Eric Boggs
Ryan Day made it clear in his latest press conference that the bye week is coming at a critical time for Ohio State. With three of the next four games being conference road matchups, Day said the emphasis now is on fundamentals, execution, and keeping his team fresh.
“There was quite a few plays in the red zone,” Day said, reflecting on recent struggles finishing drives. “We didn’t execute that very well… schematically we were in decent shape. I’m critical of that. I just think we need to make sure that we’re doing a better job as coaches emphasizing the details to make sure it’s executed better. Because ultimately it’s always the coaches responsibility.”
The Buckeyes have been searching for rhythm in the red zone while also trying to strike the right balance between aggressive downfield shots and taking what defenses allow. Day explained, “I love taking shots more than anybody. But it’s not always there. Sometimes they’re gonna say, you know, we’re gonna take away the shots. So when they’re there, we’ll be aggressive down the field. But that’s why balance is so critical.”
That balance is evident in how the staff continues to rotate players and evaluate performances. Day praised Tywone Malone for progress on the defensive line but noted the importance of continued depth. On the offensive side, he pointed to Tegra Tshabola improving but still needing to clean up penalties. “We want really high-level play from everybody,” Day said. “It’s good to have competition and know that guys are fighting to get on the field.”
One player who has grabbed attention quickly is freshman running back Bo Jackson. Day acknowledged his unique explosiveness but tempered expectations. “Bo has talent. We’re gonna keep bringing him along. It’s a long season. The more he can take, the more we’re gonna give him,” Day said. “He’s checked these boxes. He’s doing a nice job. So we’re gonna need everybody in that room.”
At quarterback, Julian Sayin’s deep ball accuracy has been a bright spot. Day went into detail about how Sayin’s footwork and timing have set him apart. “When you’re throwing a ball from one hash mark all the way to the red line, you may be throwing a 60-yard ball with a lot of air, and that takes everything you have. So you have to have your feet in the ground to throw those balls,” Day explained. “We always say around here, when you take your shots, we’ve got to hit them. And that separates the success of an offense.”
As for the bye week itself, Day emphasized the balance between rest and preparation. “We’ll practice today, tomorrow, and Thursday. Take Friday and Saturday off. And then come back in Sunday, have our practice, and do a normal game week,” he said. “We’re gonna work hard on fundamentals, on the areas that we need to get better at. We know the next four games are going to be a challenge.”
From red zone execution to player development and managing workload, Day’s message was consistent: Ohio State must focus on details now to be ready for the road ahead.
