In week that's been as trying as any for Ohio State this season, head coach Urban Meyer met with reporters for three minutes Wednesday before promptly walking back to practice where younger players from various position groups put in extra work.
The fifth-ranked Buckeyes play Wisconsin in the Big Ten Championship Game Saturday.
They'll do so without star quarterback J.T. Barrett and while mourning the loss of teammate Kosta Karageorge, who was found dead Sunday.
Notes:
- Meyer said backup quarterback Cardale Jones' attitude has been "great" in practice: "After today, had a good day today. I’ve been saying it since day one, it’s a product of those around him a lot of times and sometimes it’s not. But 95 percent of every quarterback — a good quarterback has a common denominator and that’s good players around him. We have a veteran offensive line and some good players around him." Jones will make his first career-start against the Badgers.
- Meyer on ousted Michigan coach Brady Hoke: "Coaches coach. Any time you hear that — I’ve known Brady for a long time. I wish him the best. He’s a fine coach." Hoke was fired Wednesday after a 5-7 season.
- In regards to Ohio State's tricky backup quarterback situation, Meyer said freshman Stephen Collier is "on call" and redshirt freshman H-back Jalin Marshall is in the mix as well.
- Meyer added Collier's prepping, but he wouldn't label him as a last resort: "I don’t know, I just told you. I don’t know how far you want to go with it. Last resort’s kind of strong language."
- Meyer on Marshall, the team's starting H-back and punt returner who's come on strong late in the season: "He’s always on call too. He provides an interesting skill set … he’s ready. Meyer added he’s more confident in Marshall’s ability to throw now than before. “Hes actually working on some stuff right now."
- Meyer said both J.T. Barrett and Braxton Miller will travel to Indianapolis: "Braxton’s been great and both Braxton and J.T. are going to go and they’ve been great, they’ve been in meeting, talking to Cardale. It’s a pretty close group, it’s a nice unit right now."
- Meyer said this week has been as taxing physically as it has been mentally: “You’d like to this time of the year kind of pull off a little bit, (but with) the style of offense you’re facing, you can’t. It’s been a physical week and on defense, they’re physical too, but especially on offense. It’s such a unique scheme. They’re a gigantic offensive line so it’s been more physical than your normally do this time of year.”
- Meyer on Wisconsin coach and friend Gary Andersen: “Big-picture guy … truly cares about the welfare of a player and looking after them. He was a phenomenal hire when I hired him in 04 … he’s got a really good big-picture mentality.”
- When asked about injuries, Meyer reiterated sophomore H-back Dontre Wilson remains out with a broken foot, but everyone else is ready to play Saturday. “I think that’s it.”
