Western Michigan Head Coach Lance Taylor: Ohio State “Has Playmakers At All Three Levels And All Three Phases”

After his team was held to less than 100 yards in the shutout loss, Western Michigan head coach Lance Taylor had high praise for the Buckeyes. While Ohio State’s talent jumped out to Taylor, it was the Buckeyes’ discipline that left him most impressed with Ryan Day’s team. 

“Ohio State’s a really good football team. They’ve got playmakers at all three levels and all three phases. And they’re really well-coached. Coach Day and his staff do an excellent job. I was really impressed when I turned on the tape and even more impressed in person. They’re a very disciplined football team. And I think sometimes when you’re a very talented football team, you’re not always the most disciplined football team. But they’re both. And that makes them very tough.”

The Broncos entered Saturday’s contest after an encouraging Week 1 performance at Camp Randall Stadium, in which they held a fourth-quarter lead but ultimately fell to Wisconsin 28-14. When comparing that outing to his squad’s blowout loss at Ohio Stadium, Taylor was left upset with the way his Broncos performed against the Buckeyes. 

“I thought we did not play well in all three phases tonight. The team that showed up last Friday night against the Badgers unfortunately did not show up again tonight against the Buckeyes. And the Buckeyes are a really good football team. They’re well-coached. They’ve got good players in all three phases. But we did not play up to our stand tonight. And I think that’s the most disappointing thing.”

While Taylor said that he’s used to competing in raucous environments, he noted that Ohio Stadium was one of the most difficult places he’s ever coached in.

“This environment is, you know, one of the best that I’ve ever been in. I’ve been in some great environments. The fans do an excellent job. You can feel the history and tradition of this place. This is a really cool place to play, and they love their Buckeyes. And you could see that and feel that tonight. The energy here was awesome. I think our players came in ready to play, but this place is a really special place.”