Ryan Day on his staff's approach this season: 'We're all coaching aggressively'

Ohio State went for it on fourth down four times during a 38-7 win at Michigan State this past weekend. The Buckeyes converted three times, including twice in one drive, and scored off fourth down play calls on two occasions.

Through four games, Ohio State head coach Ryan Day has gone for it on fourth down eight times, tied for the most such attempts of any Big Ten team this season and tied for 47th nationally in that same department. In other words, the Buckeyes are averaging two fourth down attempts per game. They averaged 1.38 per game in 2023 and 1.31 per game in 2022.

Of those eight attempts, six have resulted in first downs for Ohio State.

The Buckeyes have gone for it on fourth down in the first half of games, and they’ve even rolled the dice with their reserves in the game late. For instance, third-string quarterback Julian Sayin, a true freshman, has already operated a pair of 4th-and-1s. He turned the first one into his first career touchdown pass — out of 13 personnel, Sayin faked a handoff right, slid left and located Bennett Christian, and the third-year tight end zoomed to the end zone for a 55-yard, catch-and-run score.

Ohio State’s willingness to go for it on fourth down is the chief example of an aggressive mindset the Buckeyes have taken into their 2024 season, which is widely considered “natty or bust.”

Day was asked Tuesday if, in general, he’s coaching more aggressively this year than in years past.

“I think with this team and just in my role, you can target things a little bit better,” Day said. “You can be on things a little bit better. You can give more thought to how you’re addressing the team, how you’re addressing the coaches, the overall approach, focusing on what really matters, which is how hard you play and your fundamentals and the big picture things.

“But it’s also this team — I love this team, I love the way they play. So like every day when I wake up, I put two feet on the ground to try to do everything I can to help this team reach their dreams and goals. Because these kids are unbelievable, and they’re giving everything they possibly have. We got to keep pushing them as coaches, and that’s our job. It’s their job to take the coaching and continue with the great chemistry we have and great effort.”

Day added: “So we got to put a great game plan together, give it to the players and then have a great week of practice. But yeah, I mean, we’re all coaching aggressively.”