Ryan Day Radio Show: Ryan Day Wants Ohio State’s Offense to Continue Chasing Efficiency, But “When It’s Time to Turn Up the Gas, We Will”

Day said the Buckeyes have learned how to control games through consistent execution — and know when to “turn up the gas” when the moment demands it.

“Efficiency is what we’re after,” Day said. “That’s how you control the game. When it’s time to turn up the gas, we will.”

From there, Day touched on nearly every phase of the program — from Ohio State’s practice habits and in-game adjustments,  Julian Sayin’s mobility and the growing confidence in Larry Johnson’s defensive line room. He also reiterated that the Buckeyes’ mindset remains anything but ordinary: “What we’re chasing is not normal.”

Following Day’s appearance, former Purdue tight end Max Klare joined Paul Keels and Jim Lachey to discuss the Buckeyes and Boilermakers.

Ryan Day

On practice this week

• “It’s been good.”
• Day said the wind was around 15 mph at practice on Tuesday and Wednesday with gusts up to 35 mph. “Good to see us kind of handle that.”
• “Tuesday, Wednesday, now we got to have a great Thursday.”

On Ohio State’s practice habits

• “What we’re chasing is not normal.”
• “If we’re acting normal like everybody else, then something is wrong. This is something you have to chase.”
• “When you come watch practice, it should look like the best practice in the country.”
• “I feel like when I’m out there coaching and someone comes to watch practice, they should watch the best coach in America, the best 3-tech in the country, the best slot receiver — that’s our job every day.”
• “The guys have embraced that. They understand that.”

On Ohio State’s in-game adjustments

• Day wishes he hadn’t revealed that Ohio State drew up the play that led to Julian Sayin’s second deep ball to Carnell Tate at halftime. “I knew that would get a lot of attention. I don’t know why I said anything. But it’s fine.”
• Day said using iPads on the sidelines has helped Ohio State make in-game adjustments.
• Day said Ohio State’s players have great focus and attention to detail on the sidelines during games.

On Ohio State having urgency

• “We challenge the guys all the time to have urgency.”
• “We’re getting to our ninth game and feel like we just started.”
• “We just keep challenging those guys to just keep pushing.”
• Day said the coaches emphasize the message “It’s gonna come, you got to believe in that.”

On Ohio State’s depth at center

• “We like to have at least four or five who know how to do it.”
• Day said Carson Hinzman, Josh Padilla, Luke Montgomery, Jake Cook and Isaiah Kema are the five who Ohio State feels confident in to snap the football.
• Day said Ohio State constantly works on snapping the football, both under center and in the shotgun.

On Julian Sayin’s mobility

• “He’s got good short-area quickness.”
• “You can see him move well in the pocket, out of the pocket.”
• “That’s helpful because not everything is gonna go exactly according to plan.”

On Ohio State’s halftime adjustments against Penn State

• “There was no panic with anybody at halftime, including the defense.”
• “I thought some of the adjustments we made were really well done and put on the film by the players.”
• Day said Ohio State played “violent” and “physical” in the second half.

On Ohio State’s defensive tackles

• “I think Larry, just as the season has gone on, has really, with that group, built a mindset and a mentality. I think it’s growing each weke. 
• “They know the run that we need to go on here and what we need to do.”
• “I think there’s confidence in there right now. There’s a chippiness, a toughness.”
• Day said Ohio State has to stop the run each week.
• “It’s been contagious. It’s been good.”

On Ohio State’s offensive game plan

• “Efficiency is what we’re after.”
• “When you’re efficient and you’re playing like that, a three-score game can feel way out of reach where I feel like maybe in the past it was like, ‘OK we’re just getting started on the game.’”
• “That’s how you control the game.”
• “When it’s time to turn up the gas, we will.”

On Ohio State’s running backs

• Day said Ohio State’s running backs have shown they can be pass catchers out of the backfield.
• Day said Ohio State will need the running backs to be pass-catching threats, just like TreVeyon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins were in the College Football Playoff last season.

On Ohio State’s versatility on offense

• Day said Ohio State wants to be as versatile as possible on offense. He said the running game can open up the passing game and vice versa. 
• Day said Jeremiah Smith continues to draw attention that opens up opportunities for his teammates. Carnell Tate is creating opportunities for others, too.
• “To me, Carnell is playing as good as anybody in the country at wide receiver right now.”

On Purdue

• “Some teams are getting better. I think Purdue is getting better.”
• “I think they’re just focused on getting better each week. That’s what’s happening.”
• “I think they’re a different team than they were earlier in the season.”
• “They play hard.”

On Purdue quarterback Ryan Browne

• “He’s mobile.”
• “He makes a lot of plays.”
• Day said Ohio State has to “be aware” of Brown’s style of play and not let him hurt them with his legs.

On playing on grass at Ross-Ade Stadium

• Day said he prefers playing on grass. His players may, too, though he can’t confirm.
• Day said Ohio State will practice on grass for most of the week, but can move to the turf practice field when needed.
• Day said grass is easier on the players’ bodies and joints. He said turf is “faster” and holds up better in the elements.
• Lachey noted that Ohio State hasn’t played on a grass surface since the Rose Bowl Game last season.

Max Klare

On returning to Purdue this weekend

• Klare said he’s excited to return to West Lafayette this weekend.
• Klare is excited to see his brother, Luke, who is a redshirt freshman tight end at Purdue.

On Julian Sayin

• “It’s super impressive.”
• “His poise and just the way he carries himself on and off the field is impressive.”

On Jeremiah Smith and Carnell Tate

• “Being able to watch them every day in practice and then watch them do what they do in the game, it’s a lot of fun.”
• Klare said every time Sayin throws the ball in their direction he feels confident Smith and Tate will make a play.