Ohio State's star cornerback has had no shortage of struggles this year.
But in his weekly press conference on Tuesday, Ryan Day said he has full faith in Denzel Burke to deliver against No. 5 Indiana's fantastic wide receiver corps. Day went so far as to say Burke will have a "great game." Also in the secondary, Day called Caleb Downs' passion for the game of football "infectious."
On the injury front, Day said there's a chance Ohio State gets its No. 2 tight end, Will Kacmarek, back from injury this week, after he's been out since the Oregon loss in Week 7.
Following Day's time, defensive coordinator Jim Knowles and quarterback Will Howard met with the media to discuss how the Buckeyes will match up with Indiana. Knowles also said that C.J. Hicks could have a more permanent future playing more of an edge role at linebacker.
Ryan Day
- In his opening statement, Day continued to urge Ohio State fans to be loud on Saturday, as he did on Buckeye Roundtable Monday. "I know that this week is a big opportunity for us to show what the Best Damn Fans in the Land are like. ... Certainly the atmosphere is going to be electric."
- On whether he's tempted to take the ball first after winning the coin toss: "We try to make that decision based on the game, what's going on. ... We decided to defer last week. It's fine when you get a three-and-out, but it's not fine when they convert on third down and convert the first quarter."
- Ryan Day said there's a chance Will Kacmarek plays this Saturday.
- Day thinks the veteran experience of his team will be to its benefit as it hits its stretch run. "We're going to approach every game the same way. ... These guys have been through multiple seasons together, and so it's easy to lose focus when you're young. ... The most important thing is focusing on what's on the line right now. ... I know our guys are focused."
- Day said that recruiting with NIL is like the NFL draft. He feels you can't sign only first-round draft picks, you have to pick and choose and mix in some lower-rated players.
- Day said it's important to self-reflect on strengths and weaknesses, even after a win.
- On the juggle of Early Signing Day and the stretch run of the season: "It's just kind of what it is. You've gotta recruit every day but also have a game that you've gotta go win."
- On where Will Howard has grown toward an early-round draft pick: "I think his footwork, his timing is better with the routes. ... He's learning more about third-down, red zone, two-minute, and that's really how you win at quarterback. ... He's just growing each week."
- Day said Emeka Egbuka does a good job impacting games even if he's not touching the football as much. "One of the things from this year when you look at the number of plays we've had, when you look at the number of possessions they've had, they're down. ... This team here wants to win, so we have to be willing to sacrifice. We have to be unselfish. ... It's not about touches, and Emeka has been a great example of that."
- On Indiana: "The first thing is, I don't think their players get enough credit. ... The players are the ones who play, and they have great players. ... You can see that they've been very successful in terms of everything they've been able to do in installing a culture."
- Day said Curt Cignetti's talk isn't something he's concerned about. "Everybody has to motivate their team, and certainly when you have great players, you have to instill confidence."
- On Ohio State's slow starts on offense or defense: "We play against good teams, they have good players. They're gonna move the ball some. ... I see us, right from the jump, playing hard, playing physical, playing with an edge. ... At the end of the day, it comes down to efficiency and it comes down to a high level of execution when you're not getting as many possessions."
- On Caleb Downs as a recruit: "You could tell at a young age, he knows football. ... Then you recognize the competitiveness. ... He wants to always be involved in the game, doesn't matter what the score is. ... I think his energy, his passion for the game really carries over to the rest of the team and it's infectious."
- On if the offensive line is prepared for the challenge of Indiana's pass rushers: "This is gonna be a good challenge for the offensive line. This is a very good, very productive (defensive front). ... The game is going to be won up front."
- On Donovan Jackson at left tackle: "The more he plays it, the more comfortable he's getting."
- Day said Indiana quarterback Kurtis Rourke has athleticism and can run the ball more than he has this year. "He's played good football this year and the numbers speak for themselves. ... He's an experienced guy and a great challenge for our team."
- On Lathan Ransom: "The first thing I'll say about Lathan and Caleb is they both bring a lot of energy to the table. ... Lathan has played a lot of football, he's playing about his best right now. He's been explosive, physical."
- On the leadership of Ohio State's transfers: "They've been a big part, not only the production but the leadership. ... And they've been respectful of the culture, respectful of the program."
