Ryan Day addressed the media for the final time before Ohio State travels to Atlanta for the College Football Playoff national championship game.
Seated on the indoor practice field at the Woody Hayes Athletic Center, Day discussed several topics with reporters, including Will Howard's leadership, the offensive line's resilience and Ohio State leaving nothing to chance against Notre Dame.
Here's a lightning-fast recap of the press conference:
- On Carnell Tate stepping up in the Cotton Bowl: "You need everybody. ,,, Carnell has played good football for us all year. ... We're gonna need him in this game as well. ... You could see him all season getting better and better."
- On Ohio State being fresh for the national championship game, strength coach Mickey Marotti: "Can't say enough. In the offseason, we talked a lot about this. ... We knew it was gonna be a long haul. ... Mick, to me, is the best there is in the business."
- On what has impressed him the most about Will Howard this season: "Leadership. Leadership. Certainly, his performance has been excellent, but it's leadership to me. ... The way that Will can take the team on his shoulders and not only lead the way but pump guys up.
- Day said relinquishing playcalling to Chip Kelly was "the right thing to do" for Ohio State to have success this season. Day said he's been more involved with game plans and schematics in the playoff than in the regular season. "During the playoffs, I can tell you, full disclosure, I have been very involved with it all. ... But it was the right thing to do. ... We got to be at our best."
- On Ohio State's offensive line: "It's been a group that has had a lot of different combinations all year. It's become a very resilient group. ... They've got to finish the job. ... Those guys need to have a good week of practice. ... I think Justin and that whole group has stuck together, and because of that, they've become stronger in the back end and that needs to pay off in this game."
- When asked about the pressure of winning a national title at Ohio State as a season-long favorite, Day said he hasn't given much thought to it. "All that matters is winning this game right now. ... Pressure, whatever you call it, the way you continue to work in those moments is to focus on right now."
- Day said "there's a reference point" to use against Notre Dame having played the Irish in 2022 and 2023. Day said the Buckeyes didn't have that benefit when facing Tennessee or Texas earlier in the College Football Playoff. He hopes the Buckkeyes can use their familiarity to their advantage in the national championship game.
- Day said execution will be critical for Ohio State to beat Notre Dame. "How we want this to turn out will be based on our execution."
- On Luke Montgomery: "Every day in practice, you see a guy who brings it. ... You're feeling him on the field. ... You're seeing him in big moments step up. ... He's gonna need to in this game. ... This will be a big game for him."
- Day said Ohio State can't leave anything to chance in the national championship game. "You've got to leave no doubt. ... We've got to finish this thing the right way. ... It's gonna be a battle."
- On Will Howard: "In a short period of time, he's had a huge impact on Ohio State. ... I know he wants to finish this thing the right way. ... He's excited about playing in this one."
