Ryan Day Radio Show: Ryan Day Thinks The Ohio State Defense's "Confidence is Growing Every Day," Says Buckeyes Must Be "At Our Best" vs. Minnesota

When Ohio State plays Minnesota, the Buckeyes always expect a battle.

"One thing about Minnesota is that they're physical and they're tough," Ohio State head coach Ryan Day said on Thursday. "They play hard. They do. When you look at their teams year in and year out, they buy into the culture."

Day's comments came on The Ryan Day Radio Show with Paul Keels and Jim Lachey on 97.1 The Fan. Like every week, we recorded the most important news and info from Day's appearance on the broadcast, as well as some comments from Ohio State wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr.

Here's the rundown:

Ryan Day

On Ohio State's dominant win over Michigan State

"It's everything across the board. You keep swinging at it."
"The protection was good. The run game was efficient."
"But still a lot of things we saw on the film that we got to keep growing on."
"Good to have everybody back (on offense), all the weapons at the same time."

On how Ohio State can build off that performance

"Bigger challenges are certainly coming down the tube."
"It all starts up front."
Day said it was good to get younger Buckeyes experience in the win. He said depth will be important for Ohio State over the next few weeks.

On Cody Simon

Day called Simon a great leader and someone who offers all of himself for his teammates.
Simon has become a trusted player who can lead the team physically and mentally, Day said.
On the potential for Simon to return to Ohio State next season: "We would love to have him back. His best football is ahead of him."

On Ohio State's defense

"Their confidence is growing every day."
"They believe in (Jim Knowles') system."
"Now we gotta be at our best."

On younger Buckeyes getting playing time last week

"They got something to show for all their hard work."
"Always good to get those guys in the game."
Day said Sonny Styles has been an example to freshmen Buckeyes who have worked to earn extra snaps late in games in recent weeks. Day said Styles "got his first year under his belt" last season, which has "paid off this season" now that he is more involved in the defense.

On Marvin Harrison Jr.

On what impresses him most about Harrison: "It's his consistency."
"We have to pull him back because he wants to continue to push. ... He's constantly pushing."
"He doesn't stop. He's like the Energizer Bunny."
"That's what you notice this time of year. He keeps pushing."

On Julian Fleming

"He's a big part of our offense."
"Right now, he's healthy, and he's playing well."
"He brings toughness and a home-run threat down the field."
"He's a mismatch of the perimeter."

On Gee Scott Jr.

"You saw the big catch in the Rutgers game for the touchdown."
"At the point of attack, you see him come across on (TreVeyon Henderson's) touchdown."
"He's doing the dirty work."
"He's becoming a big part of our offense."

On throwing to the running backs and tight ends

On Ohio State's quick passes to Cade Stover, Gee Scott Jr. and others: "That's a huge part of (our offense)."
"The other part is the running backs."
Day said TreVeyon Henderson and Xavier Johnson have proven to be pass-catching threats out of the backfield this season.

On Ohio State's defense

"That's the job of the coordinator and the coaches to put them in an opportunity to be successful."
"Again, they're playing with confidence."
Day reiterated that Ohio State's defense knows there are tougher offenses "coming down the tubes" that can challenge them with the run and the pass.
"One thing about Minnesota is that they're physical and they're tough."
"When you understand what you're doing, you can play fast."

On the mentality of Ohio State players in November

"I think this team likes football. They do."
"It's not drudgery."
Day said Ohio State has players that are always in the facility. They are on the field, in the weight room, in the film room and in other areas of the Woody Hayes Athletic Center to get better and improve.

On Ohio State's players handling injuries

"Our guys are very professional about that."
"You don't have to track these guys down. ... They're in there getting treatment."
"You have to really get ready to go play in the games. You have to prepare. ... Our guys have heard the message on that this season."

On Josh Proctor getting back to 100%

"Great to get him back out there in practice."
Day said Proctor should be good to go for Ohio State's senior day vs. Minnesota.
Day said Proctor's return will provide a boost for the defense.

