Presser Bullets: Urban Meyer Discusses Ohio State's Preparations Ahead of Rutgers

By Eric Seger on October 21, 2015 at 6:59 pm
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The rustle of leaves and sunshine welcomed Ohio State to its midweek practice Wednesday at the Woody Hayes Athletic Center, three days ahead of a trip to Rutgers.

Urban Meyer spoke with reporters after practice to provide updates on quarterbacks, injuries and more.

Notes:

  • The expectation at Ohio State is to have the best offense, defense and kicking game in the country. As far as the defense, he said he doesn't think the unit is close to that yet: "We gotta put one all together. What's next is a complete game, a dominant performance. We haven't had that yet."
  • On Eli Apple, Meyer said the cornerback is not quite the best corner in college football, but he expects to be: "What does he have to do get there? He has the skill set to get there, but he's not there yet."
  • "Right now, we're very good. The next few weeks we have to be exceptional."
  • Meyer went off on a tangent about former defensive end Steve Miller and the way he came on at the end of the 2014 season: "Stevie Miller was one of the best defensive ends in the country at the end of last year. Think about that. Stevie Miller. We just had a conversation about why that was. Why? We gotta get there."
  • In recruiting, "you never turn down a good defensive linemen. They have to be developed."
  • He added that he would "of course" go anywhere to get a solid defensive tackle: "That's a premium position, like a quarterback."
  • On the quarterbacks: J.T. Barrett had a role in the offense even though he wasn't playing. Cardale Jones must do that now, whether on the field or off: "He has to stay engaged."
  • Is this J.T. Barrett's show now? "Yeah. He's starting."
  • Meyer thinks his program is being held to a higher standard than most others: "Those are conversations I'm not a part of, though. I'm part of conversations about becoming the best defense, best offense and best special teams in the country."
  • Joshua Perry practiced Wednesday and remains probable for Saturday at Rutgers.
  • On Dante Booker, Perry's replacement: The game experience he got against Penn State was invaluable. Cam Williams will still travel to Rutgers even though he is suspended for the first half.
  • "I think we played our best game Saturday, not necessarily throwing ... it was one of the best games the last three or four years."
  • Meyer said he keeps hearing "what is wrong with the offense" from people and, "I look at them and say what?" He added that the offense hasn't blocked that well yet this season like it did against Penn State.
  • More on Jones and why didn't things work out: "I think things are working out great. I hear people say what's wrong with Ohio State, and I'm like, let's go win our eighth game." 
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