Ohio State’s nonconference schedules regularly feature Mid-American Conference teams.
But this week’s game against Ohio is a relative rarity: It’s the first time since 2010 that the Bobcats have visited Ohio Stadium.
Over the last 15 years, the Buckeyes have hosted all of the other in-state MAC schools, including Akron and Miami on two occasions.
The top-ranked Buckeyes get Ohio at a time when it appears to be trending upward. The Bobcats won their conference last season, the program’s first league title since 1968.
Ohio has also fared well against power conference programs through two weeks this year. It opened at Rutgers, nearly upsetting the Scarlet Knights in a 34-31 loss, before toppling West Virginia last weekend in a 17-10 victory.
“To get a win like that at home was a big deal,” Buckeyes coach Ryan Day said. “They played really well. It’s a good group and a really good challenge for our team.”
Here is more of what Day said about his weekly news conference on Sept. 9:
Freshmen flashing
As the Buckeyes put in backups during the second half of their 70-0 rout of Grambling State, a handful of freshmen stood out.
Linebacker Riley Pettijohn recovered and returned a fumble 23 yards for a touchdown and forced one later in the third quarter.
Defensive end Zion Grady had a sack and running back Bo Jackson ran for 108 yards and a touchdown.
“Every time you’re on the field, it’s an opportunity to get better,” Day said, “and you’re either putting strength or weakness on film, so the guys that popped are 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 and they’re grading out.”
Lincoln Kienholz grades out a champion
Day praised Kienholz, the Buckeyes’ backup quarterback who replaced Julian Sayin during the third quarter.
Kienholz completed six of seven passes for 71 yards and one touchdown, following Sayin who was named the Big Ten’s freshman of the week after throwing for 306 yards and four touchdowns.
“He’s an important part of the team,” Day said, “and we’re going to need both he and Julian this year. We’ll keep figuring out how that fits.”
Day also highlighted Kienholz’s mobility as he twice ran to pick up first downs for the Buckeyes, keeping the ball on some read-options.
“He’s a good athlete,” Day said, “and he made some good decisions.”
Parker Navarro presents a challenge
Navarro, the returning starting quarterback for Ohio, is a big reason the Bobcats lead the MAC in total offense with an average of 434.5 yards per game.
“You watch what he’s done against two Power Five opponents, one Big Ten opponent, he’s done some really good things,” Day said. “He’s spreading the ball around. He can make plays off schedule. He’s got good quickness, a competitive player, but ultimately, he’s a winner.”
In two games, Navarro has thrown for 486 yards and four touchdowns to three interceptions and run for 180 yards and one touchdown.
Navarro was an All-MAC second-team selection last season.
Matt Patricia stationed on sideline
Patricia, the Buckeyes’ new defensive coordinator, has a different vantage point than his predecessor.
While Jim Knowles sat in the booth during his three seasons calling the defense, Patricia has stood on the sideline.
“That was his decision,” Day said. “I left it up to him. Just get off the field on third down.”
Offensive coordinator Brian Hartline has been in the booth like Chip Kelly.
A red flag on special teams
Day identified punt return as a red flag after they allowed too many to roll onto the turf against Grambling.
By not fielding the punts, Day estimated they lost about 47 yards.
“A couple of them were difficult because they were not very well hit,” Day said, “but others I felt we could’ve fielded. “
Day said wide receiver Brandon Inniss remains their primary returner with wide receivers Jeremiah Smith and Carnell Tate and safety Caleb Downs as other options. Wide receiver Bryson Rodgers also lined up as a returner last week.
Logan George set to make debut
The rotation of defensive linemen through two games has not included George, who transferred from Idaho State last winter.
“We’re hoping to see him play this week,” Day said.
Day said George participated in practice last week, but did not make an appearance against Grambling. Day did not identify any particular issue that prompted them to hold out George, who was a disruptive pass rusher at the FCS level last year.
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Joey Kaufman covers Ohio State football for The Columbus Dispatch. Email him at jkaufman@dispatch.com and follow along on Bluesky, Instagram and X for more.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: What Ohio State football coach Ryan Day said during Week 3 press conference
Reporting by Joey Kaufman, Columbus Dispatch / The Columbus Dispatch
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