Forty-seven yards didn't influence Ohio State's outcome against FCS Grambling State this past Saturday, but that lost yardage could impact results when talent is more equated.
That's the yardage that Ryan Day says Ohio State lost to punts it didn't field against Grambling State. Tigers punter Johnny Schifano gave the Buckeyes plenty of data on punt return, given he booted the ball away seven times as his offense was shut out, and three were downed inside the Buckeyes' 20-yard line as four of them went unfielded.
"That's an area, coming out of the game, that we've gotta improve on for sure," Day said. "I think we lost 47 hidden yards with the ball bouncing around on the ground. Now, a couple of them were very difficult because they weren't very well hit. But other ones, I feel like we could have fielded."
Schifano punted seven times for 292 yards and Ohio State only returned one of them for 8 yards. That's an average net of 40.6 yards per punt, which would have put the FCS punter and coverage team among the top schools in the FBS last season.
Wide receiver Bryson Rodgers got a few shots after the Buckeyes' backups came on against Grambling State and returned one punt a long way, only to have it called back after referees conversed and found a fair catch was called. Still, he looked explosive, although Day didn't list his name as an option to roll in with Inniss going forward on Tuesday. Instead, he pointed to Jeremiah Smith, Carnell Tate and Caleb Downs.
Regardless, it's something the Buckeyes will tool with this Saturday against Ohio.
"Brandon is still gonna return punts for us, but we also have Jeremiah that we can put back there, Carnell, Caleb if we need to," Day said. "We're gonna stick to it. But we've gotta get better, there's no question. That's something coming out of the game that was a red flag that we've gotta get fixed."
