Head coach Urban Meyer met the media Wednesday in the Woody Hayes Athletic Center team room for his midweek press conference as he prepares Ohio State for Saturday at Penn State.
Three days away from the No. 4 Buckeyes against the No. 9 Nittany Lions in a top-10 clash between two teams with unblemished records at 4-0 overall and 1-0 in Big Ten play, Meyer shared several key updates.
Urban Meyer
On the Penn State defense…
“This will be — it can’t be three-and-outs, those type of things and every big game, like the TCU game, it’s going to be a field-position game. So there are — seven years now, it’s going to be anytime a big game. It’s field position, take care of the ball and move the chains against a dynamic offense. Their defense is really good, too.”
On the running game’s importance…
“You have to, have to and we’re an offensive line-driven program, you’ve heard that before. When they’re on, we win and they have to be on.”
On the importance of Penn State because of recruiting implications…
“Sure, especially in that part of the country. When you start talking about Jersey and Maryland and the eastern shore, that’s a big battle with them.”
On the intensity of Penn State games over the years…
“Absolutely. Our conference, I’ll tell you — the east side, it’s not just Penn State, it’s everyone. Top to bottom, it’s day-to-day recruiting and day-to-day preparing your team.”
On the status of fifth-year senior offensive lineman Brady Taylor, who reportedly had arthroscopic meniscus surgery…
“Yeah, should be back in about four weeks. We’re looking at the (Oct. 27) bye week. A little meniscal thing he had to get taken care of.”
On the reason for the absence of sophomore safety Amir Riep, who has one tackle in two games…
“Hamstring (injury) and he’s back.”
On the balance for the offense…
“(Offensive coordinators) Ryan (Day) and Kevin (Wilson), they’re doing a good job. You’ve got to be aggressive. A lot of that is how this game plays out. I don’t want them to change the way that they’re calling plays, so there is that fine line when you have to get some move-the-chain opportunities but then you have to score points as well. That’s the chess match of a game.”
On the progress of redshirt freshman quarterback Tate Martell to get game-ready…
“He better be (ready). (I see) a competitive guy and a guy that wants to play and what you want. Dynamic athlete. Kind of a cowboy out there a little bit when he runs around, but he’s just trying to make a play. Competitive and very talented.”
On the development of junior defensive tackle Dre’Mont Jones…
“A lot of football left. I love Dre’Mont, the way he’s grown up, the way he plays. He and Coach J (defensive line coach Larry Johnson) obviously work well together. Yeah, he’s a dynamic guy and we need him. We need everybody full speed for this one. He’s got to be a dominator in this game.”
On how much of Jones’ production is from junior defensive end Nick Bosa‘s absence…
“It was (what I anticipated). It’s just the kind of person he is. I remember there was even a conversation about him leaving last year. I think his game, compared to last year, is shot right up. And that’s, again, another year with Coach J and (strength and conditioning coach Mickey) Marotti. He’s a very serious player, plus he goes very hard.”
On the position for sophomore Demario McCall…
“He plays at both (H-back and running back). He’s actually still going to be involved in this game plan, I think, so he’s just — to play tailback, you’ve got to get stronger than he is. And then at wideout, you’ve got to be a little more fluid as a receiver. So he’s right in between, but he’s working his tail off, I love him and he can add value.”
On the atmosphere at Beaver Stadium for the whiteout…
“I think that makes college football great. I think it is a great environment. But do I like it, did you say? I like it if we find a way to win a game. That’s why we’re there and they’re there to do the opposite. So I think, to answer your question, it’s a great environment. The one thing about the Big Ten is I’m on the Big Ten bandwagon because it’s — the environments around this league have really picked up, man. You name. I didn’t see that seven years ago. Now I feel it everywhere. I think that’s great for our conference.”
On if there are any updates at running back between junior Mike Weber and freshman Brian Snead…
“Mike Weber is ready to go. (Snead is on the) evaluation (list). I think we’re good.”
