Todd Boeckman, junior quarterback
On the season
“The credit for this season has to go to so many people. You have to give credit to the linemen, the receivers, the running backs because everyone has done so much for this team to be good.”
On LSU
“You have to be a very balanced team when you play a team like this. You cannot rely on just one thing. Their defense is too good for you to rely on just one thing.”
On Ohio State’s offensive line
“The line has done a great job protecting me this year. I have all the faith in the world in them. They will help get the job done.”
On LSU’s defense
“We have to use a balanced attack. We can’t go out and expect to run for 50 yards or pass for 50 yards. They will come out to stop us. We have to go out and prove ourselves.”
Doug Worthington, sophomore defensive end
On the layoff
“Everyone has been working really hard during this break. We have all just been working so hard and the preparation has been just tremendous.”
On playing in the Superdome
“They (LSU) might have more fans than we have, but I know our fans will travel well. I’m really excited to get down there and get in that atmosphere.”
On Ohio State’s road schedule
“We have won at Penn State and Ann Arbor, so I think that will be a big help to us in this game. I can’t even image how crazy it is going to be down there.”
Tyler Whaley, senior fullback
On going into the BCS Championship game with one loss
“This year there is not one team at the top. Besides Hawaii, there are no undefeated teams. This shows we are not invincible. We came together after the loss. I have no regrets about it.”
On Glenn Dorsey (LSU defensive lineman)
“He is fast, physical and a great defenseman. We have to prepare hard. Dorsey is the leader up front. He is tough to deal with, but we will do our best.”
On representing the Big Ten
“Coming from the Big Ten Conference we hold responsibility to show what the Big Ten is all about. We just have to bring home the win.”
Nader Abdallah, junior defensive tackle
On playing in the Superdome
“It is definitely going to be one of the toughest places we have played all season. We are going to be in their backyard.”
On Hurricane Katrina
“It was really tough on my family and it was difficult to focus on football at a time like that.”
Kurt Coleman, sophomore safety
On his first season as a starter
“I just got more and more comfortable as the season went on. I just got a great chance to develop and get better everyday.”
Dionte Johnson, senior fullback
On national title game last season
“That is something you never really forget. It is always in the back of your mind and the thing is you can’t let it distract you. I think we have done a good job of that and looking past it.”
On Jim Tressel
“Coach is the face of this team. I really trust him. He has always been there for me. He is the same guy in public that he is in private and I really appreciate all he has done for me.”
Kirk Barton, senior offense lineman
On national title game last season
“You can’t point the finger at just one guy from last season’s game. We all played bad and we all knew we didn’t give it everything we had and that has really been the driving force for us all season.”
Brian Robiskie, junior wide receiver
On his performance during the season
“I feel like I had some success, but there are things I still have to work on. That’s what this time is for, to reflect on how you did during the season and try and improve upon that performance.”
On playing in the BCS National Championship Game
“It’s a great opportunity. After we lost to Illinois we thought we were out of it. We went to Michigan and took care of business and some things went our way. It was a surprise, sure, but we earned it. I’m looking forward to New Orleans.”
Vernon Gholston, junior defensive end
On being ranked No. 1 but not being the favorite
“I really don’t get caught up in that. That doesn’t have anything to do with how we play on the field. That’s what this game is about, to decide who is best.”
Dimitrios Makridis, senior long snapper
On being a senior
“I think one of the things about this team is that everyone stepped up and showed some leadership. During different games, different guys would step up and help deliver. For me, I had to sit on the bench and watch and learn from others. Now it’s my turn to get the job done.”
Brian Hartline, sophomore wide receiver
On Todd Boeckman
“Towards the end of the year, guys were able to get to him a little more. To his credit, he took those hits and was still effective. He had success running the ball and did a good job of that. He’s a threat to run, but he can throw it too.”
On being the underdogs to LSU
“I like being the underdog and over the course of the season we have played as the underdog. We have played well away from home, which is good because this will basically be a home game for LSU. We’ll be more alert and more aware of little things. The Superdome will be a lot of fun.”
Todd Denlinger, sophomore defensive tackle
On playing for the reputation of the Big Ten
“We definitely want to go down there and make a statement for Big Ten football. Everyone talks about SEC speed, but we have a lot of quickness up north here too. We just have to execute our game plan and do what we do.”
On the BCS National Championship Game a year ago
“I think we are a lot different from a year ago. Last year we felt a little invincible. Now we know what it is like to lose and we certainly don’t want to get beat like that again.”
Anderson Russell, sophomore defensive back
On working at getting interceptions
“We had something like 14 dropped interceptions. The coaches have been working with us, keeping us around the ball, working on our hands and trying to capitalize on the other team’s mistakes.”
