Ryan Day didn’t waste time softening the blow after Ohio State’s 41-28 loss to Oregon. Coming off back-to-back regular-season defeats for the first time in his career, Day said the Buckeyes need to “evaluate everything” and made it clear he views a three-loss season as a line Ohio State should not cross.
Day took responsibility for the result and said he and his staff have to own what went wrong. He also said the loss was not something the Buckeyes expected to spiral the way it did, especially after Ohio State jumped out to a 14-0 lead in the first quarter.
That opening burst, Day said, looked more like the team he believed would show up for four quarters.
But it didn’t last. Day pointed to the final drive of the first half as a turning point, saying in hindsight he thought it was a mistake to have Luke Fahey pushing the ball downfield on that possession. The interception that followed helped set up an Oregon touchdown before halftime.
“We were able to get no rhythm on offense, which to me, put the defense in some bad situations.”
Day said the Buckeyes’ offensive goals for the game simply weren’t met, and he said he needs to go back through everything with his staff to figure out where the breakdowns are happening.
“We have to evaluate everything. The things that we felt like we needed to do in this game, in particular on offense, were not met ...
I gotta evaluate everything and try to come in tomorrow and figure out with the staff the things that we’re just coming up short on. ... It all starts with the staff, and then it goes down to the players.
There needs to be accountability for all of it.”
He also made it clear he doesn’t believe the problems are effort-based. When asked about the way things snowballed once the game started slipping away, Day said, “We’re not able to make that play to stop it.”
On whether the issue on defense came down to scheme, coaching or personnel, Day answered, “Probably all three.”
The bigger picture was just as blunt. Day said he is “beyond disappointed” that Ohio State has lost three games and likely won’t reach the College Football Playoff.
“To lose three games is unacceptable, and I own that. That’s never going to change from my point of view.”
He said he told the team in the locker room that they have to “weather the storm.”
Day also said he believes the Buckeyes put Luke Fahey in tough spots and added, “I think he’s trying like heck.”
After the game, Ohio State left tackle Austin Siereveld and safety Jaylen McClain were the only other Buckeyes to speak.
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