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What Ohio State’s Ryan Day said during his weekly press conference
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Ohio State is exactly where everyone expected. Through the first three games of the season, the Buckeyes are a perfect 3-0 with a firm grip on the B1G East.
With Penn State at 0-3 and Michigan 1-2, the biggest challenger to Ohio State right now is Indiana, also 3-0 on the year. And while the Buckeyes and Hoosiers will have their showdown in Week 5, head coach Ryan Day is focused on the game at hand.
This week, Ohio State takes on an improved Maryland squad that defeated Minnesota and Penn State in back-to-back weekends. The Terrapins enter the game with a 2-1 record and are looking to play spoiler to the Bucks’ national title hopes.
On Tuesday, Day met with the media fresh off a 49-27 victory over Rutgers and preparing for a dangerous Maryland team. The Ohio State head coach discussed his team’s performance last weekend against the Scarlet Knights, as well as previewed Saturday’s game against Maryland.
Here’s what Day said during his weekly press conference on Tuesday:
Ryan Day meeting with the media now.
Asked about Ohio State's balance on offense, Day doesn't seem too concerned; as he points out, the Buckeyes have 200+ rushing yards in every game so far. pic.twitter.com/ieZHFRLsMo
— Dan Hope (@Dan_Hope) November 10, 2020
Ryan Day says the Buckeyes expect to have Trey Sermon available for practice this week after he left Saturday's game with an injury.
— Dan Hope (@Dan_Hope) November 10, 2020
Ryan Day said Blake Haubeil is still “taking it day by day” with his groin injury, so he's not sure yet whether Haubeil will play this week against Maryland.
He thought Jake Seibert had a good start kicking extra points for the Buckeyes against Rutgers.
— Dan Hope (@Dan_Hope) November 10, 2020
Ryan Day said right tackle Nicholas Petit-Frere “would be in the conversation” for Ohio State's most improved player so far this season.
— Dan Hope (@Dan_Hope) November 10, 2020
Day says some of the young defensive backs are going to have to help this season. They're going to have to play Ryan Watts and Lejond Cavazos.
It's hard because they haven't gotten to play much, but "you're going to have to grin and bear it."
— BuckeyeScoop (@BuckeyeScoop) November 10, 2020
Asked about Marcus Hooker missing some tackles, Day says "the free safety has to be the ultimate eraser."
— BuckeyeScoop (@BuckeyeScoop) November 10, 2020
Day says gameplanning is a little different when you have a veteran quarterback. They have their core concepts that they rep a ton and can call any time. Then they have gameplan things that are specific to an opponent, and then you adjust when you don't see what you expect.
— BuckeyeScoop (@BuckeyeScoop) November 10, 2020
Day says he doesn't worry about quarterbacks potentially transferring. Guys come to Ohio State to compete, be in the Heisman candidate, win a national title, and be a first-round pick.
"The guys who come here, they want to be great."
— BuckeyeScoop (@BuckeyeScoop) November 10, 2020
Day says the other thing is that quarterbacks come to Ohio State to develop and learn about progressions and reading a defense.
— BuckeyeScoop (@BuckeyeScoop) November 10, 2020
Ryan Day on whether young Ohio State defensive backs can contribute in the secondary: “I think they're gonna have to.”
He acknowledged that he is concerned Ohio State hasn't been able to play its backups more so far this season, but says the Buckeyes need to practice better.
— Dan Hope (@Dan_Hope) November 10, 2020
Ryan Day: “I'm really not disappointed in anything, to be honest with you. We just want perfection, and we're not there yet.”
— Dan Hope (@Dan_Hope) November 10, 2020
Is Maryland the best team OSU has played so far?
Day says "It's week-to-week right now." There has been a lot of fluctuation throughout the year so far.
— BuckeyeScoop (@BuckeyeScoop) November 10, 2020
How dangerous is Taulia Tagovailoa?
Day says he recruited him, and he has good accuracy and leadership. "He's done some really good things, and I think he has a bright future."
— BuckeyeScoop (@BuckeyeScoop) November 10, 2020
Dustin grew up in the heart of Big Ten country and has been in sports media since 2010. He has been covering Big Ten football since 2014. You can follow him on Twitter: @SchutteCFB