Ohio State’s Ryan Day, Jim Knowles, Tony Alford Preview Michigan State

The Buckeyes have won six straight against the Spartans and haven't lost in East Lansing since 1999.

Author:
Andrew Lind
Oct 4, 2022 11:52 AM EDT

In this story:

Ohio State head coach Ryan Day, defensive coordinator Jim Knowles and running backs coach Tony Alford met with the media for an hour and a half on Tuesday afternoon to recap the 49-10 win over Rutgers and preview Saturday’s trip to Michigan State.

Below is a bullet-point recap of what Day, Knowles and Alford had to say:

Ryan Day

Day said they’re hopeful running back TreVeyon Henderson will be back this week against the Spartans. “We’re anxious to get Tre back.”
Day said cornerback Jordan Hancock is back to practicing full speed, but they won’t bring him back until after the off week. “It’s still week-to-week at this point.”
Day said running back Miyan Williams’ stature, vision, quickness, etc., stood out when they were recruiting him. “We saw something in a kid from Cincinnati who ran hard.” Noted how much it means to be an in-state kid. “We always want to invest in Ohio guys.”
On linebacker C.J. Hicks’ importance in recruiting the class of 2022: “He was excellent. Did a great job.” Mentioned offensive tackle Paris Johnson, defensive end Jack Sawyer and quarterback Kyle McCord as other notable peer recruiters.
Day said Williams has grown both on and off the field since he arrived on campus. Has gone through a lot in his life that has molded him into the person he is.
Asked how much of the playbook revolves around wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Day said, “A lot.” They’ve had to adjust their attack quite a bit as a result, but other players have embraced it. “He certainly brings a whole ‘nother element to our offense.”
On if he tries to get quarterback C.J. Stroud some additional looks to help his Heisman Trophy resume: “You can’t go down that road, though you understand that’s part of the world we live in right now.” Said all Stroud wants to do is win, so he’s not concerned with the individual awards. “All the other things will take care of themselves in the end.”
On the first road game of the season after opening the season with five straight home games: “It’s going to be hard to win up there … Tough place to play, great stadium, great environment.”
Day said Michigan State is still very much the same team they were last year despite their 2-3 record to start the season. “I know the’ve lost a couple of games, but we’re expecting a top-10 team when we go to East Lansing.”
On the high standards that surround the program. “It’s a good thing.” Said someone stopped him on the way to the stadium and said he expected them to beat Rutgers, 63-0. “We didn’t come to Ohio State to be average.”
Day said they don’t force players to change positions. “They have to want to do it because it’s really hard.” Said tight end Cade Stover and linebacker Steele Chambers and DeaMonte “Chip” Trayanum. “Now (Trayanum is) really embracing that role, and I think his career is going to take off as a result.”
Asked if name, image and likeness is a positive or negative, Day said there’s not a black and white answer because there’s a lot of gray area. “When you don’t have the guardrails in line, there’s going to be hurt feelings.”
Day said safety Ronnie Hickman, center Luke Wypler, offensive tackle Dawand Jones, wide receivers Emeka Egbuka, Julian Fleming and Xavier Johnson and defensive end Zach Harrison are some of the non-captains who have stepped up their leadership this season.
Day noted how important that leadership will be when they go on the road this weekend. “The older guys who have been through this before have to lead the way.”
Day said Egbuka certainly wants the fumble on the punt return back, and they’ll help him get more practice in windy conditions like Saturday. “We have all the confidence in the world that he’s going to catch the ball.”
“There’s so many people around here that have to be on top of their game, and if not, everything falls apart.”
On cornerback Cameron Brown, who has missed the last two games with and undisclosed injury: “He’s been itching to get back out there. I’ve felt an urgency about him for the last week that he’s dying to get back on the field.” They’re hoping he’ll get back against the Spartans with a strong week of practice.
Day said the wind swirls in the stadium, which makes it hard to catch punts. Also mentioned how they try to find a sweet spot to put Egbuka on punt returns to avoid it bouncing and rolling “forever” on the turf, which has led to some over-the-shoulder catches this season.
On wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr.: “I see him playing at a high level right now. He works as hard as anybody.”
Day said they’re hoping to get Smith-Njigba back this weekend. “When I say day-to-day, that’s how it is.” Noted the injury can linger or get better quickly. “We’re hoping it’s the latter of the two.”
On Denzel Burke’s return from his hand injury: “I give him a lot of credit for having that procedure and getting back on the field so quickly.” Said his footwork, movement and covering ability is there, he just has to finish the plays strong. “The good news is he’s right there for a lot of these plays.”
Day said he likes the way the defense is playing and the overall energy, pad level and fundamentals. “They’re playing with great confidence. That’s the most important thing.”
In reference to Wisconsin firing head coach Paul Chryst despite the success he’s had in Madison, including reaching three Big Ten title games, Day said he wakes up every day with the goal of being his best. “There’s nothing you can do about it but to focus on right now.”
Day said football is a way of life for him and his family, though even in the moments where they get away, they end up watching Thursday Night Football. "We love it. We embrace it." Notes you have to find a balance, though.

