Urban Meyer was heavily involved in Ohio State’s play calling prior to Saturday’s 17-14 loss to Michigan State on Saturday, but the Buckeyes’ head coach said Monday he plans to be even more connected going forward.
“Yeah,” Meyer said, bluntly, when asked at his weekly press conference.
When asked if he could expound on that, Meyer simply said, “Not really, still going through it.”
The Buckeyes managed to gain just 132 yards of total offense against the Spartans on Saturday. It was the lowest total offensive output in Meyer’s storied career. The Buckeyes had just five first downs and went three-and-out six times.
Michigan State’s defense probably deserves some credit. After all, its defensive line played an exceptional game and the linebackers made several key plays. But Ohio State didn’t even try and challenge and middling Spartans’ secondary through the air, attempting just three passes beyond 10 yards in the entire game.
After the game, Meyer said he was “not content” with the offensive play calling, but also said he’d take the blame for that.
“I call a lot of plays anyways so finger will be pointed right here,” Meyer said afterward, pointing to himself. “I have to do better. We didn’t — very conservative.”
The Buckeyes have been working all season to try and replace departed offensive coordinator Tom Herman, who is now the head coach at Houston. Tim Beck was hired in the offseason as the quarterbacks coach and co-offensive coordinator, while offensive line coach Ed Warinner was elevated to offensive coordinator in addition to his old role coaching the Buckeyes’ offensive line.
Beck has stated this season the team’s play calling has been a collective effort, but ultimately, after a midseason switch, it is Beck’s voice which signals the play to the sideline.
Meyer has always been involved in the process; after all, it is his offense. Going forward, however, it appears he’ll take on an even bigger role.
“I have to do better,” Meyer said.
