Ryan Day: Ohio State was 'gutsy' fending off upset-minded Maryland

Ohio State fended off a pesky Maryland team, 43-30, on Saturday to improve to 11-0 and set up a massive matchup with rival Michigan. After trailing at the break, Ohio State head coach Ryan Day was pleased with how his team responded in the second half.

Maryland didn’t make it easy and the score doesn’t reflect how close the game was in late stages, but the Buckeyes made a couple critical plays late to get the win. After the game speaking with ESPN sideline reporter Katie George, Day said his team was “gutsy” in getting the win.

“I thought we played well in the second half,” Day said. “First half, didn’t think that was the case. We’ll go back and try to figure out why that was. I thought we were gutsy, did a great job in the third quarter, good job of finishing out the game here in the fourth.” 

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With starting running back TreVeyon Henderson seemingly limited — he finished the game with 11 carries for 19 yards — and his counterpart Miyan Williams out, Ohio State turned to true freshman running back Dallan Hayden to carry the load, especially in the second half.

He finished with 27 carries for 146 yards and three touchdowns.

“Well first off, he took care of the ball and he was running through contact at points in the game,” Day said. “I thought the offensive line did a better job there in the second half, coming off the ball. So, we were able to find a balance and that’s been the key to our offense all year.”

The Buckeyes answered the challenge from their coach after the first half

Ohio State trailed at the break against Maryland, mustering just 10 first half points as head coach Ryan Day lamented some missed opportunities and a need to run the ball better. Speaking with ESPN sideline reporter Katie George ahead of the third quarter, Day threw down the gauntlet for his team.

Day said Ohio State needed to run the ball better in the second half and get more out of the push he thought the offensive line had generated. And with Maryland getting the ball to start the second half, Day knew it was on the defense to get things going, first.

“We have to run the ball better. We gotta run it up inside. I think we’re getting some good movement, we’re just hitting it the way I think we should be able to hit it. Got some self-inflicted stuff going on. So, they start with the ball here in the second half so we gotta do a good job of getting the stop and getting that good balance going.”

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The Buckeyes answered his call.

After forcing Maryland into a punting situation, safety Lathan Ransom came down and blocked his second punt in as many weeks.

With the ball deep in Maryland territory — and with running back Miyan Williams unavailable — Ohio State gave the ball to true freshman running back Dallan Hayden. It took him two carries to find the end zone and put Ohio State on top, 17-13.