COLUMBUS — Ohio State head coach Urban Meyer spoke with reporters following the Buckeyes’ 30-14 win over the Minnesota Golden Gophers Saturday. He provided injury updates, talked about where the Buckeyes need to get better, and the best things he saw on the day. Also speaking with the media were quarterback Dwayne Haskins, linebacker Pete Werner, receiver K.J. Hill, and others. Here are the highlights.
Urban Meyer
+ This team has to get some things fixed. He has learned to enjoy the wins, but they have to get back to work tomorrow.
+ There are certainly concerns with the running game.
+ He was disappointed in the run defense. Giving up 160 yards is not acceptable.
+ When asked about the problems that the team continues to have, he said, “I see the same thing.”
+ Pass defense is not a strength right now.
+ The best thing from the defense today was that they were able to turn the ball over a couple of times.
+ There are five starters on the defensive side of the ball who are hurt right now, which is impacting the defense.
+ Thayer Munford had his ankle rolled and has a hip thing, but Meyer expects he will be okay next week.
+ Meyer said the offensive line wasn’t good today. They gave up three sacks to a team that doesn’t sack the quarterback very often.
+ On K.J. Hill: “He’s been kind of our guy” all year.
+ The running game is discouraging. “It is what it is.” Eventually it will catch up to them.
Dwayne Haskins
+ Minnesota has a Top 25 defense, so they expected difficulty today.
+ The offense shot itself in the foot at times in this one with penalties and personnel issues.
+ Haskins was mad at K.J. Hill’s one-handed catch at first because Hill was supposed to get his head around sooner and they had worked on that play in practice.
+ The offense wanted to finish more drives. You always want to score more. He’s not frustrated, but they have higher expectations than this.
Pete Werner
+ Minnesota had success with the slants because they were run-pass options designed to take advantage of what the linebacker was doing. If the linebacker came after the run, they would throw the slant. If the linebacker stayed in pass coverage, they would hand the ball off.
K.J. Hill
+ This was probably his best game, but he’s not sure if the one-handed grab was his best catch. He also liked the one he had against Penn State.
Alex Grinch
+ Yes, there are players injured and they are relying on youth, but the season isn’t going to stop and wait for them. It’s always a work in progress, but they have to get settled and perform better.
+ They are disappointed as a coaching staff not to be meeting Ohio State’s standards. Players and coaches are both disappointed.
+ “Patience is running thin for us as coaches.”