Ohio State football’s one ‘stubborn’ shortcoming, and the decision Ryan Day must make for Michigan

COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Ohio State soccer staff checked almost each field in Saturday’s 56-14 romp over Indiana, however that unchecked field left coach Ryan Day considering an enormous headache.

The Buckeyes achieved the quick begin Day wished with a 21-0 first-quarter lead. The operating sport leveled an opponent for the primary time in weeks. C.J. Stroud, throwing in circumstances merely inconvenient as an alternative of abominable, regained his groove. Extra defensive playmakers stored arriving in preparation for a season-defining conflict with Michigan in two weeks.

On high of all of that, essentially the most emotional second of his Buckeyes tenure performed out within the fourth quarter. Kamryn Babb, with 4 ACL tears in his previous and the Block O jersey on his chest, caught a landing move in Ohio Stadium. A number of the fiercest soccer gamers within the nation wanted to dab their eyes dry whereas celebrating with their teammate.

It felt, Day admitted, “extra like a traditional sport” by OSU requirements. Besides …

“I used to be able to bang my head in opposition to the wall,” Day mentioned.

Day’s bugaboo has been, and stays, his operating sport’s incapability to transform in short-yardage conditions. It was a think about why OSU settled for a 21-7 margin of victory at Northwestern the week earlier than.

Extra to the purpose, it was an element within the loss at Michigan 50 weeks in the past. The search to search out the intangibles essential to win outlined this system’s offseason and involves a head when the Wolverines come to Columbus two days after Thanksgiving.

Day’s frustration, although, was not his most revealing admission about this short-yardage conundrum. That got here later, and it might inform us quite a bit about what the Buckeyes will do if and when — nearly actually, when — these conditions come up in opposition to Michigan.

First, a recap of what made Day need to headbutt the Horseshoe’s partitions.

• Recreation-opening drive: On third and a couple of from OSU’s 33, C.J. Stroud retains the ball and is stopped for a 1-yard acquire. Buckeyes go three-and-out and punt.

• Let second quarter. Third-and-2 once more, when Dallan Hayden is stopped for a 1-yard acquire on the Indiana 18. Moderately than kick the sphere objective for a 31-7 lead, Day goes for it on fourth-and-1. Fullback Mitch Rossi will get stuffed for a 1-yard loss.

• Early third quarter: Third and 1 on the OSU 32 this time when Stroud runs, however will get nothing. That was the Buckeyes’ solely different three-and-out.

Ohio State went 2 for 7 on third or fourth-and-short (4 yards or fewer). Much more maddening to Day, in all probability, it went 5 for 8 on all different third-down conditions.

Of the 2 OSU did convert, one was Miyan Williams’ 48-yard landing run on which an IU security bit within the incorrect course and pinned himself behind the ref, opening up an explosive run. The opposite got here on a brief move to tight Cade Stover – a uncommon alternative for Day in 1 or 2. Hayden additionally transformed a 3rd and 1 with a 3-yard run.

On these seven third- or fourth-and-short performs, Stroud tried just one move – an incomplete goal of Stover within the second quarter.

So Day was requested after the sport, why such an insistence on solely operating the ball in these conditions? Maybe a play-action move may work, too. Did this have something to do with Day attempting to show one thing – to himself, to his gamers, to opponents – that OSU may out-tough these situations?

“Most likely – in all probability being cussed there, in all probability” Day mentioned. “However nonetheless, I nonetheless assume we have to get higher motion and we have to run more durable. We have to get the primary down.”

Day paused to acknowledge the well-executed landing run by Williams, then continued.

“That was good,” Day mentioned. “However nonetheless, not adequate.”

Day’s season-long mantra has been that OSU should be capable of run the ball efficiently even when the opponent is aware of it can run. He received’t say it, however that idea is much more true when lining up in opposition to Indiana and Northwestern and different groups struggling to beat anybody, not to mention nationwide championship contenders such because the Buckeyes.

Nobody ought to blame him for obsessing over these moments. Day is aware of straightforward touchdowns are scarce within the video games that determine championships. He is aware of, as a lot as OSU’s protection has improved this season, its possibilities of beating Michigan go up significantly if Blake Corum and Donovan Edwards and Ronnie Bell and J.J. McCarthy are on the sphere much less.

Virtually, a third-and-1 failure in opposition to Indiana ends in an annoying delay till the following explosive landing. The identical failure in The Recreation sends the Buckeyes again to Pasadena and one other week of faking smiles at Disneyland whereas faculty soccer’s coronation goes on with out them.

Day made toughness such a spotlight of the offseason that he could have left himself no alternative however to pursue it this deep into November. Particularly contemplating the unsure well being standing of his finest operating backs, when these short-yardage conditions come up in opposition to Michigan, Day could have to decide on between the factor OSU does nicely and the factor for which it desires to be celebrated.

When third-and-2 with the sport on the road comes round on Nov. 26, don’t be shocked if Day opts to place the ball in Stroud’s arms and let him discover a receiver. It could not show OSU’s toughness, however it might win them the sport.

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In case you or a beloved one has questions and wishes to speak to an expert about playing, name the Ohio Downside Playing Helpline at 1-800-589-9966 or the Nationwide Council on Program Playing Helpline (NCPG) at 1-800-522-4700.

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