Ohio State’s players are focused, confident and hungry heading into Saturday’s matchup with Wisconsin.
In another round of Wednesday interviews at the Woody Hayes Athletic Center, wide receiver Carnell Tate, tight end Will Kacmarek, center Carson Hinzman, defensive end Kenyatta Jackson Jr. and safety Jaylen McClain previewed the Buckeyes' battle with the Badgers this weekend.
Among the other topics discussed, Tate praised young wideouts Quincy Porter and Mylan Graham for continuing to earn trust in practice. Kacmarek said the offense is “one block away” from breaking big runs and Hinzman called Wisconsin a “desperate” and “dangerous” team.
On defense, Jackson brushed off Illinois coach Bret Bielema’s criticism and said Ohio State “shut down” the Illini’s tempo. McClain praised Patricia for his impact and the Buckeyes' cornerbacks for their infectious energy. McClain also stressed the defense’s goal of putting together a “complete game” after letting up late last week.
With players on both sides of the ball calling for sharper execution and more consistency, the Buckeyes seem intent on proving themselves again this weekend in Camp Randall Stadium.
WR Carnell Tate
“At the end of the day, the room’s a reflection of us. No matter who’s out there in the room, whatever they go out there and put on film, go out there and say, it’s a reflection of the room.” – Carnell Tate
- On young wide receivers Quincy Porter and Mylan Graham: “They definitely make plays out there on the field, it’s just a matter of understanding the playbook, and they’ve continued to show us that they’re capable of doing that. And then it’s like, later on in the season, we’re going to need those guys to step up.”
- Tate isn’t taking Wisconsin lightly and is ensuring his teammates don’t either. “We just gotta go treat it like each and every other game we do in the schedule. Prepare for them like they’re a top talent.”
- On what’s stood out about freshman cornerback Devin Sanchez: “He’s shown it in practice. And with the young guys, it’s about consistency. And he’s shown that he’s able to be out there and be consistent, and then if it happens that a play is made on him, he’s shown that he’s capable of bouncing back and go out there and play high-level football.”
- On the trash talk and mental games that Davison Igbinosun and Jermaine Mathews Jr. bring to the cornerback position: “It’s just annoying to go out there and see them celebrate. Sometimes it’s a bad ball and they go out there and make a play, it’s just annoying to have them going out there, talking each and every play. And then as a receiver, if you mess up, now they’re in your head, too.”
- Tate said Ohio State’s players are always looking for their “big game.” Tate said his came against Minnesota, when he had nine catches for 183 yards and one touchdown. “That was my big game. I'm due for another one,” he said with a smile.
TE Will Kacmarek
“It's better than scoring a touchdown, I’m telling ya. It's awesome. Again, no one will ever see that, but in our room, it's the coolest thing.”– Will Kacmarek on what it’s like for the tight ends to perfectly block up a run out of 13 or 14 personnel
- On how the tight end room is playing: “I think we're just doing what we have to do. Our coaches expect us to make the plays in the positions we're put in. So at the end of the day, we're just doing what we're told and just trying to do to the best of our ability.”
- Kacmarek was a little more critical of his own performance so far this year. “I feel like I'm playing well, but I could play a lot better, in my opinion. I definitely think there's plays that I wanna get back, but I mean, it's all about coming back and practice the next week and just improving overall.”
- Kacmarek feels like Ohio State’s running plays are one block away from breaking for big games. “It always comes down to one little play or one little block that doesn't get done. So once everything gets blocked up, it's gonna spring. And that's soon to come.”
- On his eagerness to play in Wisconsin’s Camp Randall Stadium: “I'm excited. Obviously, it's my first time, so it'll be cool. Looking forward to that (end of) third quarter (for Jump Around).
