Skull Session: C.J. Stroud's First Career TD is Funny in Retrospect, Jim Knowles Drinks a Lot of Coffee and Devin Smith Torched Michigan State As a Buckeye

Jim Knowles might be my favorite Ohio State assistant coach.

This video is a significant reason why:

Can't say I've ever heard as many grunts in a press conference as Ohio State defensive coordinator Jim Knowles had today when reflecting on what conversations between he and OSU linebacker Tommy Eichenberg are like. pic.twitter.com/fOsOzySsiJ
— Garrick Hodge (@Garrick_Hodge) October 4, 2022

I'll also mention another reason later in the Skull Session. How's that for a tease?

Let's have a good Wednesday, shall we?

TIME IS A FUNNY THING. When we were first introduced to C.J. Stroud, a five-star quarterback from Inland Empire, California, perhaps you were like me in assuming he would be a similar archetype to Justin Fields rather than the pro-style pocket passer he is today.

That thought process is warranted and can be attributed to a 48-yard touchdown run he scored in Ohio State's 52-12 win over Michigan State on Dec. 5, 2020. It was his first career score as a Buckeye, and it was quite the impressive showcase of athleticism from a true freshman.

The last time C.J. Stroud played in East Lansing, he took a read option 48 yards to the end zone. What are the chances he will do this again on Saturday?pic.twitter.com/MrrAZ94VLz
— Chase Brown (@chaseabrown__) October 4, 2022

However, the narrative that Stroud would resemble Fields' dual-threat nature evaporated when he took over as the team's starter in 2021. Quarterback runs weren't a part of Ohio State's offensive scheme for Stroud, and tuck-and-run scenarios weren't his cup of tea.

It was hard to comprehend the reality that Stroud had no desire to run the football, especially after what happened in East Lansing in 2020. That's why time is a funny thing. In 12 games last season, Stroud proved that his arm provided more for the Buckeyes than his legs ever could, as he broke several school records and won several postseason awards for his passing achievements.

We likely will never see Stroud recreate anything similar to his first career touchdown at Ohio State, and that's perfectly fine. He's provided Buckeye Nation with several moments worth that run and more and consistently reminds us that he is one of the most uniquely talented quarterbacks in the program's rich history.

A WORTHY CHALLENGER. Each week, Ohio State football beat reporters meet at the Woody Hayes Athletic Center for a press conference with Ryan Day and other select coaches or players. This week, Jim Knowles and Tony Alford were the assistants who followed Day at the podium, and both provided several laughs for the media.

But I want to focus on one comment in particular from Knowles – his answer to a question asking how many cups of coffee he drinks daily.

Jim Knowles on how many cups of coffee he drinks a day: "Not that many. Six."
— Griffin Strom (@GriffinStrom3) October 4, 2022

That's right, folks. Knowles drinks six cups of coffee every day. You may be thinking: "Why would anyone drink that much coffee? Think about all that caffeine!" You may also feel bad for Knowles' mind and body, which is probably fair. But let me tell you something.

Knowles understands something that few people in this world do. You cannot dominate unless you caffeinate. I learned that during college as I fell in love with coffee, pre-workout, sugar-free Red Bull and Celsius.

Wake up? Caffeinate.

Exercising? Caffeinate.

Working? Caffeinate.

That's why Knowles is a worthy challenger for my caffeine intake. Unfortunately (or maybe fortunately), he has me beat. But at least I know the defensive coordinator at Ohio State is dominating every day. That's a massive win for the Buckeyes.

Caffeinate and dominate.pic.twitter.com/8J7bHHn0kC
— Chase Brown (@chaseabrown__) October 4, 2022

DEVIN SMITH, EVERYONE. Michigan State has provided Ohio State with several quality games over the years, which has required countless players to step up in big moments to help their team beat the Spartans. I'm not sure anyone stepped up more than former Buckeye wide receiver Devin Smith.

As in every other game during his Ohio State career, Smith was a touchdown magnet anytime he competed against Michigan State. Whether it was Braxton Miller or J.T. Barrett throwing him the football, Smith found his way to the end zone with extreme efficiency against the Mark Dantonio-led Spartan teams.

Week 6 = at Michigan State

Got us thinking about some rather large Devin Smith catches. @dsmithosu x @OhioStateFB pic.twitter.com/uwvt38uxyY
— Ohio State on BTN (@OhioStateOnBTN) October 4, 2022

Smith was one of my favorite Ohio State players during my middle school and high school days (yes, I know I am young). I mean, how could you not like him? He caught 121 passes for 2,503 yards and 30 touchdowns as a Buckeye.

May more Ohio State receivers torch the Spartans throughout their Ohio State careers as Smith did so consistently. It's pretty fun when they do.

OLYMPIC VILLAGE. Ohio State women's soccer had two (!) athletes named Big Ten players of the week on Tuesday after a 3-0 win over then-No. 6 Penn State, which was also the No. 16 Buckeyes' fourth consecutive shutout.

A few goals and a few shutouts on the week @kaylafisch_ and Talani Barnett. @B1GSoccer players of the week#GoBucks pic.twitter.com/FCxRWugBj0
— THE Ohio State WSOC (@OhioStateWSOC) October 4, 2022

Graduate forward Kayla Fischer hadn't scored in eight straight games entering last week's matches against Indiana and Penn State. Still, she netted two attempts in her team's two victories over the Hoosiers and Nittany Lions. Fischer now has 23 goals in her career, which is the 12th most in the program's history.

Senior defender Talani Barnett has been an All-American caliber player for the Buckeyes this season and continued that level of excellence last week. She was the anchor of an Ohio State defense that allowed only three shots on goal to Indiana and five attempts on the net to Penn State.

The Big Ten weekly award was Fischer's first of the season. Meanwhile, Barnett claimed her second of 2022, making her the first Buckeye to win multiple defensive player of the week honors in a single season since Lauren Robinson won the accolade four times in 2009.

SONG OF THE DAY. "Fall, Fall, Fall" by CAAMP.