COLUMBUS — Even though the Buckeyes are on a bye week, that didn’t stop Ohio State coordinators Greg Schiano and Ryan Day from spending some time Wednesday afternoon with reporters. Day talked about the areas the Buckeyes were working on this week and answered a dozen other questions as well. Here are the highlights of what he had to say.
Ryan Day
+ Asked if he was pleased with the effort of the offensive line, Day said they have had some really good plays and other plays they wish they could have back. They are assessing those kinds of plays right now and they have to correctly assess whether it is scheme, personnel, or execution. Good coaches can correctly assess those distinctions. “If you make a mistake in that area, then all of a sudden you’re trying to fix something that doesn’t need to be fixed.”
+ J.K. Dobbins is a great kid. Day can’t say enough about him and Mike Weber. They would both like more carries, “but a lot of that has to do with the way we’re made up this year and our personnel.” They are going to continue to try to find ways for the RBs to make an impact.
+ The RPOs have been excellent, which is part of the running game. Trying to find the right runs that they can hang their hats on, that’s still a work in progress.
+ There are areas where they can do a better job executing and areas where they can do better in scheming. “A little bit here, a little bit there.”
+ They need to execute better in the red zone. They missed some passes that they’ve hit this year. But also when they need three yards, they need to be able to pound for those three yards.
+ Part of identifying problems in the red zone is looking at personnel changes. Sometimes when you do make changes, it slows down the game. But if it works, you have to look at it. They have gone back and looked at the 2015 issues in the red zone with Cardale Jones and J.T. Barrett.
+ Branden Bowen is not ready to play yet but will be practicing this week. The bye weeks allow for good practice reps for guys who don’t play a lot. They are not talking about any line changes right now, but this week of practice gives guys opportunities to make an impression.
+ On the RPO, if you’re throwing the ball for a gain of six, that’s actually a positive run call. They consider that part of the running game, and the speed sweeps with Parris Campbell as well. The stats can be a little misleading with the overall running game.
+ Asked if maybe he should call more run plays to allow the offensive line to “tee off” on a defensive line, Day says on every play the offensive line should have that mentality. They are looking at the offensive line’s mentality this season on all plays during this off week.
+ If they asked Dwayne Haskins to run more, he would be willing. “We don’t think that’s his specialty.” “But at the end of the day you’ve got to do your job.”
+ Ben Victor has to step up and mature into a role as the starter. But other guys can move over like Terry McLaurin, Parris Campbell, and Johnnie Dixon. Jaylen Harris will need to step up as well.
+ Victor has shown the ability to step up, but he needs to show consistency if he wants to start the rest of the season.
+ Why have defenses been able to stop the run against such a dangerous pass game, are you pulling your hair out? No, they are not pulling their hair out because they have one of the best offenses in the nation. However, if they can get the running game going, then they’ll be where they want to be.
+ His overall mood about the offense? “Just frustrated that we’ve done so many good things but didn’t have quite have a lot to show for it the other night.” They have to play better situationally, i.e. in the red zone and in short yardage.