COLUMBUS — Ohio State head coach Ryan Day takes part in his weekly radio show, albeit a day earlier than his normal appearance given the Friday night game at Northwestern. Day is expected to provide some updates on his football team and also look ahead to the matchup with the Wildcats. We will provide updates throughout the hour. Refresh for the latest.
+ Ryan Day prefers thin crust to deep dish pizza.
+ Pat Fitzgerald is one of the best coaches in America and a true gentleman. Fitzgerald sent him a congratulatory text after the Big Ten Championship Game and also after his first win this year.
+ Day talked about his days as a college quarterback running some plays that Chip Kelly learned from Randy Walker and Kevin Wilson. “Some of it worked and some of it didn’t. I have the scars to show for it.”
+ Asked how much Day talks to his team about jawing on the field, Day wants his players playing with an edge, but doesn’t want any penalties. There is extra running for those players who get flagged. “We’ve got to play with emotion, you can’t let emotion play with you.”
+ Having a quarterback with the ability to extend a play can be a huge advantage, as long as good decisions follow the escape from the pocket. Day wants Justin Fields to create because he’s good at it and it puts stress on the defense. The more experience he gets with that, the better he’ll be.
+ The inside guys on the offensive line has done a good job of moving guys. The pass protection on third downs overall could be better.
+ Defenses play better in the red zone because there is an extra defender (the out of bounds like in the back of the end zone.) Being able to run the ball keeps that extra defender out of the picture. Being able to run the quarterback is an advantage as well.
+ Luke Farrell is strong and versatile. He can play tight end, he can flex out. He blocks and protects against defensive ends. But it’s good to see him catch the ball and score because he has worked hard for it. They have been in 12 personnel (two tight ends) over 100 snaps this season.
+ We are a power run team. We might not have a fullback in there, but we do have two tight ends.
+ Offenses are going to continue to try to get rid of the ball quickly. When they do that, it then takes away from their deep game and what they can do downfield. So OSU will just have to deal with those adjustments. And the blitzing has been effective too.
+ “You have to play this game with edge. If you don’t, somebody’s going to get you.”
+ Overcoming adversity is what makes great players. Look at JK Dobbins and the defense. They had rough spots last year and they are all better for having gone through it.
+ When players eliminate selfishness, it makes a big impact. Look at Terry McLaurin last year. When you get rid of that, you give whatever you have and you maintain a positive attitude. KJ Hill is an example of that. He is going to put up numbers few receivers have ever matched and he’s started nine games in his career. And the receivers block. That’s unselfish.
+ Chris Olave didn’t get a catch last week, but that happens in this offense. It’s no big deal. He’s a veteran.
+ This time of year, the younger kids can get lost in practice and lose the hope of playing. Many of them have gotten good reps this season and through the off week. Hopefully that depth will pay off over the second half of the season.
+ Day said professors have been made aware that some classes will be missed, but they get on the front end of it and complete work that is necessary. There aren’t a lot of Friday classes for the team because of travel, but if there is, it’s generally in the morning.
+ Northwestern’s 4-3 front is an experienced group. The defense hasn’t given up much this year. Less than 300 yards against Wisconsin. The game against MSU was a little sideways, but everything else has been tough sledding. Nobody has had over 400 yards of total offense. They are still trying to find their way on offense, but Northwestern has good pieces.
+ This week was also spent on getting better at technique and fundamentals.
+ The focus during the off week was getting better in targeted areas, then since Sunday it has been all about Northwestern.
+ Nobody on this team has played at Northwestern before.