It’s almost time.
Ohio State and Oregon will face off at Autzen Stadium on Saturday. Around 72 hours before kickoff in Eugene, Ryan Day offered the latest updates on how the Buckeyes have prepared for the top-three showdown.
From his comment that Carnell Tate will return on Saturday to his remarks about Brandon Inniss, Josh Simmons and Bryson Rodgers, here’s all the need-to-know information from the Ohio State head coach’s 10-minute press conference on the Woody Hayes Athletic Center indoor practice field.
- Day said Carnell Tate will be back in the lineup for Ohio State on Saturday. “He had a good day of practice today.”
- On Air Noland emulating Dillon Gabriel as a left-handed quarterback in practice: “He’s been over there and doing a good job. He’s got a great arm, and he’s athletic. …. He’s been doing a good job for us.”
- On the challenge Ohio State’s offensive line faces going against Oregon’s defensive line: “It’s a big challenge. It’s a big challenge for us. It’s great. … Preparation has been good. Biggest challenge to date. That’s what these guys have been working towards.”
- Day said Tate is “certainly very, very talented.” He added: “Very intelligent. … Very good route runner, runs downfield, runs underneath, runs after the catch. … He’s a leader. It’s great to have him back.”
- Day said Brandon Inniss stepped up for Ohio State against Iowa. He hopes Inniss builds confidence from that moment and that performance. “Confidence. How did you build confidence? You do it. … When you make a play like that in a conference game, it does all three of those things. No one was surprised when he made that catch. He’s very, very competitive. He’s tough.”
- Day said Ohio State has practiced well the past two days. “It’s about the standard we set. Guys have been edgy, which is what you want. Coaches have been edgy. … Need to keep grinding, keep preparing as we head into Saturday.”
- On the Oregon game: “This game means a lot to all of us. We're gonna be competitive. We’re gonna grind in practice. … There’s been a lot of purpose, a lot of competitiveness, guys pushing each other. That’s what you want.”
- On Josh Simmons: “You’re seeing some improvements for sure. … We’re seeing him improve because he’s practicing well. It’s true: how you practice every day is how you get better. We’re gonna need him to play well in this game.”
- On Bryson Rodgers: “To make a play like that, contested, early in the game, is a good sign. … That was encouraging. Agains, it built confidence in Will throwing him the ball, that the coaches can put him in the game.”
