Coming off the biggest statement win of the season yet, Saturday's 38-7 victory over Wisconsin, Ohio State coach Ryan Day made his weekly appearance on the Buckeye Roundtable show on the Ohio State IMG Sports Network on Monday night to talk about his team's performance amid cold and wet weather on Saturday and the continued progress of his 8-0 team.
A quick recap of what Day had to say:
- Day said he thought the rainy conditions of Saturday's game could play into Wisconsin's hands because of its style of play. The Buckeyes were conservative on offense early but as the game went on, they played better and better, and he was proud of the toughness they showed playing in the elements. Day acknowledged that it was the first time Fields had to play in that kind of weather.
- On the 4-4-3 defense that Ohio State started the game in, Day said he thought the defensive coaches did a great job of putting a game plan together over the course of the week to match up with Wisconsin's personnel. He said the Buckeyes wanted to "make sure that they felt our presence early."
- Day said he thought the third-quarter touchdown drive that followed Wisconsin's lone touchdown of the day, which made the score 10-7 early in the third quarter, was "the drive of the game" because it was the first time all year that Ohio State's back was up against the wall, and the Buckeyes responded the way they needed to.
- On Wisconsin's defense: "They certainly gave us some looks that they weren't really practicing much during the week," and it took the Buckeyes some time to adjust before their offense could get into a rhythm.
- Day said that Chase Young and J.K. Dobbins have both really matured in their third years and stepped up to become the leaders the Buckeyes needed to be.
- Day said the Buckeyes didn't think about going for it when they sent Blake Haubeil out to kick a 49-yard field goal in the second quarter. Thought those three points were important, as the game was scoreless at the time.
- On Justin Fields: "Justin's tough. I've learned to appreciate that the more I've been around him with each game." Because of that, he's confident Fields will be able to handle the cold weather that will be coming, even though Fields grew up in Georgia and will have to adjust to it as it comes. He said the Buckeyes typically practice outside even when there is bad weather in Columbus in order to prepare them to face it in games.
- On the rain: "Both teams have to deal with it. All we have to do is handle it better than our opponent. Everybody who touches the ball has got to figure out, but it's no excuse for not executing. And again, I thought our guys handled it a big way." He said he did have to change clothes at halftime because of how soaked he was.
Programming alert: Ryan Day will hold his only in-person press conference of the bye week on Tuesday at noon, after which several Ohio State players will also participate in interview sessions with the media. Day's hour-long weekly radio show will also air on the Ohio State IMG Sports Network at its usual time of Thursday at noon.
