After the offense and defense built momentum in its 26-6 win Nov. 10 at Michigan State, can Ohio State take another step Saturday at Maryland? Before the No. 10 Buckeyes (9-1, 6-1 Big Ten) head to College Park, Md., and face the Terrapins (5-5, 3-4) inside Maryland Stadium, offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach Ryan Day and defensive coordinator Greg Schiano fielded questions from reporters after practice Wednesday on the Woody Hayes Athletic Center’s indoor field and broke down both sides of the ball before OSU’s noon kickoff on ABC.
Ryan Day
On what has changed with redshirt freshman quarterback Tate Martell…
“It’s been a couple weeks working here, the packages, and we felt he was game-ready going into an environment like that where it was cold, it was windy, it was a great defense and we felt like we needed a little bit of a change up there and he gave it to us and did a good thing. Obviously, we had the one miscue down there tight. That was, obviously, something we’ve got to get corrected fast. But other than that, I thought he did a good job. … They are (fluid) and also based on what you’re seeing that week — schematically, how it works — but he gives us a little bit of a change of pace.”
On how much the offense has operated out of the run-pass option recently…
“Every play, you have something you’re doing to try to handle the extra guy in the box. Sometimes, if they man you up, there really isn’t much of a read because it turns into a 1-on-1 battle and you’re just turning that into a pass. So sometimes an RPO can look like a play-action pass because if it’s man-to-man (coverage), the extra guy’s in the box. You’re just going to take the ball, maybe throw a 1-on-1 shot or something like that. … It’s kind of game to game.”
On how he manages his quarterbacks between Martell and sophomore Dwayne Haskins…
“They’re both competitive guys, they both want to play, but they understand that — what’s best for the team. Our unit is a unit. Those guys, their relationship has really grown — especially this year. They pull for each other. They both know — whatever’s best for the team, they’re willing to support. So those guys are both competitive guys. That’s what you want — you want guys that want to be on the field, so that’s normal and I think they’re both handling it well.”
Greg Schiano
On how he prepares his defense for sophomore Tyrrell Pigrome instead of redshirt freshman Kasim Hill at quarterback…
“You could kind of see (Hill’s knee injury) on the video, so we kind of knew since Saturday, but it does change. They’re different kinds of guys and they’ve done different things. Now, I know (interim head coach and offensive coordinator Matt) Canada has been establishing his offensive system for a long time. So it’s a little bit tricky. I’m not sure what they’re going to do. We need to be ready for everything they’ve done and they’ve had some really fantastic output, offensively, at times so big challenge.”
On how much of an impact sophomore safety Brendon White has made in the secondary and the back seven…
“Brendon’s played really well. He is a good example of working really hard and improving, and being prepared when you get a chance. And when he got his chance, he cashed in on it and he did well again last week, so we’re very encouraged there. I think he’s got a bright future. … I think, certainly, (White) has something to do with it. We’ve had some breakdowns in the secondary, in the tackling area. Brendon came in and, I thought, tackled well coming out of the middle of the field and coming out of the quarters. So he did both instances. And I think (redshirt freshman defensive back) Shaun Wade, as well, is getting better each week. So it took longer than we would’ve liked, but I think it’s starting to click.”
On how much fifth-year senior Dante Booker has played more in recent weeks after a bigger role the last game…
“He did (play more at Michigan State) and I’m excited about that. I think he’s feeling more and more healthy coming off the injuries and you’ve got to remember now — two surgeries in the spring, both shoulders. So that — obviously, you have to heal from those. But you don’t practice, you miss time and all that. So I think he’s worked himself into a position where we really are going to need him down the stretch and he’s ready to do it down the stretch, which is good, so I think we’ll continue to work him in the game in certain situations.”
