JT Tuimoloau Syas This Defensive Live Loves Playing Together
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.
Transcript
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.