Oct. 17, 2006

Jay Richardson, senior defensive end
On the defense's goals
"The defense still has a long way to go. We're moving towards our goal, but we are not there yet. Our goal is not to be as good as people thought we could be. That's not good enough for us, we want to be better."

On the young defense
"I knew we had talent. I'm impressed with how quickly the young guys picked up the defensive plays. But I knew we had the personnel to do it. I'm not surprised at how good we've played."

On playing Indiana
"They already had our attention before they beat Iowa. They are a solid team with a good freshman quarterback. Beating Iowa just shows how good they are. With the kind of year we are having it is easy to get pumped for every game. We know what's at stake if we lose. Their win against Iowa gives us more respect for them. It makes us want to play them even harder."

On Indiana's quarterback
"Their quarterback has an impressive arm, but also quick feet. He is similar to Troy (Smith) with his legs. You can tell he is making his reads faster and he's more confident."

On OSU defensive coordinator Jim Heacock
"He is very focused on our goals. He is an intense person with a lot of high energy. He puts a fire in us and we take that passion into the games with us. He doesn't care about getting attention, he just wants to win."

On dealing with success
"Coach Tressel talks about handling adversity and success. I think handling success is even more important. You start hearing people say how good we are, but you can't let it go to your head. We have to prove that on Saturday every week."

Brian Hartline, freshman wide receiver
On Indiana
"Indiana is a dangerous, upcoming team. With teams like this, you never know what team you are going to get. Those are the dangerous teams and we always think of the threat they may bring." On teammate Troy Smith
"When you play with someone like Troy, you get the feeling that you can't loose. He has such a great touch on the ball. He has never not shown up for a big game. Some things you just can't teach - you have to have it inside of you. With him, we know we can win."

On the rest of the schedule
"The main reason why players come to Ohio State is because of the big games. But there is still a lot to do. We have to stay at the top of our game, because we are still rising. Competition makes everyone better."

On being awarded OSU's special teams player of the week
"I just like to take advantage of another way I can help my team. Being on special teams is exactly what it is - a chance to help out in a big way. I've been given an opportunity to make an impact with one play and that is the mentality I have to take. I try to bring a lot of velocity and speed to the game and make sure I don't over-think things."

On his game
"I feel like I have changed as a player. I was redshirted my freshman year, and it was definitely a good thing. When you play football, you develop an ego - not in a bad way, but you get a hunger to play. After you have been in the spotlight, you want to remain in the spotlight. I got frustrated with my injury freshman year that led to me redshirting, but I am definitely in a better position to have my first year be this year. It's a better position for any athlete. I'm really glad things worked out the way they did."

Curtis Terry, junior linebacker
On Indiana
"From the film we have seen they are very well coached. They are a hard-working team and they are going to fight to the end. They beat a very good Iowa team and they are going to come prepared."

On Indiana's quarterback
"The defense is going to have to make sure to contain him. He has a good arm, is very accurate and can make plays. The defense will have to do everything right to stop him."

On identity of the defense
"I think we have established an identity of being an attacking defense. Last year's defense would go out and stop you. This year, we are going to go out and make things happen and create turnovers."

On BCS rankings
"I honestly didn't know they came out today. In the Big Ten anything can happen. Any team can sneak up on you and we have to stay focused and prepare for Indiana and for each game."

On confidence of the defense
"You always have to have a swagger. To be a good defensive player you have to have a swagger and an attitude that lets people know you are going to go out there and hit hard."

On making big plays
"I never once thought in my head that I needed to go out and make a big play in order to gain a spot. I just go out and do my job for the defense and just play. As soon as you go out there and try to make a big play and try to act like superman you stop doing your job for your team."

On defense
"There is always room for improvement. Whether it is tackling, being more emotional, or knowing our assignments better, there is always room for improvement - especially with the little things."

Brandon Mitchell, senior free safety
On Indiana beating Iowa
"Anytime someone beats a good opponent, they get revved up for the next game. Iowa is a great team. If they (Indiana) can beat Iowa, they can beat us. No matter what the score is, they are going to keep playing."

On what the defense needs to improve
"Our defense has done a good job on third downs in the red zone. As a whole, we know we haven't done a good job to stop the run. We just have to get better at holding the rushing. We are proud that we have not given up many points, yet we know Coach (Tressel) wants us to stop the run."

On holding the No. 1 spot
"We know we are No. 1 going in to a game and we prepare knowing we are a No. 1 team. That definitely puts an added emphasis on our game, because we have a lot at stake to lose. Coach Tressel wants us to get better every day. For every game, we go out playing for a championship, because if we lose, we are out of it."

On playing for the No. 1 team in the nation as a senior
"We understand it is our responsibility to go out and play hard every game. We owe it to the fans, our team and every guy in the locker room. For us seniors, it helps that we have been with a team that has seen a national championship. We know what the guys in '02 did to keep us focused. In turn, we can tell that to our young guys."

On the cohesion of the team
"The guys this year are really tight. As far as being a close-knit family, we are like the '02 team in that respect."

On Head Coach Jim Tressel
"Tress does a good job of teaching us. He teaches us how to be great men. We do a lot of community service and I appreciate it. Everyone who knows this program knows that Coach has a sound impact on his team. He is always telling us to remember who we are."