Fresh off smashing Wisconsin last Saturday thanks in part to an Ohio State rushing attack churning out 258 yards on six yards a pop, head coach Ryan Day met with the media yesterday to discuss his Buckeyes.
Central to the discussion was Day's observations on how offensive line coach Justin Frye, in his first year with the Buckeyes, has helped rejuvenate Ohio State's running game.
He's built good relationships there.. I think he's built credibility with his teachings.. We're off to a good start there but still have a long way to go.. I think you can see we're playing with and edge and that's had a big impact on our offense.– Ryan Day on osu offensive line coach justin frye
With Frye in the fold leading a more-traditional offensive line boasting two legit tackles, two legit guards and a true center, after last year's line basically rolled with four tackles and a center, Day is thus far been more reliant on his run game.
In 2021, Ohio State called more pass plays than run plays for the one and only time since Day's arrival as an offensive assistant back in 2017. As a result, last year's offense generated just 32% of its total yards on the ground, tying the Dwayne Haskins air raid offense in 2018.
| SEASON | RUSH YPC | NATL RANK | RUSH YPG | NATL RANK | % PLAYS RUN | % PLAYS PASS | % YDS RUSH | % YDS PASS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 (4G) | 5.94 | 7 | 219.75 | 19 | 55% | 45% | 39% | 61% |
| 2021 | 5.54 | 3 | 180.31 | 47 | 46% | 54% | 32% | 68% |
| 2020 | 5.96 | 3 | 256.88 | 8 | 61% | 38% | 49% | 51% |
| 2019 | 5.63 | 6 | 266.79 | 5 | 62% | 38% | 50% | 50% |
| 2018 | 4.21 | 76 | 171.29 | 63 | 50% | 50% | 32% | 68% |
| 2017 | 5.78 | 8 | 243.21 | 17 | 57% | 43% | 48% | 52% |
Through four games - admittedly a small sample size - Day has stuck with and even leaned on the rushing attack at times. He leveraged Frye's offensive line and OSU's top two tailbacks to choke out Notre Dame down the stretch and against Wisconsin last weekend, the Buckeyes finished with 43 rushes compared to 27 pass attempts.
Again, it's early, but Ohio State is generating 39% of its yards on the ground compared to 32% last year while running the ball 55% of the time.
Of course it helps to have a two-headed monster in the backfield and Day has exactly that in TreVeyon Henderson and Miyan Williams.
Henderson hasn't quite hit his high gear yet this season but he's still averaging 6.4 yards on 50 carries. Williams has been stellar, averaging 7.1 yards on 43 attempts, flashing invaluable toughness and determination, particularly between the tackles.
Speaking of, right tackle Dawand Jones has been sensational thus far, teaming with right guard Matthew Jones to open up huge holes.
Center Luke Wypler, now in his second year as a starter, got better as last season wore on and he's picked up right where he left off. You've seen him causing havoc at the second level consistently through four games.
On the left side, Paris Johnson Jr. has looked pretty comfortable at his natural spot after starting at right guard last year and first-year starter Donovan Jackson has proved ready for primetime at left guard.
The task now for the offensive line to is not simply to sustain but to keep improving, even as it's helping Ohio State average nearly a half-yard more per carry than last fall. Evolving as the season progresses will only enhance Day's confidence in opting to run the ball in scenarios where the defense knows it's coming. And of course a dependable rushing attack can only benefit what is already one of the nation's truly elite passing games.
