While the Buckeyes are sad to lose Seth McLaughlin to an Achilles tear, the team's players shared a clear message on Wednesday: Next man up.
In addition to a brief press conference from Ohio State head coach Ryan Day, wide receiver Emeka Egbuka, offensive lineman Donovan Jackson, running back Quinshon Judkins, defensive end Caden Curry and safety Lathan Ransom answered questions from the media as the Buckeyes prepare for a top-five showdown with Indiana this weekend.
Egbuka, Jackson and Judkins all expressed their confidence in Carson Hinzman and Austin Siereveld filling in at center and left guard now that McLaughlin is out for the season. Meanwhile, Curry and Ransom described what stands out about Indiana's offense and how the Buckeyes plan to slow down the Hoosiers' highly productive offense on Saturday.
WR Emeka Egbuka
“I think a lot of dudes stepped up. I think it was a great practice, one of the better practices we’ve had all year. It’s no surprise people have to step up on the offensive line, but I think we have the right dudes ready and equipped to do that.” – Emeka Egbuka on what practice was like without Seth McLaughlin
- Egbuka said Indiana is a “very veteran team” and while most starters are transfers, a lot of them come from the same place. “They’re playing at a really high level and playing together as a team.”
- Indiana has earned the respect of Ohio State, per Egbuka.
- Egbuka emphasized getting off to a fast start against Indiana because they’re going to have Ohio State as a high priority and wants to confirm the high opinion the Hoosiers have of them.
LT Donovan Jackson
“We all wear Block O’s on our chest for a reason. We’re not here for free vacation, we’re here to play football. So guys need to get going.” – Donovan Jackson on the offensive line stepping up without Seth McLaughlin
- Jackson said the veteran offensive linemen told the younger offensive linemen after Josh Simmons went down that they needed to change their mindset and understand that they could be called upon to play this year even if they weren’t in the starting lineup. He thinks the younger linemen have responded well to that and practiced harder.
- Jackson described new starting left guard Austin Siereveld as an “athletic monster.” “His legs are huge, and he’s really fast, and he’s really big, and he runs really hard at people, and so if he can just do that at a very high level on the field, we’ll be all right.”
- Jackson said Carson Hinzman has always had the physical ability to be great but he thinks Hinzman has matured and has a lot more confidence this year than last year.
- Seth McLaughlin’s leadership isn’t something that any one player can replace, Jackson said. He said he “can only do what Donovan Jackson can do as best as I can” and he expect the rest of Ohio State’s offensive linemen to do the same.
RB Quinshon Judkins
“We've all, as a whole, faced adversity and I think that isn't anything new to us as a team and especially as an offense. So those guys are ready to step up, man.” – Quinshon Judkins on the offensive line’s performance in practice after Seth McLauhlin’s injury.
- Judkins said that the team’s bond helps them respond well to injuries. “The brotherly love that we have for each other and just supporting each other throughout anything.”
- On whether he feels he and TreVeyon Henderson wear on defenses throughout games: “Totally, man. Especially these last (few) games when you get on a roll. At the beginning of the game, defense is more sound and those guys are more stiff as far as giving up yards and as the game goes, it's like, ‘OK, guys are softening up so I'm just going to keep running it.’”
- On how fresh he feels at this point in the year after splitting carries with Henderson all season: “Right now, I feel the best ever, bro. Especially mentally and physically, feel great, and just having a great group of guys around me to go out there and try to go win it all.”
DE Caden Curry
“It’s definitely shocking ... seeing how they can flip that around and just turn around their season. I have a lot of friends that play there still too, so just seeing how they kind of get that same excitement we get every year.”– Caden Curry, an Indiana native, on Indiana going from 3-9 last year to 10-0 in 2024
- On how it felt to block a punt against Purdue: “Seeing something that you put on film all week and practicing all week and then kind of seeing it come to life on the field on Saturday is definitely something great to see. Just putting all the hard work in and kind of getting that final effort to get it out there is pretty good.”
- On Indiana head coach Curt Cignetti: “I've definitely heard great things about him. I've heard he's a great coach. I've heard he's serious about what he does, and he definitely wants to turn that program around.”
- Curry didn’t complicate matters when it came to the keys for Ohio State to get a good pass rush on Saturday. “We just got to play our game. That's all we got to say. I mean, we say it every week. As long as we play our game, nobody can stop us.”
S Lathan Ransom
“No matter what looks he gives us, what defense he comes out with, what ideas he comes with, we just believe in him, execute at the level he wants us to and it works out,” – Lathan Ransom on Jim Knowles’ creativity coming up with schemes defensively
- Ransom says Indiana’s receivers are “a group of dudes that do the little things right” and is impressed by their body control and ability at the top of routes.
- Ransom and Ohio State are preparing for some unscouted plays Indiana likely has implemented in preparation for the Buckeyes since the Hoosiers had a off week to prepare for them last week.
- Ransom says Ohio State needs to execute better on third downs at the start of games and get off the field quicker.
- The Buckeyes are treating this game with a “win or go home” mentality, per Ransom.
