Ohio State acting head coach Ryan Day spoke on Tuesday’s Big Ten coaches teleconference to provide an update on the Buckeyes and where they stand just a few days before they take the field for their season opener against the Oregon State Beavers.
+ Without J.T. Barrett and Billy Price in the offense, there will be a little bit of a different personality, “but for the most part our offense is our offense.” They want 250 yards passing and 250 yards rushing. “I don’t really see a huge change in terms of our offense.” It will mostly be one back and one tight end and three receivers. There will be different wrinkles, but for the most part it will be the Ohio State offense.
+ Jeremy Ruckert will have a role in this offense. He is a talented young man. They have good depth at the position. Jake Hausmann has been nursing a hamstring. Luke Farrell is the starter, but Ruckert and Rashod Berry give them good depth. They also have good versatility for their personnel groupings.
+ Asked what Urban Meyer told the team before he left for his suspension, Day said those meetings are private, but it was good for everyone to see him. “It was a lot of hugs.” Meyer was happy to see everybody and they were happy to see him.
+ J.K. Dobbins and Mike Weber will work together a lot of the way they did last year. They have a great relationship and they pull for each other. “I kind of see it as a two-headed monster.” Day said there would be plenty of carries to go around, but the young guys will need to play as well. Weber has had a strong summer.
+ Day reiterates that Dwayne Haskins is the starter, but they want to play Tate Martell. “He brings a little bit different skill set to the table.” They will figure out later in the week how to do that. The offense is versatile enough to fit both of their styles comfortably.
+ They had always considered Michael Jordan at center. They wanted to look at all of their options, and they gave players opportunities in the spring. Then this fall it was equal reps between Brady Taylor, Josh Myers, and Jordan. They ultimately decided that Jordan gave them the best opportunity to win. “Mike kind of took it and ran this preseason.” He has the right build and makeup to play center.