On P.J. Fleck, Minnesota

"I think P.J. does a great job."
"They play hard. They do. When you look at their teams year in and year out, they buy into the culture."
"They lost a couple of guys in a couple of weeks, but they are getting some guys back."
"We know they are a good team coming in here."

On Minnesota's offense in 2023 compared to 2021

"It's a little bit different. They have a different coordinator but not a different philosophy."
"Similar concepts. Similar ideas."
"They are gonna try to control the game, run the ball, control the clock."

On Senior Day

"Great to recognize those who put so much into our program and laid it all on the line."
"Senior Day will be a great day."
"One thing I appreciate about Senior Day is when you see a player come across the field, that player carries adversity with them. ... That's life. Life is carrying around adversity."
"Each guy has their own story. That's what I recognize when those guys come across the field."
"So many great success stories on our team."

On Minnesota DB Tyler Nubin

“Good player. He makes a lot of plays.”
“They play hard, and they’re well-coached.”
“Like always, when you play Minnesota, they are tough up front. ... They have guys running around to the ball.”

On Ohio State practicing in the elements

"We practice outside and practice into the evening, where it gets a little bit colder."
"Our guys are good with it."
"When the sun goes down, it's actually good for us. ... It gets colder ... We practice in the elements. Whatever it is, it is."

On the environment Ohio State provides

Day said Ohio State brings recruits to Ohio Stadium "to see the passion, see the passion, see the crowd."
Day said Ohio State has several traditions that he loves: The Skull Session, walking over to the stadium, walking down the tunnel, Carmen Ohio and others.
Day said Ohio State is "the greatest place to play in college football."

On Ohio State's scout team

"Nothing better than watching them play."
"They give us great looks."
"I think our young coaches and graduate assistants."
"So much of that preparation and training is gonna show up on Saturdays."

On Cade Stover

"Great to have him back."
"You can see the impact he has on the offense."
Day said Ohio State held Stover out of the second half vs. Michigan State so he could be "ready for the home stretch" vs. Minnesota and Michigan.

On his favorite Rooster's wing sauce

"Carolina Gold."

Marvin Harrison Jr.

On his rushing touchdown vs. Michigan State

Day said scoring his first career rushing touchdown vs. Michigan State was special.
"That's a play we've been working on for a while now."
Harrison said Ohio State has tried to get him in the end zone with that play a few times but it had been unsuccessful up until that point.

On the Monarc Seeker machine he and other wide receivers use

Harrison said Ohio State's wide receivers catch "hundreds" of passes off the machine each week.
Harrison said he attempts to mimic what routes Ohio State's offense will run vs. their opponent to ensure he is ready for the game.

On playing with high school teammate Kyle McCord

"It's been awesome. It's been a dream come true."
"To see us come now full circle at the college level has been special to see."
On whether he and McCord played the same sports, different sports in high school: "I ran track. Obviously, he didn't."

On blocking as a wide receiver

"When you get here, you want to catch passes all the time. ... Coach (Brian) Hartline humbles you out of that real fast."
Harrison said it's essential to be a good blocker as a wide receiver because establishing the run opens up the entire offense.

On the environment in Ohio Stadium, Senior Day

"When you're in the moment, you don't hear the crowd as much as you would like to."
"You hear it the most when the defense is on the field."
"This will be the last home game of the season for us. Super excited to be out there again."

On his Rose Bowl performance in 2021

On whether that game comes to mind at times: "It hasn't. You have to stay in the present moment."
"For me, that is one of the special games I will always remember."
"Having Garrett (Wilson) and Chris (Olave) out, it was my opportunity to step up."

On Ohio State's matchup with Michigan

"I'm super excited for that game. ... Can't look past Minnesota, but I am excited for it."
Harrison said he hopes Ohio State and Michigan are undefeated when the teams meet in Ann Arbor