With a 14-point road win over Wisconsin in the rearview mirror, Ohio State head coach Ryan Day has shifted focus to the Buckeyes' matchup with Rutgers in Piscataway, New Jersey, this weekend.
On Wednesday, Day answered 10 questions in a brief press conference with reporters on the Woody Hayes Athletic Center indoor practice field. Among the many topics discussed, Day declined to update the health status of Lathan Ransom, explained Ohio State's No. 1 CFP ranking has "zero" impact on the team and said the Buckeyes need to play their best football of the season on Saturday.
- On whether Dallan Hayden's role changes after Miyan Williams' season-ending injury: "He moves up certainly. And we do have some games here. It moves him up into a much more impactful role, yes."
- When asked for an update on the health status of Ransom, Day said, "I won't have any update on an injury here, but we will have the availability report on Saturday."
- On Carnell Tate: "He has so much football ahead of him. He's starting to scratch the surface. ... We will continue to try and build his reps up. It's like some of the guys in the past who have been exceptional freshmen for us. ... I think about Garrett (Wilson), Chris (Olave), Marvin (Harrison Jr.) and Emeka in the Rose Bowl. ... Carnell is on that same path."
- On the "right number" of touches Ohio State's skill players need to be effective for the Buckeyes: "You want to make sure (running backs, receivers and tight ends) are featured in the offense. What is the number? It's different based on what you're seeing defensively. ... That's why we spend so much time on game plan. ... A lot of plays that we have, we keep personnel in mind."
- On what being the No. 1 team in the CFP rankings means to Ohio State: "Zero. It means we've had a good start. The first goal is to win the first game, then win the next 10, then win a few more after that. ... We gotta go to work. ... Our goal is to be the number one team at the end of the season."
- On kicker Jayden Fielding: "We test him every day in practice. ... He had enough leg for a 56-yarder. He has the leg." Day added: "He's gotta be ready this week."
- On defensive tackle Hero Kanu's performance against Wisconsin: "When you flash like that, you will get more opportunity." Day said Kanu has been able to "build trust" with his teammates and proven himself on the field.
- On adding Davison Igbinosun to Ohio State's cornerback room in the offseason: "We felt like we needed to bring in someone with experience. ... He's established himself with his work ethic, his practice, his play. ... We take bringing guys into this program very seriously. ... We take a lot of time making sure guys are a right fit for the team, and Davison has been a great fit."
- Day said explosive plays happen because of good schemes from the offense and breakdowns from the defense. "Many of them come up by good execution and making guys miss in space (on offense). ... A lot of it is executing well and getting your playmakers the ball in space."
