Ohio State's Ryan Day, Jim Knowles, Kevin Wilson Preview Penn State

The Buckeyes have won five straight games against the Nittany Lions dating back to a loss in Happy Valley in 2016.

Ohio State head coach Ryan Day, defensive coordinator Jim Knowles and offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson met with the media for approximately an hour and a half on Monday afternoon to recap the 54-10 win over Iowa and preview Saturday's trip to Penn State.

The Nittany Lions are 6-1 on the season and 3-1 in Big Ten play after beating Minnesota, 45-17, in their annual "White Out" last weekend. Their only loss this season was on the road at Michigan on Oct. 15, when they held a 14-13 second-quarter lead before falling 41-17.

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The Buckeyes have won five straight games in the series dating back to a 24-21 loss in Happy Valley in 2016, when Penn State returned a blocked field goal 60 yards for the go-ahead score with just over four minutes remaining. That said, Ohio State holds a 22-14 advantage in the series.

Below is a bullet-point recap of everything the coaches had to say:

Ryan Day:

• Asked about the early offensive struggles against the Hawkeyes, Day said plans can change once you get into a game because of what the defense is giving you: “Every week is different and you try to do the best you can to identify where you can be successful week in and week out.”
• On the lack of execution in the run game against Iowa: “There were some issues, and when you play against a better opponent, those issues come to the surface more.” Noted how things are significantly easier in the red zone when you can run the ball.
• On the trip to Penn State: “Our guys understand what kind of challenge this is going to be.”
• Day said freshman walk-on running back T.C. Caffey is out for the season with a long-term injury, which is why linebacker DeaMonte “Chip” Trayanum had a carry on Saturday. Added he approached the coaches about making the switch. “We’re going to need him.”
• Day said wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba wanted to get back into the game despite being on a “pitch count.” He emphasized that there was “nothing else” with Smith-Njigba in terms of an injury. “We wanted to make sure that number was kept around 20.”
• Day said he expects a raucous atmosphere at Penn State despite it being a noon kickoff. “No matter when you go into Penn State, it’s going to be a challenge.”
• On Penn State quarterback Sean Clifford, who Day noted has played a lot of football in his career: “Very good player. A lot of respect.”
• Day on kicker Noah Ruggles, who was named the Big Ten’s special teams player of the week on Monday after converting 4-of-4 field goals against Iowa: “All these little things add up in games, and certainly field goals matter. We’re going to need him more and more as the year goes on.”
• Day credited former wide receivers Johnnie Dixon, Parris Campbell and Terry McLaurin for the example they set in that room and the maturity has carried over from there. “It’s pretty remarkable when you think about who they are as people.”
• On wide receiver Julian Fleming: “You’re now starting to see the best version of Julian for a lot of reasons.” Mentioned how injuries were a struggle early in his career and how he’s becoming a big-play threat. “He stuck with it.”
• Day said “the plan” is for Smith-Njigba to be available against Penn State, reiterating that he didn’t suffer any kind of injury against Iowa. Asked if he’ll be on a a pitch count again this week: “We’ll see.”
• On Penn State’s offense: “The combination of quarterback and wide receiver will be the biggest challenge we’ve faced so far.”
• Day said he’s happy with how they’ve split the carries between running backs TreVeyon Henderson and Miyan Williams and that there isn’t a plan to “feature” either of them moving forward.
• On safety Tanner McCalister, who joined the program this offseason from Oklahoma State: “This isn’t a place you just walk in and play.” Said it’s very rare for someone to do that and it takes a “special player.” Mentioned Justin Fields, Trey Sermon and Jonah Jackson as players who have done that recently.
• Day said the style of defense really fits safety Lathan Ransom, who he credited for his quick return from a broken leg in the Rose Bowl. “It’s great to see him making plays. The style of defense really fits him.”
• Day said he doesn’t have an update on long snapper Bradley Robinson, who suffered a knee injury against the Hawkeyes. Hopes to have an update on his status later in the week.
• Day said he saw a little smile from linebacker Tommy Eichenberg following his pick-six. “I don’t know if he’ll admit it, but I saw one.” Said he has a strong presence and that people listen when he talks. “He’s so consistent and solid.”
• Day said safety Josh Proctor didn’t play against Iowa due to illness. “He should be back practicing this week.”
• Day recalled how he once missed ESPN’s awards show and got fined, but noted “it was worth it” because him and Penn State offensive coordinator Mike Yurcich – who was the Buckeyes’ quarterbacks coach at the time – were conducting an in-home visit with C.J. Stroud.
• Day said cornerback Cameron Brown’s injury is not a long-term issue. “Expect to get him out there soon.” Also noted it was “great” to have Jordan Hancock back after he missed the first six games with a lower-body injury.
• Day some of the early struggles he had in recruiting quarterbacks to Ohio State was the lack of first-round picks at the position. His response? “There’s going to be real soon.” Said they take a lot of pride in that.

