "Obviously, it's a big game, there are more people here (at the press conference) today. Growing up, I heard about Michigan-Ohio State. Since I have been here, it's been huge. Luckily, Michigan has been able to win three out of the four years I have been here. It's a huge game."
On the success of Anthony Thomas ... "It means the world to us. It shows people that we are doing a good job. If he doesn't get any holes or yards then everyone is going to look at the offensive line. His durability has been unbelievable. The amount of carries he had last year and this year in the last couple of games he's had at least 30 a game. With the end of the season, you would think they would try and give him some rest, but he is in there every play fighting for yards, and that is what you like to see."
Senior Left Guard Steve Hutchinson
On going back to Columbus ... "The thing I think most about Ohio State is when we went down there in 1998 and they just beat us up. That was the first time I was in the stadium, and I played in that game. It's lingering in the back of my mind. My last game, I get the opportunity to go back to that stadium and play a great team. That's the focus of our whole team right now, to go back there and try and give a better game than we did two years ago."
On added intensity to the game with a possible Big Ten title on the line ... "I don't think you can add any more intensity to this game. The tradition speaks for itself. It's the oldest rivalry in college football. We are going to go in there, they are fighting for something and we are fighting for something. It's going to be a hard-hitting, traditional Ohio State-Michigan football game."
On the possibility of getting too tight prior to the game ... "Oh yeah, you can play the game today, tomorrow and Wednesday, and by the time Saturday comes around, you are out of energy. We are going to make sure we have great practices this week, focusing on what we have to do. Stay focused, that's the main thing, and remember the game is on Saturday."
On the significance of the state rivalry ... "Well, I'm from Florida. So when Michigan State comes around, a lot of Michigan players born and raised here get a little more excited. And the guys from Ohio, when Ohio State week comes around they get excited. I'm looking at it that it's my last game. I've been around here long enough to learn and understand the rivalries with those teams. I think this year is a little extra because it is the last game, and it is for a ring."
On Ohio State's pass rush ... "They have a lot of great defensive schemes. They bring linebackers and corners on blitzes. It makes it hard on offenses to pick up the blitzes. They do a good job mixing up blitzing when you don't expect it. They bring it whenever they want, and we are going to have to be ready to pick them up."
Senior Cornerback James Whitley
On his feelings on playing Ohio State for the last time ... "It's going to be an emotional week for me. As a senior, it's my last game as a Michigan football player. It's going to be very intense and we're going to be ready to go."
On the importance of this game to both schools ... "This game is a great rivalry and both teams are going to come out and play hard, play intense and even if there wasn't anything on the line those are things that are going to happen. But we're playing for a championship this week and we're going to come out and give it our all. We're going to perform well and just go out there and perform."
On Ohio State's offense, specifically Ken-Yon Rambo and Reggie Germany ... "Rambo and Germany are quick and fast and physical in their blocking. We just have to go out and play well. They're fast, run good routes, and catch the ball extremely well. I haven't seen much but they run the ball extremely well. Up front they have a great offensive line. And their receivers -- on third down, second-and-long they'll throw it up, let them go get it and their receivers make plays."
On the defense having success against Steve Bellisari last year ... "Bellisari is a great quarterback. He's a quarterback that can scramble. He is a big physical guy and we're going to have to keep him in the pocket and make him make throws under pressure."
On what it's going to take in order to beat Ohio State ... "It's going to be extremely difficult. We're going to be playing in front of a tough crowd, a crowd that pretty much dislikes Michigan. We're just going to have to go in there and dig it up. It's going to be a grind for us. This whole week is going to be a grind for us."
On whether the Ohio State rivalry or the Michigan State rivalry is bigger ... "In state rivalry, I'd have to say Michigan State. Overall, I think this game right here, this is the big one, nationally."
Senior Center David Brandt
On how Ohio State looks on film ... "We watched a lot of film yesterday. They looked really good up front. They have good linebackers and good defensive backs. We just have to study more film the rest of this week and come up with a game plan."
On crowd noise at Ohio Stadium ... "I played in 1998 and it's real loud. They boo us a lot but it's a fun game to play in and I'm looking forward to going back down there.
On Ohio State's success regarding blitz packages ... "They do a lot of different things. They move guys in front, they twist guys, and they bring a lot of pressure from the free safeties and from the linebackers. We just have to have the protections down and get ready to block them."
On the importance of being able to establish the running game ... "It's just a matter of us going out and executing. The last couple of years we had a hard time executing. They have very good personnel down there and they have good schemes. I know our coaches will come up with a good game plan this year, and we'll try to execute it."
On why this rivalry is so big every year ... "Because both teams are relatively even every year. It's a very hard-fought game. It's a tough game to go play, and nationally, everybody is watching this game."
On it being a bit more difficult to communicate on the line this week ... "Just with the crowd noise, I have to make calls, and make sure all my linemen hear the calls and we can execute our plan. You have to make them loud and make sure you tell both sides where the block's going to and who you are assigned to."
On blocking for Anthony Thomas ... "It means a lot to us up front. It's in the back of our minds a lot, during the game, how many yards he got, how's he doing, and how many touchdowns he had. We take a lot of credit in what happens with Anthony because without our blocks he wouldn't be getting these yards. He's very thankful for it."
Contact: David Ablauf, Jim Schneider (734) 763-4423
