Postgame Quotes
11/12/2005 12:00:00 AM | Football
NORTHWESTERN QUOTES
Coach Randy Walker
On Ohio State's performance
"We were playing a good football team. I give OSU credit. I've been coaching for 30 years and I've never seen anyone better than A.J. Hawk. He's surrounded by other good players. (The defense) closed down our offense."
On A.J. Hawk's ability
"A.J. Hawk is a special player. I don't think I've seen a player make plays like that."
On Northwestern's performance
"You have to execute when you play a team like Ohio State and we didn't execute today. Our team will learn from our mistakes and put this loss behind us. We gave them some punts because we missed our targets and you can't miss targets against (Ted) Ginn and (Santonio) Holmes."
Slade Larscheid, junior punter
On Ohio State's special teams
"They're talented throughout their special teams. We didn't execute well, and as you can see, they were able to execute throughout the game. They have enough speed to cover most of the field which gave our special teams some trouble."
Tyrell Sutton, freshman running back
On the fumble
"He (A.J. Hawk) had my entire body covered and I tried to move my other hand to cover it. I couldn't, though, and he stripped the ball out."
On playing in his home state of Ohio
"It felt good to be in this atmosphere, even though I was on the opposite side of the cheers. It's good to come in and play against the home state."
On Ohio State's defense
"They were fast. It seemed like everywhere I turned there was A.J. (Hawk) or one of them (Ohio State's defense). They definitely are physical. They swarm the ball. They stunted, slanted, twisted -- they did everything they could to take us out of our offense."
Brett Basanez, senior quarterback
On Ohio State
"They're (Ohio State's defense) one of the best we've seen. We didn't capitalize and make plays. They're a good team and they'll make you pay for that. We knew they were a top-10 team and we knew we needed to come out and make plays. We didn't and, like I said, they made us pay for it."
OHIO STATE QUOTES
A.J. Hawk, senior linebacker
On his last game in Ohio Stadium
"It hasn't hit me yet that it was my last game at home. We still have Michigan to think about, but it was great to see my parents out on the field. Also, I think it gave us more incentive to win knowing it was our last game (at home). It was a tough day and the seniors appreciate all the fans' support."
On his touchdown
"It was great to be able to score a touchdown. Playing on defense it is not to often that you are able to score. Quinn (Pitcock) made a great play and hopefully that will give us momentum going into Michigan."
Nate Salley, senior free safety
On his last game in the "Shoe"
"When I walked into the locker room, I started to think about all the "last times." When I was out on the field it was amazing to hear all the fans yelling four more years. It really meant a lot."
Nick Mangold, senior center
On facing Michigan
"As soon as the clock reached zero on the scoreboard, my mind immediately went to thinking about Michigan. It was in the back of my mind all season, but now it is at the front of my mind."
Rob Sims, senior offensive guard
On his last game in Ohio stadium
"The emotions were running high today. I will remember this game for the rest of my life. I could not have asked to play for a better university with better coaches or teammates."
Bobby Carpenter, senior linebacker
On facing Michigan
"The Michigan vs. OSU game is just about the rivalry. We realize that Michigan is one of the toughest places to play in the nation. It is a very hostile environment and they are a dangerous team. As a senior, it is my goal to go out with a winning record against Michigan."
On Northwestern's quick score
"We were on the sideline, us offensive guys, and they just drove right down the field and got that touchdown and we thought we might be in a shoot out. However, it didn't turn out like that."
Quinn Pitcock, junior defensive tackle
On Northwestern
They came out and they went right down and scored on us. We made the mistakes but after that we just started to play our game."
On Northwestern QB Brett Basanez
"He is one of the best running quarterbacks we have seen. He is a pocket passer but if you let him he can make some plays with his legs"
Mike Kudla, senior defensive end
On Tyrell Sutton
"(He is a) great back. He is really shifty and has some great feet. A.J. (Hawk) and I were amazed and we talked about how we thought we had him a few times and he just kept moving those feet and got away."
On the senior class
"It is so special and I feel very lucky to be a part of this class. It has just been such an honor and it seems like it has all happened in a whirl wind."
