Ohio State head coach Ryan Day spoke with Paul Keels and Jim Lachey on 97.1 The Fan’s Ryan Day Radio Show on Thursday afternoon.
He talked about the Buckeyes’ performance against Penn State and how they are preparing for Nebraska on Saturday at noon. It will be the first time Ohio State will play an afternoon road game against the Cornhuskers since they joined the Big Ten.
RYAN DAY COMMENTS AND QUOTES
On Tyreke Smith’s performance against Penn State:
“He played well, and this was a big stretch for him.”
“In order for us to make a run, veteran guys have to play veteran.”
On running the football:
Day said he takes pride in being able to run the football against anyone in the country.
“We have to be able to do that.”
On Nebraska quarterback Adrian Martinez:
“I think Larry [Johnson] would tell you that you have to keep an edge on the rush.”
“You can’t let him run wild and escape in the pass game.”
Day said the key in the run game is to get him down in space.
“It’s like playing the service academies. It’s option football.”
On Penn State calling out the Buckeyes plays:
“It’s a part of the game.”
“I’m sure they got some plays wrong.”
“We do the same thing.”
On running the football to control the clock:
“That’s a big part of the game.”
“We used the run to control the game.”
“The defense was playing strong enough in the game that we felt like we wanted to establish the run.”
“I think we were 34 runs and 34 passes and that’s the balance that we’re looking for.”
On Nebraska’s stadium, its fans:
“It’s amazing to think they have so many sell-out games.”
“It’s a great place to play.”
“We know it’s gonna be a great game.”
On Nebraska fans applauding opposing teams:
“It’s different in the Horseshoe I’m sure.”
“It’s a great atmosphere.”
On Ronnie Hickman:
“He really embodies what we’re looking for with [the bullet].”
“We’ve been kind of searching to be able to play that where he can play in the box, in the deep half, the middle, some man-to-man. And he’s done that.”
“He’s been doing a great job.”
On quarterback’s running the football:
“It’s all part of the learning curve.”
Day said the designed run — outside of sneaks and situational plays — is limited in the Ohio State offense.
“You don’t want to get the quarterback hurt.”
“It’s a long season, but we have to be able to do it.”
Day said Stroud does a good job of keeping his eyes downfield when he extends plays with his legs, which allows wide receivers more time to get open.
On 7-on-7 events for recruits:
Day said 7-on-7 events have hurt quarterback play.
“It hurts a quarterbacks release points,” he said, mentioning that the players don’t have to throw the football over an offensive line.
Day on targeting, Steele Chambers call:
“Steele’s was maybe the first time its happened on the first play of a half.”
Day said the league can’s rescind targeting calls and the Big Ten will not allow Chambers to play in the first half of the Nebraska game.
“That wasn’t for lack of asking.”
