FAU hopes to keep up with OSU

COLUMBUS » Usually there is not a lot of drama in Ohio State’s opening game against an outmanned opponent. But with a new head coach, a new starting quarterback and new defensive scheme, there is an element of nervous anticipation this time.

Nobody is more curious about what’s going to happen than the new coach, Ryan Day.

Day, who replaced the retiring Urban Meyer, thinks he has a good team, but he won’t know exactly what’s what until the fifth-ranked Buckeyes are on the field Aug. 31 in front of 100,000 spectators at Ohio Stadium against a real opponent. The Owls in coach Lane Kiffin’s first year went 11-3 in 2017 but last season slipped to 5-7.

Fields is a sophomore who has never started a game and he will be operating behind four new starters on the offensive line. But there is plenty of talent and depth all around him, enough to make it a long afternoon for FAU.

Day is just eager to get going.

“Now you get to see different schemes against different players, find out what your matchups look like against other people and figure out where we get better,” he said. “Because it’s a journey, not a finished product by any stretch of the imagination.”

Notes

• Chris Robison didn’t participate in spring practice because of some offfield issues but is expected to get the start at quarterback for the Owls.

Robison started 11 games last season, throwing for 2,540 yards, 12 touchdowns and 12 interceptions after being kicked off the team at Oklahoma and transferring. At FAU he was co-Conference USA Freshman of the Year last season.

• Ohio State managed to go 13-1 last year despite being one of the most penalized teams in the FBS. The Buckeyes averaged 75.36 penalty yards per game in 2018, more than just three FBS teams (Arizona, Maryland and South Alabama).