Ohio State passed its first Big Ten test last week in East Lansing, Michigan. Now back in Columbus, the program prepares for yet another challenge in conference competition as the Buckeyes welcome Iowa into the Shoe on Saturday.
When discussing Iowa's offense in a Buckeye Roundtable appearance Monday, Ryan Day said Iowa's offense has made "a lot of strides" this season. The defense, meanwhile, has the same discipline and talent as recent Hawkeye teams.
“They play with great technique. They’re well-coached," Day said Tuesday. "They understand how they fit into the defense. Their pad level is low. Their hands are low. They play physical. They run to the football.”
On Wednesday, Day held a 10-minute press conference on the Woody Hayes Athletic Center indoor practice field. Like he did earlier in the week, Day complimented Iowa and the threat it poses to his team on Saturday. He also discussed Tyleik Williams, Cade McNamara, Kaleb Johnson and more in the media session.
Here's all the need-to-know information from Day's most recent press conference:
- On Chip Kelly and the creative ideas he shares when Ohio State creates offensive gameplans: "Oh yeah. But that's where some great ideas come from. ... Some things stick, other things you got to move on from. ... That's all healthy. ... We're not short on ideas or creativity. That's a good thing."
- On his aggressive playcalling this season, Ohio State going for it on fourth down: "Every decision that's made is made based on winning the game. We're gonna do that. That's it. You do everything you can to make sure you put your guys in the best position to win. ... We do want to be aggressive and put our guys in a situation to win games, attacking and having that mindset. ... Our guys work hard on those situations."
- On Iowa quarterback Cade McNamara: "Yeah, a veteran quarterback who has played a lot of football. Coming into an environment like this is something he's used to. He's made some really good throws this year. A veteran quarterback can go a long way in this conference, especially on the road."
- On Tyleik Williams, his availability for Saturday: "We expect him to play."
- On Kaleb Johnson and the Iowa running back's comments that he wants to beat Ohio State: "Followed his career, and he's done great. He's developed into a really good football player. ... We can't sign everybody. We're proud of guys that leave the state and do well. ... He's playing really good football right now."
- On what Devin Brown has to gain from his touchdown pass to Jeremiah Smith against Michigan State: "It's a confidence thing. ... For him to step up in that moment, in a big spot... it's gonna give him a lot of juice this week. I feel like it has."
- On TreVeyon Henderson: "We all can see the pass protection has been a strong point. I feel like we're running downhill as a group. ... Playing with a little more discernment across the board, confidence. ... That's gotta continue this week."
- Day with more on Williams: "Tyleik is a great player. But he's a leader. ... One thing about Tyleik is that he's got a very, very high football IQ. There's no question that he's a very, very strong player, makes a lot of plays, but also has leadership. ... Good to have him back this week."
- On Carlos Locklyn: "He works hard at it. You can feel him. You can actually hear him before you see him. ... He has a lot of energy. ... But it isn't just the running backs. He impacts a lot of guys on the team. ... It's been contagious."
- Day with more on Johnson: "He's running hard and breaking tackles. You've got to do a good job in practice and thudding people up. ... The guys who are at the point of attack have to do a good job wrapping up. ... We know the challenge. He's a very good back. ... Now we gotta put it on the field."
- Day said he plans to release information about who Ohio State could redshirt this season next Tuesday, though that's not a guarantee. Day said he and his staff still need to have a discussion with players the program plans to play for the rest of the season and plans to hold to a play-if-needed basis.
