Eric Boggs
Ohio State head coach Ryan Day knows this week’s matchup at Washington is unlike anything his team has faced so far. After three straight games in Columbus, the Buckeyes head west for their first road test, and Day emphasized the importance of resetting the basics in a hostile environment. “I think, you know, just making no assumptions when you’re on the road, all the little things, and recognizing that, you know, it’s going to be a challenging environment,” Day said. “Amidst the environment and the noise and the chaos, [we have to] have poise and composure, and we can’t let the environment dictate how we play.”
Day acknowledged the importance of preparing his players to adapt as they step into unfamiliar territory. “For these guys, this group, it’ll be our first time on the road,” he said. “Whatever we’ve done the first three games means absolutely nothing going into this game. We’ve got to go on the road and get this win. And it starts with taking care of the football. It starts with tackling. It starts with blocking. And then it goes from there.”
The Buckeyes will also be tested by one of the most dynamic quarterbacks they’ve seen this season, Washington’s Demond Williams. Day praised his skill set, saying, “Whether it’s on the road or at home, you know, a quarterback who can move with the quickness and the acceleration that he moves with is difficult. It’s a challenge. But not only that, I mean, he’s very accurate with the football, makes good decisions, doesn’t turn the ball over, extends plays. He’s a weapon in the run game because he can equate numbers. Man, he’s been very accurate. So it’s a great challenge for our defense.”
The trip itself will also be a test. Day and his staff have adjusted the travel schedule to better prepare the Buckeyes for the West Coast. “Yeah, so we’ll leave Thursday of this week. We’re going to keep everything else the same,” he explained. “We spent a lot of time talking about it, Coach Mick, myself, some of the other coaches, to figure out what gives us the best chance. But the good news is, a bunch of our guys, you know, in the playoffs, we went out to L.A., we went out to Dallas, we went to Atlanta. And although we don’t have as much time, it’s similar that way, so we’ll keep that same mindset.”
Washington’s home stadium is known as one of the loudest and most scenic in college football, and Day is excited for the challenge. “Expecting a great environment. And I think that’s what’s great about being in the Big Ten,” he said. “While I’ve never played at Washington, I’ve heard great things about it, the university, where it’s located, but then, you know, their fan base, the stadium itself and how loud it gets. We’re expecting a great environment. Two great teams getting after it.”
Ultimately, Day made clear that the mission is straightforward but demanding. “The number one goal is to win the game, period,” he said. “This game in particular is going to be an absolute battle. This is a very, very good team, really good in all three phases and well-coached. To go and get this win on the road is going to take everything we’ve got with this team. So our guys are fired up for it, and we need to have a great week of practice.”
