COLUMBUS — Ohio State head coach Ryan Day spoke with reporters for his weekly press conference Tuesday at 12:00 pm. He answered questions about his team, provided an update on Chase Young, and looked ahead toward this Saturday afternoon’s game at Rutgers. Here are the highlights.
+ There are no new updates on Chase Young, but he will practice this week and they will prepare like he’s going to be available. Day is not optimistic or pessimistic about Young’s return.
+ Day is proud of the way Joe Burrow is playing. It was tremendous to watch him go into Alabama and win that game. It’s hard to watch guys transfer, but that’s life at Ohio State. There is a lot of talent at each spot. “They all can’t play.”
+ The team handled the adversity last week well and he is preparing them for more and they have to be able to handle. “Our character was at the forefront.”
+ Does this team have the IT factor? “I don’t know yet.” When you’re in the middle of it, you try to forecast what is coming. The one thing they have to do is hold themselves to a certain standard. The penalties last week were unacceptable. “That’s going to hurt us in a close game.” “Our team hasn’t really been in the fourth quarter of a dogfight yet.” The one thing he loves about the team is the chemistry and the maturity.
+ When you evaluate a quarterback there are a lot of things you dive into, but you don’t really know until you get them. All of the answers are revealed in November. There is more time spent in the classroom than on the practice field, so it’s hard to keep some players focused. They need to be tough off the field in that way as well. Justin Fields has shown all of that.
+ Jeff Okudah doesn’t get a tough of action where he is because he’s got good coverage when it’s man-to-man.
+ Chris Chugunov started out okay, but after a delay of game and fumble, he threw the ball well and made some good decisions. “He’s a guy you can count on.” There is now a body of work being built to where you feel more comfortable when he’s out there.
+ Plays have to be executed at a high level in practice or else it’s not going to be called. The pass to Ben Victor against Michigan State was a play they worked on for weeks in practice but never had a place for it before that.
+ He doesn’t want to overstate the importance of Jonah Jackson for this offensive line, but there’s just something that he’s brought to the group. This line is talented without him, but together they fit great.
+ How do you know if you’re better than the week before when you’re blowing everybody out? You look at everything. “How are we executing?”
+ Day was not aware of UM DC Don Brown’s comments last week that Ohio State “better be careful.” He did not have a comment on that.
+ This week against Rutgers comes down to having plenty of respect for Rutgers, who has had a week off. Then it comes down to execution and playing to a standard.
+ Rashod Berry has the ability to play both tight end and defensive end. Based on how things go from week to week they will try to play him wherever he is needed.
+ Chris Chugunov still knows the offense better than Gunnar Hoak, but Hoak learns more each week.
+ “As a leader, your job is to solve problems. That’s your job, and if people stop coming to you to solve problems, then you’re not a very good leader.”
+ Day told Jeff Hafley with the 49ers that he would be a great college football coach because he was a great recruiter, could relate to players, and is a great teacher. Hafley’s work in New Jersey will pay recruiting dividends.
+ The perfect backup quarterback? Everyone is different, but you want somebody who is able to execute the offense without a lot of physical reps in practice. “Somebody who can play with their imagination.” Some guys can do that and other guys struggle with that.
Perfect backup QB? Hard to argue w/Kenny Guiton, no?
Cardale wasn’t bad, either.
I love that Day doesn’t play the gossip/drama games when it comes to reporters trying to bait him about Don Brown’s comments. Do your business, and don’t provide counter board material. Very business-like.