Going into Kinnick Stadium is never easy for anyone. Ohio State’s last trip, which was in 2017, ended in a blowout loss to the Hawkeyes.
Part of that is because of the defensive pressure the program is already known for being heightened by the environment inside the stadium during the game.
It can be tough for offenses to move the ball the same way they are used to, and Ohio State head coach Ryan Day is challenging the offensive line to get some push in the run game in that environment on Saturday.
“We’re going to go against a team that historically does not let you run the ball,” Day said on Tuesday. “What a huge challenge for the offensive line to run the ball on the road in a huge environment for four quarters. … They need to be on their game.”
Going into the week, Iowa is the No. 1 scoring defense in the country, allowing just eight points per game through four weeks. And the rush defense Day talked about has been strong as well, allowing 87.8 yards per game on the ground, which is good for 19th in the country.
The challenge Day posed to the offensive line extends to the running backs as well, which Day has been saying for weeks now, hoping to see more production out of the backfield.
Bo Jackson leads the team through four games with 283 yards rushing on 50 totes (70.8 per game, 5.7 per rush) and two touchdowns. Ja’Kobi Jackson is not far behind, with 206 yards on the ground and five touchdowns on 31 carries (51.5, 6.6).
Day knows that Iowa could present a unique challenge for his team in Iowa City and it hoping this is the week it turns into a strength for the Buckeyes.
“They have been doing this for a long time, (Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz and defensive coordinator Phil Parker),” Day said. “You really don’t need to challenge (the OL and running backs) much other than that. You need to be able to run the ball against an Iowa defense, and that itself is a major challenge.”
