COLUMBUS, Ohio — It was a perfect fall day in Columbus as the Buckeyes opened conference play Saturday with Illinois coming into Ohio Stadium. Ohio State beat Illinois 42-19.
Head coach Ryan Day and players Jeremiah Smith and Julian Sayin met with the media after the game. You can find a summary of what was said below.
Ryan Day
+ The defense allowed too many big plays. Ohio State played more pressure and man-to-man coverage, and Illinois was able to create explosive plays.
+ On having a cheat code in Smith, Day said Smith practices like that every day. He has taken his game to the next level this season, particularly with his yards after the catch, and showed it in a variety of ways against Illinois.
+ As an offense, Ohio State was balanced and got a number of players involved. Bo Jackson was used in the passing game, and the offensive line handled the movement well up front. The 97-yard, 19-play drive was big. They wanted to finish the game the right way with scores in the fourth quarter, so that was positive.
+ On Sayin being able to use his legs, Day said they challenged Sayin this past week and he responded. Sayin kept plays alive, and the entire offense was excited. “That’s the X-factor and he can do that. I thought he competed well today.” Day said coaches love challenging players, and he loves it when players challenge coaches.
+ On the multiple personnel packages, Day said it is all about what is working and what is efficient.
+ The two-minute drill has been effective so far, but they need to keep building on it.
+ On the running game, Day said there were times it was good and times there could have been more. He pointed to a fourth-quarter run by Bo Jackson as an example of what they are looking for.
+ Smith is a really good route runner, so the challenge was figuring out how to make him better after the catch. The catch is important, but Smith has made an effort to get into the end zone. Smith is big, fast and hard to bring down. Because of his length, defenders will try to cut-tackle him, so Ohio State has trained him differently for that. It has been a big emphasis and has showed up so far.
+ Smith’s routes have become more defined and precise. His body language is stronger and, with a catch radius like he has, he will make a play. He is making defenders miss and spin out.
Julian Sayin
+ On using his legs, Sayin said he had a couple of opportunities to extend plays against Illinois. They talk about it a lot in the quarterback room and know there are opportunities to scramble. Last week, there were opportunities for him to extend plays and convert on third downs and in the red zone, and Day challenged him this week to do so. Practices and coaching can be intense, but they are “blessed” to have that.
+ Smith is a selfless player. He keeps finding the end zone, but he is excited for everyone who makes plays.
+ On responding to the skepticism about his game, Sayin said he is trying to grow and improve each week. The goal is to be playing their best football in November.
+ On Smith’s second touchdown and the alignment, Sayin said he also knew before the play that it was going to be a touchdown because of the coverage.
+ Sayin said he is building confidence each week in handling plays when they break down. “We are going to keep battling as an offense.”
+ On the rhythm of the offense, Sayin said they found a rhythm on a few drives, but there were still mistakes. There were penalties and a three-and-out that cannot happen.
Jeremiah Smith
+ On the way he is playing, Smith said he feels like he got better this offseason. Coach Hankton helped him with the little things, and his route running has gotten better. The coaches are saying the same thing.
+ On how motivated he is to prove he is the best receiver, Smith said he is always watching what other receivers around the country are doing. “I love watching good players ball out.”
+ On a safety spinning out, Smith said he felt bad because he started laughing. It’s the best feeling in the world as a receiver. He knew he was going to score at the beginning of the play because he knew what coverage they were in.
+ On what he wants the team to get from his energy, Smith said, “you have to make plays to bring energy.” Smith said he cares about the team and the fans.
+ On whether he wanted to get a fifth touchdown, Smith smiled and said he was fine with four.
+ On the emphasis on yards after the catch, Smith said they were the worst in the country in that area by Ohio State’s standard last year, so it was an emphasis throughout the offseason.
+ Smith said his coaches challenge him a lot, and he will take advice from everybody.
