Things Discussed

• Harbaugh's responsibility for the loss
• The defense, lack of pass rush
• Real injury updates (no, seriously)
• The disappointment

[After THE JUMP: ,,,]

 

Jim, this was seen as the best opportunity since you've been here to beat Ohio State. DIdn’t happen. How much of the responsibility do you take personally?

 

 “Well, when things go good, things go great, good. If it doesn’t, you take responsibility for it.”

 

Jim, nobody really saw this coming, 62 points against your defense. How do you explain the performance today, overall, by your team?

 

“Well, they played great. Their third quarter, especially, a lot of speed plays that got out on the perimeter on got loose. Also set them up in good field position with a couple turnovers and of course the blocked punt contributed to the score as well.”

 

But overall, you couldn’t have been happy with your own team’s performance, could you?

 

“Like I said, I take responsibility for it.”

 

Jim, after seeing how they gave up 51 to Maryland and bumbled around a lot of other times, it it possible you guys — your players, not you — came in overconfident?

 

“No.”

 

The progress you guys made this year — do you feel like today was a step backwards for you and your team?

 

“Like I said, it didn't go good. Didn’t end up good. And I would say — and we take responsibility for us.”

 

What can you tell us about Devin Bush’s health?

 

“Devin — he has a hip. I don't think it’s anything that’s gonna be long term. … He had a hip. Same with Grant Perry, had a hip pointer. David Long, looks like a hip flexor strain. Believe all three are not long term kind of injuries, but not good for today. (Zach) Gentry got a concussion. And Shea Patterson has a contusion on his knee. Knee bruise. Bone bruise.”

 

Coach, seemed like they came in with their usual attack plan, doing a loot of slant routes, crossing routes. Describe the preparation you had for your defense for (that)

 

“Well, they do a lot of things well. And they threw the ball downfield well. They threw the crossing routes, the slant routes extremely well. And ran the ball good. So, they did a great job.”

 

How difficult do you think it is gonna be going back to the drawing board?

 

“We’ll come back motivated and make darn sure it doesn't happen again.”

 

Jim, early, what was the offensive game plan early? Was it control the clock? Run the ball? What was your plan?

 

“Wanted to run our best plays. Throwing, moving the ball. Outside zone, inside power. We had basically everything. Drop back, zone read, was all in the plan. Rollouts, boots. That was our plan.”

 

Did you feel like your team was ready for everything Ohio State threw at you? Offensively and defensively? It seemed like they caught you off-guard

 

“They had several successful plays, no question about it. Especially, they got some real speed plays. Crossing routes hurt. Threw the ball downfield well. They did a nice job throwing and catching those. I thought their protection was really good. We didn’t get the pressure on the quarterback that we wanted to.”

 

Coach, aside from the scheme, after this loss, is there anything you see in terms of personnel — be it staff, be it in recruiting that you feel like you guys didn’t have and you need to go get?

 

“No, I like our players, like our coaches. They do a phenomenal job.”

 

Jim, prior to Shea going down, what did you think of his performance?

 

“I thought Shea really competed well. Played extremely well. Was really pleased, the way he played. He’s such a competitor. He was doing everything he could.”

 

I know you’ve seen a lot, in a lot of places. In your career, did you find this shocking?

 

“I thought Ohio State played really well. In all phases. Did a heck of a job. They’re a really good football team.”

 

Jim, last year after this game, you said the program needed to get stronger physically. You did a lot of stuff this offseason. What do you need now?

 

“Like I said, we’ll come back in our next game and be motivated to win our next game.”

 

Jim, why don't you think the pass rush was effective today?

 

“They did a really good job of protection.”

 

How would you compare this performance to the performance a couple years ago, at Ohio State? Just how you were feeling after the game

 

“Same. Just motivated to come back and make darn sure it doesn't happen again. Win our next game. That’s our motivation.”

 

You’re a pretty good historian of this series. Did you know coming in that they had never scored more than 50 in a game in this series?

 

“I believe I did, yes. And congratulations to them. They played really well.”

 

What’s your message to your team tonight?

 

“Same thing as I just told you.”