With Nebraska dismantled and a trip to Maryland on tap, Urban Meyer joined Paul Keels and Jim Lachey on 97.1 The Fan to talk Buckeye football.
Meyer thanked the fans for their performance against Nebraska, called it one of the best environments they've had. "Once you get the momentum going in an atmosphere like that, that's what happens." Meyer calls the fans the 10th unit now.
Nebraska was the wide receivers' best game. Parris Campbell underwent 34 hours of rehab that week to play.
"We completely took the [quarterback] run game away against Nebraska."
The reason we're seeing such dominating performances from the back-end of Ohio State's secondary is because they're responding to coaching.
COFFEE WITH THE COACH QUESTION FROM JAMES IN ATHENS: How beneficial is it to play backups this late in the season?
- "It was great."
- Joe Burrow was efficient in his play. Meyer noted his play is "night and day difference." He shortened his delivery and worked hard to do so.
- Demario McCall is coming along too. Coaches just want him to "get tighter with the ball" and stronger.
The reason we're seeing such dominating performances from the back-end of Ohio State's secondary is because they're responding to coaching.
On Curtis Samuel:
- "He's a dynamic athlete. He's going to be our punt returner this week, which is another chance to get the ball in his hands."
- "He has a great football IQ which I'm starting to learn. Does everything from pass protect to catch short, medium, and long passes.
"Last week, pass protection was outstanding. I don't remember one time J.T. [Barrett] got touched, which is outstanding against a top-10 team."
Sam Hubbard has been working against Isaiah Prince in practice. "We're doing more of that than we've ever done," to help improve pass protection. They're also teaching Barrett to step up in the pocket.
"Dre'Mont Jones is playing his best football by far ... he's exactly what you recruit at Ohio State." Jones is a "3-point something" student.
On Malik Hooker: "I don't know if I've ever had a [defender] so good with the ball in his hands."
On Maryland:
- New offense is built around misdirection and screen passes. "But they have big hits."
- Return man and cornerback Will Likely injured his knee against Michigan State. Meyer doesn't expect him to play.
- On the Maryland QB situation: Perry Hills is an efficient athlete. He had a long run against Ohio State last year but Meyer is unsure if he'll play. Caleb Rowe replaced him against Michigan, but Maryland also has a freshman, Tyrelle Pigrome, who can make things happen with his feet too.
BRUCE IN FINDLAY: How do you dream up your formations?
- It's about finding out your personnel. Noah Brown, for example, has a certain set of qualities.
- Various position coaches are in charge of various formations, with Ed Warinner overseeing it all. "I also have my two cents," Meyer noted.
ARMANDO IN COLUMBUS: How long does it take to install a run or pass package to exploit something they see in an opponent's film?
On Mike Weber: “Mike is a tough guy. He fights through injury. He’s very good on impact and getting much better without the ball.” Meyer said he's getting close to 1,000 yards, which is "where our running back probably should be."
Terry McLaurin "is just a guy you can count on."
Meyer doesn't believe in hand-outs in recruiting. Maryland's D.J. Durkin is another coach who "does it the right way."
- If packages aren't "game-ready," by Thursday, it's out.
- If the offense were as cerebral as J.T. Barrett, it'd be easier.
- Last week's defense was tough, but Meyer knew where Nebraska defenders would line up. Maryland gives multiple looks from 3-4 and 4-3, so it's tougher to install packages.
