Ryan Day explains decision to kneel out first-half clock vs. Penn State
Ryan Day and Ohio State headed to halftime with a 10-6 lead vs. Penn State. Hitting the break with a lead is always a positive, but the way the Buckeyes got there turned some heads.
Despite holding timeouts in their back pocket, Day and the Buckeyes kneeled out the remaining 43 seconds of the first half. Ohio State was inside its own 20-yard line but the decision still generated some swift reactions on social media.
Coming out to start the third quarter, FOX’s sideline reporter Jenny Taft relayed Day’s message on the finish to the first half. The head coach explained he was intent on getting to the break while reassessing some things.
“I know you were a bit surprised by the way Coach Day ended that first half,” said Taft. “The first thing he said to me was ‘I really just wanted to get to the locker room, re-assess and regroup a bit.’ There were moments of frustration from them offensively, we know that. He said ‘Kyle McCord needs to find the guys, we are open. We have the ability to get it done. Defensively, other than a couple big plays, I clearly like what they’re doing.'”
It’s certainly worth noting Ohio State quarterback Kyle McCord and his counterpart Drew Allar struggled heavily in the first half. That likely played into Day’s decision, but we’ll see if it comes back to bite Ohio State in the second half.
📝 @JennyTaft shares her halftime conversations with Ryan Day and James Franklin pic.twitter.com/i1KUsrP6K9
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) October 21, 2023