The message from Ohio State's players following the No. 1 Buckeyes' 34-16 win over No. 17 Illinois was clear: the performance was good, but not good enough if Ohio State wants to accomplish its goals this season.
“The coaches were talking about, you know, it’s a great win. We got closer as a team on this trip. There’s definitely stuff we want to clean up — every game, you have stuff you want to clean up. I feel like we left a couple of things out there," quarterback Julian Sayin said. "But, you know, the good plays that we made were awesome to see. And I think we’re gonna keep building off this.”
Below, Eleven Warriors has comments from Sayin, tight end Max Klare, defensive tackle Kayden McDonald and cornerbacks Davison Igbinosun and Jermaine Mathews Jr. We also have coverage of Ryan Day's press conference in Presser Bullets, where the head coach shared a simliar improvement-focused message with reporters on Saturday.
"I thought we played well there in toward the end of the third, into the fourth, and then we took our foot off the pedal a little bit and lost our focus," Day said. "But it’s a good sign when you have to go into a locker room after a win like this and make sure everyone understands what a great win it was because I think we all felt like we left a little bit on the field.”
QB Julian Sayin
“I think the guys played really hard defense. Can’t give enough credit to those guys creating turnovers like that to give us a short field. It makes it a little bit easier to play downhill when you’re playing that short field. I think they played really well.”– Julian Sayin on Ohio State’s defense
- “The coaches were talking about, you know, it’s a great win. We got closer as a team on this trip. There’s definitely stuff we want to clean up — every game, you have stuff you want to clean up. I feel like we left a couple of things out there. But, you know, the good plays that we made were awesome to see. And I think we’re gonna keep building off this.”
- Sayin said one of his most important job responsibilities as a quarterback is to “take what the defense gives you.” Sayin said he may have forced a few throws today, but said he will improve in that area. “If they’re giving us certain coverage and we don’t have it, check the ball down, let’s make smart decisions. We’re never going to lose the game on third downs, so if something’s not there, don’t force it. I think maybe I forced one here or there today. We just want to keep growing.”
- Sayin said Ohio State’s team grew closer together on this trip, similar to how it grew closer during the Washington trip. “Just spending time with each other, bonding. It happened when we went to Washington. You know, we had two days out there to spend time. When you go on the road, you don’t have the fans. We actually traveled well today, so it was awesome to see the fans out there.”
TE Max Klare
“I think we’re in a good spot. Obviously, we can’t get complacent. We’ve still got a lot to work to do and a lot of big games ahead. We’ve got to keep it rolling and keep getting better.”– Max Klare on Ohio State’s play through six games
- Klare on his performance for Ohio State against Illinois: “It felt good out there. Obviously, there’s always gonna be a few plays I want back. I felt pretty good for the most part.”
- On Ohio State securing a top-20 road win against Illinois: “I think you get the feel from the guys around you and what to expect. I think it’s awesome because you expect to dominate every game.”
- On Nate Roberts’ development as a freshman tight end: “Yeah, it’s awesome. It’s impressive for a young guy like him. He always does what he’s asked to do. He’s a physical guy. He’s only getting better. I’m really excited for him.”
DT Kayden McDonald
“Coach Patricia, he preaches taking the ball away, and I feel like we needed that in the moment and I did it.”– Kayden McDonald on his forced fumble and recovery
- McDonald used size to his advantage on the takeaway. “The running back’s there, little guy, I’m a big guy. I can easily take it away. Once I got the opportunity, I just took it.”
- There was an extra emphasis on turnovers for the defense heading into this week, McDonald said. “Last week we didn’t have none and we’re coming into a hostile environment and we’ve gotta somehow get the ball back to the offense.”
- On why the red zone defense has been so successful: “Because of (the) competitive excellence Coach Day preaches. When you’re number’s called, you’re gonna make a play and we got the guys to make plays. We’re gonna keep going.”
- McDonald got to hold the Illibuck Trophy. “It felt like Simba, the Simba moment (in The Lion King).”
CB Davison Igbinosun
“I think it was good. He’s a true freshman. People don’t understand how hard it is to start as a true freshman in college football. He’s just going to learn from it and grow.”– Davison Igbinosun on Devin Sanchez’s first start
- Igbinosun had a great reaction when Dan Hope asked him about his four pass breakups against Illinois. “I had four pass breakups?” he asked. “Yeah,” Hope said. “Stop throwing at me.”
- Igbinosun said “it definitely feels good” to produce at such a high level for the Buckeyes. “I train hard each day at practice, so I’m getting an opportunity to showcase my ability on the big stage.”
- On Jermaine Mathews Jr.’s performance at nickel: “Jermaine is that boy. Jermaine can play outside, inside. He’s just a natural. I wasn’t surprised. I see it every day at practice.”
CB Jermaine Mathews Jr.
“I knew when I got in that slot today, I knew it was gonna be something. I knew it.” – Jermaine Mathews Jr. on the big plays he made filling in for Lorenzo Styles Jr. at nickel
- Mathews said it’s the first time since high school that he’s forced two turnovers in a game.
- On what made him so comfortable playing the nickel position: “I just had a lot of reps in it all year, all offseason. In the games this year, certain packages I was inside as well. So I’ve just been getting comfortable every day with it.”
- On his message to freshman and first-time starter Devin Sanchez after Illinois started throwing the ball his way: “You’ve gotta buckle up. They don’t really care who you are, what year you’re in, they’re coming. So you’ve gotta be ready.”
- On the three turnovers the defense forced after averaging one per game entering Saturday: “We emphasize getting the ball back for the offense every week. We really haven’t been doing that well the last couple of weeks. Today, we went and got that ball. So I think mission accomplished.”
