There was a lot for Ryan Day to speak highly of from Michigan State week as he and Ohio State begin preparations for Minnesota.
The Buckeyes' program frontman took to the airwaves on 97.1 The Fan's Buckeye Roundtable show Monday night to dive into Ohio State's fast start, Kyle McCord's performance and the challenges of playing Minnesota on Saturday.
- On Kyle McCord's performance against Michigan State: "I think statistically in the first half it was (his best game). I thought we came out of the gates operating much more efficiently. ... I thought Kyle made some good throws, made some plays in the red zone, a couple of third-downs."
- Day pointed to Ohio State's third-down conversions, execution and the team's finish on a two-minute drill near half as signs of a fast start. "That's what we were looking for. As much as you talk about it during the week, you've got to go put it on the field. That was well done."
- While the running game as a whole has taken strides, Day also feels that Ohio State's receivers are blocking well. "If the receivers get in there and dig those guys out, those are the ones that pop for big money."
- On the depth of the defense on display against Michigan State: "You just never know when guys are going to be needed, and it's good this time of year to have guys that can take reps away from others so we can be fresh here down the stretch."
- On how to tell how prepared for a game his team is: "The best you can do is just watch practice. See guys, their focus in practice ... then you try before a game to look in their eye, what's their body language?"
- On Marvin Harrison Jr.'s drop alongside his overall great performance against the Spartans: "I think he ran right over to the Woody and got on the JUGS. ... Great to see him on the run ... he's a playmaker when he's got the ball in his hands."
- Day pointed to cornerbacks Calvin Simpson-Hunt and Jermaine Mathews Jr. as young players who "flashed" against Michigan State.
- On McCord throwing the football away after a botched snap on Ohio State's first drive: "We watched it afterward and said 'Look, at the end of the play it's 2nd-and-10.' ... 2nd-and-10 is not the end of the world. ... That's smart football."
- On Minnesota: "I've got a lot of respect for P.J. and just how he coaches his team, they're fundamental ... they run the ball, have a great defense."
- Day also admires the veteran nature of the Golden Gophers' roster. "P.J. has done a great job of building that culture so that guys want stay there multiple years."
