Oklahoma Backup QB Austin Kendall Says Ohio State Plays 'Basic' Defense

While No. 3 Ohio State likely didn't need any bulletin-board material to get pumped up for its game against No. 14 Oklahoma Saturday night, Sooners backup quarterback Austin Kendall provided it with plenty. 

According to Kyle Koster of TheBigLead.com, Kendall didn't speak highly of the Buckeyes defense in an interview with Sooner Sports on Wednesday.

"I think they have a really basic defense," he said. "I think we can go out there and, I mean, [Oklahoma starting quarterback] Baker [Mayfield], he'll light them up. I'm really looking forward to it. If my number's called, I think I can do the same."

The comments did not escape the attention of Ohio State cornerback Marshon Lattimore and defensive lineman Tracy Sprinkle, who reacted to Kendall's remarks on Twitter:

Undefeated Ohio State surrendered just 13 total points in its first two games of the season against Bowling Green and Tulsa.

While the Sooners represent a much higher level of competition than Ohio State's first two opponents, co-defensive coordinators Greg Schiano and Luke Fickell appear to have a talented unit with the Buckeyes.

Schiano is in his first season as a defensive coordinator at Ohio State, but Fickell has served in the role to varying degrees since 2005.

The Buckeyes ranked seventh in total defense last season and second in points allowed per game at just 14.

They have picked up where they left off thus far in 2016, whereas Oklahoma has faltered. The Sooners did rack up 59 points in a win over Louisiana-Monroe last week, but Houston held them to 23 points in a season-opening loss.

Mayfield entered the season as a leading Heisman Trophy candidate, but his numbers haven't quite lived up to that level through two games with 567 yards and five touchdowns.

Kendall has 108 yards and two touchdowns in mop-up duty, and while the freshman isn't likely to see much action Saturday unless Mayfield gets injured, Ohio State defenders have reason to put a little extra force behind their hits if he does.

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