C Carson Hinzman
“They’re a desperate team, and desperate teams are dangerous.” – Carson Hinzman on Wisconsin
- Hinzman said he’s “hyped” to return to his home state and play Wisconsin this weekend. “I already got about like 30 tickets, I think I need another like 40.” He said he’s 1-1 at Camp Randall Stadium, losing a state championship game there his freshman year but winning as Ohio State’s starting center two days.
- Hinzman said the biggest difference he sees in himself now from two years ago is his confidence. Back then, he was “playing a lot more reactionary”; now, he’s a leader on the offensive line and he’s able to diagnose what defenses are doing much more effectively.
- Matt Patricia tells the offensive linemen they can come talk to him any time they want to learn more about football, Hinzman said. “He coached O-line before as well, so he obviously, he knows a lot about us. And he’s like, if you ever want to learn football, come and let me know because he knows everything. Not just defense or D-line or D-backs, but he knows everything about the game. So it’s pretty cool.”
- Hinzman said Wisconsin’s defensive front is one of the best Ohio State has faced this season and that they play differently than other teams the Buckeyes have played this year. “I would say they’re a huge strength to that team right now, and that’s gonna be something we’re gonna have to deal with, which I’m super excited for.”
- Hinzman said he was “very close” to committing to Wisconsin out of high school, to the point that he called Joe Rudolph – Wisconsin’s offensive line coach at the time – with the intention of committing one night. But Rudolph didn’t answer his phone at that time, and Hinzman decided he wasn’t ready to commit when he talked to Rudolph the next day.
- Hinzman said he feels “very confident” in Ohio State’s run game. He said he’s “never been more confident” in an offensive coordinator calling plays than he is in Brian Hartline right now.
DE Kenyatta Jackson Jr.
“They did go tempo for a little bit, but I mean, it quickly got shut down. So whatever he said, tempo was working, I don’t know.”– Kenyatta Jackson Jr. on Bret Bielema saying Ohio State’s defense “couldn’t do shit” against Illinois’ tempo
- Jackson said he’s talked to Matt Patricia about being able to use his pass-rush moves more, and Patricia is “open to it.” Jackson’s primary role this season has been caging the pocket. “I’m a team player first, so I think my year is going well, but I would like to do other things.”
- Ohio State’s philosophy on caging the pocket, according to Jackson: “If you can beat the guy, beat the guy, but just don’t run past the quarterback … Don’t allow the quarterback to make big plays by running behind them.”
- Jackson said his football IQ has “tremendously increased” from working with Patricia. He described his relationship with Patricia as “through the roof.”
- On Arvell Reese: “He’s playing great. I finally see the guy that’s been in the cage last year. They let him out the cage, he’s playing freely, and he’s playing great.”
- On Tywone Malone Jr.: “His development has been great. That’s a guy that comes in each and every day and tries to put his best foot forward each and every day.”
S Jaylen McClain
“The first day he was here, I had a conversation with him. The relationship has been growing ever since. I love him. He loves me back, you know what I mean? I like playing for him.” – Jaylen McClain on his relationship with Matt Patricia
- McClain said Davison Igbinosun and Jermaine Mathews Jr. have infectious confidence and energy. “I feel like when you have corners that, you know, have energy like that, that feeds into people like me and Caleb. Well, me and Caleb obviously have energy as well, but with their type of energy, the swagger, it helps them play and puts that confidence in me.”
- On Devin Sanchez’s performance against Illinois: “I felt like I seen the swag just keep on coming along snap after snap after snap. He had to get his feet wet a little bit, and I felt like he got his confidence throughout the game and, you know, it turned on for him. You’re gonna see that for the next couple of games, too.”
- McClain said Patricia “puts a lot on our plate that we can handle.” McClain said he didn’t know if Ohio State’s defense is like an NFL one, but he thinks the Buckeyes’ scheme does have similarities to what he sees from NFL teams.
- McClain said Ohio State “took its foot off the gas” at the end of the Illinois game so the Buckeyes have been working hard this week to put together “a complete game” against Wisconsin.
