Jim Knowles Reflects on Peach Bowl Following Win vs Penn State

Knowles said Ohio State's defense is becoming a reason they win football games, rather than an after-thought.

Transcript

00:00 >> Jim, we talked to you in the locker room after the Peach Bowl and

00:03 there was a sense of frustration or disappointment in your voice with the way

00:06 that last season ended and the way that the defense, I think you said,

00:08 almost let the offense down.

00:09 To go out and have a performance like this in this big of a spot in this game,

00:14 with your defense and win it with defense,

00:15 what does that mean to you to see this group kind of get in full circle?

00:19 >> First, you're happy for the players and happy for our head coach and

00:25 all the fans, and that they now have confidence that they can win the game on

00:31 defense.

00:32 I don't look at stats, but I guess Penn State had a pretty good defense.

00:38 So we talked to them before the game, hey, you're not Penn State's offense,

00:43 you're Penn State's defense.

00:45 If they make one play, we gotta make two.

00:47 If they make two, we gotta make three.

00:49 So it's a sense of maturity, leadership.

00:55 Yeah, maybe a little chip on your shoulder.

00:57 And a lot of work to everyone belief in us, sure.

01:03 >> Over to the left, Cameron T.

01:04 Robinson, The Athletic.

01:05 >> Jim, you mentioned on Tuesday how you had to get Penn State off.

01:10 Because they're just the ball so

01:12 [INAUDIBLE] 16 on third down.

01:15 What does that say about where this defense is right now than maybe where it was?

01:19 >> [INAUDIBLE] When I make adjustment week and

01:25 the things you talked about that we had to get the stops,

01:31 we had to get them all scheduled.

01:32 And we make little adjustments in the scheme they pick up on.

01:36 And that's a big deal because winning those downs at a game like that is huge.

01:41 And that only comes with preparation and

01:43 with guys who are knowledgeable about the scheme.

01:45 >> Over here to the right, Dylan Davis, Delaware Gazette.

01:49 Jermaine was thrust into a huge spot today.

01:51 How do you think he played and handled that position?

01:53 >> Yeah, like I said, the kids got moxie.

01:55 I don't think he knew how big a moment it was and that's not a bad thing.

02:01 He just went out and played, tackles,

02:04 did a flinch at the moment of truth.

02:07 And yeah, really, really proud of him.

02:10 He's a good player.