Ohio State head coach Ryan Day met with the media on Thursday afternoon for a lightning round of questions about his team’s final preparations for Penn State (12 p.m. on FOX).
Here’s a brief recap of what he had to say:
- Day anticipates a big recruiting weekend in terms of number of prospects in attendance, but the focus with me on the game. “There’s only so much time you can spend with those guys in a situation like this.” Added they wrote a letter to prospects so they understand what the weekend will entail.
- Day said they’ve kept a routine this week rather than placing extra emphasis on the opponent.
- Day said the Buckeyes will benefit from playing in front of the home crowd this weekend. “Any time you’re playing in front of a no-huddle offense, it’s a big advantage when it’s loud.”
- Day said running back J.K. Dobbins wanted to play in the second half against Rutgers, but Day told him right before kickoff that he was done for the day. “I told him ‘I’m only doing it because I love you, man.’ It’s my job to make sure I’m protecting the program and protecting him.”
- Day said the threat of inclement weather, be it snow or rain, doesn’t concern the team. “Whatever it is, we’ll handle it. Both teams have to deal with it.”
- Asked about allowing players who opt to leave school early to go through senior day festivities, even if it’s pretty obvious it’ll be their last game in Ohio Stadium, Day said that’s typically reserved for the players who put four or five years into the program.
- Day said they expect Penn State running back Noah Cain and wide receiver K.J. Hamler to play Saturday. “I’ll be shocked if they don’t.”
- Linebacker Justin Hilliard won’t be going through Senior Day festivities as he pursues a sixth year of eligibility with the program. No word on if it’s been approved, though, as that’s typically announced after the season.
