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December 18th, 2017 | BAHAMAS BOWL

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Ohio Arrival Quotes – December 18, 2017

Ohio Head Coach Frank Solich
On his initial thoughts when arriving in Nassau…
“Obviously it’s a great destination. Our players, our staff, our families have really looked forward to getting on the plane and getting down here. It was an enjoyable trip. I’ve been down here a couple times previously. The people are great – it’s a very hospitable place. I think the bowl itself has grown. I think Richard and Lea are doing a great job, and all those people who are involved in putting the bowl on are super and doing a great job. We expect to have a good time and play some good football at the end of it.”

On the team’s reaction when being picked to the Bahamas Bowl…
“We’re in the southern part of Ohio. The southern part doesn’t mean it’s necessarily warm. So, a warm destination like this was really exciting to the team. You hear about the Bahamas, but most of the team has never had a chance to be here. They’re delighted to actually get this opportunity and to be a part of it. They’re really looking forward to it and that enthusiasm came out when the announcement was made.”

On what the team is excited for in the week ahead…
“I’m a down-to-earth guy in terms of [being] all business, so I’m excited about practice. I know that’s not the way the players are. They’re excited about the fact that they’re going to have some free time to really enjoy the island. Obviously this location is about as good it gets. I’m excited for them. They’ve been a really good football team, done a lot of great things, we have great leadership on the team. They deserve something like this. I want them to have fun, but I want them to play really good football too.”

Redshirt Senior Tight End Troy Mangen
On the team keeping its focus during the week…
“I think our coaches do a pretty good job of balancing things like that. We have our meetings and practices, but we still have a little bit of time to ourselves – but not too much where guys are getting in trouble. I think we’ll be alright, we’ve got an older, experienced team. The ultimate goal here is to win a game – that’s really what we’re here for.”

On the slogan that bowl games are better in the Bahamas…
“From what I’ve seen so far, yeah, I can’t really argue with that. It’s going to be pretty cool. I think everybody is pretty excited. I think only two or three guys on the team have been here before. It’s just going to be awesome – we’re all excited… I’ve played with a lot of these guys for four or five years, so it means the world to me to be here. These guys are my brothers…it’s an experience I’ll never forget”

Redshirt Junior Safety Kylan Nelson
On his reaction when pulling into Atlantis…
“It was like I was 5-years-old again, like ‘oh, man, look at that!’ It’s crazy, it’s just an honor and a blessing to be here. We’re all excited and ready to experience this. I don’t think many of us have been out of the country before, so to come to one of the top resorts in the world, it’s just an honor and a blessing.”

On the team’s attitude this week…
“We have a really good, strong family feel to us. It’s just like another vacation with our brothers. It’s a great time to come out here and be able to take the field, and we also get to spend this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity together, so it’s a good deal.”

On what he’s excited for in the Bahamas…
“I’m a big aquatic guy, I’m a nautical guy – I like the water. You guys have nice reefs here, I plan on snorkeling a little bit, getting on the slides and seeing some animals and whatnot, we’ll have a great time.”

On the team keeping its focus on the game…
“I think as we’re going on throughout the week we’ll remind ourselves that this is still a business trip. Whether we’re here or anywhere else, what got us here is being able to play football and win games. Having that mentality and understanding that we have to continue to win games to keep our reputation as a winning program, you need to have that ability to come places like this [and win]. But also, we understand that we’re here in the Bahamas so let’s have some fun, but we’re here to play football and win the game.”

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