Ohio State coach Ryan Day demands urgency before Saturday's clash with Oregon
After a 30-18 loss to USC, Day says the coaching staff must improve and players must fix mistakes before facing the Ducks.
By Lauren Foster ·
Ohio State head coach Ryan Day told his team on Tuesday that they must play with high urgency before they face Oregon on Saturday. The Buckeyes lost 30-18 to USC in Los Angeles on Saturday, marking their fourth defeat in the last 10 games.
Day, who has lost only 14 games in eight seasons, said the loss to the Trojans was the program's largest since falling 45-23 to Michigan on Nov. 26, 2022. The Buckeyes committed a season-high 11 penalties in that game. USC also gained 69 and 70 yards on two separate plays.
"The penalties are ridiculous and the mistakes are ridiculous," Day said. "So, ultimately, that leads me to believe that we're not where we need to be. So, we got an opportunity here against Oregon now to go turn that around."
Day said the coaching staff must fix issues now. He noted that the responsibility starts with him, then moves to coordinators and position coaches. He said he is not considering any coaching changes at this time, but the group must elevate its performance.
"We got to coach it better, and again, that starts [with me] but then it goes to the coordinators, and then it goes to position coaches," Day said. "Now the players, they have to hold themselves accountable, too, there's a certain level of accountability for these guys that they're expected to do their job at a high level."
The Buckeyes have struggled near the goal line this season. They scored seven touchdowns on 16 red zone trips in their last four games. In the loss to USC, Ohio State entered the red zone four times but scored only one touchdown.
Day said he and his staff are reviewing the scheme, personnel, and coaching to find solutions. He acknowledged that the red zone execution has been a source of frustration.
"At the end of the day, once we get in a red zone, we have to be able to run the ball, and then we have to be able to win a one-on ones on the outside," Day said. "Certainly that is something that is extremely frustrating. So we got to keep working at it this week, and I don't know what else to say other than that. But I'm as frustrated as anybody."
On Saturday, the No. 12 Ohio State team will play No. 23 Oregon. All four of Ohio State's remaining regular season opponents currently hold winning records. Day said Oregon has as much talent as any team in the country.
"They have NFL players all over the field and they have speed at wideout," Day said of the Ducks. "They have a good offensive line, a really good tight end. The running backs run hard, and then [Dylan] Raiola has played a lot of football as an experienced quarterback."
