To be honest, most of the talk that’s relevant to y’all was about QB Devin Brown and a little bit about WR Carnell Tate for this post because that was the gist of what OC Brian Hartline and the Ohio State players talked about. There wasn't really too much nuisance about what they expect from Missouri besides they expect a lot of man coverage defensively.
So, most of these will be interesting quotes I heard. Keep in mind the interviews were all unique because the players and coaches were spread out. So, this is just what I got from my recordings.
Also, all the Ohio State players were decked out in red Ohio State jumpsuits and black Air Force 1s. If you know, you know.
Hartline's opening thoughts on Devin Brown:
"Devin has been doing a great job. He's in a different role currently than he maybe has been all year. Coming back from getting a little dinged up during the middle of the season. He was gaining a lot of momentum through the season, but he's having a great bowl prep, and we're excited that he's out there. He's got pretty good energy to practice. The guys are excited to have him running the show and Devin has done a great job preparing for this game. He knows the importance and his work resembles that."
Is Devin Brown ready?
"So, it wasn't like you're starting from scratch or you didn't know what he was," Hartline said. "So, I think there's probably a heightened awareness on his part because he knows, he's the guy now and it's just an athlete's perspective. I mean, say what you want, you should prepare like you're the guy but it's still a little different when you are the guy and he's had that opportunity all bowl prep. He's gotten better through bowl prep. So, I think it's big on us (Hartline, head coach Ryan Day and QB coach Corey Dennis), to make sure, 'Okay, what do we feel like Devin does best and let's make sure we do that.' And he's taking the bull by the horns and then ran with it. So, a lot of credit to him. And I'm really excited to see him let loose on Friday night."
"Devin is prepared. He's always been prepared," running back TreVeyon Henderson said with grin. "He leads the whole offensive. He's a great leader. We encourage each other. And so yeah, I mean, I think like I said, I think he's ready man. He's putting in the work. He put in the time and it's going to show Friday."
Is he nervous or worried about playing?
"I feel like I've stacked a great month together. I feel like this team has been very well coached and prepared and this team has been rolling.
"Obviously there's going to be a little bit of pressure with the game but even my family was asking me like, 'Are you nervous for this game?' and I'm like, 'I've been playing this game since I was seven years old. It's the same game just in a bigger stadium.
How do vets help him? What are some ways they’ve tried to help him get comfortable?
"I'm trying to keep my mouth shut as much as I can," tight end Cade Stover said. "But then again, he's going to figure it out. He's very instinctual and a good player. So, he's gonna do what's right. I'm just going to be there when he needs me."
Brown on bowl practice earlier in the month versus bowl practice now:
"I feel like it's been very different. We have our full game plan in and we've had a whole month to prepare for it. So, it's been good for me just to see everything, all the looks and just slow everything down."
His relationship with Ryan Day now?
"Yeah, it's been good. I mean, in the film room and stuff like that it has completely changed and (is) more gameplan-specific stuff like that. It's been good and being able to just talk one-on-one about this game plan."
How ready is Carnell Tate?
"He's super ready, I mean, he's had this whole year to grow and he's done incredible things all season," Brown said. "He has great leaders in front of him like Marvin (Harrison Jr.), Emeka (Egbuka) and X(avier Johnson). All those guys have really shaped who he is now. And he's going to do big things."
"I mean, he's played a lot as a freshman and well deserved and frankly, it probably would have started a little earlier. If he really wasn't dinged up coming out of camp. He had a great camp and came out dinged up, so it of kind of slowed that down and once he got his feet back under him, I think pretty close to the bye week he really started getting going so, I'm really excited for him. He's been ready and he's been chasing those guys just like, Marv and Emeka and some of the guys were all ready but they were chasing the other guys.
"So, if you look at our progression, frankly, as a freshman, and whether it be Chris or Jaxon or Garrett, I mean, he's right in that mold, especially but production-wise and Carnell came into a room that was very deep. So, to have four older guys there and then he's still earning playing time because of your work. The defensive guys 一 peers always know. Coaches can say what they want. The players know. So, you get the best reactions and info from players. And yeah, I'm excited for Carnell in general."
