COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio State got back on track with a dominating 59-3 win over Kent State on Saturday afternoon. Head coach Ryan Day and wide receiver Jeremiah Smith met with reporters immediately after the win.
Smith shared his reactions to breaking the all-time receiving yards record at Ohio State, and bouncing back from the loss at Texas. Day commented on what he was looking for from his team in this game and his thoughts on the win. You can find the highlights of what was said below, along with the full press conference videos.
Ryan Day
+ On what he gets out of this game, Day said he was looking for a response, clean execution on offense, energy and violence, and passion. They stumbled on some drives at the end of the first half and then got the Hail Mary touchdown, so that was encouraging that the offense kept pushing. It was also important for some of the younger players to get some playing time and build confidence before conference play.
+ Legend Bey tweaked his ankle and wasn’t cleared to come back in the game.
+ On the Bison package with six offensive linemen, Day said the bigger body at the Y position and is a give and take, but Jake Cook played well there and it gives them a different grouping with strength in the C-gap.
+ On huddling between the third and fourth quarters, Day said they know how important fourth quarters are, regardless of the score or opponent. It is important to have everyone regroup and recognize where they are at, understand what’s at stake, and know that they are playing for each other. “It’s about the team. It’s about our tribe. It’s about us,” Day said. That is more important for them now more than ever. They need to emphasize looking each other in the eye and coming together as one to go finish the game.
+ On sharing the ball offensively, Day said a lot of the packages the week before started with Jeremiah Smith, this was more of an overall progression plan, It was solid and it was good to get other guys involved.
+ On Khary Wilder not playing as many snaps as expected, Day said he’s a good option for third down packages, but that’s his first step… allowing Wilder to own that. Later on in the game Wilder was able to play more on 1st and 2nd downs because of what they were seeing offensively.
+ On getting what he wants out of tight ends, Day said it’s solid but nothing is where they want it to be right now, so they will keep evaluating and adding to it. We’re going to need them all.”
+ On Smith setting the career yardage record and where Day would rank Smith, Day said it’s hard to put anybody above Smith. It took him 33 games to break the all-time record. “That speaks to his mindset, discipline, and what he puts in every day.” Day added that Smith a great example for everybody on the team because of how hard he trains. Smith got to celebrate after with the game ball.
+ On Jamir Perez and his scoop-and-score, Day said he isn’t in a joking mood right now, but mentioned that Perez might be the heaviest player in Ohio State history to score a touchdown. “He had terrible ball security,” Day said. But he added that he was more encouraged by how excited the team was, and how they all celebrated his touchdown with him.
Jeremiah Smith
+ On setting the all time receiving yard record at Ohio State, Smith said it means a lot and he’s put in a lot of hard work. But at the same time, he’s chasing the all time touchdown and reception records held by Chris Olave and Emeka Egbuka.
+ On whether this was what he expected his career to look like 33 games in, Smith said he just wanted to come in and make plays, but the opportunity presented itself for him to beat these records.
+ On where they are as a team heading into Big Ten play, Smith said they have a long way to go and there’s always room for improvement, but they will get back to work and continue to get better week in and week out.
+ On his motivation after Texas, Smith said intensity was high in practice. Personally, he wanted to get back to work to get that loss out of his system, beat somebody else, and be physical.
+ On what it means to him being at the top of the list considering all of the great receivers who have come through the program, Smith said he’s blessed and he can’t put it into words. He is trying to leave the jersey better than how he got it. He is always pushing the room and team, and that’s what he’s here to do.
+ Smith joked that he is always watching college football and has been paying attention to Miami’s Malachi Toney on Friday nights. When asked about the two of them leading the country at receiver, Smith smiled and said he likes the competition with him.
