Presser Bullets: Ryan Day Says Offensive Line Has "Mojo" in Practice, Buckeyes Still Evaluating Kicker Position

While the Buckeyes evaluate an offensive line rotation that will feature Luke Montgomery at left guard, Tegra Tshabola at right guard and Austin Siereveld swapping in at both spots. Despite the concerns of a unit that's been snakebitten by injuries and struggled the last two games, Ryan Day said on Wednesday that there has been good "mojo" and "energy" from the unit in practice this week.

Also under evaluation is the kicker position, where the Buckeyes are considering whether Jayden Fielding should start after his own recent struggles. Day also offered his final thoughts on Tennessee entering the postseason clash.

• On what concerns him about Tennessee's defense: "They're very well-coached, first off. ... All schemes are good, it comes down to personnel, and they have very good personnel. ... They mix up the coverages, they mix up the fronts."
• Day said Ohio State is "set" on its offensive line entering Wednesday's practice, but the exact rotations will play out as the week goes on.
• Air Noland is not with the team after entering the transfer portal, which day said is "his decision."
• Day said he's instilling confidence in his offensive line. "I feel like they've had a good week of practice and their confidence is building. ... It comes down to the leadership of Donovan (Jackson) and Josh (Fryar). ... I feel like yesterday there was good mojo coming off the field. ... We have to rock off the ball and knock people back ... we're going to go after these guys and make sure we're moving back the line of scrimmage."
• On what he needs from running backs Quinshon Judkins and TreVeyon Henderson. "I think it's important for them to have their best game this year, Quinshon and TreVeyon. ... The first 4 yards are the most important. We've gotta get 4 yards every run. The rest is up to them. ... We've gotta be creative in how we get them the ball."
• Ohio State is evaluating its kicker position after a 1-of-3 day from Jayden Fielding against Michigan. "We'll see how today goes, we'll see how the rest of the week goes."
• Montgomery will play left guard, Tegra Tshabola will stick at right guard and Austin Siereveld will rotate with both players, Day said. "I think you're gonna kind of see Austin going back and forth. ... I think you're gonna see a rotation at both spots."
• On the signing of offensive tackle Phillip Daniels: "Bringing folks in who have played already in college and showing they can play at a certain level, there's maybe more value there than in an 18- or 19-year-old freshman."
• Day said he expects a higher percentage of Ohio State's roster to be built through the portal as time goes, given how the national landscape has trended.
• On what Montgomery has done to show he deserves playing time: "I think it's been a steady increase over time, and now he's gotta go put it on the field."
• Day said that tackling will be key, especially in the open field, against the spacing and tempo of Tennessee's offense. It'll start on the defensive line, he said.
• On the conversations that were had behind the scenes after the Michigan loss: "When you come off of any loss, you want to identify the things that went wrong, and then everyone's gotta take accountability. ... If we're gonna move forward, there's gotta be accountability between the players and the coaches. ... I think you've got a very, very mature team and so their feedback is critical in this."
• On what stands out about Tennessee quarterback Nico Iamaleava: "He's got a stong arm, which is critical fo their offense. ... He can get the ball out quickly, makes good decisions, but he's also athletic. ... We've gotta make sure that we've got a good plan for his scrambles, because that's something that's kind of been hidden this year for them."
• Day said Ohio State's started practices at 4 p.m. to adjust the players' biorhythms adjust for an 8 p.m. kickoff against Tennessee.
• On the mentality he wants from his players entering a massive matchup. "When you're playing in big games, you don't sit up at night thinking about making that big sack or making that big throw. ... When you put your head on your pillow, just focus on playing as hard as you possibly can."