Thursday Bullet Points: Running the Quarterback, 7-on-7 Hurts Quarterback Development, and Ohio State Practices Defensive Touchdowns

After a gritty win over Penn State, the Buckeyes are on the road this week, heading to Lincoln to take on Nebraska.

Ahead of Saturday's game, Buckeye head coach Ryan Day took to his final weekly media availabilities on Thursday afternoon, joining his weekly radio show on 97.1 The Fan and briefly meeting with the media to offer some final updates.

Day was also joined by Kerry Coombs for the final portion of the show.

Here are some of the highlights.

Ryan Day Radio Show

Ryan Day

On the Penn State win

"We knew it was going to be that type of game."
"We're very proud of the win."
"At the same time, after watching the film, there are a lot of things we could have done better."
"Great to get that win."

On C.J. Stroud's performance against a good defense

"It's one of those things where it's another step in the journey."
"Their corners are very, very good."
Day notes that every week is different, and every opponent is different. Some days feel easier than others and Stroud has to get used to that.
"It's March Madness. We have to bring it every week."

On Ohio State's defensive improvements

"I think we're getting more hats on the ball."
"At the end of the day, it comes down to defeating blocks."
Day said they have enough depth where they're able to roll players now.
Day said every team seems to be trying to attack them differently.

On Jerron Cage's touchdown

Day notes that he's a veteran guy that stepped up.
"In order for us to make a run, veteran guys have to play veteran."
"It was great. It was probably every defensive lineman's dream."
Day said they practice how they recover multiple different kinds of fumbles.

On getting pressure on the quarterback

"Just changing the clock in his head is huge."
Day notes that they don't necessarily have to get to the quarterback to impact the play.
"Any time you get your hands on the ball, move the pocket, change the timing – all those things are great."

On the running game

Day notes that most teams send a lot of pressure against Ohio State, and Penn State did that.
"It's not that we don't prepare for it, it's not that we don't expect it."
"If you're a little bit off against good competition, you can get out of whack."
Day notes that they still had almost 500 yards of offense, but if you don't score, it doesn't feel good.
"If you're not scoring in the red zone and you're getting yourself out of whack with penalties, that's how bad things happen. We got to tighten up in that area."

On deciding which plays to call

Day said they have to identify what the defense is doing, both in the film room and live in the game, before they call plays.
"You don't get to just call the plays you want, you have to see what they're trying to do and take what they give you."
"At the end of the day, it just comes down to execution though."

On the linebackers playing without Steele Chambers

"I think overall, not bad."
Day said the other linebackers will have to step up in the first half.
"Coach Washington will have them prepared."

On Nebraska's option offense

"It's really like playing those service academies – it's triple-option."
Day said assignments become very important. "It's option football."

On Noah Ruggles' performance

Day notes it was a nine-point game and they got 12 from field goals.
"We knew it was going to come down to that kind of game – it always does."
"Those were big kicks for us."
Day notes that the first-year holder and first-year long snapper have been good too.
Day also said that Jesse Mirko playing Australian football has helped his poise.

On Nebraska's defense

"They're very well-coached, good scheme, good players."
Day said they have a couple of NFL players.
"They do a good job. We're going to have to earn it."
"This is a very good defense."
"These guys have played a lot of football."

On Penn State players calling out Ohio State's plays before the snap

"I'm sure they also called some things that weren't right."
Day said every team does things like that.
"It's all part of the game."

On establishing the running game

"Running the football allows you to control the game."
Day said it was important in that game to win it, and control the game.
"I felt like the defense was playing strong enough that we wanted to continue to establish the run."

On Ronnie Hickman's performance this season

"His production has been really good."
"He really embodies what we're looking for at that position."
Day said his versatility allows them a lot of flexibility as a defense.

On the quarterback running the ball

Day notes that sometimes the quarterback can slide or get out of bounds, but sometimes he needs to put his shoulder down and get a first down.
Day said he usually shies away from designed quarterback runs. "When you start doing too many of those things, you put your quarterback at risk. And you don't want to get your quarterback hurt."
"But when you gotta do it, you gotta do it."
Day said he likes to see a quarterback who's able to buy more time to pass.
"If those guys have two or three more seconds to get open downfield, a lot of good things can happen."

On 7-on-7

"I think 7-on-7 has actually hurt quarterback play."
Day said maybe it helps quarterbacks seeing coverages, but it doesn't simulate the game because there's no offensive or defensive line.
"When it comes to playing the game, at eye level, it's just not reality."
"I think a lot of their release points get out-of-whack."
Day mentions the arm angles and throwing motions are completely different when there's no players in front of them. "You're making throws that do not exist."
"It's not always like it is when they're playing the game."
Day notes that 7-on-7 is great for receivers and defensive backs, though.

Kerry Coombs

On the defensive touchdowns

"We consider it our own offensive play."
"It's not something that just happens."
"We know where we're going to get the ball when we pick it up or intercept it."
Coombs said they practice where to block and how to return it.
Coombs said Cameron Brown made a mistake in his return last week, and if he followed his blocks, he might have had a touchdown.
"We practice that play."
"When you get a defensive touchdown, your odds of winning the game go up dramatically."

On the gameday atmosphere

"It's incredible what it does for a defense."
Coombs said it starts with the "different feeling" you get when you run out of the tunnel.
Coombs said the crowd noise makes it very hard on the offense.
"They have to spend time preparing that way."
"It does disrupt your normal preparation."

On the defensive backs

"We're young. We're really young."
Coombs said he's seeing fewer freshman mistakes.
"Now they're acting like veterans."

On Penn State's third-down success

"We have to be better on third down."
"There's no excusing what we did. We have to play better. We have to call better."

Ryan Day's Thursday Press Conference

Day says the Buckeyes didn’t change anything when it comes to red zone blocking, but that Ohio State has focused on executing better and not committing as many penalties.
On TreVeyon Henderson’s workload against Penn State, Day says the Buckeyes saw it coming, and that “it’s a lot for a young running back, but he’s had a good week of preparation and he’s ready to roll.”
“This is a very good defense and offense. Very dangerous.” Day cites Nebraska’s close games against MSU, Michigan and Oklahoma. “This is a very good football team.”
“Any time you play against a quarterback like this, you have to have a plan for him.” Day says Craig Young has versatility, and that “having athletes on the field when you have an athletic quarterback is important.”
“I think Thayer’s done a good job, they all have this season.” Day says the O-line wants to give the run game better creases to utilize. “If we want to make a run into November, we have to run the football. That’s the bottom line.”
On Jerron Cage: “I think Jerron is a veteran player, he’s somebody who has a mature approach, and I think his teammates respect him when he says something.” Day says he’s gained “more and more leadership skills” in the past month. Day says the Buckeyes look to Cage “when the times get tough.”
Day says Matt Jones has gotten time at center in practice, and that the Buckeyes have “considered everything.” Day says “if that’s what makes sense, we’ll do it,” but that he likes to give players time to get their feet under them at a certain position.
Day says the Buckeyes need to be “more consistent” on the offensive line.
On Palaie Gaoteote, Day says “this is a big couple weeks for EA.” Day says “he gives us some physical presence out there; he’s strong, he’s powerful. He has all the physical skills to be a really good linebacker.”