Ryan Day and Team Give Midweek Updates
9/4/2024 3:07:00 PM | Football
On the challenge for the defense against Western Michigan
"When you watch the film you're seeing them play a Big 10 opponent which gives us a little bit more of a barometer of what we're dealing with. They played Wisconsin strong. They play physical up front and they do have some really good, skilled players. It looked like a Big 10 style of game overall and there was a point where that game was in balance. I know that has our guy's attention."
On more production from the tight end room
"They're a big part of our offense. I know they only got a couple of targets in this past game but they'll get more than that. They've worked really hard and they'll continue to do that. They're involved in all phases and I think the unit is improving overall."
On how he responds to Jeremiah's impressive first week
“Just working and continuing to get better. There's some things in that game that he certainly wishes he had back but also had good plays as well, there's a lot to coach through there. He's got a great work ethic and if he keeps practicing the way he's practicing out here, and he goes and he works hard, now on a week to week basis, the game plan will change. There will be tweaks along the way, different formation changes, and different schemes.”
On pressuring the QB
“Sometimes when you're in that zone you're just trying to get to that quarterback every single play and every time it's a pass. We didn't realize we did it that much until the end of the game but we were just locked in.”
On improvement from the defense
“I think everywhere. We can always get better. We can never get complacent. The time we get complacent is when it hurts us even more. No matter how good we play there’s always a chance to get better.”
On Western Michigan
“The O line, they play pretty fast. They have a big, strong quarterback. They play within their scheme and they don’t try to get out of it. They’re a great, strong team.”
On who in the NFL personifies what he wants to be as a punt returner
“He’s not in the NFL anymore, but Devin Hester. I used to watch him in Miami all the time and I feel like I could do something according to that.”
On his role as a punt returner
“I try to embrace every role, but since special teams is a key factor for us this year I have embraced that role a lot more.”
On speed of the game for punt returns versus wide receivers
“I would say what helped me a lot was catching punts on the jugs. It’s not the same as in game but just getting a feel for it helps. Having guys running full speed at you, I did that a lot in the off season. I pretty much knew I was gonna be the punt returner this year.”
On Joe McGuire getting his black stripe removed
“I've always been supportive of Joe. Me and Joe are good friends on and off the field. I always knew he was ready. He always had that look in his eye. He's a very competitive guy. He came in last year kind of late and proved to us that he was serious about it. He's just a competitor at the end of the day. He goes out there and does his job very well. He deserves everything he's gotten so far. He's worked for it.”
On his confidence
“I feel like my confidence is pretty steady throughout all times. I'm confident in my abilities and I know that I just have to go out there and I want to help the team win. John and Joe do a great job allowing me to do that. They do their jobs at a high level so I can do mine. It's more confidence in those guys that those guys have shown me that they can do their job. And I'm like ‘all right, we got this.”
On being named starter
“I was pretty excited. I've been training hard so that no matter when my number's called I'm ready. You never know what could happen in a game. I work to always be ready for the occasion. I was excited initially and then I thought, I've gotta get myself ready and perform.”
On moving to the United States
“There's no real college sport in Australia. I was lucky enough to have visited America a few times and I've got some friends and family that have been here a lot. Just seeing how big it is and I love the sport as well, so I thought I would give it a try. I worked hard with, pro kickers, Nathan Chapman, John Smith, and Tim Gleeson back home for a few years. Luckily, I got good enough. I knew a lot about the Buckeyes and then theysaid, yeah, we think you could go here and I was over the moon. It was fantastic.”
On being on the field with the headset
“It was cool. It goes away at 15 seconds so it doesn't get too low in the play card. One play a call came in a little late and it got a little hectic because everyone's looking at you like, what's the call? What's the call? It wasn't too bad. I thought it was a solid day. I thought I did pretty good with it.”
On switching to mike linebacker with short notice
“The way I look at it, if you're playing linebacker you should know what both linebackers are doing. If you get the opportunity to play the other one, you should already know what it is or at least have an idea of what's going on. It shouldn't be, I have no idea how to play the position. At least that's the way I look at it. That's how I was at safety. When I was at safety, I knew how to play all three. I had that same mindset when I moved to linebacker.”
On playing in The Shoe compared to other stadiums
"I heard from my team it's a dramatic difference and people are super passionate, but just to see it in person is a whole other thing."
On Jeremiah's impact in his first game
“I think as a team we're so talented and everybody has worked so hard since we've been here. You get to see what each of your teammates can do. When they go out on Saturdays, it's no surprise.”
On how he played
“I think I played decently well for it being the first game, but the good thing is there's a ton of things to work on. It's definitely not a finished product for any of the guys on the O line, but there's definitely a ton to improve on.”
On his first game in The Shoe
“It was awesome. The Skull Session was awesome. I walked in and was so grateful to be there. I started tearing up at how exciting everything was. It's a blessing to be here and to be in this environment. To see all the fans walking into the stadium, it was incredible.”
On the most recent game
“We played as a team and I think we need that going forward if we want to win these big games that we have coming up. The more together we are, the farther we will go. It is exciting, all the hard work we put in, we do a lot of drills to create turnovers and they are finally starting to show up in the game."
On next week's game
“There is always improvement. We never know our max potential. We have to keep growing week by week. Every week is a different challenge. Western Michigan is not a pushover team, so we have to come in there ready to play. Being a thirty eight point team is tough for these games. You can get beat on any day, so you can’t take it lightly on any opponent no matter who it is."
On how he keeps himself ready
“Studying the film, be prepared mentally throughout the whole game, locked in mentality beside coach, watching the plays that are being called, having our Ipads on the sideline, and going through every call after the racks are done.”
On his touchdown Saturday
“I was really excited to be out there and get a chance to play. Since I was a little kid I have always been an Ohio State fan, so that has always been a goal of mine. I was just thinking score, don’t get caught up. After seeing all of my teammates, it definitely did feel great.”
On how Keenan helped him
“Definitely on my route running. That’s an area that I might not have received the most knowledge of previously. Given the fact that he was a former receiver, he’s got all the tools and tricks.”
On rotating in and out between snaps
“I think it's great. We get a good rotation and keep our legs fresh. We have different kinds of packages and personnel for types of plays. Once we get a cycle down it’s going to be beneficial for us.”