So, pretty much the overall feel was no one is worried about Brown. The quarterback himself isn't worried. No one is worried Harrison isn't (likely) going to play because pretty much everyone else is except maybe linebacker Tommy Eichenberg due to an elbow injury. He's questionable I believe.
So, most of these will be interesting quotes I heard. Keep in mind the interviews were all unique because the players and coaches were spread out. So, this is just what I got from my recordings.
Also, all the Ohio State players were decked out in red Ohio State jumpsuits and black Air Force 1s. If you know, you know.
Hartline's opening thoughts on Devin Brown:
"Devin has been doing a great job. He's in a different role currently than he maybe has been all year. Coming back from getting a little dinged up during the middle of the season. He was gaining a lot of momentum through the season, but he's having a great bowl prep, and we're excited that he's out there. He's got pretty good energy to practice. The guys are excited to have him running the show and Devin has done a great job preparing for this game. He knows the importance and his work resembles that."
Is Devin Brown ready?
"So, it wasn't like you're starting from scratch or you didn't know what he was," Hartline said. "So, I think there's probably a heightened awareness on his part because he knows, he's the guy now and it's just an athlete's perspective. I mean, say what you want, you should prepare like you're the guy but it's still a little different when you are the guy and he's had that opportunity all bowl prep. He's gotten better through bowl prep. So, I think it's big on us (Hartline, head coach Ryan Day and QB coach Corey Dennis), to make sure, 'Okay, what do we feel like Devin does best and let's make sure we do that.' And he's taking the bull by the horns and then ran with it. So, a lot of credit to him. And I'm really excited to see him let loose on Friday night."
"Devin is prepared. He's always been prepared," running back TreVeyon Henderson said with grin. "He leads the whole offensive. He's a great leader. We encourage each other. And so yeah, I mean, I think like I said, I think he's ready man. He's putting in the work. He put in the time and it's going to show Friday."
Is he nervous or worried about playing?
"I feel like I've stacked a great month together. I feel like this team has been very well coached and prepared and this team has been rolling.
"Obviously there's going to be a little bit of pressure with the game but even my family was asking me like, 'Are you nervous for this game?' and I'm like, 'I've been playing this game since I was seven years old. It's the same game just in a bigger stadium.
How do vets help him? What are some ways they’ve tried to help him get comfortable?
"I'm trying to keep my mouth shut as much as I can," tight end Cade Stover said. "But then again, he's going to figure it out. He's very instinctual and a good player. So, he's gonna do what's right. I'm just going to be there when he needs me."
Brown on bowl practice earlier in the month versus bowl practice now:
"I feel like it's been very different. We have our full game plan in and we've had a whole month to prepare for it. So, it's been good for me just to see everything, all the looks and just slow everything down."
His relationship with Ryan Day now?
"Yeah, it's been good. I mean, in the film room and stuff like that it has completely changed and (is) more gameplan-specific stuff like that. It's been good and being able to just talk one-on-one about this game plan."
How ready is Carnell Tate?
"He's super ready, I mean, he's had this whole year to grow and he's done incredible things all season," Brown said. "He has great leaders in front of him like Marvin (Harrison Jr.), Emeka (Egbuka) and X(avier Johnson). All those guys have really shaped who he is now. And he's going to do big things."
"I mean, he's played a lot as a freshman and well deserved and frankly, it probably would have started a little earlier. If he really wasn't dinged up coming out of camp. He had a great camp and came out dinged up, so it of kind of slowed that down and once he got his feet back under him, I think pretty close to the bye week he really started getting going so, I'm really excited for him. He's been ready and he's been chasing those guys just like, Marv and Emeka and some of the guys were all ready but they were chasing the other guys.
"So, if you look at our progression, frankly, as a freshman, and whether it be Chris or Jaxon or Garrett, I mean, he's right in that mold, especially but production-wise and Carnell came into a room that was very deep. So, to have four older guys there and then he's still earning playing time because of your work. The defensive guys 一 peers always know. Coaches can say what they want. The players know. So, you get the best reactions and info from players. And yeah, I'm excited for Carnell in general."
So, pretty much the overall feel was no one is worried about Brown. The quarterback himself isn't worried. No one is worried Harrison isn't (likely) going to play because pretty much everyone else is except maybe linebacker Tommy Eichenberg due to an elbow injury. He's questionable I believe.
