Ryan Day is keeping the status quo on special teams.
In a press conference on Tuesday, Day said Jayden Fielding will remain Ohio State's starting kicker, while Joe McGuire will hold serve at punter for the Buckeyes' season opener against Texas.
Ohio State brought in former Ball State kicker Jackson Courville, a Dayton native, in the offseason to challenge Fielding for the starting gig. Courville made 26-of-34 field goals in a two-year stretch and was 11-of-13 on field goals last season, including 2-of-2 from 50-plus yards. Courville was also 54-of-56 on extra points in his Ball State career, missing one in each of his first two seasons.
Nonetheless, Fielding earned Day's vote of confidence Tuesday following an up-and-down 2024 season. Fielding finished 13-of-17 on field goals last season and is entering his third year in Columbus.
His highlights included sealing the national championship against Notre Dame with a 33-yard field goal in the game's final minute, though he also struggled in the Michigan loss with two missed kicks. He did not make a field goal 50 yards or longer in 2024 and has yet to make one in his career.
Meanwhile, McGuire enters his third season at Ohio State and beat out second-year player Nick McLarty for the starting gig. McGuire will be the Buckeyes' starter for the second straight year. He recorded 47 punts last season, averaging 42.1 yards per punt. His longest was a 61-yard punt, and he placed 14 punts inside the 20-yard line.
