Ryan Day's halftime message for Kyle McCord amid struggles: 'Manage the game and keep us on schedule'

Head coach Ryan Day and Ohio State took a 10-3 lead into the half over Wisconsin at Camp Randall Stadium on Saturday night, but the visiting Buckeyes could’ve easily led by more. Twice in the first half, promising drives ended on Kyle McCord interceptions.

Day, speaking with NBC sideline reporter Kathryn Tappen, was pleased with how his defense kept the Badgers at bay. The pair of turnovers, including one in the red zone, immediately came to mind for the Ohio State head man.

“I think our defense is playing great. We can’t turn the ball over, certainly not in the red zone and then we get in plus territory here, gotta finish off some drives. We’re moving ’em, we’re doing some good things, we gotta take care of the football,” Day said.

At the half, McCord was 10-of-19 for 140 yards and a touchdown along with the giveaways. The overall offensive output was solid, as the Buckeyes averaged 5.5 yards per play on 38 plays — 19 runs and 19 passes.

And Day’s message at the half to his quarterback was going to be simple.

“Trust his feet and trust his eyes. Manage the game and keep us on schedule,” Day said.

The early returns — after Wisconsin marched for a game-tying touchdown out of the half — were good for Ohio State.

McCord got the ball and responded with a touchdown drive for the Buckeyes, keeping the Badgers at arms length. It was capped with a pin-point throw from McCord to Marvin Harrison Jr. by the goal line to the right.

It seems the message from Day sank in with McCord, and the quarterback responded as the Buckeyes rolled on a 24-10 win and stayed undefeated on the season.

Day had an update on a key injured Buckeye after the game

Ohio State wide receiver Emeka Egbuka was questionable heading into the Buckeyes game against Wisconsin on Saturday night after missing a few contests with an injury. And after the wideout ultimately didn’t play on Saturday, Day offered a brief update on the wideout.

Speaking with Tappen after the game, Day said Egbuka was quite close to being able to go. It seems the wideout should be available in the next week or so.

“We decided to hold Emeka. He was really close but we’re looking forward to getting him him back,” Day said.

Egbuka hurt his ankle against Maryland in early October and hasn’t played since that game.