- On whether Denzel Burke is "frustrated:" "I think he's gonna have a great game this weekend. ... I had a great conversation this weekend ... I think he's gonna have a great week of practice and I can't wait to see him play."
- Ohio State will monitor Mitchell Melton's status as the week goes on.
- On the advantages of having three stars starting at wide receiver: "It makes a big difference, it's very difficult to double or say, 'Hey, we're gonna take this guy away.'"
Jim Knowles
- Knowles is aware of Rourke's mobility. "We know we've had some issues in the past ... So yeah, we have to work on that."
- On Rourke: "He's extremely efficient. Calm in the pocket and very efficient. ... Figures out where the holes in the defense are and takes advantage."
- On whether he accepts Davison Igbinosun's penalties in exchange for his positive plays. "No, you never accept it, you just keep coaching it."
- Knowles said he's evaluating whether more of an edge role is better for C.J. Hicks. "Always. C.J. has that talent and that skill. So I think his future is gonna involve a lot more on that."
- On Ohio State's success not allowing touchdowns in the fourth quarter: "I feel like we have veteran players who you feel you can make adjustments with. ... There's always a flow to every game. ... I feel like our guys are veteran and they make those adjustments."
- On the return of the Jack position against Purdue: "I like what those two guys do. ... I just think there's a future there in that package for those two guys."
- Knowles said it's "pointless"
- On if Burke is frustrated: "No, I don't think so. I think Denzel is level-headed. ... You see very little change in his demeanor no matter what happens, and that's the sign of a good player because he's never gonna stop playing."
- Knowles saw a "leap" from Arvell Reese last game.
- On Jordan Hancock: "He's become more of a run-fitter, blitzer with man-coverage skills. ... He has those skills of a corner ... I think he's got all the tools that you look for in a safety."
Will Howard
- On Indiana's defense: "I think they do some good things. So we're gonna have to scheme them up ... whatever movement they try and throw at us, we're gonna have to weather the storm. ... Go out there and rock them off the ball."
- Wins are the only stat Howard cares about, but he does like that his efficiency metrics are so high. "If that means I'm playing well and taking care of the football and making completions, that's a good thing."
- On Caleb Downs: "That dude's a hell of a football player. ... The way that he comes downhill and hits dudes, it's different. ... The dude's pretty special and he's obviously really good in pass coverage too. And he's as smart as they come."
- Howard credited Ohio State's coaches, as he feels he's improved holistically as a quarterback this year. "I feel like a lot of it just had to do with consistency. ... A lot of what I had been told is that I showed flashes of everything ... but it wasn't all the time. And I feel like coming here, it's just how can I be as consistent and as mature as I can be. ... Not trying to make things happen, just letting happen. ... The things Coach Day and Coach Kelly are hard on me for are different than things I've been coached on. ... I think, in every way, my game has gotten better and I attribute that to the coaching I've gotten."
- Howard wants Ohio State fans to show why they're the best in the country in the Shoe on Saturday. "I'm excited, man. ... I'm confident that Buckeye Nation's gonna show up. If I can say anything, we need y'all. ... Show up, be loud, because we've played two of these games in road games, and this is the first time we're able to host a (top-five) game and have that advantage of the crowd noise and the advantage on our side."
- On how the offensive line is meshing: "I think they're doing a hell of a job. I couldn't say enough good things about them. ... Yeah they've had to adapt to their new roles, but I never skipped a beat with those guys. I'm so proud of them. ... When we started running the ball in that game on Saturday, it was those guys taking over."
- On where he's at in his progression as a quarterback: "I feel a ton more confident overall. I feel I've really settled into this offense. ... There are a couple of times I took checkdowns that went 8 to 10 yards on Saturday. ... Picking and choosing when to take those shots and when to hold it back."
- On Rourke: "I haven't watched him a ton. I know he was a great player coming out of Ohio. ... Just looking at his stats, it seems like he's been really efficient, really smart with the football. ... I know our defense is ready for the challenge."
- Howard felt his best throw was his seam route up the middle for a big gain to Gee Scott Jr. "I knew I was working Gee, and we always talk about a defender running with his back turned means he's open."
