There's no finger-pointing from Ohio State's defense. Only self-reflection.
After the Buckeyes lost 13-10 in the Big Ten Championship Game to Indiana, Sonny Styles, Lorenzo Styles Jr., Kenyatta Jackson Jr. and Kayden McDonald all said the defense is playing "angry" after coming up short against the Hoosiers. Sonny Styles felt especially motivated, feeling that Indiana's defense outplayed Ohio State.
Going last in the interview session, McDonald oozed confidence, stating that he doesn't feel anyone can block him, given his preparation. How long has the unanimous first-team All-American felt that way? His entire life, he said.
Defensive coordinator Matt Patricia met with the media in addition to the quartet of players, diving into how he schemes up Arvell Reese and Sonny Styles and his joy of coaching Ohio State this year.
DC Matt Patricia
- On utilizing Sonny Styles and Arvell Reese on third down: "A lot of it they've created through the course of the season. ... Sometimes you just give them the concept and they're making the changes on the field based on what they see. ... We've gotta earn the right to rush on third down. ... Both of them have really good coverage skills, they're really good in the rush. ... They have a little bit of savvy suddenness."
- Patricia said the players have done a "phenomenal job" studying and learning the defense quickly, which has allowed Ohio State to mix and match and disguise on the opposite side.
- On Kayden McDonald: "He's got a huge smile, he's a huge grizzly bear and I can't wait to give him a big 'ol hug. ... He's super coachable. ... To see him have all that success, that's the joy of coaching." Patricia also told a story where his beard got covered in eye black because he hugged McDonald, who wears a lot of it across his face.
- Patricia said this long of a layoff between games is new to him after coming in from the NFL. "Trusting all the expertise here, Coach Day, Coach Mick. ... But it's been fun. I think the intensity is right where we need it to be. ... I think everyone's doing a great job of handling that."
- On keeping a player engaged through potential missed calls from officials: "We're just gonna have to keep playing our game through the calls. ... Can't be frustrated, I think that's the biggest part of it. ... Just stay in the moment. It's 70 eight-second plays that you have to put together for three hours."
- Patricia doesn't feel any extra pressure to lock in defensively with Ryan Day taking over offensive play-calling. "We're gonna just stay focused on doing our job defensively."
- On the fun of coaching Ohio State's defense every week: "I think they've played so hard and aggressive. ... It's just a joy to watch how they've played on Saturdays. ... It's been so much fun to come back to college and have what I'd call a youthful energy from the players."
- On the balance between spying Arvell Reese and sending him after the quarterback on pass rush: "Even offensive protection systems ... they'll try to slide to his spot where he is or try to account for him in different ways. ... His impact has been great ... his flexibility, the way we've been able to utilize him is super special."
LB Sonny Styles
- On Matt Patricia: "It was always bigger than football to him. He genuinely cares about the relationship on and off the field."
- Ohio State's defense is shouldering blame for the Indiana loss, even after allowing just 13 points and winning an early sudden-change situation. "We gave up a few big plays ... I don't think our defense is satisfied at all. We got outplayed by the other defense."
- Styles said Miami's physical offensive line, veteran quarterback Carson Beck, wide receiver Malachi Toney, "big" running back Mark Fletcher Jr. and the depth of the Hurricanes' receiver room make for a great offense.
- On stopping the Hurricanes' run game: "Just being consistent for four quarters. They're gonna keep going, keep going, gonna try to wear on you."
- On what Cotton Bowl preparation has been like: "Fast, physical practices. ... I think Coach Day, Coach Mick, all the support staff, they do a great job keeping us ready."
- On what he's improved on since last season: "Just taking a bigger step from last year in terms of having more experience this year. ... I don't think I'm anywhere near my ceiling."
- Styles said his knowledge of the game and anticipation have been the biggest improvements he's made this season as he's become a first-team All-American. "You've gotta know it like the back of your hand. ... This year I've been having a better understanding of what's happening before the play starts."
- On whether Ohio State is an angry team: "Yeah, I think we're frustrated. ... We know the last time we stepped on the field, we didn't leave it all out there. ... It's a one-game season at this point. Win or go home."
- Beyond just he and Arvell Reese, Styles feels Ohio State's entire defensive front puts pressure on an offense. "When you look at our entire front seven, it's pretty hard to focus on one guy. ... Players all over, it's kind of pick your poison there."
- On how Patricia schemes up he and Reese on third down: "I think we're always trying to be on the attack. ... He does a very good job of getting guys in the right position to make plays. ... It's so much fun out there, especially when you get to third-and-long."
Nickel Lorenzo Styles Jr.
