Presser Bullets: Ryan Day Calls Ohio State's Win Over Purdue "A Job Well Done" But Says the Buckeyes Are Still "Nowhere Near Where We Need to Be"

Time heals all wounds.

Five years after Ohio State fell to Purdue, 49-20, at Ross-Ade Stadium in 2018, the Buckeyes took care of business in 2023, defeating head coach Ryan Walters and the Boilermakers 41-7 in West Lafayette, Indiana.

After the game, Ohio State head coach Ryan Day met with the media to discuss the Buckeyes' performance in the Big Ten battle. Considering the various ailments on Ohio State's roster, the weather conditions in West Lafayette and more, Day said he was pleased with his team's efforts. However, he understands the Buckeyes have short memories following the win, as a top-10 matchup with Penn State awaits Ohio State next weekend.

Here are some notes and quotes from Day's press conference:

Ryan Day

Day said Purdue could have been a "trap game" for Ohio State. "We all know we have a big game next week." Day said "it's not easy" to win on the road in the Big Ten, so he is pleased with how Ohio State performed in its matchup with the Boilermakers.
On Devin Brown: "Devin is very explosive with his feet. He's big. He's strong. He's powerful. He's athletic." Day said Brown "gives us something there" with running the ball in the red zone. However, Day said Brown has room to improve. "We can't turn the ball over on the 1-yard line. In a big game, that could have been the difference."
Day said Ohio State had an up-and-down performance across all four quarters. He said the Buckeyes started fast but didn't finish the first half well. Similarly, he said Ohio State performed well at the start of the second half but didn't end the game how he would have liked. "It was a job well done. There are things we need to get better at. It's a work in progress."
Day said Walters "doesn't make it easy" for opposing offenses. He said Ohio State had "to bring it" with every snap and every possession to keep the Boilermakers at bay.
Day on Ohio State's outlook for the rest of the season: "We are nowhere near where we need to be. ... We know we have a big challenge ahead of us. The preparation starts now."
On Ohio State's run game: "To be able to run the way we did without having three of our guys was a good sign. We have to get healthy this week."
On Dallan Hayden: "He's got really good feet. When the ball is in his hands, that's when he's at his best. ... He put it on the field. He took care of the ball. ... He ran the ball hard. It was good to see him step up in this moment on the road."
On the health of Ohio State's running back room: "We hope to get everybody back next week."
Day said Cade Stover "does a lot for us." He then added, "He does a lot of the dirty work for us. ... He's a great captain for us. He's a weapon in the run game and the pass game."