Star Defensive Lineman JT Tuimoloau talks with reporters ahead of the Buckeyes matchup with Michigan State. He talked about how close the defensive lineman are this season.
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00:00 >> Yeah, I mean, if you watch Jack, he goes hard every play.
00:08 That's the guy I love playing next to or not next to, but on the other side of.
00:13 And he brings the energy and he just makes, I can feed off of it.
00:20 Having him, Mike, Tyleek and whoever else is in there,
00:23 especially with Jack, he just brings that mentality.
00:26 >> So you took a couple of big shots in recent games, Jack's helmet.
00:31 The one game, first of all, how bad did that hurt?
00:34 Were you fearful of that could be a sign of injury?
00:38 >> I mean, that was one of the hardest hits I've taken.
00:40 And so I'm gonna be one of my teammates, but no, it was just kind of just a loss
00:45 and win and I mean, I got up just asking if we made the stop.
00:49 But I mean, that's how hard we play and that's just what comes with it.
00:54 >> How banged up are all you guys?
00:57 >> I mean, this time of year, everybody's gonna be banged up.
00:59 I think what matters most is how we take care of our body.
01:02 What we're doing outside of the white lines to help our body, mind and soul.
01:07 And that's the thing that Coach Day always preaches is, what are you doing?
01:10 Are you doing the extra mile?
01:12 And I think that's the most important thing right now.
01:14 >> Yeah, you guys have almost all answered the bell almost every week.
01:18 That's remarkable, right?
01:19 I mean, what does that show about this mature defensive line?
01:23 >> I think that shows a lot.
01:26 I mean, it all comes with just how much we love each other as defense,
01:32 as a brush man, as a brotherhood.
01:34 And it shows out there, brotherhood is the stronghold of this team.
01:40 And you can see we have so much fun out there and
01:43 we just love playing with each other.
01:44 >> Yeah, hey, JTT, I can't believe I just said that.
01:48 >> Yeah, okay.
01:49 >> JTT, last week, obviously Rutgers had some success running the ball.
01:55 What have y'all addressed this week about that aspect of the defense?
01:59 >> Yeah, just staying disciplined, just doing your job,
02:03 not feeling like you have to do so many things outside your role.
02:07 But if your job's to hold the C gap or fill the A gap, whatever it may be,
02:12 just playing as one.
02:14 And that was one thing, Rutgers, they never stop running the ball.
02:18 And that's one thing we gotta do is just stay disciplined throughout all four
02:21 quarters and not feel like we have to go out there and be superman.
02:24 >> Yeah, I think you were on the field on that fourth and
02:26 one play, weren't you, the pass through?
02:28 >> The Fumble Roosie.
02:31 >> Yeah, Fumble Roosie, whatever you wanna call it.
02:32 What did you learn there?
02:35 Will anybody ever get you on that again?
02:38 >> Coach Knowles made a great point to us.
02:40 Since we have emphasized a lot of holding our own or giving a sense,
02:46 we'll defend it, that people are gonna start doing little plays like that,
02:49 especially with fourth and one.
02:50 And so I didn't know what happened.
02:53 I was under the pile, and then I just heard the crowd screaming.
02:57 And I'm thinking, it's probably our crowd, we probably made the stop, and
02:59 I get up, and he's running down the field.
03:01 But I think that also comes with going back to being disciplined,
03:05 just knowing your role and trusting the guy next to you.