Before Ohio State's home opener on Saturday, Ryan Day took to the airwaves to recap his team's performance in Week 1 and look ahead to its matchup with Youngstown State.
The Ohio State head coach was followed by secondary coach Tim Walton, who also commented on the team's performance in the season opener and its approach heading into the Week 2 battle with the Penguins.
Here are some highlights from The Ryan Day Radio Show on 97.1 The Fan:
Ryan Day
On winning Game 1, moving forward afterward
- "Week 2 is a challenging week, but it's a good week."
- "When you prepare for the first game, you have an opportunity to improve a lot. ... This is a big step for us in the next couple of weeks, is really growing."
- Day said Ohio State has done well this week to rest, recover and prepare for the Buckeyes' Week 2 matchup with Youngstown State.
On how having fewer plays impacted play-calling
- "I don't know. That's a good question. I don't think you can get into that. ... The number one goal each week has to be to win the game."
- Day said he was "frustrated" with how Ohio State performed offensively and with the times that the Buckeyes couldn't do what they wanted on that side of the ball. Day said Ohio State adjusted the best that it could, and he left relieved that the Buckeyes came out with a win.
- "At the end of the day, you have to leave with the win. You can't let your pride get in the way. As much as I was frustrated... we needed to win the game."
On the decision to kick or receive if Ohio State wins the coin toss
- Day said he's "thought about it long and hard" about electing to receive the ball if Ohio State wins the coin toss on Saturday, as it could help the Buckeyes' offense get off to a fast start against the Penguins.
- "There is a back and forth there. That is something worth considering and something I have thought about the past few days."
On Ohio State's defensive line
- "I want to continue to build depth. Didn't have as many plays as we typically have. ... Want to get more and more plays so we can continue to evaluate our guys."
- Day said Ohio State's defensive line played well on Saturday. "In particular, Caden is a good football player, plays with a high motor." He added that Ohio State wanted to substitute frequently in that position room. "A lot of those guys played well. ... That's good. Some really good reps there. They handled themselves well, especially for a scheme they had not prepared for."
On Denzel Burke, Ohio State's defensive backs
- "Denzel got his hand on a couple of balls."
- Because Indiana didn't throw the ball much on Saturday, Day said there weren't many chances for Ohio State's defensive backs to perform in pass coverage. However, Day knows that more of those opportunities will come in the future: "If we keep working, we will have an opportunity to have some more."
On Jayden Fielding, Ohio State's red zone efficiency
- Day said it was "good to get Jayden those opportunities," but he wants Ohio State to improve when the offense is deep in enemy territory.
- Day said Ohio State needs to be better in the red zone and its "four-point plays," which he said are the Buckeyes' first, second and third-down plays in the red zone that, if they were more efficient, could have led to touchdowns rather settling for a field goal.
On Kyle McCord and Devin Brown
- "Want to continue to get more and more reps under their belts."
- Day said McCord and Brown need to continue to learn and develop at the position, especially as "first-time starters" for the Ohio State offense.
- Day said McCord and Brown have handled this week of practice "well" and have learned plenty as they study film with him and quarterbacks coach Corey Dennis.
On Marvin Harrison's touchdown that was called back
- Day said he was told by Big Ten officials this week that Marvin Harrison Jr.'s touchdown catch in the third quarter against Indiana, which was nullified by an illegal touching penalty, should not have been called back because he was forced out of bounds.
On Ohio State's offensive line
- "I thought we did OK. There were some good moments, but overall we could have done a lot better."
- "It was a start, but we know where we need to be."
On Youngstown State
- "I have a lot of respect for all the Ohio schools. Everyone in the state of Ohio recognized themselves as Buckeyes. ... They are gonna come in here and play really really hard, just like we are."
- Day said he has "a lot of respect" for Youngstown State. He also respects what former Ohio State head coach Jim Tressel accomplished there as a head football coach and university president.
- Day said Youngstown State head coach Doug Phillips "does a great job" with his program. "Great teams. Great tradition. I am looking forward to the game."
On Ohio State's running backs
- "I thought they ran hard. There were some plays where they didn't have much there."
- Day said Ohio State's goal was to get 4 yards on each carry but the team ultimately fell short of that goal because of execution from both the offensive line and running backs.
- Day said he was "happy" to have TreVeyon Henderson, Miyan Williams and Chip Trayanum all receive a steady dose of carries in Ohio State's season opener. He said all three backs offer something different for the Buckeyes offense, which makes each of them a threat to opposing defenses.
