EAST LANSING, Mi. — Following Ohio State’s 26-6 win over Michigan State, head coach Urban Meyer and a number of players spoke with reporters about their hard-fought win in East Lansing. Meyer credited his defense and his punting unit, especially punter Drue Chrisman, who had five punts downed inside the 6-yard line in the second half. Quarterback Dwayne Haskins, receiver Terry McLaurin, safety Brendon White, defensive tackle Dre’Mont Jones, and Chrisman himself spoke with the media as well. Here are the highlights.
Urban Meyer
+ Meyer said that they knew exactly what this game would be and how tough it would be to move the ball.
+ He was “ecstatic” about the defense.
+ Drue Chrisman and Terry McLaurin came up huge. McLaurin may be the best gunner that Meyer has ever had. McLaurin is exhausted, but kept going out there to help the team.
+ On Tate Martell playing: “I think we’re gonna do more of that.”
+ Chrisman dropped five punts inside the 6-yard line in the second half. He changed the game for the Buckeyes. It’s awful being stuck in your own end zone on offense.
+ On Chrisman’s 4-yard punt in the first half, Meyer joked “Almost benched him.” But there’s no backup, so he had to stay in the game.
+ The Buckeyes needed to play great defense in this game and they did that. They tackled well and covered well. This game gives them confidence moving forward.
+ They presented the game ball to Brendon White to give to his father William.
Drue Chrisman
+ Chrisman said the wind took the first punt and blew it before it got to his foot. He adjusted after that and held on to the ball longer. It was definitely the worst punt of his career.
+ On being a punter talking to FOX after the game and being interviewed in the postgame media room: “I didn’t even know this room existed.”
+ Nobody was negative after the punt. Meyer just asked him what happened.
+ On Terry McLaurin and the other gunners: “They make my job easy. All credit to them.”
Dwayne Haskins
+ The conditions were okay for throwing the ball.
+ On his big run being called back: “I was salty, but I got over it.”
+ The locker room was electric after the game.
+ Tate Martell has always been a competitor. He never felt any frustration from Martell at lack of playing time. “Proud of the progress he’s made.”
+ On having to come out in favor of Martell: “It’s a little hard.” It’s a package. He can’t complain, but it’s a little frustrating having to come out of the game.
Terry McLaurin
+ Asked if he would rather score a touchdown or down a punt at the 1-yard line, McLaurin said he doesn’t have a preference because you have to be able to do everything.
+ He prides himself on making plays no matter how tired he is.
+ Offenses have a 3% chance of a touchdown drive when they start inside the 5-yard line.
+ After the game, McLaurin stood in front of the team and told the young players that if you want to impress Urban Meyer, you do it on special teams.
+ The Buckeyes played downhill all game long, offense, defense, and special teams.
Brendon White
+ “It was pretty cool” to be given the game ball to give to his father.
+ Last week was like a dream, but as a starter, it’s becoming more real to him.
+ He is locked in more now and knows the calls better. He is watching more film. He knows that he can’t get sidetracked now.
+ It meant a lot to get the start. It has been a worthwhile journey.
+ Practice was more physical this past week. They did a lot of tackling with the scout team.
Jonathon Cooper
+ Winning against MSU was going to require toughness. “We take them very seriously.”
+ This game showed that they have confidence as a defense and that things are going to work out. “We just stuck with the plan.”
+ This was an impact game, but still not the best that the defense can do.
Dre’Mont Jones
+ The defense had a feeling that their moment was going to come when Drue Chrisman kept pinning MSU back.
+ They hear what people say about them.
+ Chrisman and McLaurin “gave us a lot of juice.”
+ “I think we’re still in the same spot” as a defense. There are still one or two things thy have to get fixed.
+ Today was a complete defensive performance.
+ “This is a tremendous, tremendous feeling.”