How OSU Rebuilt Its Defense in NFL Form

Ryan Day had a plan to implement the style of defense he hated facing the most, which led to the hiring of Jeff Hafley one year ago.

Jeff Okudah did his best Richard Sherman impression for the 2019 Buckeyes

"Just Keep Swinging"

Subtle adjustments had a major impact, as the Buckeye defense looked unbeatable in the second half of the Big Ten title game.

Facing a halftime deficit for the first time, Ohio State's defense played a completely different ballgame in the second half of the 2019 B1GCG.

Five Film Study Takeaways from October

What can the Buckeyes take away from their 38-point performance in October as they prepare for a rematch?

Thanks to a bruising ground attack, the Buckeyes put up 38 points on one of the nation's top defense back in October.

Film Study

Bringing you inside Ohio State's playbook.

How OSU Rebuilt Its Defense in NFL Form

Ryan Day had a plan to implement the style of defense he hated facing the most, which led to the hiring of Jeff Hafley one year ago.

13 Jan 2020
by Kyle Jones

27 Comments

"Just Keep Swinging"

Subtle adjustments had a major impact, as the Buckeye defense looked unbeatable in the second half of the Big Ten title game.

09 Dec 2019
by Kyle Jones

55 Comments

Five Film Study Takeaways from October

What can the Buckeyes take away from their 38-point performance in October as they prepare for a rematch?

06 Dec 2019
by Kyle Jones

41 Comments

Contrasting Identities

Ohio State won 'The Game' by relying on who they've been all season, while their rivals can't say the same.

02 Dec 2019
by Kyle Jones

112 Comments

“You're Going to Take Shots”

With their backs against the wall, some of the less-heralded members of the Buckeye defense made key plays in the win over Penn State.

25 Nov 2019
by Kyle Jones

66 Comments

Providing A Blueprint for the Bullets?

The Buckeyes' single-high defense had some trouble stopping the QB-run game in Piscataway. Will future opponents be able to replicate Rutgers' relative success?

18 Nov 2019
by Kyle Jones

93 Comments

Taking Flight Against the Terps

Using a variety of classic pass concepts, Ryan Day planned to put the pedal down against Maryland.

11 Nov 2019
by Kyle Jones

47 Comments

Simple but Versatile

The Silver Bullets have proven capable of matching up with a variety of schemes with minimal disruption to their larger philosophy.

28 Oct 2019
by Kyle Jones

67 Comments

A Texan Catching A 'Texas' Route

J.K. Dobbins had himself a big night in Evanston, not only on the ground but through the air as well, thanks in large part to a classic pass concept from the mid-90s.

21 Oct 2019
by Kyle Jones

53 Comments

Progressions As a Passer

Justin Fields has excelled thus far in Ryan Day's progression-based passing game, but there is still room for growth.

14 Oct 2019
by Kyle Jones

30 Comments

Winning on Third Down

Ohio State showed a variety of looks and tactics in their big win over visiting Michigan State.

07 Oct 2019
by Kyle Jones

25 Comments

A System Suited to the Talent At Hand

Ryan Day is pulling plenty of concepts from Tom Herman's old playbook to fit the roster at hand.

30 Sep 2019
by Kyle Jones

60 Comments

Championship-Caliber Run D

Buckeye linebackers are playing the run with a different tact in 2019, and early returns have been outstanding.

23 Sep 2019
by Kyle Jones

47 Comments

A Revamped, NFL-style Running Game

Instead of looking to other college programs for inspiration, Ryan Day seems to want his offense to look like the NFL's most explosive unit, led by the play of his offensive line.

16 Sep 2019
by Kyle Jones

49 Comments

The Silver Bullets Are Back

A renewed confidence and reliance on zone-match coverage have allowed the Buckeye defense to flourish under Greg Mattison and Jeff Hafley so far in 2019.

09 Sep 2019
by Kyle Jones

83 Comments

Day's Pro-Style Offense

A quarterback under center. Multiple tight ends. Even the I-formation. Whose offense is this, anyway?

02 Sep 2019
by Kyle Jones

69 Comments

New Looks from the Silver Bullets

Greg Mattison and Jeff Hafley's unit will employ a multitude of looks, including some we've seen before.

28 Aug 2019
by Kyle Jones

57 Comments

The Links Between Day, Kitchens and Taylor

The Buckeyes, Browns, & Bengals all welcome new head coaches at once for the first time. But the trio of young, offensive minds shares more in common than just a state line.

29 Jul 2019
by Kyle Jones

13 Comments