Presser Bullets: Ryan Day Credits Defense with "Championship-Level" Performance, Discusses Marvin Harrison's Day Against Penn State

Ryan Day saw a defensive performance Saturday that was "championship level."

The Buckeyes held the Nittany Lions to just 240 yards on 3.5 yards per play.

During his time with the media, Day also discussed Marvin Harrison Jr.'s 11-catch, 162-yard day, stated that Denzel Burke should be able to play next week with a full week of practice and said the offense still wasn't "good enough."

On the atmosphere in the Horseshoe: "I thought, first off the crowd was tremendous. ... When the Shoe is rocking like that, it's a difference-maker."
On the defense's performance: "Just felt the toughness, the physicality on defense. ... I've got to give credit to Jim Knowles, his staff. ... I'm happy for our guys. I'm happy with the success they've had."
Day wasn't satisfied with the offense's performance but credited Marvin Harrison Jr. for a big day. "No. 1 defense in the country, statistically coming in ... didn't run the ball well enough and didn't get enough explosive plays. ... But we had enough to win. ... Overall, not good enough, but I've got to give Marvin Harrison so much credit. ... To me, he's one of the most special players in the country."
The way the defense was playing and the desire to cash in a drive for seven points led Day to decide to go for it on 4th-and-goal at the 2-yard line, he said.
Day felt McCord "took care of the ball" outside of a scoop-and-score that was called back for a defensive holding. He added that, generally, the offense didn't execute well enough. "Certainly our defense put us in a good situation on offense."
On Ohio State's defense holding Penn State to 1-for-16 on third-down: "If we can play like this, that's championship-level defense."
Tommy Eichenberg told Ohio State's locker room that they had to be "second-half warriors," Day said.
On Harrison's preparation for a game like Saturday's: "Guys ask me (on Tuesday and Wednesday), 'Who's gonna leave (the Woody) first, you or Marvin?' ... He'll go out there and throw with Kyle (McCord) and then get on the (Monarc pass-catching) machine."
Denzel Burke was "close" to playing this week and Day expects him to be ready to go next week with a full week of practice.
Day feels that the team's energy, pumping up the crowd and being outspoken, is a really positive sign. "That was the most confident and energetic group I've been around since 2019 today."
Day said that if the defense is controlling a game, it's best to play into that strength. "In a game like this in particular, you have to do whatever you can to win the game." He added that the offense could have been "more explosive," however.
Becoming more explosive in the run game is one of the top areas Ohio State needs to grow still, Day said. "If we want to take the next step as a team, we have to do that."
Day had high praise for Cade Stover, and says the coaching staff needs to draw up more plays for him.
On JT Tuimoloau: "The defense in particular, JT and Josh (Proctor), they played physical. ... Those special players can do that, they turn themselves up just a little bit more in those clutch spots."
TreVeyon Henderson ended up being "unavailable" against Penn State. Day feels like "he is close," however. He added that Tony Alford felt that Chip Trayanum and Miyan Williams were the two best running backs to lean on, as opposed to Dallan Hayden, in Henderson's absence.