Ohio State head coach Ryan Day talked on his weekly radio show on 97.1 The Fan, as did offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson, on where the Buckeye are at in preparing for the incoming football season, which is currently exactly one month away.
Ryan Day
- Day said that he had a “much better weekend” with college football games on knowing that Ohio State is also set to play games in a month.
- Day: “It was nice to know that we’re actually playing again,” but he did say that he actually watched the games less than prior because he know has a game to prepare for.
- He said that Nebraska is “going to be a challenge,” and that the fundamentals will be key. He also highlighted the fact that the team is going to have only three weeks of practice in pads.
- More on Nebraska, Day said quarterback Adrian Martinez, who Ohio State recruited, is “one of the better quarterbacks in the conference.” Also said that he runs Nebraska’s offense well and has had a great college career to this point.
- He compared Nebraska wide receiver Wandale Robinson to Purdue wide out Rondale Moore, as well as to Ohio State freshman receiver Mookie Cooper.
- Day said that Master Teague still has to take that step from being a No. 2 running back to a No. 1. He also said “shoot, we might have two running backs in the game at once.”
- On the return of Wyatt Davis and Shaun Wade, Day emphasized how important it is to have the back as two captains, and leaders, of the team. Day also called the leadership from players on the team some of the best he’s been around.
- Day said defensive tackle Haskell Garrett, who was shot through both cheeks in an attempt to stop an altercation, is “doing well, all things considered.”
- On having no fans at the games, Day said that, in practice, it doesn’t feel much different, but that it will once games are actually played.
- When talking about the offensive line, Day mentioned Nicholas Petit-Frere for his experience and how he is at the proper weight now. He also talked about how strong of an offseason Dawand Jones had, as well as Paris Johnson, who is playing at a more mature level than his first-year status.
Kevin Wilson
- Wilson said this Ohio State team has “a chance to be maybe as individually talented as we’ve been.” He also said it now comes down to bringing it all together as a group.
- He said that the team has run more plays this preseason than they would have ever run and have gotten more in on the offensive side than ever before.
- Wilson praised wide receiver Chris Olave, and said he has a chance to have a truly great Ohio State career following this season. Said he’s also become a better practice player.
- Wilson called Justin Fields the “most athletic quarterback” he has ever seen, but that he can improve by becoming the true focal point of the offense this season after Ohio State relied a lot on the run game in 2019.
For four free issues of the print edition of Buckeye Sports Bulletin, no card required, sign up at the link here: https://www.buckeyesports.com/subscribe-4issue-trial/
