Plentiful sunshine and pleasant temperatures welcomed the Ohio State football team to the practice field Wednesday at the Woody Hayes Athletic Center. The No. 1-ranked team in the country is readying for its Big Ten home opener Saturday against Maryland.
Urban Meyer met with reporters following practice to talk his team's progress for the noon kickoff.
Notes:
- Meyer said red zone and turnovers were a huge emphasis this week in practice: "I was a raving lunatic about that this week."
- He said effort is not the problem for those issues, but some guys might be pressing when the mistakes happen: "If effort's the problem, you implode. If it's not, you just coach them really hard."
- On the social media backlash players and specifically Cardale Jones faces, Meyer said he addressed it with his team: "Whatever criticism there is, I mean he's 8-0 as a starter. The execution is not there, but we did address it with them."
- On Jalin Marshall's issues holding onto the ball Saturday at Indiana, Meyer said discipline and awareness are key for improvements there.
- Meyer said he "hasn't made a decision" regarding possibly using J.T. Barrett in the red zone moving forward. He joked that if Ohio State scored touchdowns in the red zone and didn't turn the ball over, "there'd be nothing to talk about."
- Meyer said he sees "exceptional athletes at the skill positions" at Maryland. He called Will Likely is "the best punt returner in America."
- Cam Burrows had surgery on his foot and is out for the season, Meyer said. He said Burrows could try to get a medical redshirt, but is unsure if that's possible.
- Meyer and the staff hasn't made decisions on who will redshirt this season, but specifically Mike Weber is not quite 100 percent yet. Torrance Gibson is, though.
- On his quarterbacks, Meyer again reiterated that the position is a product of those around it. He said the timing and execution isn't quite where it needs to be yet with the quarterbacks and receivers, but it's improving: "Everybody is working their tails off."
- Meyer was asked if coaching turnover is an issue and he said it is not. It just takes time.
- "At some point it has to be (a turning point) ... How do you break it? It's not signs or slogans, but it's hard work and elbow grease." — Urban Meyer
- How much has Cardale Jones changed from last year to right now? "Oh man, I can't remember. Last season he wasn't engaged. Now it's just execution and timing and he's getting there."
- On how much his defense played so far this season, Meyer said they are watching the grind on the players' bodies closely: "It's amazing how much that's changed and the evolution of that. Five years ago, we didn't do that at all."
- Meyer said that freshman linebacker Nick Conner suffered a knee injury Tuesday in practice and is out for the season. He is set for surgery soon.
