Ryan Day anticipating an intense dogfight on the road at Illinois
Ohio State Coach Ryan Day (center) walks towards the sideline before game against Iowa Saturday October 22, 2022 at Ohio Stadium. (Lynn Harrington/stayaliveinpower5)
COLUMBUS, Ohio — Pressure and high expectations come with the territory of leading a blue-blood program, and nobody understands that more than Ohio State’s head coach.
Ryan Day is no stranger to having a bullseye on his back, and as the Buckeyes prepare to invade Memorial Stadium Saturday morning, there’ll be a lot at stake for his team. After all, Day’s squad are the reigning National Champs, No. 1 in the AP Poll, undefeated and have won nine consecutive games dating back to last season.
Which is why all eyes will be on the Buckeyes as they load up for their second road game of the season. It just so happens that Illinois is playing at a high level, and Day expects Coach Bret Bielema to throw the kitchen sink at Ohio State. The two rivals haven’t played since 2017, and the Buckeyes have won the past nine meetings.
Day knows his players will be walking into a hostile environment, and anticipates a battle on the gridiron.
“We got a really good opponent that we’re playing this week, that knows how to win,” Day said. “Bret is as good as a coach there is in the game, he got a really good staff, his players are tough, they’re smart and they know how to win, and win games like this.”
Day wants a fast start from his team, which will help take the crowd out of the game early. However, that’ll be easier said than done. Although Ohio State defeated Texas in week one, and snapped Washington’s 22-home game win streak, this will only be the second-ranked opponent it has played so far this season. The 17th-ranked Fighting Illini are looking to deliver Bielema’s first signature win with the program, and Day needs his players focused in every aspect of the game.
Illinois hasn’t won in this series since 2007, which was also the last time it was victorious against a top-ranked team. Day realizes something has to give in this pivotal Big Ten clash, and the Buckeyes are going to have to earn everything.
“We have to have the best week of practice that we’ve had all year, and we have to get on that plane, play with a ton of energy, great physicality and fly around,” he said. “It’s going to be a great atmosphere, I know that, and our players know that.”
The hostile crowd will want to rattle quarterback Julian Sayin, who’s only a sophomore. Sayin is exceeding expectations, but the Fighting Illini are tenacious on defense. Illinois’ defensive front seven is one of the Big Ten’s best, and linebacker Gabe Jacas eats quarterbacks for breakfast. No doubt Saying will have to keep his head on a swivel, and Day is eager to see how the young gunslinger handles the Fighting Illini’s pass rush.
“This is going to be another challenge for him (Sayin) on the road, second road game, and another difficult environment,” the 46-year old said. “To me, this is like a top-10 opponent on the road, and he’s going to have to play really, really well, and take that next step in his progression.”
The Fighting Illini have a quarterback playing at an elite level of their own in Luke Altmyer. The signal-caller has a jaw-dropping completion percentage, 15 total touchdowns and no interceptions on the season. The Buckeyes lead the FBS in scoring defense though, and they’re tenacious as they come.
This game will likely come down to the trenches, turnovers and special teams. Regardless, Ohio State has the superior talent across the board, Day wants his team to keep grinding through the Big Ten gauntlet.
“All those guys are building confidence, and it has to continue week in and week out, and the good news is that we’ve seen it, it’s on film and they’ve shown that they can do it.”
