Ohio State's top-three showdown with Oregon is still three days away, but that didn't stop a handful of Buckeyes from expressing their confidence and excitement for Saturday's game.
Following Ohio State's Wednesday practice at the Woody Hayes Athletic Center, cornerback Denzel Burke, safety Lathan Ransom, linebacker Cody Simon, offensive lineman Josh Fryar, wide receiver Brandon Inniss and tight end Gee Scott Jr. met with the media to discuss how the Buckeyes have prepared for their battle with the Ducks.
Among the many quotable moments, Burke said he's “built for” big games, Ransom shared that Ohio State needs “to win on the perimeter” against Oregon and Simon called Sonny Styles “another quarterback of the defense.”
Quotes, notes and video from each player’s interview sessions can be found below.
CB Denzel Burke
“You shake a little more, especially in the big-time games. But those are the moments I’m built for.”– Denzel Burke on playing in a marquee game this weekend
- Burke says he’s glad to get another shot at Oregon after losing to the Ducks as a freshman in 2021. “We didn’t get the dub that game, but definitely coming to have fun and just focusing on doing our job, playing hard, playing fast and playing for each other.”
- Burke says he’s excited to face one of the top receiving groups in the country. “I go against the best receivers every day in practice, but to be able to go against good on good, man, it’s really exciting for me. I’m a really big competitor, so it’s going to be really fun.”
- Dillon Gabriel will be the first left-handed quarterback Burke has faced, he said. “It might be a little different feel. He’s a good quarterback. Pretty accurate. Good throws. And we’re just really ready to challenge him. We’re going to be the first great set of DB’s that he’s going to see, so really excited for this matchup Saturday.” He said Air Noland has helped the Buckeyes prepare to face a left-handed quarterback on the scout team.
- On Will Howard: “He’s been leading this team the right way. He’s been managing the game the right way, making great decisions. So I have full trust in him and our offense, and they’re going to have one hell of a day Saturday.”
S Lathan Ransom
“Gotta win on the perimeter. Gotta make open-field tackles. Gotta communicate. Those are the biggest three things that we gotta do.”– Lathan Ransom on keys to defending Oregon’s quick passing game
- On the challenge of facing Oregon’s receivers: “They’re really good. A really talented receiving corps, the best one we’ve seen so far this year and we’re all excited for the challenge.”
- On his relationship with fellow starting safety Caleb Downs: “The way he came in so focused and ready to learn the defense, ready to play. Yeah, like he said, that is my brother out there. I love playing with Caleb. We're always on the same page. Always pushing each other. Always competing and always trying to make each other better.”
- Oregon tried to pursue Ransom in his recruitment out of high school, but he obviously chose to go to Ohio State. “They definitely recruited me. I never got to take a visit up there. But I had a lot of friends that went up there. And they said nothing but great things about them. So it's going to be cool to go back to the West Coast.”
- On what gives he and Downs their quick trigger on defense: “I think that we do a great job in the film room getting keys and stuff that stands out on tape and having our keys. And right when we see our keys, we're able to trigger fast. And just trusting each other, trusting the defense. Everyone's going to do their job so we can just play fast.”
LB Cody Simon
“I think Sonny's been playing well the whole entire time, no matter what people have been saying. He's like another quarterback on the defense. And what you guys saw is a Sonny I know.”– Cody Simon on Sonny Styles’ performance against Iowa
- On the contrast between Iowa and Oregon’s offensive style: “It's definitely a more dynamic offense. It's a bigger focus change for us. But all of our goals stay the same. We want to attack teams and we want to play aggressive and play to our style.”
- On what makes Oregon tight end Terrance Ferguson a difficult matchup: “He's got good size. He's dynamic. But we approach everybody the same way, and we want to play our game and do what we do against anybody we play.”
- On how he feels he and the linebackers have done covering the middle of the field on pass plays: “I mean, we could always do better. Especially this last week, we had some trouble on third down. So we're tightening stuff up, and just refocus and get back on it.”
- On defending the RPO and Oregon’s quick passing game: “It's really all just about playing your keys. And so we'll have different things and we're trying to change up looks and make it tough for the offense. We want to play offense on defense. So when we get in that position, we just want to do our job and play smart.”
OL Josh Fryar
“I think it’s huge. I think this a big test to see where I’m at. Hopefully, I’ve put in the work to pass it.”– Josh Fryar on the Oregon game being a measuring stick for his development
- On the environment in Eugene and at Autzen Stadium: “Autzen, I’ve been there before on my official visit. It’s a big stadium. It only holds 54,000, but I can bet in my gut that it will get pretty loud. The silent count will be helpful during that game.”
- On whether or not Ohio State’s offensive line relishes the chance to prove themselves on an national stage against Oregon: “I think we relish it a lot. It’s not just another game because every game is important. If we’re playing Marshall, playing Akron, playing Oregon, playing Penn State – I think every game is crucial to take the next step and improve overall as an offensive line.”
- On Oregon’s defensive line: “They’re quick. They’re powerful. They get off the ball. They’re very well rounded in run and pass.” When asked about Jordan Burch, Fryar said, “He’s a really good player. Powerful. Super strong. When he’s 6-foot-6, 290 (pounds) and he moves like that, it’s kind of scary. But at the same time, as the offensive line, we have to do our job. Both tackles have to do their job. I think it will be a good game.”
WR Brandon Inniss
“It definitely boosts your confidence. And the more plays you make in practice, it boosts your confidence too.”– Brandon Inniss on getting his number called on a 4th-and-2 play in Ohio State’s win over Iowa
- Inniss says he believes Ohio State has the deepest wide receiver room in the country and that they push each other hard every day in practice.
- Inniss called Will Howard a leader of Ohio State’s offense and said he gathers the offensive players often and leads them and makes sure they’re on the same page.
- Inniss said matchups like facing No. 3 Oregon are why you come to Ohio State and the kind of games you dream about playing in as a little kid in your backyard.
- Inniss said it was tough for Carnell Tate to not play against Iowa following a minor injury, but said it’s great to have him back at practice this week.
- Inniss said Ohio State is very comfortable in working from silent counts.
TE Gee Scott Jr.
“This is one where we know we’re gonna get their best shot. I’m excited to go back home and be able to play in front of family.” – Gee Scott Jr. on his excitement for the Oregon game
- Scott said he believes this team is built on toughness and shows it week in and week out. He says last week position groups were challenged to practice harder and that the team has taken a step forward.
- Scott said OSU is a balanced offense and thinks there are many areas opponents have to respect while defending the Buckeyes.
- Scott said Will Howard never gets too high or too low and is locked in and focused. He said he believes Howard has the right attitude that you want from your quarterback and that he’s capable of leading OSU’s huddle.