Jim Knowles:

• Knowles said Hancock has great length, skill and and sees formations well. “He has high football intelligence.”
• On Ransom’s play over the last few weeks: “He’s got a hot hand. When a guy’s playing like that, you want to keep him going.”
• Knowles said McCalister brings a “coaching presence” to the defensive backs room. He reiterated what he said on Saturday, when McCalister had two interceptions, in that he earned his way at Ohio State.
• Knowles called Clifford “an operator” and is very good at reading defenses. Said that Penn State’s receivers will also challenge the Buckeyes’ secondary.
• On the defense: “The growth process in terms of us implementing the entire system, we’re getting there.” Notes that there are parts of the scheme the Buckeyes haven’t had to use yet. “It’s an arc. It has trended up and continues to trend up. It’s my job to keep that going.”
• Knowles said they don’t want the defense to be predictable and that how many linebackers they use or where they line up ultimately depends on the offense they’re facing.
• On Stroud: “He’s great. He’s the best I’ve ever been around.” Said he’s not only got the talent, but also the mind for playing the quarterback position.
• Knowles said cornerback Denzel Burke “is the same” now that he’s playing better as he was when he was struggling. “He has always been a really fun guy to coach, an easy guy to coach. He competes, he tries hard, he listens to what you have to say. That’s what you want.”
• Knowles said there is something about momentum and how players getting more comfortable and growing within the defense leads to turnovers. The Buckeyes forced a season-high six on Saturday. “That’s one of the indicators that you’re doing good things.”
• Knowles on Ohio State’s wide receivers room: “Routes are great, speed, all of that. But actually completing the catch, it’s as good or better than I’ve ever seen.”
• On safety Cameron Martinez: “I think Cam is an excellent player.” Loves his coverage skills, footwork and competitiveness, but noted he’s been dealing with some injuries. “He’s going to keep playing more as long as he’s healthy.”

Kevin Wilson:

• Wilson said Iowa did a good job defensively with hand placement and getting off blocks, which is why the Buckeyes struggled running the ball on Saturday. “Great defenses make you work.”
• Asked about his philosophy on going for it on fourth down, Wilson said a lot of it is feel of the game. “We still have to trust the players to execute.”
• On wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr.: “He’s physically and mentally matured, but to be as tall as he is, he’s actually not long-legged.” Said that makes it easy for him to get in and out of breaks compared to someone who has longer legs and takes long strides. “He’s got unusual quickness for somebody that big and that long.”
• Wilson said you have to play through issues, whether it’s self-inflicted or because of the defenses or the weather. “This time of year, you’ve got to play through the muck.” Said it doesn’t take a lot to be off, but they settled down and got back on track Saturday.
• On Penn State cornerback Joey Porter Jr., who has eight pass break ups this season. “Our guys are going to have to work hard to get open.” Said they can’t back away from the challenge and have to be very smart and calculated.
• Regarding the early offensive struggles, Wilson said "good teams handle it on Saturday, bad teams come in on Sunday and talk about what they should have done."
• Wilson didn't want to blame anybody for the fumble that was returned for a touchdown, but noted how an inside guy got stuck on a block. "It wasn't executed properly."
• On Trayanum’s ability at running back: “He’s a heavier load, but he’s got very good instincts, very good hands.” Feels like he picks things up well after playing running back for two years at Arizona State.

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