Jim Knowles Updates: Buckeyes Must Be Ready For Slugfest

Ohio State defensive coordinator Jim Knowles met with reporters for his first media availability ahead of Monday’s National Championship Game against Notre Dame. Knowles answered questions about defensive end Jack Sawyer, the health of Denzel Burke, the difficulties presented by Notre Dame, and much more. The highlights of everything that was said can be found below.

On the goal-line stand against Texas. First play, they got into big people and stopped them. The second play, there were still big, but Caleb Downs pulled his trigger and everybody rallied. Third play they were in a red-zone coverage that they hadn’t used before. Jack Sawyer got pressure on that play and they had all the routes covered. “And then, uh, I decided to stay in the same call on the next play and it worked.”
How has the pace of the OSU offense affected the defense this year: “It’s huge.” He’s been in situations with a hurry-up offense that can take its toll on the defense. Great strategy by Ryan Day to be a little slower this year “and it’s helped us a bunch.”
Do you embrace a defensive game like this: “Yeah, I think it’s important to recognize that.” He told his guys that they need to outplay Notre Dame’s defense. “Yeah, we embrace it.”
The goal is to set the tone on defense so that the offense can remain aggressive. He wants everyone to look at the defense and have the confidence that the defense is going to be okay. When your offense has that confidence, they can be more aggressive.
Will there be more screen game this week too? Yeah, Notre Dame will use it. It’s difficult on defenses. They do their best to recognize them. That’s key.
What has unlocked the defensive line production: “I think we’ve disguised our coverages better.” They’ve been put in better situations to execute. They’ve always done their job and sometimes the numbers don’t always show that.
Full-circle moment starting your OSU career against Notre Dame? There’s a constant battle of trying to find the right amount of aggression. You’re always fighting for that balance.
Jordan Hancock had a great game against Texas. He was really exceptional. This defense has played more into his skills. He has embraced it and you see him get better every week.
How special is Caleb Downs when he triggers? That’s just who he is. He makes those plays all the time. He’s talented but he studies and he recognizes the play before it happens.
Do you pay attention to the defensive rankings with Notre Dame? No because it doesn’t get you any sacks or TFLs.
On the DL breaking up passes: It’s been a huge emphasis. Matching the hand has been a message since Knowles has been here. “It’s all about your habits.”
It depends on the game plan on how much they’ll match 12 personnel with a third linebacker. If Notre Dame is gonna line up big and try to run the ball in standard sets, they’ll have to add a third linebacker. But you also have to be able to adapt during the game too.
Why is Caleb Downs so good at the shoestring tackle? Great question, not sure he has an answer, but great players make great plays.
The defense has the attitude that until an opponent scores, they won’t score.
Notre Dame has a physical run game. They challenge you in a lot of different ways in the run game.
Jack Sawyer’s approach: He’s done it since Knowles has been here. Just a great young man. Great personality. Smiles. Can be tough when it’s time to be tough. He’s the kind of guy that you want to coach because if it’s a fistfight, he’ll fight.
Lathan Ransom loves the game. He loves his teammates. He’s had his ups and downs with injuries and his play. That’s just a guy that you always pull for because you’ve experienced both ends of it with him.
On Jeremiah Mathews’ confidence: It’s fun, it’s challenging. “I like it. I’m from Philly, so I like that confidence.” But it’s challenging because if you say something to him in practice, he’ll bark back at you, which “I’m okay with because he’s a competitor.”
Lorenzo Styles’ growth and his excitement level: He doesn’t get that excited. Neither does Sonny. Great family. They just want to be coached and work. They take coaching. They want to get better.
On coaching for a national championship: Not thinking about that at all. Just staying in the process and formulating a plan.
On Notre Dame’s special teams being a focus: A ton. Their special teams do have a lot of non-standard things that you need to prepare for.
How satisfying is it to see that people are back on Ryan Day’s bandwagon? “I’m happy for our coach. He really is a great head coach. He’s involved with all aspects. He’s in touch with all of the players. He knows your problems. He knows your struggles.” Everybody in this building knows that Ryan Day would do anything for any one of them and he doesn’t let the outside world every impact him. Everyone is a fan of this program, if you saw how Coach Day works and the way the players support him, this is a program with really good kids and that’s all an effort of the head coach.
How is Denzel Burke doing: As far as Knowles knows, Burke will be able to play against Notre Dame.
On the benefit of having experience defensively: You can’t really quantify it. “It’s amazing. It would be hard to put into actual words.” It just pays off in dividends. “It’s a veteran group that I trust completely.”
“We knew that was going to be a slugfest and we expect that this week.” The first two playoff games they got out to a big lead, but Texas is really good.
On giving up wheel routes, the lesson learned? “Coach better. That’s the lesson learned.” Thanks for reminding him.
What does Notre Dame present that is different: Great running back. Great quarterback who is an incredible competitor. The way people talked about him at Duke, he’ll scrape himself off the ground and keep playing. “He’s just going to keep coming at you.” He makes a lot of plays on the ground.