There’s ‘no script’ as Day fills in for Meyer
Dwayne Haskins will start at QB in Day’s first game as head coach.
Ryan Day says he’s taking it one day at a time in his interim role as Buckeyes coach; OSU faces off Saturday against Oregon State.
After an entire COLUMBUS —
Ohio State football training camp passed without one interview session, Ryan Day and Greg Schiano had a lot of ground to cover Monday.
And they did, but at least one question seemed to stump Day, who is serving as interim head coach while Urban Meyer’s suspension continues.
How will he feel Saturday when he takes the field as a head coach for the first time?
“I’ve been taking it day by day, honestly,” Day said. “Just like the (message to the players): ‘Win the moment.’ I’ve been trying to focus on today and then tomorrow I’ll focus on tomorrow. Then we just go from there because there is no script.”
Day and Schiano filled in several personnel questions as the Buckeyes began work for Saturday’s season-opener against Oregon State:
1.
Sophomore Dwayne Haskins will be the starting quarter- back, as expected.
Redshirt freshman Tate Martell will play, too, but how or how much has not been determined. The duo got the majority of the reps during camp because true freshman Matt Baldwin is still recovering from a knee injury that ended his high school career.
“Dwayne has a lot of talent, he’s very talented throwing the football,” Day said. “He’s worked on his athleticism, strength, power.” 2.
Michael Jordan is the new starting center for the Buckeyes, replacing Cincinnati Bengals first-round draft pick Billy Price.
Jordan moved over from left guard, where he started the last two seasons. The new left guard
will be Malcolm Pridgeon.
Senior Brady Taylor was penciled as the starter at the end of spring, but he wasn’t completely healthy during preseason camp.
Day said the permanent starting lineup hasn’t been set.
3.
Left tackle is still up in the air.
Thayer Munford was the perceived leader to replace Jamarco Jones, but Josh Alabi has made it a two-man race.
“Thayer has had a few nagging injuries,” Day said. “Josh has been working over at left tackle, so they will kind of split the reps this week as we go into Saturday.”
4.
The starting linebackers will be Pete Werner, Baron Browning and Malik Harrison. That is probably not permanent, either. Tuf Borland and Dante Booker are both working their way back from injuries.
“As they get to be more and more game ready, (Borland and Booker are) going to need some reps,” Schiano said. “So it’s an interesting situation at that position but one we’re excited about.”
Keandre Jones and Justin Hilliard will be in the mix as well.
5.
Isaiah Pryor and Jahsen Went are still competing to replace Damon Webb at safety.
“They’re both going to play,” Schiano said, noting Jordan Fuller split time with Erick Smith last year before taking the spot for himself. “So I don’t know if that will happen or if all season long those guys will go back and forth. But whatever happens, I’ve said this to you guys before: You can’t make it happen, you got to let it happen.”
6.
Expect a three-man rotation at cornerback. With Damon Webb now a Cleveland Brown, Ohio State needs a new starter along with Damon Arnette.
Schiano said Jeffrey Okuda and Kendall Sheffield will be in a rotation with Arnette, a system that has served OSU well.
7.
Which true freshmen will play? Schiano was reticent to commit but named a few: Tyreke Smith and Tyler Friday at defensive end and Tommy Togiai and Taron Vincent at defensive tackle. Contact this reporter at 937225-2396 or email Marcus. Hartman@coxinc.com.