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Five things we learned from the Ohio State football press conference

bill rabinowitz, the columbus dispatch
·5 min read

Ohio State goes on the road for the first time this season when the Buckeyes face Michigan State on Saturday.

Before the season, this looked to be a major test. But after reaching No. 11 in the Associated Press media poll following victories over Western Michigan and Akron, the Spartans have lost three straight to Washington, Minnesota and Maryland to tumble out of the rankings.

Michigan State coach Mel Tucker’s $9.5 million-per-year extension isn’t looking so good right now.

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Meanwhile, No. 3 Ohio State (5-0, 2-0 Big Ten) hasn’t been seriously tested since the opener against Notre Dame. The Buckeyes have outscored their past four opponents 223-64. They are almost a four-touchdown favorite in East Lansing. But Ohio State coach Ryan Day isn’t taking anything for granted.

Day, defensive coordinator Jim Knowles and running backs coach Tony Alford spoke to reporters Tuesday. Here are the most pressing topics they addressed:

Ohio State coach Ryan Day remains wary of Spartans

It’s a coach’s job to make sure his team doesn’t underestimate its opponent. Day did his best to convey concern about the reeling Spartans.

“Last year it was a top-10 matchup,” Day said, referring to No. 5 OSU’s 56-7 victory over No. 7 Michigan State in November. “They’ve had a couple of injuries here and there, but they’re still very much the same team they were last year. A lot of those guys are back.

"I know they’ve lost a couple games here, but we’re expecting a top-10 team when we’re going to East Lansing. They’re well-coached and have really good players.”

Michigan State isn’t the same team as last year. Running back Kenneth Walker III, the star of last year’s team, is in the NFL.

“It’s going to be hard just like it always is," Day said. "We know we’ve got our hands full this week.”

Ryan Day gives an Ohio State injury update

Day is optimistic about the possible return on Saturday of several players, including running back TreVeyon Henderson, cornerback Cam Brown and possibly wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba.

Henderson was a late scratch after warmups before the Rutgers game. Ohio State does not release detailed injury information, but he was in a walking boot after the Toledo game.

Brown has missed the past two games.

Day said Brown “is dying to get back on the field. I don’t think anybody is more frustrated than he is.”

The same goes for Smith-Njigba, who injured a hamstring early in the opener against Notre Dame and has played only in the Toledo game since then.

“We're hoping to get him back this weekend,” Day said. “It's just so hard to tell. He can come in today and they'll say, ‘Well, had a little bit of a setback,’ or, ‘No, he's really doing good and he's trending to play on Saturday.' So when I say day to day, that's kind of how it is.

“The style of injury that he has, it can linger, or it can get better quick, so we're hoping that it's the latter.”

Tony Alford terms Miyan Williams, TreVeyon Henderson co-starters

Alford said Miyan Williams’ success this week with Henderson injured hasn’t altered the roles they’ll have when Henderson returns.

“I look at it as we have two starters,” Alford said.

Henderson has generally been seen as No. 1 in the pecking order, though he had only seven more carries through the Buckeyes’ first four games. Williams, who tied an OSU record with five touchdowns last week, is averaging 7.8 yards per carry. Henderson’s average is 6.4, with a long of 41.

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Asked to assess Henderson’s performance this year, Alford said he has played, “OK,” and said he’d like to see him show better vision and ability to escape tackles downfield.

But Alford stressed that he’s not disappointed in Henderson.

“There's room for improvement in everybody's game, but he has not played poorly whatsoever,” Alford said. “I think he might be a little frustrated because we haven't been to the long dynamic fit the 60-, 70-yard runs, but those will come.”

Ryan Day praises struggling Denzel Burke's toughness

After a superb freshman season, cornerback Denzel Burke has struggled this season. He missed time with an injury in training camp and wore a club on his right hand during warmups last week before being held out.

Burke played against Rutgers but was beaten on two passes, including the Scarlet Knights’ only touchdown.

Day said Burke recently had a procedure on his hand and praised him for returning so quickly.

“He’s been right there on a lot of these plays,” Day said. “He just hasn’t quite finished them.”

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Tommy Eichenberg a man of few words

Linebacker Tommy Eichenberg leads the Buckeyes with 42 tackles as he continues to establish himself as an elite player.

Just don't expect to hear him talk much about it. Eichenberg is a man of few words with the media. Knowles said it's the same with him. In addition to being the defensive coordinator, Knowles is the linebackers' position coach.

"What you see is what you get," Knowles said. "He's clipped with me, too."

Knowles said he often doesn't get more than a grunt out of Eichenberg. Knowles has force-fed players his scheme in his first year as coordinator, and Eichenberg has mastered it.

"He's picked it up as quickly as anyone I've ever worked with," Knowles said.

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This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Ohio State football vs. Michigan State 5 things we learned