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In his penultimate pregame news conference of the 2025 regular season, Ryan Day was encouraged about the running game and tight-lipped about injuries.
Others noted after the press conference was over Day was enthusiastic in the way he delivered his assessment of the running game.
As I wrote Saturday night/Sunday morning: UCLA’s run defense is bad, but Ohio State still had to do something about it.
That the Buckeyes took advantage was a good sign live, and the head coach giving more than just measured praise for how it looked on film is a better one.
Here’s what he said Tuesday:
"I mean, I thought there was a lot of physicality. I see Carson Hinzman had nine knockdowns in the game. I mean, it's hard to knock a trash can down nine times.
"That's a heck of a job. I thought guys were finishing downfield. There were some clips of guys finishing people out of bounds. Running backs are running through contact. People are finishing. It was a good Sunday to watch effort and physicality and fundamentals because we know that's going to matter in the end.”
Maybe he is speaking a reliable rushing attack into existence, but this week provides another opportunity to build confidence.
Rutgers has given up more yards per game on the ground than UCLA…
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And when your top two receivers are out, that’s another reason to lean on the running game, right?
Whether or not Carnell Tate or Jeremiah Smith play Saturday remains to be seen, but I wouldn’t bet on it…
“Our policy is we don’t discuss specifics on injuries, and once you start going down a little bit here, a little bit there, you can create a problem so for a number of reasons we don’t discuss those things. We put out the report the day of the game, but I can tell you they’re in great spirits. The medical staff is working hard. We’ll take it day to day and see how they come in each day, but they’re working hard to get back on the field.
Should that answer alarm anyone?
I don’t think so, but I guess I can’t rule it out.
After Tate missed the Purdue game, Day said he could have played if necessary. Then he was completely out last week, but that could also be precautionary.
Multiple people saw Smith limping noticeably late in the first half against UCLA, but Day said he did not aggravate whatever injury was bothering him (“not that he knows of” at least).
I guess it is up to each individual to take his statements at face value or not.
There is no great need to play them this week, but it would be better than not if they did so the whole operation stays sharp heading into the Michigan game.
Maybe Julian Sayin facing a little adversity playing without those guys was good last weekend, but could it shake his confidence if he has a rough day this weekend? He’s still a redshirt freshman, after all.
I’m babbling now, so I guess I should wrap this up, but thanks for reading another edition of Cus Words Sports!
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