Ohio State is headed into one of its sternest early-season road tests, and Ryan Day spent his weekly availability laying out exactly what the Buckeyes are walking into at Iowa.
The biggest headline out of Day’s remarks centered on the matchup itself: Kinnick Stadium. He called it a very difficult place to play, pointed to the noise, and said Ohio State has to be ready for that challenge. At the same time, he framed it as a chance for the Buckeyes to go get a win and keep building momentum.
Day also said there’s nothing specific from Ohio State’s 2017 loss at Iowa that carries over to this team, though the Buckeyes have discussed teams that have struggled there in the past. He added that Iowa’s win over Michigan looked exactly like what people expect from the Hawkeyes.
“Yeah, I did with that one. I thought it was very typical of an Iowa win -- they’re very comfortably late in the game like that.”
On the injury front, Day said Legend Bey’s availability will depend on how much he practices this week. “We definitely would like to see him on the field.”
He said cornerback Jay Timmons is not yet a lock to be out long-term, adding that the staff will see how the week unfolds. If Timmons can’t go, Jermaine Mathews and Jordan Thomas are the players expected to step into those roles.
There was also a clear emphasis on offensive growth after Ohio State’s win over Illinois. Day said it was encouraging to see Julian Sayin respond well after being challenged by the coaching staff. “It was good to see some really good growth in some of the areas that we talked about.”
That same theme carried over to the running game. Day said there were some better runs against Illinois, but the Buckeyes still need more.
Against Iowa, he said they’ll have to run angry and downhill. “Didn’t really break a big one like we wanted to...
A step in the right direction, for sure.”
He also pointed to the offensive line and the importance of being ready for a game that may come down to late-down, late-game toughness. Day noted that Iowa historically doesn’t let teams run the ball, and said, “When we need to run it in the fourth quarter, that’s what it’s going to come down to.”
A few individual players drew attention as well. On Jeremiah Smith, Day said the question of what separates him from other great Ohio State receivers comes up often, but the answer goes beyond talent.
He joked that Smith has won the genetic lottery, yet said his discipline and mindset are what truly make him different. Day said Smith has not just leaned on his ability, but has worked hard for everything he’s earned.
Day also praised Arthur Smith, saying the offensive coordinator is settling in more each week. “Getting in a rhythm, for sure.
Every week, it’s building. There’s definitely a transition from when you come in from the NFL...
Every week is different in college.” Day said Smith has brought a lot of value and continues to gain momentum in the college game.
At running back, Day said Ja’Kobi Jackson has been more of an upgrade than expected and has done a really good job. He said Jackson was behind a very good back at Florida in Jaden Baugh and could have had more production in a different situation.
“He’s been more an upgrade than we expected. He’s really done a good job.”
He also said the Buckeyes are asking more from Khary Wilder, stressing the need for production from everyone in the building. “We need production for sure.
We’re taking all applications -- we need production. It’s everybody’s job in the building, coaches and players, but in practice we’re building trust that when you go in the game, you’re going to do your job.”
Day said the key is staying within the defensive scheme while winning individual matchups.
At tight end, Nate Roberts is starting to show more of what Ohio State expected when it recruited him. “Coming out of high school, we thought he had a chance to be somebody who did everything for us at tight end.” Day said that work is now beginning to show up more consistently.
The right side of the offensive line is still in flux, but Day said Phillip Daniels had done good things before his injury and that Gabe VanSickle “has been a bright spot for us in a lot of areas.”
Kyle Parker is also working his way back. Day said he is getting healthier and starting to return to the mix, though he has not yet built much chemistry with Sayin because he hasn’t been in the rotation. The hope, Day said, is to get him into games over the next couple of weeks.
Day closed by saying Ohio State is in a different place now than it was in Week 2, with enough trust built up that the Buckeyes need to take the next step.
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