- Styles is the latest to say Ohio State's an angry team right now. "We're antsy to get back on the field."
- On Malachi Toney: "A lot of the offense is going to go through them. He's a go-to guy for them."
- It's extra motivation for Styles and his teammates to win in the Cotton Bowl to get another game together. "For me, it means a lot. Last couple of opportunities to play. We only have one game guaranteed. If we don't win this game, these will be our last couple of practices. So we're approaching it that way."
- "You always have to analyze it. ... Right now we're in the process of making those corrections."
- On what it would mean to be part of the senior class that brings a repeat national championship back to Ohio State: "That's definitely a goal. But we were humbled ... our focus right now is on Miami."
- "Being able to watch it, it definitely gives some extra preparation."
- "Just watching some of the players that come out of Miami. ... It's a big matchup. Being able to play this game, these two historic brands, it's a great opportunity."
- "I think the loss brought us closer on the team. ... Some backlash for some guys, we had to stick together and rally together. ... We didn't want it, but we needed it (the loss)."
- On playing for Patricia: "It's been a blessing. ... He's been great. He's pouring into us a lot as young men. ... Utilizing our skillsets and not just using us as parts of his defense."
- On Carson Beck: "He's a tall guy, so he's gonna be able to stand in the pocket and make those throws ... his experience shows up on film. ... But we've gotta do our job and make him uncomfortable."
DE Kenyatta Jackson Jr.
- Miami's offensive line, especially its offensive tackles, has stood out to Jackson on film. "They move well, and they're pretty huge."
- On what Patricia's meant to him: "He's just a good guy. When he first stepped on campus here, it was like a long-lost family member. ... He's a family guy. ... He talks to everybody, and I think that's why everybody loves him."
- Jackson said his family used to be huge Miami fans. "It means a lot going against them. I've been wanting to go against them for the longest (time)."
- On whether it's been tough not to play a game the last few weeks: "Yes. Yes."
- Despite his frustration over some missed holding calls vs. Indiana, Jackson said he needs to do a better job. "Just can't let the offensive linemen hold me. ... Sonny Styles been on me big. Like, 'You're too good to let them hold you.' ... Technique. Getting my hands on them first."
- More on the missed holding calls: "I was really frustrated that game. I said a couple of words to the officials that I shouldn't have said. ... But it is what it is."
- On Toney: "He's supposed to be in high school, but him coming in at a young age and he's doing the things that he's doing, it's pretty impressive."
- Jackson is "pretty excited" to face his hometown team.
- Jackson expects some banter with his uncle, who played for Miami.
- On where he's grown since last season: "One aspect I really improved this season was my block-shedding, getting off of blocks and making plays."
- Day has set the tone in the locker room, Jackson said. "He's done a pretty good job of leading this group. ... His leadership, the older guys, people that was on that championship team, we just take after him."
- On using outsiders' doubt as fuel: "People counted us out before the season started, losing four guys. ... We still use that as fuel each and every game. Especially last game, that wasn't my best performance. ... Coming into this last game, we're gonna be hyped up."
- On what it means to graduate from college: "It was pretty big. I did it for my mom. My mom really wanted me to get a degree."
DT Kayden McDonald
- On Patricia: "He took me in in the summer. ... He always tell me to keep working and keep going. ... He knows how to talk to his players and he has a very good personality. ... Him being the coach for us has been nothing but a blessing."
- Miami's offense is good, McDonald feels, but he's confident he'll be a menace regardless. "They're a good team, ACC. But we know, it's all about us. I feel like the preparation I put in, I feel like I won't be blocked regardless of what they throw at me."
- On being a unanimous All-American: "First and foremost, I want to thank God, and I want to thank Coach Johnson, Coach Day ... I know Jim Stillwagon is smiling down on me."
- McDonald feels there's an advantage for Ohio State having played in the Cotton Bowl the last three years.
- On how long he's held such a high level of confidence: "My entire life."
- On whether Ohio State will repeat as national champions: "I believe in my teammates and I know we're gonna do it."
- McDonald says he owns 10 pairs of glasses, and says his black everyday prescription glasses are his favorite pair.
- On being a unanimous All-American: "At the end of the day, I'mma thank God. And I want to thank Coach Johnson, betting on me, betting on the guys he's got and not bringing anybody in (at defensive tackle)."
- On the brotherhood at Ohio State: "We love each other. Even through the hard times and bad times we stick together."
- On how he learned who Jim Stillwagon was: "I see him on the wall every day. ... I did some research, he was a nose tackle. ... 55 years, I never would have imagined it would be me."
- On what's set him apart from other defensive tackles: "Maybe the conditioning part, every day, doing cardio, not missing one day."
