Head coach Ryan Day blows his whistle in the first half of the 2019 Spring Game on April 13. Gray beat Scarlet 35-17. Credit: Casey Cascaldo | Managing Editor for Multimedia
It’s been 122 years since Cincinnati last defeated Ohio State in football.
Nonetheless, head coach Ryan Day approached his final press conference before Saturday’s matchup with 2018’s No. 9-ranked scoring defense with a tight-lipped militance usually reserved for more historically stout opponents.
When Day did speak Thursday, he answered questions surrounding depth chart battles at running back, halfback and safety, and gave updates on injured players.
“Every game it gets a little bit easier in terms of being able to fall back on experiences,” Day said. “Every time you go through a week of practice, you’re getting a couple hundred reps under your belt and meeting time where you can go through those things.”
Despite the additional week of practice, it still isn’t clear who the backup running back behind junior J.K. Dobbins is for Ohio State.
Redshirt freshman Master Teague received eight carries behind the Texas native against Florida Atlantic, and picked up 49 yards. He’s the thickest running back in the room at 5-foot-11, 220 pounds, but dealt with injuries this offseason that kept him out most of fall camp.
“Master hasn’t practiced a whole bunch,” Day said. “We only really have what we can go off from game film, what we did this week in practice.”
Senior Demario McCall came in before Teague, but found limited success with two carries for 11 yards. Where he displayed dynamic playmaking ability was returning kicks and punts, with 92 total return yards against the Owls from two punts and two kicks. That includes a 35-yard first quarter punt return that set up a Buckeye touchdown.
“Demario did some good things on special teams, but [he’s] still working,” Day said. “If we can keep building that room up, build some depth, then I think both those guys will play.”
Speaking further on depth, redshirt senior wide receiver C.J. Saunders remains out with an undisclosed leg injury.
Saunders’ ailment impacted the rotation at halfback during Saturday’s game, Day said, but he remains confident in starter and redshirt senior K.J. Hill at the position, along with the depth behind him like redshirt freshman Jaelen Gill.
“We’ve got some good depth there, so we’ll be OK moving forward,” Day said.
Sophomore safety Josh Proctor led fall camp in interceptions and picked off a pass against the Owls that was the Buckeyes’ lone takeaway.
Day said that he and redshirt sophomore Isaiah Pryor are still providing depth to senior safety Jordan Fuller, but they’ll start to “roll” players once they are at a starter level.
“That’s the progression,” Day said. “He’s inching closer. Whenever you show up in a game like that and make a big play then that really helps your case.”
Ohio State kicks off at noon Saturday in Ohio Stadium against Cincinnati.
