Ohio State Football: Joshua Perry talks Ohio State-Michigan

The Ohio State football team and Michigan Wolverines’ annual November showdown is quickly approaching and Joshua Perry spoke with us regarding “The Game”.

Former National Champion Ohio State Linebacker Joshua Perry recently spoke with us about The Game.

Perry enjoyed four years at The Ohio State University (2012-15) and was a part of a decorated senior class. In his time with the Buckeyes, he and the seniors were a part of fifty wins which then set the record for most wins by a group of four-year players.

In 2014, Ohio State overcame all odds and adversity from every direction possible to defeat Alabama and later win the inaugural College Football Playoff. Following the 2015 season, Perry was drafted in the fourth round of the 2016 NFL Draft by the San Diego Chargers.

Joshua Perry is one of the most respected Buckeyes of the Urban Meyer era and his leadership was instrumental in their success during his time at Ohio State. Over the course of the interview, Perry discusses his thoughts on the Ohio State-Michigan rivalry, Urban Meyer, matchups to watch for in The Game, and more.

Q: What does the Ohio State-Michigan rivalry mean to you personally? Expand on the magnitude of The Game and what it’s like wearing the Scarlet and Gray against Michigan.

Joshua:  “This rivalry means more than I can really put into words. Not only watching it as a youngster, but playing in it evokes a sense of pride I can’t say I’ve felt in any other scenario. The Game is the pinnacle of the OSU season. It can make or break a season, and it’s been that way for years.

I can remember my freshman year (2012), we were headed toward a perfect season with no aspirations of the postseason because of a bowl ban. That was our bowl game and it validated our season. The 2013 matchup had some weighty consequences as well. We were going for a record 24 straight wins and The Game was going to be the one that put us down in history, or on the edge of it.

The Game in 2014 was emotional before during and after. We had a teammate, Kosta Karageorge, go missing. Then, during the game, JT Barrett had his season ended on an injury. [Cardale] Jones stepped in and played well enough to lead us to victory. But the day after the game, we learned that Kosta had committed suicide. With that news coming the weekend of The Game, we felt an overwhelming closeness that helped our brotherhood push through a tragic time.

And finally in 2015, our matchup with TTUN came after a last second loss to Michigan State on Senior Day. It was as deflating of a loss as we had at Ohio State because it effectively ended our campaign to contend for a National Championship two seasons in a row. We were out for blood and validation, and in a battle that had OSU at [No.] 8 and UM at [No.] 10, we blew them out, in the Big House, 42-13.

It was the sweet icing on the senior class’ 4-0 rivalry cake. I literally could not have fared better against our bitter rivals up north and my memories from The Game will never fade.”

Q:  What is Urban Meyer’s greatest attribute as a coach? What is the preparation like leading up to The Game and how is it different from other big games?

Joshua:  “Coach Meyer’s greatest attributes as a coach are his relentless attention to detail and his motivational skills. These are imperative during Rivalry Week because of the intensity and importance of this game. All games are big, but [let’s] be real – this one is different.

Coach Meyer has guest speakers, he plays a constant highlight tape of The Game around the facility and the sounds of LL Cool J “It’s Time For War” blaring as well. The preparation is intense and pointed. No stone goes unturned.”

Q:  What would your advice be to the Buckeyes heading into The Game and how should they manage to drown out the outside noise?

Joshua:  “My advice is this – The Game is about the program, the history and pride. THAT’S IT! Don’t be distracted by noise. All that matters is what comes out of the tunnel at noon.”

Q:  Ohio State’s defense has struggled in most of the games this season. What are the issues that you see and how can they be fixed?

Joshua:  “In terms of OSU’s defense – I think most of it boils down to design. I think the scheme is susceptible to big plays at times, but usually that gets cleared up at the half.

Tackling and execution have been in question at times, but these are all things that can be fixed, and I expect a more polished product on the field against TTUN.”

Q:  In your time at Ohio State, you were the true epitome of a leader who led both verbally and by example. How instrumental to a team’s success is leadership on and off of the field from the players, namely the captains?

Joshua:  “Leadership is the ultimate driver of culture within an organization. Culture dictates the standard of acceptable performance and the acceptable behavior within an organization. If leaders do not embody those standards and uphold the culture with an unwavering commitment, the wheels fall off.

I think this group has some great leaders. It is great to see a group of seasoned guys who earned their stripes the hard way as representatives of the team and the university.”

Q:  What is your evaluation of Michigan this season? Do you see any weaknesses, offense or defense, that Ohio State can exploit on Saturday?

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Joshua:  “Michigan is a sound team this year. I think Jim Harbaugh is coaching, for the first time in his tenure as [Michigan’s] coach, with a quarterback that can play the way he expects.

Michigan’s plan is simple, but it works. Offensively, they want to run the ball. Higdon averages just north of 100 yds/gm on the ground. In the pass game, [Michigan] hits at around 67%. They hit play actions and incorporate their tight ends and a couple big receivers on the edges in [Donovan] Peoples-Jones and [Nico] Collins. They will take a shot at the end zone on a big hit about once a quarter and their [Quarterback], [Shea] Patterson, is good for about [eight] runs [per] game.

Defensively, they are top of the Big Ten in nearly all statistical categories and close to top of the NCAA in total defense and scoring defense. Their headliners are [Chase] Winovich, [Rashan] Gary, and [Devin] Bush, all of whom can make plays at a given opportunity.

This team is very good, but our offense has the fire power to move the ball and make plays. We just need out defense to come up with timely stops and we’ll have winning football.”

Q:  What are the individual matchups that stand out the most to you that will have an effect on the outcome of The Game? (Can be position unit matchups or player-player matchups)

Joshua:  “The matchups to look out for – [Michigan’s] run game [versus Ohio State’s] front 7; [Dwayne] Haskins and our WR corps [against Michigan’s] back 7.

[The] X-factor [is the] OSU run game. Do we see the team that pounded the ball against TCU, MSU, and Maryland or do we see the run game [they] took on the road to Purdue? I believe we see the former and [the rushing attack] will be something to push the Buckeyes over the top.”

It’s always interesting when an Ohio State football player shares his thoughts about “The Game”, and especially so when he was a team leader who never lost to TTUN. We want to thank Joshua Perry for sharing his thoughts and feelings about the big game against that team up north.