On Julian Fleming
- "He's playing good football. Had another good week of practice."
- "He had some really nice blocks... caught some passes."
- Day hopes Fleming can build upon that performance against Youngstown State and continue producing throughout the rest of the season.
On Ohio State's practices this week
- "It was good. It was hard. It was physical. It was hot."
- Day said Ohio State had "bloody" practices on Tuesday and Wednesday as the Buckeyes worked hard to prepare for Youngstown State and the rest of the 2023 season.
- Day said he loves how hard Ohio State competes on Tuesday and Wednesday because it allows the team to practice in ways that simulate Saturdays.
On having recruits in Columbus this weekend, playing at home
- "We have a bunch of really good recruits coming in this weekend."
- "It's good to be able to show off the game day. That's one of the best selling points coming here."
- Day said "it's an advantage" to have fans in Ohio Stadium. He added that the Buckeyes "don't take any of the (home games) for granted" because of what it means to fans, recruits and so many others.
On Ohio State's health entering Week 2
- Day said Ohio State had a few players suffer some bumps and bruises against Indiana, but nothing that would keep those players out on Saturday.
- Day said Ohio State will have a clean bill of health against Youngstown State.
Tim Walton
On Ohio State's defense
- "They flew around. They had fun."
- "It was a good start for us to the season."
On Davison Igbinosun
- "I was hoping that would be overturned so we didn't lose him early."
- "All of a sudden (we would have) been into our depth already."
- Walton said Ohio State's secondary depth has been impressive in fall camp, so the Buckeyes could have adjusted if Igbinosun were ejected. However, it would have taken some time to adjust because of how "unexpected" that outcome would have been.
On Youngstown State
- "They are a balanced offense. They will run the ball (and throw the ball) 50-50." Walton pointed out Youngstown State wide receiver Bryce Oliver as a player that Ohio State has circled on the scouting report.
- "They will take shots."
- "We have to make sure we have a good gameplan and defense all aspects of their offense."
On Jermaine Mathews
- "He's competed well... I have been pleasantly surprised."
- "I think he has a bright future."
- Walton said Mathews will continue to work on special teams and look to stand out on that unit as he develops as a backup within Ohio State's defense.
Ryan Day Lightning Round
- One of the things that made a big difference for Chip Trayanum is a full offseason training at running back. “He’s versatile ... the more things he can do, the better. I think you saw him run downhill, run behind his pads, hopefully he can build on that.”
- When and when not to run tempo is a delicate balance, Day said. Sometimes it takes away the ability to make proper adjustments and run the right plays, but it’s also valuable to keep defenses on their heels. “Some guys do better or worse with tempo.”
- More on Trayanum: “He’s a team player, he’s got a great work ethic, he’s tough ... he’s got great speed ... he runs low to the ground, has great vision ... his size, speed, his overall makeup is allowing him to be on the field.”
- Tristan Gebbia is currently Ohio State’s third-string quarterback, Day said, adding that he’s “like having a graduate assistant” in the position room. He would also like to get freshman Lincoln Kienholz some playing time while maintaining his redshirt, and the coaching staff has liked what they’ve seen from him.
- On how the Buckeyes’ receivers blocked against Indiana: “I thought Julian Fleming did a nice job, he was physical ... I think we could be more consistent there.” Day added that the key to making perimeter plays like bubble screens work is high-level blocking from that position group.
- Ohio State will try to figure out how to get Marvin Harrison Jr. the ball against Youngstown State, with Day saying it’s a big part of finding their rhythm on offense.
- On Matthew Jones: “As you become older, as you grow as a man, you have to take on more responsibility.” Day said he’ll not only have to maintain a high level of play for himself but also challenge others to do the same.
- In being named special teams player of the week, Lorenzo Styles Jr. showed a lot of positive signs in Day’s eyes. “It’s his effort and his competitiveness, toughness. He can really run.”
- Even though Indiana wasn’t running a conventional offense, Day said there were still plenty of takeaways from the defense, including the way the challenged passes and the fact that there was no panic against a surprise triple-option look.
- Kicker Jayden Fielding is now on scholarship, Day confirmed. He was pleased with Fielding’s 3-for-3 start to the year against Indiana. “We want to score touchdowns, but when you’re playing good defense, that can be the difference in the game.”
