Presser Bullets: Ryan Day Says He Expects Tommy Eichenberg and Josh Proctor to Be Back Soon, "The Game is Slowing Down" for Kyle McCord

Ohio State had perhaps its best offensive half of football this season in the first half against Michigan State.

As such, the Buckeyes and the stadium at large seemed to fall asleep a bit in the second half, as a 35-3 halftime lead became just a 38-3 full-time victory.

Following the win – which pushed Ohio State to 10-0 on the season and ensured its game in Ann Arbor in two weeks will be for a spot in the Big Ten Championship – Ryan Day addressed the team's media on the health status of several key players and the performance of the Buckeyes' passing game driven by Kyle McCord and Marvin Harrison Jr.

On the start that the passing offense had: "It was great to have everybody back. It was great to have Cade back. ... Certainly Marvin made some big-time plays. ... I thought the O-line, the first group, did a really nice job. ... Kyle made some good decisions."
Tommy Eichenberg is "week to week," per Day, while Lathan Ransom has a long-term injury.
Josh Proctor is expected back soon, Day said.
Ohio State wants to try to get all its weapons involved, Day said. But "there were times tonight when (Harrison) was double-covered, but he still made the play."
On the first half as a whole: "When we're playing complementary football like that, that's what we can be."
On the offense: "We're starting to forge our identity ... we're starting to play with more and more confidence."
On whether he tries to get Harrison Heisman Trophy-caliber statistics: "You can't do that. ... I know that that's going to be part of the conversation, but that award is for the most outstanding player, not the player with the most stats. ... We try not to focus on that, we try to figure out what gives us the best opportunity to move the ball down the field."
Day said it was a great opportunity down the stretch for some young players to put reps on tape: "Some guys did flash, and that's where you see a guy on the field. ... They're all gradable snaps on film, It doesn't matter what the score is." Calvin Simpson-Hunt was a specific example of player that flashed, Day said.
On McCord's improved performance: "His feet moved better in the game. ... The game is slowing down for him, you can see that happening."
On Cade Stover: "He is strong inside in the run game, makes a huge difference. ... Then he's become a weapon in the passing game. ... He's a big target and he's making contested catches."

Marvin Harrison Jr. and Kyle McCord also met with the media from the podium after the game, and here’s a quick sampling of what they had to say:

Marvin Harrison Jr.

Harrison said his touchdown run was his favorite of his three touchdowns.
He said he’s not focused on trying to win the Heisman, as his goals are to beat “the team up north” and win the Big Ten championship.
He said his connection with Kyle McCord is getting stronger every week even though they’ve been playing together since high school.
Harrison said it’s “crazy” to think about being the first Ohio State receiver with two 1,000-yard seasons.

Kyle McCord

McCord said he thinks the Buckeyes have “done a great job of blocking out the noise” and staying focused on the task at hand.
On Harrison as a Heisman candidate: “If it’s truly the award that goes to the best player, he has to be right there in contention.”
McCord said the Buckeyes have focused on improving each week, and he thinks they have an increased sense of urgency to do so now that it’s November. He thinks Saturday night was a step in the right direction for the offense.
McCord said he thought the Buckeyes came in with a “super clear” game plan which allowed them to perform at their best offensively in the first half.
On the talent around him on offense: “I’m spoiled. At every single position, there’s a dog.” He thinks “it’s scary” when everyone on offense is healthy.
McCord thinks the first half was “the start we’ve been shooting for all year.” He thought the Buckeyes “could have finished a little better” on his second-half drives.