Here’s what Ryan Day said ahead of B1G matchup at Rutgers

Ohio State certainly looked more like Ohio State last week.

The Buckeyes — even without starting quarterback CJ Stroud — flew past Akron in a 59-7 blowout victory. Everything seemed to go right for Ohio State. Well, after the Zips scored a touchdown on their second drive to take a short-lived lead.

It could’ve answered some questions about a defense that didn’t look as strong through the first 3 games. But now, we’ll have to see if the defense can build off the strong showing into B1G play.

Ohio State coach Ryan Day met the media Tuesday afternoon to discuss that and much more ahead of the Buckeyes’ return to conference action this week at Rutgers. He also gave an update on Stroud’s availability after he missed the Akron game with a sore shoulder.

Here’s more of what he had to say:

Day on C.J. Stroud: "We'll see how today goes. The week helped him. We're looking forward to a great week of practice." Said he's the QB if he's healthy.

— Bill Rabinowitz 🗞 (@brdispatch) September 28, 2021

Ryan Day has arrived. On whether he anticipated the freshman class having such a big role: "Probably not this much."

— Bill Rabinowitz 🗞 (@brdispatch) September 28, 2021

On K'Vaughan Pope, Day says "there was an incident there that we addressed. He's removed from the team. There has to be consequences for actions. His emotions kind of got out of hand there."

— Griffin Strom (@GriffinStrom3) September 28, 2021

Day said he'll spread the reps around in practice depending on how the QBs are feeling.

— Bill Rabinowitz 🗞 (@brdispatch) September 28, 2021

Day on his QBs: "I've said from the beginning it's going to take all three guys to get through the season" adding that all three have already played.

— Bill Rabinowitz 🗞 (@brdispatch) September 28, 2021

Day on the team's leadership: Said it's evolving. Some players have shown really good leadership but leadership is enhanced when players who are considered leaders play better and feel better about taking on that role.

— Bill Rabinowitz 🗞 (@brdispatch) September 28, 2021

On the OSU RB rotation: "I don't know if it's set." Day says Master Teague is "playing good football right now, and he deserves to run." Day says Miyan Williams is "working through some things right now."

— Griffin Strom (@GriffinStrom3) September 28, 2021

Day says he thought Pope did a good job taking accountability afterwards.

— Griffin Strom (@GriffinStrom3) September 28, 2021

Day said he'd like to get TreVeyon Henderson about 20 carries a game in a typical game. Said Master Teague "has asserted himself the last couple weeks." Said Miyan Williams is working through some things.

— Bill Rabinowitz 🗞 (@brdispatch) September 28, 2021

Ryan Day on Master Teague, who entered the offseason as the incumbent starter at running back but is now a backup: “This is a guy who could have gotten frustrated along the way, but he just kept working.” Day likes what he's seen from Teague over the past couple of weeks.

— Dan Hope (@Dan_Hope) September 28, 2021

Day said Harry Miller will return this week. Said he's been dealing with some health issues.

— Bill Rabinowitz 🗞 (@brdispatch) September 28, 2021

Day said he didn't sleep after Saturday's game. He was happy with the energy on the sideline. But was bothered by the Pope incident.

— Bill Rabinowitz 🗞 (@brdispatch) September 28, 2021

Day says Greg Schiano "has done a very, very good job" getting Rutgers ready. He says when you look at what they did last year, and then last week taking "up north" into the fourth quarter, they know they need to do a really good job.

"Need a really great week of preparation."

— BuckeyeScoop (@BuckeyeScoop) September 28, 2021

Ryan Day on the defense's progress: “I think we've made some strides, and I think this week will be another big test for us.” He knows the Buckeyes still have a long way to go.

— Dan Hope (@Dan_Hope) September 28, 2021

On Paris Johnson: "I think any time you don't notice a guard, he's doing a heck of a job." Day says it might have been glossed over that five players on the offensive line are all doing something "for the first time."

— Griffin Strom (@GriffinStrom3) September 28, 2021

Day said the defensive backs, offensive line and running backs (thanks to Henderson) have probably made the most progress since the start of the season as position groups.

— Bill Rabinowitz 🗞 (@brdispatch) September 28, 2021

Ryan Day said he's “optimistic” C.J. Stroud will be able to play this week.

On Kyle McCord, Day said he thought McCord was nervous going into the game and made inconsistent reads, but he expects that to improve with experience since McCord was a true freshman in his first start.

— Dan Hope (@Dan_Hope) September 28, 2021

Day said three leaders — Garrett Wilson, Xavier Johnson and Jerron Cage — all talked to the team about raising the level of play last week.

— Bill Rabinowitz 🗞 (@brdispatch) September 28, 2021

Day says the Buckeye offensive line has a "best six right now" because of Matt Jones' standard of play. Day says Thayer Munford is one of the most unselfish players he's been around.

— Griffin Strom (@GriffinStrom3) September 28, 2021

Day says the repeated transfers in the 2018 recruiting class kind of mirror what's happening in a lot of places around the country. It's a product of the situation in college football right now.

"I've never been one to run guys off the team."

— BuckeyeScoop (@BuckeyeScoop) September 28, 2021