Quick hitters from Ryan Day Week 10 press conference

COLUMBUS — Ohio State head coach Ryan Day met with the media Tuesday to talk about the No. 3 Buckeyes’ 24-10 win at Wisconsin as well as their Week 10 matchup at Rutgers, which is already bowl eligible through eight games in the fourth year of Greg Schiano’s second stay as head coach.

What Ryan Day said Tuesday…

+ Day was asked about his assessment of the offensive line play at Wisconsin. “I think we took a step this week. Where we go from here, we’ll see,” Day said. He said he thought TreVeyon Henderson ran hard, and that boosted Ohio State’s run game, in large part because of his versatility in the run and pass game.

+ Day said they always have to find ways to get Henderson the ball. He added that they worked on his “wind” leading up to the game to make sure he’d be able to carry the ball 20-some times in his first game back.

+ Day said they’re expecting Emeka Egbuka to practice this week. He was available at Wisconsin, but they just felt like they wanted to hold him one more week. “It’s a great sign when you have guys fighting to get on the field, and he’s one of them,” Day said.

+ Day said quarterback Kyle McCord is another example of a guy who fought through it at Wisconsin. He showed his toughness in that game, Day said.

+ Day was asked about November football and the stretch run. He noted that every year you learn so much, but you’re always striving to play your best in November. Even when you win, you have to identify the issues.

+ Day said they’re expecting backup quarterback Devin Brown to practice today. “What capacity we’ll see, but we’re gonna see him out there today,” Day said.

+ Day was asked how McCord graded out. “He had some really good snaps,” Day said. “What’s hard about quarterback is one play can ruin your whole day.” And, as Day said, “there were some critical errors in there.” Day said the emphasis is limiting the negative plays.

+ In reference to McCord, Day was asked if sometimes quarterbacks just have a bad day. Day said “you’re not allowed to have a bad day at Ohio State, any of us.” Even on your average days, you gotta be really good, Day said. But Day said that ultimately it was positive how McCord responded Saturday night and led them to a two-score victory over Wisconsin.

+ Day said that tight end Cade Stover having zero targets wasn’t a result of a “lack of trying.” Day said they had plays designed for Stover, but the ball just didn’t get to him. He talked about the value of Stover in all facets of the game, and as a captain. He’s another one of the players Day noted toughed it out Saturday.

+ Day was asked about tight end depth beneath Stover and fellow tight end Gee Scott Jr. He said there’s inexperience at TE3, and they’re going to try to build up that depth as they get into the stretch run. They’ve used multiple players in that TE3 spot (for blocking purposes), including tackle Luke Montgomery and defensive end Caden Curry.

+ Day said Greg Schiano and his staff at Rutgers are creative in all three phases, even on special teams.

+ Day was asked what he sees from the Rutgers defense. He said they do a great job schematically and play complementary football. Day also pointed out an uptick in talent for the Scarlet Knights. Day later added that, offensively, Rutgers is executing a scheme similar to Minnesota a few years back, and the Scarlet Knights are controlling the ball and then letting their defense do its thing.

+ Day was asked about safety Lathan Ransom. He said they have a better idea of where he’s at, health-wise, but don’t have anything definitive yet. They should have more of an update later in the week, Day said.

+ Day said, looking back, he probably should have run it in the two intentional grounding situations at Wisconsin since they couldn’t afford to be pushed out of field goal range. Instead of throwing it, he thinks the Buckeyes could have picked up a few extra yards on the ground and then attempted a kick. He was adamant that Ohio State needs to make it a two-possession game in that situation, and he took ownership for the fact that the Buckeyes didn’t.

+ Day said when McCord was hobbled, they had a conversation on the sideline. Day recalled that McCord said, “I’m going to be fine, don’t worry about me, I’m good.” And that showed McCord’s toughness, Day said.

+ Day was then asked about how that situation compares to the one where they held Egbuka out another week, and Day said that you have to ask what gives you the best chance to win the game. Day noted that they were encouraged by the way McCord was playing in the second half. That, coupled with his feedback on the sideline, led to him staying in the game.

+ On the low snap and incompletion on the second play of the game, Day said the blocking was excellent. McCord’s eyes were down because of the low snap. If they were up, he would have seen the pressure and got the ball out to Henderson with two blockers ahead and a chance for an explosive. Between center Carson Hinzman and McCord, they just have to execute that better.

+ Day said running back Miyan Williams is out for the year. He already had a procedure. “Miyan’s done a lot of great things for us,” Day said. He noted it’s all so new that he doesn’t know what Williams’ next steps are.

+ Day noted that “finding the speed of the game” is key for quarterbacks. The best way to do that is your feet, Day said. “When [Kyle’s] feet are underneath him, when he’s trusting eyes, and when he’s trusting his feet, that’s when he’s playing his best football,” Day added.

+ Day said the goal is to always score as many points as you can, so that hasn’t changed. But you find yourself in some top-10 games, and you do whatever you possibly can to win those games. “If we take care of the football and are more efficient, then maybe we are in the 40s,” Day said, in reference to the Buckeyes’ scoring numbers. They’re going to fight to be the best offense in the country, Day said.