Eric Boggs
Ohio State head coach Ryan Day has spent the first two weeks of the 2025 season answering big questions about his team, the program’s identity, and the expectations that come with leading the defending national champions. In appearances ranging from The Pat McAfee Show to his weekly press conferences, Day has been candid about the challenges ahead as the Buckeyes prepare for their Week 3 matchup against Ohio University inside Ohio Stadium.
Reflecting on the pressure that comes with coaching at Ohio State, Day recalled the moment he officially took over the program from Urban Meyer. “I remember during the press conference when Urban kind of handed the whistle over to me and I said, ‘You gotta win the rivalry game and you gotta win every game after that.’ That’s how it works at Ohio State,” Day said on The Pat McAfee Show. He acknowledged the relentless criticism and scrutiny that follow the role, adding, “If you’re going to let it crumble you or fall apart, then you’re not going to make it. This job is for tough people who can handle it.”
Day pointed back to last season’s turning point, when the Buckeyes defeated Tennessee in the College Football Playoff inside Ohio Stadium, setting the stage for their eventual national championship run. “Our backs were against the wall, and we felt like coming out of that game, if we could play the way we played there, then there wasn’t anybody in the country that was going to beat us,” Day said.
But Day was quick to emphasize that Ohio State’s 2024 title doesn’t guarantee anything in 2025. “Being a national champion means nothing now,” he said. “Everybody’s at the bottom of the mountain again. Tomorrow, it’s time to climb.”
When asked about what stands out from the first two weeks of the season, Day stressed the importance of treating every snap as an opportunity. “Every time you’re in the game, it’s an opportunity,” Day said. “You’re either putting strength or weakness on film. The guys that pop, they’re going to continue to get opportunities as long as what they’re doing fits into what we’re trying to get done on offense and defense.” At the same time, Day warned that players must perform within the system to earn trust. “You can make a play, but if it’s not within the discipline of what we’re doing, we have to consider that,” he said. “It’s about grading out, being productive, and making the most of your snaps. That’s how you earn more playing time.”
Freshman quarterback Julian Sayin continues to be one of the biggest storylines in Columbus. After an efficient start to his first season, Day praised his performance but explained that evaluation goes beyond box score numbers. “You try to do it based on experience,” Day said. “With the passing game, you’re looking at spacing, timing, location of the ball — does it look right, or are we just getting away with things? Same thing up front with footwork, hand placement, and communication. You want a very high level of execution, and when you don’t have that, you’ve got to figure out why.”
Day highlighted Sayin’s timing and ability to push the ball downfield, something that has opened up the offense. “It was good to see him push the ball down the field,” Day said. “He’s seeing the field well, and when we can stretch the field vertically, horizontally, and run the ball, that’s when we’re at our best.”
Behind Sayin, Day also praised backup quarterback Lincoln Kienholz, who continues to make strides in his development. “Lincoln graded out a champion,” Day said. “He’s a good athlete, made solid decisions, threw the ball well, and the guys respect him. We’re going to need him this year. At some point, he’s going to get his chance, and when he does, he has to make the most of it.”
While the Buckeyes’ offense has shown explosive potential, Day addressed an area of concern on special teams: punt returns. Against Grambling State, Ohio State left nearly 50 yards on the field by not fielding punts cleanly. “That’s an area we’ve got to improve on for sure,” Day said. “A couple of the kicks were tough, but there were others we could have fielded. Brandon will continue to return punts for us, but we’ve got Jeremiah, Carnell, and Caleb available if needed. That’s something that was a red flag coming out of the game, and we have to get it fixed.”
True freshman wide receiver Jeremiah Smith has already made a strong impact, but Day credited Smith’s mentality and work ethic for separating him from others. “He’s very competitive and works his tail off every day,” Day said. “Sometimes we try to pull him back, but he fights you on it because he wants to get better every single day. He sets the example. When he drops a ball, nobody bats an eye because we know he’s going to catch the next one. That’s the kind of confidence he’s earned.”
Day also praised linebacker Riley Pettijohn, another freshman making early contributions. “In a short sample of plays, he had a lot of production,” Day said. “We couldn’t ignore that. He deserved Defensive Player of the Game. He’s earning more special teams reps and more opportunities at linebacker. The more you play like that, the more you get on the field.”
Offensively, Day explained that Ohio State’s evolution into using more multiple tight end sets has added a new dimension to the Buckeye attack. “We’ve been in 11 personnel around here for a long time,” Day said. “But when defenses know what you’re going to do, they can zero in on you. By mixing 12 and 13 personnel with tempo and empty sets, we put more stress on defenses. To do that, though, you need versatile guys — tight ends who can block and run routes, and receivers who can block. That’s where we’ve grown.”
Looking ahead to Saturday’s matchup against Ohio University, Day knows his team can’t afford to overlook an in-state opponent. “When you’re from the state of Ohio, having a memory of playing in the Horseshoe during your college career is significant,” Day said. “We know they’re going to play with their hair on fire. Their quarterback, Parker Navarro, can move around, make throws on the run, and has done some good things against Power Five teams already. It’s a good challenge for us.”
Day closed by reminding everyone that while Ohio State has looked sharp in its opening games, there’s still plenty of work to do before Big Ten play begins. “We’ve got to keep building,” Day said. “I think this team wants it. They’ve got a good edge to them. We’re growing every day, but we’re not there yet.”
