move on to the next opponent<\/a>,\u201d Day said. \u201cNot this one. The minute we leave the locker room, it\u2019s on to Texas.\u201d<\/p>\nOhio State\u2019s offseason has been built around preparing for games of this magnitude. Now the Buckeyes must prove they are ready to win in one of college football\u2019s most hostile environments.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey have really good talent across the board,\u201d Day said. \u201cGoing down there is something that we\u2019ve obviously been working towards all summer and looking forward to. They have a great program and a great team, so it\u2019s going to be a great environment.\u201d<\/p>\n
Day understands the Texas game will represent a much different challenge than the opener. It will also provide an early indication of whether Ohio State is prepared to navigate a demanding schedule.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen you look at our schedule, we\u2019re going to have to be able to go on the road and win games like this,\u201d Day said. \u201cOur preseason, our offseason was all designed around this. So, it\u2019s here. Time to go prepare for these guys.\u201d<\/p>\n
The head coach also acknowledged the value of opening the season against Ball State before sending his team into such a difficult road environment.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s why it was good to play this game before we went down to Texas,\u201d Day said.<\/p>\n
Ryan Day warns Ohio State that talent will not be enough<\/p>\n
The Buckeyes\u2019 overwhelming talent was apparent throughout the afternoon. Smith was virtually unstoppable during the first half, while Ja\u2019Kobi Jackson and Bo Jackson each rushed for 83 yards and a touchdown.<\/p>\n
Legend Bey also flashed his big-play ability with 74 total yards and a receiving touchdown. Ohio State was able to create explosive plays even when every detail was not executed perfectly.<\/p>\n
However, Day knows the Buckeyes cannot count on talent covering up their mistakes against Texas.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere are times where I say that the talent in the players sometimes overcome some of the coaching,\u201d Day said. \u201cThat\u2019s kind of how that works. But we know in matchup games, that\u2019s not going to work.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ohio State\u2019s running game was one area that required an in-game adjustment. The Buckeyes struggled to establish it during the first half before breaking through after halftime and finishing with 237 yards on 35 carries.<\/p>\n
Day credited offensive coordinator Arthur Smith, run game coordinator Tyler Bowen and the offensive line for identifying Ball State\u2019s defensive movement and making the necessary changes.<\/p>\n
\u201cArthur and Tyler did a good job of recognizing that at half, making a few adjustments on some of the schemes, and then the offensive line did a really good job there as well,\u201d Day said.<\/p>\n
Ohio State also protected Jeremiah Smith with the Texas game looming. The star receiver could have chased even bigger numbers, but Day decided his afternoon was finished after halftime.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe decided to hold him in the second half because he understands that we\u2019ve got a monster game here coming up,\u201d Day said.<\/p>\n
Day was particularly impressed by Smith\u2019s reaction. Rather than pushing to remain on the field and add to his statistics, the receiver encouraged the coaching staff to give Ohio State\u2019s younger players an opportunity.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think somebody who is a little bit more selfish or worried about different stats or anything like that would feel a certain way, and he was great,\u201d Day said. \u201cHe\u2019s like, \u2018Let the young guys play,\u2019 and put that decision in the coaches\u2019 hands and trusted what we did.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Buckeyes handled their opening assignment emphatically, but Day made sure they understood the difference between Ball State and what awaits them in Texas.<\/p>\n
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