It wasn't the prettiest of wins, but Ohio State opened its 2023 season with a Big Ten road victory Saturday.
Following the contest Ryan Day spoke with Ohio State's media on the performance of quarterback Kyle McCord, the offensive line and the team's defense, which allowed a mere 153 total yards against Indiana.
Here's what Day had to say:
- Day said he would have liked to see Devin Brown play more in Saturday's game, but felt that the offense was too "clunky" early on to continue rotating quarterbacks. He wants to rotate more as the season progresses.
- The decision to go for it on fourth-and-2 early was a combination of the spot on the field and the short distance required, Day said. "That was on the outer edge of Jayden's field goal range, it was fourth-and-2."
- Day said his overall thoughts on the game were a "mixed bag." "I thought there was some good things, but we've got to play better situational football, we've got to do better in the red zone and we've got to do better in short yardage."
- Day called Ohio State's defensive line "disruptive" and felt pleased with a new-look defense that featured "more length."
- Justin Frye remained involved in conversations on the sideline with Day and offensive coordinator Brian Hartline in terms of play calling, Day said. He feels there's perhaps areas where the operation could be smoothed out.
- There were plays that McCord will "want to have back," Day said, and called his overall performance a "mixed bag." There were throws that he enjoyed, however, such as the touchdown pass to Marvin Harrison that was called back and a deep pass to Cade Stover over the middle that resulted in a big gain.
- On third-down struggles: "We expect on third-and-1, third-and-2, third-and-three to convert about 80 percent of the time ... we didn't get that today." Day said the team will have to be better in short-yardage moving forward.
- After Ohio State gave Chip Trayanum a lion's share of carries in the second half, Day confirmed that TreVeyon Henderson will remain the team's starter at running back with Miyan Williams and Trayanum still rolling in.
- Day said that the goal Week 1 is to win, then step back and evaluate any struggles. "You've just got to get the first win, that's just what you've got to do. Then you identify (the problems)."
- Day feels the offense could have been more aggressive, but didn't want to take too many chances and get reckless in a Week 1 game on the road.
- "If we play defense like this, we're going to have a chance."
- There was a play or two McCord made with his feet that Day liked, and overall he thought there were still some positives after an early interception from the quarterback.
- On the offensive line: "I know where we need to be, we're not there yet for sure. But I've got to look at the film and identify (what went wrong)." He gave Indiana's coaching staff credit for changing up previous looks from the team's defense as well.
