Ohio State is planning to play backup quarterback Tate Martell, but it might not be with the first-team offense, at least not yet.
Speaking on The Urban Meyer Show (without Urban Meyer) on 97.1 The Fan on Thursday, Ohio State interim head coach Ryan Day said "the plan is to get him on the field and play," but that the Buckeyes have not installed any special packages for Martell yet.
"He’s had a nice preseason," Day said. "He brings a different skill set to the table. Really dynamic with his feet, but he’s also improved throwing the ball. So we’re not going to put him in right now for packages or things like that. We’re just going to let him go play the offense and let him go."
With Ohio State favored to win by a substantial margin over Oregon State on Saturday, there should be ample opportunity for Martell to play with the second-team offense in the second half against the Beavers. But with Dwayne Haskins set to be the Buckeyes' new starting quarterback, it sounds as though Martell won't be mixed in with the first-team offense – at least not yet.
Day also praised Haskins on Thursday's radio show, saying that "he looks like an NFL quarterback right now" and that director of sports performance Mickey Marotti has played an integral role in helping Haskins transform his body this offseason.
"He changed physically, but he also changed mentally, because of the way we do our strength program here," Day said. "He's getting stronger in his mind. But he has to play."
