Wanted to bring some updates from the Ryan Day press conference ahead of the Texas–Ohio State season opener this Saturday.

Notes and quotes in the comments below.

Day on who his K/P will be:

Both incumbents have K Jayden Fielding and P Joe McGuire are expected to be the guys for the Buckeyes this weekend. There was a competition at both spots in fall camp.

No word on kickoff or punt returners for the Buckeyes.

Day on Julian Sayin: 

"He has a good group of guys around him. He has a good defense, he has a good special teams, good offensive line, good skill guys, he needs to lean into them and go find a way to win the game."

Day says Sayin is getting more and more comfortable each day in practice.

Day: It is great for college football to have this game on opening weekend. I have great respect for Sarkisian and his program and the way he coaches.

Day: "Steve (Sark) is a great play caller, always has been."

Says he expects Texas to get Arch into a rhythm early while assessing what is happening on the Buckeyes.

Day syas he is aware of the Texas opening script having a lot of success and the Buckeyes will need to come ready to play. 

Day says even with the tablets on the sidelines, most real adjustments are made at halftime.

Says that is where his staff must be ready to make adjustments and changes.

Day highlights organization and preparation for play calling. Says that is what he focuses on in the week leading up to games is organization. 

Day says he believes OSU has developed strong depth on the DL.

There isn't one guy but more a full rotation that he expects to see trotted out this weekend. 

Day says they will likely lean on guys who have played before for the Buckeyes, but that he is not opposed to young freshmen or new faces seeing the field in a game of this magnitude.

"If they ever recorded what was said on those headsets, you could make a lot of money." Day joked.

Day on the personality of his 2025 team:

Competitive, edgy.

Day says they like competing and being on the field with one another.

"A lot of leadership has risen here." Says the young guys are starting to figure things out inching closer to the season.

"This week will come down to avoiding distractions... we have to make sure we are avoiding distractions better than Texas."

Day was asked how Matt Patricia having faced Peyton and Eli Manning in the NFL prepares him for facing Arch. 

"That has nothing to do with this game or playing Texas."

Day says penalties really put Ohio State behind schedule in the Cotton Bowl. Ohio State had nine penalties for 75 yards.

Day added that he has to ensure that the right players are touching the ball and mentioned Jeremiah Smith's name immediately after.

2 minutes ago, CJ Vogel said:

Day was asked how Matt Patricia having faced Peyton and Eli Manning in the NFL prepares him for facing Arch. 

"That has nothing to do with this game or playing Texas."

what a question 

Ohio State had its own mock game this past Saturday. COaches were in the box, players went through a fulll pre and post game runthrough.

 

Texas did something very similar on Saturday.

Day says Sayin "found his voice" as a leader. 

Leadership and growth have been mentioned a few times in reference to Sayin.

Ohio State HC Ryan Day on Texas QB Arch Manning:

"With Arch, athletic, big strong arm, smart, quick release, accurate. All of the above. He checks every box."

If we don;t run the ball or stop the run, we aren't going to win the game says Day.

Ohio State does not have any fifth year guys, and only a handful of fourth year guys on roster for 2025.

On Julian Sayin's escapability:

"He has good short-area quickness... He has gotten stronger, he has put on strength, muscle, power."

Day says Sayin has tendencies that mirror CJ Stroud

Ryan Day calls on the Ohio State fans to come in and make an impact. References Indiana having to go to a silent count when they were on offense a year ago. Said that was a huge advantage to the Buckeyes and he hopes that is the case again this weekend. 

Day says he did not interact with Arch Manning much during his recruitment.

"Think they had their mind made up that they went wanted to play down south."