When multiple areas of Ohio State's special teams struggle in a game, it's easy to call for overhauls of every unit that's had issues. But there's reason to pause at punt returner.
Yes, wide receiver Brandon Inniss fumbled returning a punt against Washington. Yes, he gave up what Ryan Day tallied as 47 lost yards by not fielding punts in Week 1 against Texas. But that fumble did come after a big return, his second in as many games. He hasn't had issues fielding punts since those first-game struggles, catching a few on the run against Grambling State.
And Day has the utmost confidence in his team captain to batton up the ball moving forward.
"I think that Brandon needs to hold on to the ball," Day said on Tuesday. "Whether it's offense or special teams, we're going to get that fixed. And we believe in Brandon. If Brandon didn't fumble that ball, I don't think anybody would be asking if he was the right guy back there. So he needs to hang on to the ball, because he's had two good returns here the last two games. And that's the bottom line."
Inniss has four punt returns for 66 yards thus far this year, making for a great average of 16.5 yards per return. He slipped three arm tackles to break off a 28-yard return against Ohio in Week 3, setting up the Buckeyes for a touchdown drive.
He needed to tuck the ball tighter against Washington, undoubtedly. But he did a great job making a couple of cuts and finding a couple of creases before that point. If he takes care of the rock, he will still be the answer back deep.
"We're going to count on him getting that fixed, making sure that the ball is not on the ground," Day said. "He needs to bolt it in high-contact areas. And we believe in him. He's a guy that – we see it every day. And nobody hurt more than he did when he put the ball on the ground, because we all know what a big point in the game that was."
FUMBLE!!!
— CBS Sports College Football (@CBSSportsCFB) September 27, 2025
Brandon Inniss puts the ball on the ground and the Huskies have it back pic.twitter.com/DGNT2Z81O0
Inniss was more involved in the passing game against the Huskies, too, after having zero targets against Ohio. He picked up three receptions for a season-high 34 yards. The team remains confident in his ability as a punt returner, but at all costs, protect the football.
"I like the way he hit that (return against Washington)," Day said. "I like the way he hit the one a week before. He got vertical. Guys did a good job (blocking). I think they believe in him on the team. So we're going to keep working with it. But that's the positive part of it. So hang on to the ball, and we're not having this conversation."
