With a nighttime bout against Virginia Tech looming this weekend, Urban Meyer met with the media Monday to talk the Hokies, Saturday's game against Navy, quarterback J.T. Barrett, the offensive line and more.
- Meyer said Ohio State was “very poor in the first half” offensively. The Buckeyes entered intermission with a pair of field goals before exploding for 28 points in the second half.
- Meyer said redshirt freshman tight end Marcus Baugh is suspended for two games. Baugh did not make the trip to play Navy and will miss Saturday’s game against Virginia Tech. The grounds for suspension? Meyer said “stuff.”
- Meyer continued to lament the offensive line, which struggled mightily in the first half. “Concern No.1 is offensive line ... our offensive line did not play like an Ohio State offensive line." Meyer said he gained more confidence in the unit after a “pretty good” second half. Added Meyer: “But "pretty good is not what we expect. Pretty good won't win that game" against Virginia Tech.
- Meyer said redshirt freshman J.T. Barrett was “OK.” Barrett was 12-of-15 for 226 yards, two touchdowns and an interception. He was named the Big Ten co-freshman Player of the Week Monday morning. Added Meyer: “You take away the interception, and I think he did very well."
- Meyer said Darron Lee, Doran Grant, Tyvis Powell were defensive champions while Devin Smith, Evan Spencer, Dontre Wilson, Jeff Heuerman, Nick Vannett, Darryl Baldwin and Taylor Decker were offensive champions.
- Meyer said senior wide receiver Devin Smith is “one of the best deep ball players we've ever had." Smith hauled in an 80-yard bomb from Barrett to break open the game against Navy.
- Meyer said he expected redshirt freshman linebacker Darron Lee to have a breakout performance Saturday. "I was not surprised, he's been practicing like that since spring ball." Lee came to Ohio State as a safety and a quarterback in high school.
- Meyer said he was happy with how his defense played, particularly in the first half. “When you look at the score at halftime, 7-6, I thought our defense played outstanding."
- Meyer on Virginia Tech head coach Frank Beamer: “I have so much respect for him." Said "Beamer Ball" rounded out appreciation for special teams.
- Meyer said senior running back Rod Smith earned himself carries Saturday after an 11-second block on a punt return. Meyer called it “one of the greatest plays" he's ever seen on special teams.
- Meyer said Ohio State needs to get freshman linebacker Raekwon McMillan into the game, said he will play against the Hokies.
