Scarlet Sunrise: Ohio State defense impresses during first fall camp scrimmage

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Ohio State scrimmage takeaways

Ohio State didn’t need to keep an official score to know who won the first scrimmage of training camp.

“Offense turned the ball over too many times, didn’t run the ball the way that they should,” head coach Ryan Day said. “So, defense won the day for sure. I think when you look at the experience level, sure, I think the defense has more experience. I think schematically the offense has a couple years in, some of the older guys. So I don’t know really who’s ahead of the other, but I will say up to this point, it’s kind of gone back and forth, which is a good sign. The offense will kind of get after the defense one day and then vice versa. So that’s healthy.

“I think if one side is dominating the other throughout camp then you may have an issue. But right now, it’s been a good battle.”

The competition will continue for a couple more weeks as Ohio State keeps building with an eye on the season opener against Florida Atlantic on Aug. 31. Be sure to check out our takeaways from the scrimmage on Saturday.

Ryan Day press conference

After the Buckeyes’ first full scrimmage of the 2019 football season, Ohio State coach Ryan Day met with the media to discuss the Saturday morning training camp scrimmage.

Lettermen Row was at the Woody Hayes Athletic Center and the full press conference can be found here.

Ohio State talking with top Ohio sophomore

Dayton standout C.J. Hicks was a buzz-worthy performer at a pair of Ohio State one-day camps in June, instantly making himself a name to know in 2022. Those performances have opened the door for the Archbishop Alter prospect, Ohio’s top-ranked player in the just-released top-100 list in that class, to remain in contact with the Ohio State football staff.

“I heard from them a week after camp and a couple of days ago,” Hicks, 6-foot-4 and 210-pounds, told Lettermen Row. “Their message has been simple. They liked what they saw at the camp, they liked my 7-on-7 stuff and they said they need more film. But I’m the type of guy they want on their roster playing on Saturdays.

“I’m just going into my sophomore year, so hearing that is amazing.”

The first release of 2022 rankings has Hicks as the No. 24-ranked sophomore-t0-be in America.

“I’m happy I’m on the list, but my goal is to move up to No. 1 in the nation no matter where they put me,” Hicks said. “I’ll just have to show them why I should be one of the top people in the class of 2022.”

Bo Hoag earns PGA Tour card

Former Ohio State golfer Ryan Armour will have some company on the PGA Tour in the 2019-20 season. Bo Hoag, who played for the Buckeyes from 2007-11, earned his PGA Tour card in a big way on Sunday.

The PGA Tour hands out membership cards to players who finish in the top 25 of the Korn Ferry Tour points standings over the course of the regular season. Another 25 players earn spots on the PGA Tour from the Korn Ferry Tour playoffs. Heading into the final event of the regular season, Hoag was in 31st place for the season and looking like he’d need to rely on the playoffs to secure a Tour card. Instead, he went out and won the Portland Open, vaulting from 31st to 7th and securing his professional future for the next year.

“Life-changer,” Hoag said. “You know what’s at stake on a day like today and your mind drifts to it a little bit. You picture what you’re going to be doing after your round….either back here getting a card on this green or packing your car up to go home. I just told myself I wasn’t going to leave here this evening without getting a card on this green. Great day.”

Hoag got a congratulatory call from Jack Nicklaus, and he’ll have another present coming this week. The first Korn Ferry playoff event is at Ohio State’s Scarlet Course in Columbus. With his PGA Tour card already in hand, Hoag will be able to enjoy a trip home to his old stomping grounds with no pressure but plenty to celebrate.

Counting down

• Ohio State vs. Florida Atlantic (season opener): 19 days
• Ohio State at Michigan: 110 days

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