After Ohio State’s shocking 49-20 loss to Purdue, the Buckeyes sent coordinators Ryan Day and Greg Schiano to meet with the media on Wednesday.
The Buckeye assistant coaches are out recruiting, but the coordinators remain in Columbus to work on scheme and addressing the issues on both sides of the ball during the bye week. What follows are the main takeaways from Day’s availability.
Day Notes:
- Said Ohio State is in the process of diagnosing whether or not the problems in the running game are due to personnel, execution or scheme. Would not elaborate on any findings the coaching staff has made.
- “The RPOs have been excellent for us,” Day said. Added he is spending a lot of time on red zone issues.
- Finding a select group of run plays Ohio State is comfortable with has proven to be a struggle, he said.
- Said red zone execution was critical in both the run and pass game. Added Dwayne Haskins missed throws he usually makes.
- “We are looking into,” playing Tate Martell in the red zone and short yardage situations. “Those discussions are happening.”
- Branden Bowen is not ready to play yet, Day said. Added he is practicing, as are young linemen who are getting added reps. “I don’t think the plan is to move anybody at this point,” he said when asked about any personnel changes on the offensive line.
- “Running Dwayne isn’t as much of an option as it was with J.T.,” Day said about Haskins in the red zone. Added Ohio State has considered adding tight ends or perhaps even a sixth linemen in the red zone.
- “Ben is going to step up. He has to mature into a role where he is going to be a starter,” Day said of Binjimen Victor stepping in for injured Austin Mack. Said Victor needs to show more consistency to maintain that starting role.
