Eric Boggs
Following a dominant 70-0 victory over Grambling State, head coach Ryan Day praised his team’s improved tempo, efficiency, and execution on both sides of the ball. While he acknowledged the talent gap between the programs, Day focused on growth, development, and what the Buckeyes can build on moving forward.
“We wanted to, like we talked about, be more explosive,” Day said after the game. “You saw us play with tempo. That was good. The issues are always going to be there — it’s just a matter of identifying what they are.”
Much of that explosiveness came from redshirt freshman quarterback Julian Sayin, who finished 18 of 19 for 306 yards and four touchdowns in just one half of play. Day pushed Sayin early, intentionally putting the ball in his hands and asking him to make challenging throws. “We were pushing the envelope a little bit to see how he would respond,” Day said. “You watch how quick the ball comes out of his hand, and you watch how accurate. Those were all positives for him.”
The Buckeyes’ offensive versatility was also on display, mixing tempo and spread formations with heavier groupings to keep Grambling off balance. Day noted that the game plan allowed the team to “play faster” while showing the ability to succeed in multiple personnel packages. The improved spacing, timing, and protection up front gave Sayin and the receivers room to make plays, leading to explosive touchdowns for Jeremiah Smith, Carnell Tate, and tight end Will Kacmarek.
Defensively, Ohio State continued to build on the dominance it showed in Week 1 against Texas. The Buckeyes pitched a shutout despite rotating in significant depth throughout the game, a sign of the unit’s strength across the roster. Freshman linebacker Riley Pettijohn made one of the standout plays of the afternoon, scooping up a forced fumble and returning it 23 yards for a touchdown in his first meaningful action. Day was impressed with Pettijohn’s response. “We’ve seen Riley in practice do some really good things,” Day said. “But you want to put him in a game to see how he responds. When you see him make plays like that, it’s a great sign for a young player.”
Day also praised the young running backs, highlighting freshmen Bo Jackson and Isaiah West, who both found the end zone and showed physicality running through tackles. “It was good to see them break some tackles and get some positive runs out there,” Day said. He credited the team’s tight end room as well, pointing out its growing role in Ohio State’s offensive flexibility. With multiple tight ends contributing in the passing and running game, Day believes their versatility gives the Buckeyes new ways to attack defenses.
Even with the lopsided score, Day stressed that his staff grades critically regardless of opponent, making sure players focus on correcting mistakes rather than celebrating a blowout. “If we’re looking at the scoreboard, we’re looking at the wrong thing,” Day explained. “In match-up games, one play can cost you. So when you come out of games like this, you can’t get a false sense of security. The issues are always there, and it’s our job to identify them and get them fixed.”
Ohio State improves to 2-0 on the season and has now outscored its opponents 84-7 through the first two weeks. While the Buckeyes’ talent advantage was clear against Grambling State, Day was encouraged by the poise and efficiency he saw from his young quarterback, his developing playmakers, and his deep defensive rotation. For a team with championship aspirations, Saturday’s rout was more than just a win — it was a step forward in building the identity Day believes Ohio State needs to compete at the highest level.
