Ohio State head coach Urban Meyer and quarterback J.T. Barrett spoke with the media after practice Tuesday night to provide some updates on the team and to look ahead to Saturday’s matchup at Iowa. Here are the highlights.
+ Denzel Ward is part of a long tradition of corners at Ohio State, but he’s still got room to grow to be a great one.
+ There are no concerns about pass protection with J.K. Dobbins.
+ Kickoffs is still a competition between Sean Nuernberger and Blake Haubeil.
+ Demetrius Knox has done a great job picking up where Branden Bowen. The culture on the offensive line is very good right now. “Leaders drive the culture.” The OL room is the strongest it’s been in years.
+ Meyer doesn’t expect the OSU fans to be able to take over Kinnick Stadium. Iowa has great fans and they don’t give up their seats easily.
+ Iowa has a toughness to their defense and one of the best middle linebackers in Josey Jewell.
+ Johnnie Dixon’s comeback has been a great story. He was talking to Dixon’s high school coach this past week about everything Dixon has been through and how far he’s come.
+ Ryan Day has been an elite addition to the offense. He and J.T. Barrett are working so good together.
+ It is hard to sustain being “up” from game to game, so it comes down to training, leadership, and how much you’ve invested.
+ Parris Campbell is questionable.
+ K.J. Hill played very well in place of Campbell last year. “He was tremendous. He’s one of our better players.” His ball skills are 10 out of 10. He has spatial awareness.
+ There is no amount of penalties that is acceptable to coach. Meyer doesn’t get too hung up, but he wants his players to play hard. The self-inflicted stuff drives him crazy.
J.T. Barrett Updates
+ The wide passes that went for losses are sometimes due to a shift in the defense after he starts calling for the ball.
+ Barrett talked about the “one-inch throws” that we have covered in the past. The one to Marcus Baugh is an example.
+ One of the things the offense is doing well is having great conversations about what to expect for the quarterbacks and receivers. They have had great conversations and they’re seeing what they expect to see.
+ Iowa in 2013 was “one of those slug matches.” You have to march it down the field as best as you can. Can’t get into second-and-longs.
+ He has seen a couple of games at Iowa. He saw Michigan lose there last year and Penn State barely won there this year. It’s a tough place to play. Execution is key.
+ Was Barrett in the zone in the fourth quarter? He didn’t know he completed 16 in a row. “It’s just ‘complete the ball.'” There are other things to notice other than the fact that he’s hit 16 in a row.
+ “I felt like I was seeing it well.”
+ “I’ve always felt comfortable throwing the ball to K.J.” He understands zones and spacing. Hill has developed his offensive understanding even if he’s not getting the ball.
+ Regarding Heisman talk? “It’s the world we live in. It’s a microwave type of world. Not too long ago I was at a spot where people thought I shouldn’t start.” Coach Day tells him not to bite the apple.
