Acting Ohio State head coach Ryan Day spoke on the Big Ten Coaches Teleconference to provide some updates on the Buckeyes. Tuesday will be the first practice for Urban Meyer since the spring game, which should provide some added juice to the team. Day also spoke of the challenges that Rutgers will present coming up this Saturday.
Ryan Day
+ Rutgers has a veteran defense with a good back end. They had a good start last week and the staff is working hard to prepare for the Scarlet Knights.
+ Rutgers OC John McNulty and Greg Schiano have known each other a long time and know each other’s respective offense and defense. Day said it’s always good to have familiarity with the other side. You always take that into consideration, but at the end of the day you still have to put your players in position to make plays. It’s pretty common in the coaching profession. It won’t be anything out of the ordinary.
+ The Rutgers offense is pro style and very organized.
+ Day’s focus is on the offensive side and is leaving the defensive fixes to the defensive staff. They want more turnovers and fewer mistakes.
+ The Ohio State offensive line “was solid.” They played a lot of guys and they went with tempo. They kept pushing through late in the drive. It was a good start.
+ Nick Bosa is very gifted with size, power, speed, and strength. Then you combine him with Larry Johnson and the product is a player who is playing at a very high level right now.
+ Asked if Mike Weber and J.K. Dobbins could each get 1,000 yards rushing this year, he said, “Who knows?” They both have the capability for sure.
+ Dwayne Haskins can run. There are designed quarterback runs in the offense.
+ The receiver unit is a unique situation because there are 8-10 guys that you feel really good about playing, so it’s difficult to have one go-to guy. “There’s no telling who can have 6-7-8 catches…” and sometimes you won’t get a ball. That’s why he’s so proud of Terry McLaurin because sometimes he was one of those guys who wouldn’t get a ball. “We’ve got an unselfish group.”
+ There won’t be any changes with the kickoff strategy. They’ll let Rutgers return them if they want. Blake Haubeil kicked the ball well.
+ Using two tight ends presents a different look to the defense. There is more depth at tight end, which gives the offense more options. So any time you can put different personnel groupings on the field, it makes the defense spend time working on it.
+ Regarding quarterback transfer Chris Chugunov, they were looking for somebody with experience who has played and is old enough and mature enough to pick up the offense. They also wanted quick release and accuracy, and he has that.
