Ohio State Football Notebook: ‘Those things have to get fixed’

A Loss Three Ways

In a one-point loss on the road, every inch and every play matters.

As the Buckeyes look back on their 32-31 loss at Oregon last Saturday, they can see a number of different reasons they were defeated. Change any one of those reasons, and maybe that loss doesn’t happen.

That’s the reflection that can provide some hope, but also fuel frustration at a missed opportunity.

Speaking on his radio show on Thursday, Buckeye head coach Ryan Day was asked about the mood of the team.

“Coming back off the road and not finishing the game the way we wanted to, it took us a few days,” he said. “But we got out there on Tuesday, got moving around. And then yesterday, I thought we had a really good practice. The focus is now moving forward where we’re at, where we’re going. Get the things fixed that we’ve got to get fixed, certainly.”

Every team is going to be down after a last-second loss like that, but the reason it came down to the final moments is because the Buckeyes made too many mistakes and didn’t execute in three key areas.

“If you want to win games like that, you’ve got to win the turnover battle,” Day said. “We’ve got to win the turnover battle. And we didn’t do that. We didn’t win the rushing yards. We gave up too many explosive plays. So those things have to get fixed.”

While only being credited for turning the ball over once in the game on a fumble by running back Quinshon Judkins, the Buckeyes also lost a possession on a squib kick that went off of safety Caleb Downs. Ohio State was also outrushed 155 yards to 141 yards. It wasn’t a lot, but it was enough.

Entering the game, the Buckeye defense had yet to allow a pass play of 30 yards or more. After the game, they had allowed four.

Ryan Day doesn’t have to look hard to see why his team fell short. But he also knows each one of their goals is still available to them.

“So you stew on it for a while,” he said. “You keep working at it. But then eventually you’ve got to move on and start focusing on moving forward. Because when you look at where we are moving forward, we’ve got six games here in the second half of the season and if you can go win those games, you’re right back where you need to be. So a lot to learn from, but we got back at it yesterday and we’ll get back at it again today.”

Tackles Eligible

Before the season started — and also well into it — when the subject of irreplaceable Buckeyes would be mentioned, left tackle Josh Simmons was always one of the first names mentioned.

Which is why his injury in last weekend’s loss at Oregon is likely more costly than the loss of the game itself.

Simmons went down early on and had to be carted off after a non-contact injury to his leg. During Ryan Day’s radio show, he was asked if the Buckeyes would get everybody back that got injured in the game.

“Not all of them, no,” he replied. “No, but that’s why you have to build depth. So, you knew this was going to happen midway through the season. A couple of guys we’ll get back for sure. Other guys like Josh and [tight end] Will [Kacmarek] will be a while.”

Simmons was playing at an all-conference level, which means replacing him is not going to be easy. Names like starting right guard Tegra Tshabola and reserve lineman Luke Montgomery were suggested as possibilities by show co-host Jim Lachey. Redshirt freshman Austin Siereveld has rotated in at right guard with Tshabola, and he’s also gotten time at tackle.

When the injury happened, the Buckeyes went with backup left tackle Zen Michalski. When presented with a small list of possibilities, Day also mentioned that starting left guard Donovan Jackson could even get a look.

“We’re going to go with Zen right now, but we’ll have some backup plans,” he said. “We always have to have the contingency plans in place, but the good news is you’ve got Austin in there. You’ve got Tegra, who’s played some tackle before. You can move Donnie out as well, and then you have Luke ready to roll in at guard.”

Everywhere Egbuka

Ohio State senior wide receiver Emeka Egbuka had a career-high 10 catches for 93 yards and a touchdown in last weekend’s loss at Oregon. He also had a pair of catches on OSU’s failed final drive that produced first downs.

Egbuka passed former teammate Marvin Harrison, Jr. for sixth all-time in receptions (164) at Ohio State. He is tied for ninth in touchdown receptions (20) with KJ Hill, and is now eighth in school history in receiving yardage (2,383), passing Hill and Santonio Holmes, respectively.

“He is clutch,” said Ryan Day. “He’s made a lot of clutch plays in his career. You think about the Notre Dame game last year. He’s made a lot of plays. That veteran approach and mentality is something that is going to be important here down the home stretch in these bigger games. I thought he played well in the game. He had a couple nice runs and some nice catches in there. His approach, I think, has helped that room and has helped the offense.”

Egbuka had two rushes for 20 yards in Saturday’s game as well. It’s something he has done a bit in the past, and it appears he could do more of it moving forward.

“We felt like some of those perimeter runs were good in that scheme right there,” Day said. “They both hit for pretty good runs. He gives you flexibility, which is great. You think about Deebo Samuel and what he does with the 49ers. Some of those guys are going to line up as a receiver, but also line up as a running back. That can put some stress on the defense. I thought the offensive staff did a good job scheming a couple of those up, giving him some runs.”

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