COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio State head coach Ryan Day met with the media Tuesday afternoon for his weekly press conference as the Buckeyes prepare for their Big Ten matchup against Illinois on Saturday.Following Day’s press conference, running back Ja’Kobi Jackson and linebacker Christian Alliegro spoke with reporters.
Here’s everything you need to know from Tuesday’s press conference:
Ryan Day
+ On Eddrick Houston, Day said they see a player who has power, strength, and the ability to hold the point of attack at a high level. The team is going to rely on him and needs to have a consistent presence. Day said players like Houston who have been in the program f0r a few years are the players they are going to have to rely on to step up in conference play.
+ Playing a game like they did in Week two allowed them to identify weaknesses, dive into them, and get better. The offense has been inconsistent with a balance of run and pass, and they have struggled in situations. Day pointed to being 12-of-17 in the red zone and said that is not good enough, same with on third downs, being 12-of-33 compared to second in the country in that last year. “It’s a combination of execution but also looking at other things and other ways to do it.” On defense, they have identified bright spots and players who are giving them something, including Jay Timmons and Earl Little Jr., and they will build around that. Special teams has been overall inconsistent, and there have been good things and others that have been unacceptable. Now, they go into conference play and put it all together.
+Day said the running backs had holes last week against Kent State that should have been home runs. “It needs to show up here against Illinois.” Players weren’t lowering their shoulders, or using stiff arms, and nobody was “running angry.” Day thought that Ja’Kobi Jackson ran harder against Kent State, but he needs to see it from all of the backs as they move forward.
+ On what stands out on third downs or short yardage situations, Day said 3rd-and-long is different than 3rd-and-medium and short yardage, but the goal is to be above 80 percent, at 90 percent ideally, and they are not there right now. Day said games are won and lost in short yardage situations, and if they want to reach their goals this year, they need to be better there.
+ On preparing for conference play and a different feel, Day said things were “cranked up” for Week two against Texas but now there’s a focus on the next goal, which is to win the conference. They want to make it to the CFP, and the last game is the most important. But they need to go on a run, and that starts with facing a good Illinois team.
+ On the Bison package and using offensive lineman Jake Cook as a tight end, Day said there were good things Cook did. They all need to work better together in those situations, but that was the point of getting game reps. Day said the coaches saw enough to know that it is a good option and package for them moving forward.
+ Quarterback Luke Fahey has earned trust and has been the first one in the games the last few games, and if he continues to do what he is doing, Day anticipates it staying that way. Tavien St. Clair is still working hard and is “right there,” and it’s important for both players to take advantage of their opportunities.
+ On how Julian Sayin is seeing the middle of the field, Day said he doesn’t know if it’s an issue over the middle of the field, but Sayin has to trust his feet and progress through plays. Day saw some nice plays and throws against Kent State, he did what he was supposed to do, but they all want a higher level of consistency. There are plays against Kent State that were out of sync that stand out, but “we want to be perfect.” Protection has been good but Sayin has to trust his feet, get the ball out on time, and when it’s time to make plays on third downs or short yardage situations, make them.
+ Day said when it’s time to win the game in the fourth quarter, they need to be able to win on both sides of the ball, whether on offense or defense.
+ Everybody in the building wants perfection and wants to be 3-0, including Day.
Ja’Kobi Jackson
+On his role and whether this is what he expected, Jackson said this is what he envisioned for himself and hopes it continues to grow.
+ The running backs need to continue to run harder and execute. To him, running angry means not being tackled one-on-one, making players miss, and not letting the first player get him down. He wants to be violent and get to the touchdown every time he gets the ball.
+ On short yardage situations, Jackson said the goal is getting downhill and reading the gaps. “Slow paced to get the read on the gaps but having the ability to move quickly off of that.”
+ On where Carlos Locklyn has helped him the most, Jackson said Locklyn has helped him understand and diagnose defenses.
+ Sunday’s film session had a little more ‘kick’ to it, but that’s what he expects coming to Ohio State. The coaches have emphasized the little things and being able to hit the gaps.
Christian Alliegro
+ Alliegro had to earn his respect and learn when to use his voice. For him, that started in the weight room.
+ There’s a sense of urgency to get better. Alliegro mentioned Day said after the Texas loss that there has to be a great sense of urgency in everything they do. “We gotta win out, from here on out.”
+ The defense has to be able to work together and communicate well, and techniques and fundamentals have to be on point every single snap.
+ The defense is looking forward to Big Ten play. It was good to get back out there after the Texas loss against Kent State but they are looking forward to starting conference play and starting off on the right foot, with a win. Stopping the run will be very important in the Big Ten.
+ On Illinois, Alliegro said Illinois gets the ball out quickly, quicker than most teams.
+ On the linebackers having two of the four interceptions on the team, Alliegro said he thought they could have had another interception with TJ Alford almost having one. He didn’t realize the unit had two of four, but now he may use it as bragging rights.
+ Coming out of the Texas loss, the message defensively was not to change everything and panic. They felt they won that game early on but let it slip away and beat themselves.
+ Alliegro has been out on the field with Riley Pettijohn more this week and he was previously playing primarily with Alford. He likes being out there with Pettijohn who is a “freak athlete.” Laurinaitis is working with the linebackers on seeing who communicates best with each other and identifying the right pairings.
