Rose Bowl Press Conference Updates: Ryan Day, Dan Lanning Preview CFP Quarterfinal Matchup

Ohio State head coach Ryan Day and Oregon head coach Dan Lanning took part in the first media session of the Rose Bowl as both appeared for 20 minutes to answer questions about their respective teams and preview the New Year’s Day College Football Playoff matchup. All of the highlights of everything that was said can be found below.

Ryan Day

The team is very, very excited about the opportunity to play in the Rose Bowl. This will be his third time at the Rose Bowl. “Every time we go, it’s a great experience.” Looking forward to a rematch against an opponent they have great respect for. The Rose Bowl is one of the best venues in sports.
On Will Howard’s command and understanding of the playbook: “Our challenge to Will going into the last game was that he had to be the best leader on the field and I thought he was.” Howard has a great understanding of why the game plan is what it is and how it is supposed to attack a defense. Howard is excited to play against Oregon again.
On gap scheme running helping the offensive line: They look at every game and how they can best maximize their strengths and minimizes their weaknesses. They got some good double teams in the game and they did a good job of pulling. The RBs did a good job of running through tackles as well. When you have success outside it leads to more success inside because the defense has to widen out at times.
Jeremiah Smith’s most overlooked quality? “Probably his size.” He’s a very big receiver physically and he’s strong. Gonna need Smith and the other receivers to play physical football in this game and to create separation and make plays.
How have you seen Chip Kelly evolve as a play caller this year? He now has an understanding of what this team is personnel-wise and what the Big Ten looks like. He’s got a great understanding of the game of football.
How do you balance the emotions of an Oregon rematch: “It’s about execution. It’s about our preparation.” “That’s what it is.” There is a reference point for this opponent. Both teams are different. “The team that prepares the best is gonna win.”
How confident are you that the defensive approvements are real and will show through in this game? Oregon is very good on offense. Dillon Gabriel is very good at what he does. “It’s a challenge.” The defense has made adjustments coming off of that game. They are working to put the defense in the best position to be successful. The defense is playing with great confidence right now. You felt that on Saturday. They have gotten stronger and stronger every week since that Oregon game. Now they still have to go put it on the field.
There has been a lot of football played since these two teams played last. They have both evolved since that game. You can’t just expect the same thing you saw last time.
Trying to put together a game plan that allows the players to play fast and with emotion and physicality.
Do you have to change things up when you play the same team twice? There is also “overage” that they have from that game, which is plays that they had but didn’t use. They have added other plays as well over the season that the players are comfortable with. But you also have to pair that with what Oregon does defensively/offensively. “At the end of the day, you only gotta pack what you need.”
How much has the portal changed your strategy for building a team and recruiting high school? The foundation is recruiting and developing and retaining high school players. That’s the best plan for sustaining a foundation and building a program. There has been a lot of talk about OSU’s NIL usage for this team but the bulk of this team is returning members. That’s how you create stability, but you also have to be honest through recruiting and development. But along the way there will be attrition, especially through the portal, so you have to add when you need to add. But you have to add the right guys and make sure they fit the program.
Did the mix on the offensive line go how you wanted it to go? They all played well. Justin Frye worked the rotation in and allowed them to play fast and also get relief. Luke Montgomery did a nice job. “I could feel his presence out there, which is a big part of the offensive line.” Austin Siereveld and Tegra Tshabola have both played against Oregon, so they have a reference point. They will continue the rotation if it works through practice as well.
Have you felt the momentum following the win over Tennessee? “I think you can feel the confidence in the locker room.” You felt it in watching the film back. To know you already have a playoff win under your belt gives you confidence. Knowing your opponent also gives you confidence. Lots of pep in everybody’s step.

Dan Lanning

Excited to be in the Rose Bowl. This is a good representation of what the Big Ten is capable of, playing in the Granddaddy Of Them All.
On playing Ohio State again: “Super excited.” Playing against great teams is what this is all about. The path to the end is tough, which is exciting for this team and Lanning.
This team is up for the mental challenge of a long season. They have attacked every day and put trust in the coaching staff and strength staff and sports science staff. Right now they have guys hitting their best performance numbers of the year in the weight room and that speaks to the preparation all year long.
“I want to be known as a guy that wins.” Don’t want to be the same coach he was yesterday. “I hope I’m not the same coach I am 10 years from now than I am today.” If he’s progressing as a coach then his team and program will progress as well.
On the presence of DE Jordan Burch this time: His size and athleticism are key. There aren’t a lot of guys like him in football. He has relentless effort.
On the possibility of Oregon’s junior college transfers having more eligibility? Haven’t put any thought on that yet and he’s not sure if things will remain like they are right now with the injunction making JUCO years not count towards the four years of eligibility.
On playing a rematch: You look at what worked, what didn’t, how you’ve changed, how they’ve changed, and you put it all together into a game plan.
On Will Howard: “I think he has good size.” He’s hard to get down. More than that, he’s confident in his teammates. He is able to throw accurately to really good receivers, as you saw against Tennessee.
How has OSU changed: Not really getting into the differences. May not be a more talented team in the nation. Really good receivers and backs. Great effort on defense. Schematically they stress you on both sides of the ball. They shift and motion on offense. They keep their foot on the gas defensively. They coordinate well and execute well.
The best game they’ve played this year in all three phases was the Washington game. You could argue the best game Ohio State played was the Tennessee game. It’s really important to be playing your best at the end of the season.
What’s the focus when you’re playing a rematch: You have the time, so you look at everything. You look at the first matchup, what they’ve done since, what the coordinators tend to do, etc.
How important is it for Dillon Gabriel to be mobile? It’s important for him to take what’s there. That’s running or throwing. He’s proven that he can do both.
How do you keep track of timeouts: You hope you have them at the end. You plan on how you want to use the second and third timeouts. There are ideal times to use them. You play it out in your mind and practice it so the team understands when they want to use them.
On OSU’s offensive line rebuild: They’ve done a good job. “Obviously they have good players.” Having the ability to shuffle and create continuity is really important and they’ve done that.
How has his approach to recruiting high school players changed from Oregon to Georgia given the small footprint of talent: It’s about identifying the people who are comfortable with going to the best fit for them. “Are you looking for the best opportunity or the easiest opportunity?”
On the value in winning many different ways this year: The team has won through adverse games, but has also seen how good they can be when they play their best.
Dillon Gabriel’s poise: Been really impressed with it. Doesn’t matter the situation. He stays cool in big moments and it has paid off for Oregon.
What are the biggest things you need to do better this time against Ohio State? Big games come down to critical situations. Have to execute on third downs on both sides of the ball. Execute in the red zone. Special teams play is big. You can’t take anything for granted and you have to believe the next play is the most important play.
On coaching in one-score games: The details matter in those moments. You have to have poise in those moments and be able to visualize what that success looks like and have practiced those moments so that you can go out there and execute.