Ryan Day explains importance of 'unselfish' Ohio State offense

Emeka Egbuka didn’t have a catch until the fourth quarter of a 45-0 win over Purdue this past weekend. The senior wide receiver still has a chance to leave Ohio State as the program’s all-time leader in receptions and receiving yards. He’s a team captain.

And yet, even without his production, the Buckeyes entered the final frame with a 38-point lead.

That’s a testament to how many offensive weapons No. 2 Ohio State has, and while that’s nothing new, the number of plays head coach Ryan Day’s team is piling up is lower than it was just a few years ago.

The introduction of helmet communication technology and, subsequently, an uptick in huddling are factors. It’s also important to note that, since the start of last season, the clock no longer stops on awarded first downs, except in the final two minutes of each half.

“There’s a lot of reasons to go no huddle,” Day said postgame. “There’s a lot of reasons to huddle. And when we’re huddling, we’re not getting as many plays. We ended up with 66 plays [against Purdue], and then our starters are pretty much out there in the fourth quarter. So there’s just not as many plays as there used to be.

“A big part of this season is understanding that the touches and the numbers are not always going to be as high as maybe in the past. So guys like Emeka and Carnell [Tate], they understand that, and it’s not always easy. You want to have an impact on the game, but their time is coming. These big games are coming as we continue to move through November. And we’re going to need them to play at a high level.”

Plus, even one catch can make a difference.

Egbuka’s went for a 10-yard touchdown Saturday against Purdue. Tate’s lone reception at Oregon earlier this season dug Ohio State out of a hole on its near-game-winning drive: Tate caught a 13-yard pass on 2nd-and-19 after quarterback Will Howard took a sack on the first play of the series.

Ohio State is also leaning on its receivers in the run game. As a unit, the Buckeyes’ wideouts have taken a significant step forward in that department this season.

They’re helping spring runs for a backfield that splits a workload as well. Star running backs Quinshon Judkins and TreVeyon Henderson take turns, and neither has had more than 14 carries in a game this year.

“We’re looking for that combination, obviously, of being explosive on the perimeter downfield and then obviously in the run game,” Day said. “We need everybody involved with it, and a big part of that is being unselfish.

“When we go into November, we have to have an unselfish offense, and defense. But when you’re on offense, there’s only one football. And we got to do everything we can to win the game.”

Day continued: “Good to see Emeka get that touchdown. But here’s a guy, certainly he wants more touches — any receiver does — but he’s not a guy that is going to be selfish and make it about him. He knows the bigger picture on this. He’s a captain, one of the best receivers in the history of Ohio State football, and I know the fans appreciate who he is.”