Following the monsoon that delayed Ohio State's 48-3 victory against Tulsa, a cool September air beset the Woody Hayes Athletic Center on Monday morning.
The Buckeyes board a plane for their first road game of the 2016 season this weekend and head to Norman, Oklahoma to pay a visit to Bob Stoops and the No. 14 Sooners.
Urban Meyer met the media in the team room at the WHAC to share his thoughts on the Tulsa win and preview his team's huge showdown with the Sooners.
Notes:
- "Best chance about 2-0 is the chance to go 3-0. Going to be tough this week, obviously a great opponent."
- Ohio State named six champions from its offense following the victory against Tulsa: H-back Curtis Samuel, wide receivers Noah Brown and Parris Campbell and offensive linemen Billy Price and Pat Elflein. Samuel received Player of the Game honors.
- The Buckeyes named 12 players on defense champions after Saturday: Defensive backs Damon Webb, Malik Hooker, Marshon Lattimore, Gareon Conley and Denzel Ward, linebackers Raekwon McMillan and Chris Worley and defensive linemen Tyquan Lewis, Sam Hubbard, Robert Landers, Michael Hill and Jalyn Holmes. Lattimore earned Player of the Game honors.
- Meyer called Campbell "dynamite" in the kicking game: "He's fallen into that category of Evan Spencer, just does everything for us."
- Meyer acknowledged Ohio State's slow start against Tulsa, said the blitz and twisting up front were the causes: "I thought we came out and took care of business after the extended half."
- "I'm concerned about everything. I have a lot of confidence, we are getting better and better each day. I think we're further ahead than I thought we'd be at this point."
- On going on the road, Meyer said his biggest worry is bringing a young team into a hostile environment for its first game away from Ohio Stadium.
- Dante Booker is probable for Saturday, Meyer said. Dontre Wilson rested Sunday and did not practice as his foot was sore, but Meyer said Wilson "should be fine."
- Meyer spoke with Tom Herman to get his thoughts on Oklahoma's personnel: "Schematically, not as much because we get the same video tape they have."
- Meyer called his friends in the coaching ranks in the past if he's traveling to places he's never been before. The conversation with Herman was more personal due to their past.
- On the Samuel-Wilson Wildcat formation, Meyer said he enjoys moving those guys around and using their talents in different places: "You hope you could throw out of that. Braxton (Miller) last year couldn't do it."
- Meyer faced Oklahoma and Bob Stoops once, in the 2008 BCS National Championship. He said Stoops changed up his defensive alignment to a 3-4 before that game: "That was one of those things that made you sick on the sideline. I said some words I can't use right now."
- Meyer was glad the slow start on offense happened when it did and not this week against Oklahoma: "We were exposed a little bit."
- He credited Billy Price and Pat Elflein for getting them through until halftime before adjustments could be made: "J.T., he did not play great early. I thought he played outstanding in the second half."
- Meyer on recruiting Ohio: "Those darn 3-stars, those are the guys that turn out, for whatever reason these Ohio kids if they go to Michigan State or elsewhere boom they become great players." He also said Ohio's lack of spring practice in high school is likely the cause for the lack of development in local players.
- The communication between Ed Warinner and Tim Beck in offensive playcalling has "been very good." He noted Saturday's slow start but everything picked up in the second half after the long break: "We started blocking them a little bit better and that showed some maturity."
- Asked about all the young players having an impact and if he had concerns in the secondary with all the new starters: "Was I worried? Yes, I worry about everything."
- Meyer credited Greg Schiano and Kerry Coombs for that group's development.
- "The last two teams are going to win games, but this one's real. Real real." — Meyer on Oklahoma.
- Meyer said he believes Oklahoma's defense is "the whole package" and noted the Sooners big defensive line. "That's going to be a challenge."
- Meyer called his secondary football "junkies" and said this is the first time Ohio State's had rotation at corner: "They love to be coached. They love football."
- Erick Smith is pushing for playing time after getting further away from his knee injury last year.
- Meyer and his staff discuss which playmakers are going to get the ball every game because of how much depth the Buckeyes have on the outside.
- Ohio State must be balanced if it plans to beat Oklahoma: "Otherwise we have no chance."
