Ohio State’s offense has hit the fuel ever for the reason that group misplaced 32-31 to Oregon on Oct. 12, going 6-1 and outsourcing opponents 211-79.
A late sport penalty helped the Geese run out the clock on a win, however the No. 8 Buckeyes will get an opportunity to avenge the loss after they face No. 1 Oregon through the School Soccer Playoff quarterfinal on the Rose Bowl on Jan. 1.
“We’ve made adjustments coming off of that game. And we worked hard to make sure that we’re putting our guys in the best position to be successful,” Day mentioned. “After the game that we played with these guys last time, you can see every week has gotten stronger and stronger.”
The robust stretch is highlighted by their explosive offense, led by offensive coordinator Chip Kelly, who will return to the Rose Bowl to face his former group.
Kelly beforehand was Oregon’s head coach from 2009-12, main the Geese to nationwide prominence and two Rose Bowl appearances (1-1) throughout his tenure. He was additionally on the Rose Bowl sidelines final season as UCLA’s head coach, a task he held for six seasons.
“[Kelly’s] now got a full understanding of who we are personnel-wise in the Big Ten,” Day mentioned. “He has evolved. He has a great understanding of offensive football.”
In his first full season with the Buckeyes, Kelly has orchestrated the nation’s highest-scoring offense, averaging 42 factors per sport, whereas overseeing quarterback Will Howard’s improvement.
Howard has thrown for 3,171 yards, 29 touchdowns and 9 interceptions this season.
Ohio State quarterback Will Howard carries the ball in opposition to Tennessee through the first spherical of the School Soccer Playoff.
(Jay LaPrete / Related Press)
“I think he has good size, obviously, and he’s a big body,” Lanning mentioned of Howard. “He’s hard to get down. More than that, I think he’s built a lot of confidence in the guys he’s able to throw the ball to, and even some confidence in the quarterback run game. I think you see him utilized a little bit more in the QB run game later in the season.
“But he does a good job throwing good balls. He certainly threw a lot of good balls the other night down the field and was able to target the wideouts for explosive plays down the field. Playing really good football right now. Certainly played really good football against Tennessee.”
Kelly mentioned after the win over Tennessee that Howard has developed to the purpose the coordinator doesn’t want to complete the play calls as a result of his quarterback is aware of them so effectively.
“Our challenge to Will going into the last game was that he had to be the best leader on the field,” Day mentioned of Howard. “I thought he was. I thought he played well, got into a rhythm early on. But I think for Will, understanding exactly how we’re trying to attack defense is a critical part of being successful. And when the play caller and the quarterback are on the same page, … the minute they hear the formation, they can finish it. That means he’s got a great grasp of what we’re trying to get done.”
And so on.
Traditionally, the Buckeyes have been a hurdle the Geese have struggled to beat within the postseason.
Oregon misplaced 42-20 to Ohio State within the 2015 nationwide championship sport. The Geese have additionally by no means defeated the Buckeyes within the Rose Bowl, falling in 2010 below Kelly’s tutelage and in 1958.
