The off week provides an opportunity for both rest and improvement for Ohio State. And some evaluation.
Upon evaluation, Ryan Day and his staff's opinion of Bo Jackson only keeps climbing. After another jaw-dropping performance against Ohio, he expects the freshman to get more carries.
On the injury front, tight end Bennett Christian "should be back" against Washington, while Day also dove into why Tywone Malone Jr. started over Eddrick Houston at defensive tackle and what Ohio State can do better in the red zone.
Following Day's interview, coordinators Matt Patricia and Brian Hartline met with the media to speak on an array of topics. Hartline feels Brandon Inniss is playing great despite not receiving any targets against Ohio and think he's settled in great as a play-caller. Patricia loves how "big" nose guard Kayden McDonald is playing and the chemistry Jaylen McClain has developed with Caleb Downs.
Ryan Day
- Day broke down Ohio State's failures in the red zone, and it mostly boiled down to execution, but the scheme was in the right place even though he's normally critical of that. "Ultimately it's the coaches' responsibility."
- Day said tight end Bennett Christian "should be back" next week.
- On whether Ethan Onianwa can compete for more snaps at right guard over Tegra Tshabola: "I thought Tegra did some better things on Saturday, but did have the two penalties. ... It's good to have competition and know that there's guys who are fighting to get on the field. ... I do think that he got better this past game."
- On the decision to start Tywone Malone Jr. over Eddrick Houston at defensive tackle: "As you saw, we rolled, we'll continue to roll guys. But I thought Tywone took a step in the game. He's playing well. He graded out (a champion), that's big. ... We're gonna need everybody."
- Ohio State will stay on its game week schedule but take some extra time to rest during its off week. "This is our first road game, and three of our next four will be conference road games. So we have to be prepared."
- On the number of deep shots Ohio State took against Ohio and whether he wants to take more: "I love taking shots, more than anybody, but it's not always there. ... But that's why balance is so critical. Identifying what a defense is doing and being able to take advantage of that. ... You can't just break the huddle and look to launch it every play, it doesn't work that way."
- On Bo Jackson: "It doesn't take a veteran coach to recognize talent when you see it, and Bo has talent. We're gonna keep bringing him a lot. ... We're gonna give him opportunities to prove that we can trust him when he has the ball in his hands. ... The more he can take, the more we're gonna give him. ... He's gonna get plenty of carries."
- Day spoke highly of Julian Sayin's deep ball accuracy.
Matt Patricia
- Patricia feels Jaylen McClain has developed a good chemistry with Caleb Downs at safety. "Jaylen's really done a good job kind of following that model. ... But I think those two and their chemistry together, along with the linebackers, (is great). ... And Lorenzo (Styles Jr.), too. ... You feel confident when you go out on the field, you'll be able to get that communication done."
- Getting depth pieces in late in Ohio State's blowouts has been a huge plus. "There's nothing like being able to do that live in that environment. ... Being able to evaluate guys in those moments, it's been really critical."
- On Kayden McDonald: "You love to be strong in the middle of the defense, and he is strong in the middle of the defense. ... Offensively, you're trying to figure out, 'How do we get around this.' ... He's done a great job of improving and showing that he can play big inside. ... I think he's done a great job."
- On the decision to be on the field instead of the booth: "I've always been on the field, calling the defense. ... I feel like it's better from a communication perspective. ... What's great about the college game is the video. ... That's really been cool to be able to have the full play and be able to adjust." Patricia said it's also important to have really good coaches in the box to give the bird's-eye view.
- On the defensive line and mixing fronts: "I was able to observe and watch the different skillsets that everyone has. ... Just trying to get them in the best position to do what it is they do well. ... Coach J does a great job of ... the communication, the technique, all that stuff."
- Patricia complimented both "Arvell has a skillset that he can do a lot of things really well. ... Pass rush, he's certainly dynamic. ... He's big and long and can run and can chase these guys down. ... He's done a great job of doing that and playing different positions."
- On Devin Sanchez: "I think he's done a really good job of going out there and handling (pressure situations). ... He's a young player right now, he's still trying to get all the different techniques. ... He's certainly very gifted athletically ... he's getting the game reps to be able to get a good evaluation, get him that exposure."
- On Washington quarterback Demond Williams Jr. and his dual-threat ability: "That first-step ability that he has and ability that he has to get to top speed, it's explosive. ... He has a strong arm. ... You think you have him bottled up and he can get out."
- Patricia's loved his first few weeks as a college coach. "Hopefully, have a positive impact in their lives going forward, and that's what I'm trying to do."
Brian Hartline
- On the tight end use and how it's evolved: "Any time you can be multiple in personnel, you'll ask or demand different reactions from a defense. ... I think the tight end room has done a really good job. I mean, they have to do a lot of different things."
- Brandon Inniss' "Toolset is vast," Hartline said, and he's done a great job in whatever role he's asked to feel. He said he's not concerned about the roles he's being asked to fill or target shares, but has a lot of confidence in the wide receiver and is proud of the roles he's filled so far.
- There are areas for Ohio State to improve on in the red zone, and Hartline is also locked in on that area of play. "Everyone had their own little growth opportunity, and myself too. But every time we're in the red zone, we obviously want to score touchdowns."
- On settling in as a play caller: "I think it's been asking, I really enjoyed it. ... Every chance you're in that situation, you're in that game ... to be out there live, there's nothing like getting those kind of reps. ... Next couple goals will be, we're seeing growth, we're seeing development through those first two weeks. ... We've done a lot of those things, but we're still trying to press to get better."
- On Julian Sayin: "He's done a great job. ... He's grown and done a really good job, definitely had some learning opportunities every week. ... I'm really proud of him, he's done a great job, but we're not gonna make any assumptions."
- Hartline dove into why he feels balance between run and pass is important, despite his receiving background. "Talked about Julian, Julian's a first-year starter, so his best friend should be a good run game. We have a great O-line. ... To have play-action pass, it's not great if you don't have a great run game. ... Being very balanced makes it very difficult for the defense to pin you down a certain way."
- Hartline did say he still feels pressure to make the right play calls under Ryan Day, but their communication is honest and smooth. "Any person under a great head coach will be that way. ... It's always been very transparent. And when I'm wrong, I'm wrong, it is what it is. I think the relationship and the thickness of skin is great. ... I think it's a good balance."
- Hartline is looking forward to playing at Washington. "One of the best environments you're gonna find on the West Coast."
- The depth of Ohio State's tight end room has called for more 12 and 13 personnel. "We have a heck of a room, we've talked about that. Ultimately, it's gotta progress. ... As long as there's no falloff group to group, advantage Buckeyes."
- More on Inniss' impact despite not being targeted: "Even though there may not be a catch, the impact of getting the right blocks and getting in the right spots ... Brandon's done a great job in his job description, regardless of what the targets have been. And obviously, that's gonna change over time."
- Hartline wants to rotate more receivers in, a harder thing to juggle while he focuses on calling plays. "I'd like to have more guys in there playing."
