Ryan Day says CJ Stroud, Tommy Eichenberg called plays in scrimmage

When Ohio State practiced this week, the Buckeyes had two new “coordinators” standing on the sidelines at one point. Quarterback CJ Stroud called plays for the offense while linebacker Tommy Eichenberg called plays for the defense — which made for quite a treat.

“It was fun to watch,” Ryan Day told reporters this week.

It was part of Day and the coaching staff’s plan to create a looser environment to start practice before the Buckeyes take on Maryland this week. Stroud and Eichenberg were calling plays for the third-string offense and defense, who were running a sequence from the 10-yard line.

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This isn’t the first time Ohio State has done that drill, but Day acknowledged letting Stroud and Eichenberg call the plays made things more fun.

“We’ve been doing that here now probably for the last couple months where we start off Wednesday practice with a little put the ball on the 10-yard line and let our threes scrimmage against our threes,” Day said. “I think the defense is winning 4-1.

“This week, just to get some juice going before practice — it was snowing and it was cold, wanted to get something going. We decided we’ll put the defense on one sideline, offense on the other and let the players call it. It was fun. But the defense did win.”

As for whether or not Stroud and Eichenberg learned anything, Day said that wasn’t the point of handing them the car keys.

“I think it was just for fun,” Day said. “It was just four plays. I think they’re just having some fun with practice and just look at it from a different perspective.”

Ryan Day explains Ohio State practicing in the snow

Columbus, Ohio saw some cold temperatures and snowfall on Wednesday, but that didn’t stop the Buckeyes from practicing outside as they prepare for their final road test of the season against Maryland. Ohio State didn’t practice in the snow last year, but were eager to this season, which head coach Ryan Day addressed Thursday.

“I just don’t think we got any snow last year, we certainly did yesterday,” Day said. “It was coming down sideways and it’s been an interesting year so far in November just getting a bunch of different weather and that’s okay.”

As the season gets closer and closer to reaching its end, the weather becomes more of an important factor in games, especially in the Big Ten. Conditions at Big Ten campuses will be frigid and likely unpredictable for the remainder for the season, which the Buckeyes are prepping for.