In a usual broadcast of The Ryan Day Radio Show, Ryan Day recaps Ohio State's most recent performance and previews the Buckeyes' next matchup.
Not this week.
On Thursday, Day looked forward to Ohio State's matchup with Penn State far more than he reflected on his team's 41-7 win over Purdue. For Day, a top-10 matchup with the No. 7-ranked Nittany Lions has the Buckeyes' attention and focus with 48 hours to kickoff.
Here is a recap of Day's appearance on the show, plus some comments from Ohio State defensive line coach Larry Johnson:
Ryan Day
On practice leading up to the Penn State game
- "You can see the focus. These guys know what is at stake."
- "Starting fast, winning that first five minutes of the third quarter will be critical."
- Day said Ohio State's run game made "some steps" vs. Purdue, but Day said a "tougher challenge" awaits the Buckeyes this week: "We know the things we need to improve on to win this game. Certainly, one of them is gonna be to run the ball."
On Ohio State's running back room, Tony Alford's coaching
- "It's a long season. It's a physical conference. You have to have depth. That was great."
- Day said Ohio State's running back room has a depth that the rest of the Buckeyes' position groups are still trying to catch up to. Day said Ohio State may need to tap into the depth on Saturday against a talented Penn State team. "We are gonna need that this week at all levels."
- "Good to have depth (at running back). You never know what is gonna happen."
On Devin Brown's play vs. Purdue
- "Devin came in and gave us something different there."
- "We thought he deserved an opportunity."
- Day said Brown's fumble at the goal line "can't happen," but other than that, he was proud of how the backup quarterback performed when called upon. "He was tough."
- Day said if Ohio State continues to use that package in the future, defenses will need respect that Brown can throw and run the football. "He throws the ball well. He has a strong arm. He can throw it down the field."
On Carnell Tate and Brandon Inniss
- "They deserve to play."
- Day said "you can see talent" with Inniss. Day said Inniss has performed well as a freshman despite coming to campus in the summer rather than as an early enrollee. Day said it usually takes longer for summer enrollees to acclimate to the game because they haven't had as many reps as players who arrived in January.
- "Carnell deserves all the opportunities he is getting right now. ... You are seeing that hard work pay off."
On Ohio State's cornerbacks
- "They are gonna get tested this week."
- "Penn State comes in with a lot of good players, a lot of talent on the perimeter."
- Day said Penn State quarterback Drew Allar has taken care of the football this season and finds ways to put the ball into the hands of his playmakers. Because of that, Day said Ohio State will need to be disciplined on the perimeter and look "to get hands on balls."
On how Ohio State's practice has looked this week
- "We find good-on-good opportunities on Tuesdays and Wednesdays."
- Day said Ohio State's defense is "up 2-0" on Ohio State's offense in a practice period where the former attempts to stop the latter across four downs that start at the 10-yard line.
- Day said Ohio State has worked on technique a lot this week as each position has worked with their position coach in practice.
On Ohio State's defense
- "I thought our defense did a nice job getting (Purdue) off schedule."
- "Looking ahead here, this is a bigger challenge. This is Penn State coming in. ... They are gonna come in here and challenge us."
- "We have to play our best football on Saturday."
On Penn State's defense
- "They're disruptive. Good scheme. Good players. Fast and powerful."
- "At all three levels, they have good personnel."
- "They create turnovers. ... The turnover battle is gonna be critical."
On Ohio State's 24-48 hours after a game
- Day said Ohio State's coaches watch film from the previous games two to three times by Monday.
- Day said the coaches show good and bad plays to their players that will help the team improve.
- Day said it is important for Ohio State's players to rest and recover after games to be healthy and ready to face the next opponent.
On what it means when "the light goes on" for a player
- Day said Ohio State's players develop with "understanding and confidence."
- Day said "you start to see guys learn and grow" when they have reps on the field under their belt and a good understanding "of what to do, how to do it and why to do it."
- Day said he also wants to see how players "overcome adversity." He wants to see players "who don't fold, who don't crumble... who are warriors."
On JT Tuimoloau and Jack Sawyer
- "We are gonna need those guys this weekend. We know that."
- When Tuimoloau and Sawyer sacked Purdue quarterback Hudson Card last weekend, Day said Ohio State's cornerbacks and linebackers did a nice job to have Card hold the ball for an extra second, allowing the defensive ends to reach and sack him. "Great to see those guys make that play in that spot."
- Day said Penn State's offensive line is tough and physical, so Tuimoloau, Sawyer and the rest of Ohio State's defensive line will need to be at their best on Saturday.
On Ohio State's recruiting visitors for the Penn State game
- "We will be close to 80 recruits here, and their families will bring us close to 250 people."
- "The focus is the game. ... We let the game do the speaking for us in this one."
- "We have to win this game."
- "We are looking forward to seeing the best atmosphere in football on Saturday at noon."
On Kyle McCord
- Day said he has been "pleased" with McCord's development after six games.
- Day said McCord has made strides in his confidence and leadership on the field and on the sidelines.
- "This is a big challenge. We knew it would be that way when we looked at the schedule. ... Top-10 matchup –he is gonna have to be great."
On Ohio State's energy level this week
- Day said Ohio State has to "bring the energy" on Saturday because the game will be a battle for all four quarters. Day said the Buckeyes cannot come out flat, so he has been building energy up throughout the week, reminding his players of the importance of this game.
- "The locker room will get juiced up here as we get closer to the game."
- On Tommy Eichenberg being more vocal on gamedays: "He is probably the most comfortable when he is on the field. ... He finds a comfort and a peace out there on the field. He is playing at a high level."
On Tyleik Williams, his midseason All-American honors
- "Well-deserved."
- "He is one of those guys that has to step up and play really good for us."
- Day said Williams has looked better and better as the season has continued.
On Cody Simon, his increased playing time
- "He deserves it."
- Whether it's at linebacker or on special teams, Day said "he's shown production in certain areas."
- "He's been a productive member of the defense. Another one of those guys that come Saturday will need to play well."
Larry Johnson
On Tyleik Williams
- "He's starting to come on at the right time."
- "He's playing really good football."
- "He's gotten himself in great shape."
- "I like where he's at right now."
On Kenyatta Jackson, Caden Curry, Omari Abor
- "This is the time that those guys need to emerge."
- "Those young guys have to give (the older players) a chance to rest.
- Johnson said Ohio State will use Jackson, Curry and others on Saturday to create a "change of pace" for Ohio State's defense and Penn State's offense."
On Penn State's offensive line
- "We have to attack these guys, get off the line of scrimmage quickly."
- "They have really good players."
- Johnson said Penn State's offensive linemen are strong and physical at the point of attack and will look to establish their dominance at the line of scrimmage on every play.
On if working with Mike Yurcich helps him gameplan for Penn State
- "Not much, but I know what he likes to do."
- "He's a really good coordinator."
- "He's done a really nice job there."
On what allows Penn State to dictate the pace of play
- "Turnovers. Their defense has done a great job getting the ball back."
- "They do a good job managing and running the ball."
- "We have to do a great job on first down. ... We can't let them get 3 or 4 yards on first down."