Jim Knowles

On safety Kye Stokes, who replaced Tanner McCalister when he went down with injury: “I thought he held his own.”
On the success the team has had on third down this season. “It’s just something that we emphasize.” Noted he’s not pleased with only being 11th in the country. “We certainly have higher aspirations than that.”
Knowles said safety Kourt Williams has been banged up and is “not completely healthy,” but he’s finding other ways to have an impact through his leadership. “We have to give him time to get better.”
Knowles said he likes cornerback J.K. Johnson’s aggressiveness and confidence. “His reach, his impact in press coverage and competition at the end of the route is where J.K. excels.”
Knowles reiterated that defensive success is a “right-now proposition.” His biggest concern is how it only takes one play going wrong or a 50-50 ball to go the wrong way. “It’s my job to continue to impress upon them that stopping them on the next play is a habit.”
On the lack of sack production from the defensive ends: “I’m pleased with what we’re doing up front.” Said it’s his job to figure out how to free them up even more.
Knowles on his time at Duke: “We had a lot of great future doctors and lawyers, not necessarily professional football players … (but) a good carpenter never complains about his tools.”
Said the players should get all of the accolades when things go well and for him to get the blame if they don’t. “I just want them to play when it comes to game day.”
Asked how many cups of coffee he has each day, Knowles said, “Not that many… six.”
Knowles said linebacker Tommy Eichenberg doesn’t really say much. He just grunts and does his job. “He’s picked (the defensive scheme) up as quickly as anyone I’ve ever worked with.”
Knowles said he joked with Chambers after getting caught on his interception return: “I told him, ‘I thought you were a running back. No wonder they moved you to linebacker.’”
On Burke: “Him wanting to get back out there is a big deal.” Said he’s showed “a lot of grit” and deserves a chance to work through some struggles this season.
Knowles said defensive tackle Michael Hall is “definitely one of the guys that brings the juice.” Said his energy and personality stand out. “You need people like that.”
On Harrison’s big game, where he tipped a pass that was intercepted and forced a fumble, as well as his ability moving inside in certain situations. “It’s great for him. It’s great for his future. It’s great for our defense.” Adds it also gives opposition offenses something else to think about.

Tony Alford

On some of the challenges they faced while running the ball in the red zone against Rutgers: “In the end, we were still able to punch it in.”
On the role fullback/tight end Mitch Rossi plays when he runs the ball in short-yardage situations “It gives us another playmaker who can do some things for our offense.”
Alford said his initial impression of Williams was that he didn’t talk much. “I’m extremely proud of the young man he’s become. He’s a guy that this entire program leans on and loves.” Said he’s got the kindest, biggest heart.
Alford said he’s never recruited a walk-on like a scholarship player until T.C. Caffey came along. “We’re thrilled to death to have him. He’s going to be a great player.”
On Williams: “He’s tough, he’s rugged and he’s a violent, violent player.”
Alford said he apologized to Williams during the recruiting process because he had the wrong first impression of him. “As I got to know him more, I knew this kid had something more about him.” Said Williams was “really pissed” at him for how his recruitment was unfolding before that.
Asked if Henderson’s return impacts Williams’ carries, Alford said, “No. I look at it as we have two starters. I have the whole time.” Said he doesn’t care how it’s done as long as they win games.
Alford said he is indebted to work for someone like Day. “I do believe that Ryan Day is one of the all-time top guys I’ve ever had the plaseure of working for and with.” Said he makes everyone feel valued and heard. “It empowers you to do your job.”
Alford said Henderson has played “OK” this season and knows he is frustrated by the lack of big plays this season. Said there’s still room for improvement, but “he has not played poorly whatsoever.” Added those long runs will come.
On Chambers decision to move from running back to linebacker: “He just wanted to play. It doesn’t surprise me that he’s doing well over there.”
Alford said that Williams is about three feet tall and is all shoulders and thighs, which makes it hard to bring him down. “He speeds up into contact.” Added he’s very motivated on and off the field. “There’s nothing soft about that kid … He’s a tough guy.”
On Henderson: “I’m not going to allow people to pain a picture that he’s not playing well.”
Alford said that unselfishness is one of the biggest attributes he looks for when recruiting running backs because he knows that’s the best way for the team to win and reach their ultimate goals.