An odd game date and time left Ohio State with just three days to prepare for its home opener against the Rainbow Warriors of the University of Hawai'i, one of those being under cloudy Columbus skies at the Woody Hayes Athletic Center Wednesday.
Urban Meyer, still rehashing his team's 42-24 Labor Day night victory against Virginia Tech, took to the podium to provide injury updates and more.
Stay tuned for further updates from players momentarily.
Notes:
- Meyer opened by giving credit to Virginia Tech's atmosphere and the way the Hokies play: "They fit their personnel, not that this is about them ... but they've got real twitch stuff, real fast. They did what I would expect our coaching staff to do with that kind of personnel."
- Meyer said he was "a little disappointed" with the way Ohio State had some drops in the passing game and turnovers.
- As far as the defense is concerned, Meyer said he was pleased except for the two throwback touchdown passes.
- "In the long run, I think it's going to be good for us, the way we fought back." — Meyer
- Chase Farris, Taylor Decker, Ezekiel Elliott, Curtis Samuel, Braxton Miller all champions on offense against Virginia Tech. Miller was player of the game: "The interesting thing about our offense is he touched the ball four different ways ... you can't just do that at wide receiver. That's something we've been doing for years. It's great to be able to do that with a guy like Braxton."
- Adolphus Washington, Tyquan Lewis, Tyvis Powell, Raekwon McMillan and Gareon Conley were champions on defense for Ohio State. Powell was player of the game.
- Parris Campbell was special teams player of the game, Meyer said.
- "Guard against everything, man. I guess you have guards to guard the guards." — Meyer on dealing with being a heavy favorite on such a short work week before Saturday's game.
- Meyer said he wouldn't call Cardale Jones the starting quarterback and J.T. Barrett the backup: "It's delicate, man." Said he was pleased with how Barrett stayed engaged and led the team on the sideline despite not starting.
- "They both have to be on call and ready to go. I've never been in a situation like that before. It's the damnedest thing, it's really special." — Meyer on the quarterbacks.
- Meyer said he didn't realize that Jones has never started a game in Ohio Stadium: "That's really something."
- Meyer said a lot of how they use the quarterbacks going forward depends on each guy meeting expectations on and off the field, as well as who can lead the team and drive it down the field to score at that moment will play: "We're just trying to score and win a game."
- Meyer said he told the quarterbacks "two or three days before" the game against Virginia Tech who was starting. Jones said Monday night he found out right before the first drive.
- Meyer called the short week "awful," in the sense that the team is still sore from the game against the Hokies: "That was a sledgehammer game."
- On the freshness of his team, though, Meyer said he "felt great" about it. Getting Joey Bosa, Corey Smith, Dontre Wilson and Jalin Marshall back will add needed depth on both sides of the ball.
- Meyer said Ohio State wasn't preparing for Hawai'i at all in the offseason: "We wanted all focus, all hands on deck for Virginia Tech. And I'm glad we did."
- Meyer said they appealed to the NCAA to allow them to practice Tuesday, but it didn't go through: "We are way behind."
- On Hawai'i's offense, Meyer called it "just stuff. It's unique. There's something going on all the time."
- The kicking competition remains open, Meyer said. Whoever kicks the best during practice Thursday will start on Saturday: "We have to get better there."
- Meyer said he would like to get Braxton Miller back returning punts, but he's not there yet. He is still unsure who the starter is at the spot, but right now it would be either Miller or Marshall.
- Meyer said he thinks Ohio State has a handle on what Hawai'i will do, but is worried about getting practice reps.
