Ohio Stadium’s new playing surface already has one pretty important fan in its corner: Jeremiah Smith.
That was the first thing Ryan Day pointed to Tuesday when asked about the Horseshoe’s turf overhaul, and the Ohio State coach didn’t try to dress it up. The seal of approval came from Smith, and for Day, that was enough.
“It was Jeremiah-approved. That was a big deal,” he said.
“I went up to the big fella and asked him, ‘What do you think?’ He said, ‘I love it.’”
Ohio State put in Shaw Sports Turf’s Forge Series system this summer, a setup the athletic department described as “a system-level product designed to meet NFL standards, featuring Game ON technology that integrates field markings directly into the turf,” according to a news release.
Day said the Buckeyes have already gotten plenty of reps on the new surface during preseason work, with both practice and scrimmage sessions giving coaches and players a chance to judge it for themselves. The early verdict, he said, has been positive.
“It seems to, so far, really be a good track. The guys like it," Day said. "And being out there and scrimmaging on it and practicing on it, we got a lot of great feedback from the players, and they’re the ones who know.”
Carson Hinzman sounded just as encouraged. Speaking to reporters Tuesday, the fifth-year senior - who has logged 35 starts and 42 appearances across multiple surfaces - said this one may be his favorite yet.
"It's like actual real turf now. It's pretty sweet," he said.
"We get new cleats and stuff like that to go break in for gamedays and stuff, and so for us, it didn't feel like you're breaking in cleats, which is pretty sweet. It's nice and cushy.
Feels like actual grass, which is awesome. Excited to be able to play and run off that and not have any issues."
Ohio State last replaced the Ohio Stadium turf in 2022, but that surface still drew criticism in recent years after players slipped on it during games, raising concerns about injury risk.
At the same time, the school has no plans to move to natural grass. The maintenance demands make that switch a nonstarter, even as NFL players continue pushing for grass at the pro level.
The turf also keeps Ohio Stadium flexible for non-football events, including concerts during the football season. Ohio State announced this summer that Columbus band Twenty One Pilots will play the Shoe on Oct. 17, the same weekend the Buckeyes will be at Indiana.
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Griffin Name Returns To The Shoe With Something To Prove
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For Griffin, the matchup is about more than family history or a familiar setting. He has made clear hes proud of what he accomplished at Ohio State, but he also wants to be seen as his own player, not just a name tied to Buckeye lore. Ball State gives him that stage, and the opener in the Shoe offers the kind of backdrop that can make a personal proving ground feel a lot bigger. [Read more 🡒]
Ohio Stadium Is Changing The Buckeyes Game Day Experience This Season
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The changes also reach beyond the field, with expanded facial authentication for entry and new traffic barriers designed to enhance security on game days. And amid all the modernization, the Buckeyes will also add a more traditional touch, unveiling a new sign honoring former coach Jim Tressel as the stadium gets ready for another chapter. [Read more 🡒]
Ohio States Biggest 2026 Matchups Just Got A TV Hint
The 2026 schedule is starting to take shape for Ohio State, and the latest Big Ten media-rights draft offered a useful hint about two of the Buckeyes biggest regular-season games. Scott Dochterman reported the expected television assignments for Ohio States matchups with Indiana and Oregon, adding to a slate that already has several kickoff times and networks announced, including games against Ball State, Texas, Kent State and Michigan.
If the draft holds, the Indiana game would land in the noon window on FOX with Gus Johnson and Joel Klatt on the call, while Oregon would get a 3:30 p.m. FOX slot with Brad Nessler and Charles Davis. For Ohio State, the network placement matters almost as much as the opponent in a season built around marquee dates, and these early TV hints only sharpen the intrigue around two games that should carry plenty of weight in the Big Ten race. [Read more 🡒]