Eric Boggs
Ohio State head coach Ryan Day met with reporters Wednesday night following practice, offering insight into the Buckeyes’ progress midway through the season and what he hopes to see as they prepare for another physical Big Ten matchup — this time on the road at Wisconsin.
Day opened by highlighting the growth of center Carson Hinzman, who was forced into action early in his career after Luke Wypler left for the NFL. The experience, Day said, accelerated Hinzman’s development and helped him become the reliable, confident leader up front that the Buckeyes have needed this season. “Because of all of those things, he’s become an excellent football player,” Day said. “His communication, he’s playing with great confidence, he keeps everybody together up front, and I thought he’s handled some of the environments he’s played in really well.”
As the team hits the halfway point of the season, Day stressed that the focus remains on daily improvement rather than chasing flashy results. “In a day and age when it’s all about what’s new and exciting, it’s the mundane daily tasks that we have to embrace,” he said. “The way we played last week isn’t going to be good enough this week, and that’s just how it works.”
Much of the conversation centered on the running game, where Day acknowledged both steady progress and the need for more explosiveness. “It would be nice to hit a long run,” he said with a smile. “We’ve been very efficient, but we’d love to get some of these runs into the secondary and create explosives. Efficient, yes. Explosive, not yet.” He emphasized that the focus in practice remains on yards after contact and finishing runs through tackles, particularly for backs like James Peoples and Bo Jackson.
Defensively, Day praised the attitude and edge of his cornerback group, singling out Davidson Igbinosun, and Jermaine Mathews Jr. for their confidence and competitiveness. He credited safety Caleb Downs as the steadying force who ties everything together. “Caleb is kind of the man that makes it all happen,” Day said. “His presence, communication, and confidence lift everyone around him. That’s what great players do — they make others better.”
Looking ahead to Wisconsin, Day expects a battle. He praised Badgers head coach Luke Fickell, calling him “a very good coach who knows winning football,” and warned that Wisconsin’s record doesn’t tell the full story. “They’re one of the better defenses in the country,” Day said. “Anytime you go on the road in this league, it’s a challenge, and we know they’re going to come out with their hair on fire. We have to match that intensity and then some.”
For Day, it all comes back to the process — the quiet, disciplined work behind the scenes that builds championship habits. “We can’t get bored with what works,” he said. “It’s about embracing the daily grind, trusting the preparation, and knowing that if we do, the big plays and the wins will come.”
