Ohio State-Cincinnati: 5 takeaways from Ryan Day’s final press conference of the week

1. A No. 2 running back still has not been established. 

Demario McCall and Master Teague got the first cracks to back up J.K. Dobbins, but Day is still waiting for one to really grab the job.

McCall’s importance in the return game increases the need for another player to help share the reps at running back.

2. The offensive line is deeper than he expected, but he still wants to see the top unit play cleaner. 

Florida Atlantic gummed up the running game by moving around more up front, something Ohio State can assume it will see again from the Bearcats.

“If we fit those runs a little better, that will be the next step,” he said.

3. Josh Proctor could push for playing time, but he is not yet. 

The sophomore safety carried momentum from a strong preseason into the opener when he snagged the only interception of the day late in the afternoon.

Day said he and Isaiah Pryor, a junior who started for half of last season, are both pushing to be senior Jordan Fuller’s backup, but neither of them have reached the point the staff feels they deserve to be part of the rotation.

Making plays in games helps a player’s cause.

4. Day is proud of what Joe Burrow has done at LSU. 

The Ohio State transfer quarterback started his senior season on the Bayou big, throwing for five touchdowns as the Tigers crushed Georgia Southern 55-3 on Saturday.

"I could talk about him for an hour,” Day said of the SEC co-offenisve player of the week. “What a special young man. (Transferring last year) was a tough thing for him and his family, for all of us. I couldn’t be prouder of what he’s done down there.”

Day said Tigers coach Ed Orgeron told him in the spring Burrow “took over the program” upon arriving last summer and helped turn it around.

5. He is still looking for some of his highly-touted sophomores and redshirt freshmen to grow into reliable contributors. 

Chris Olave led the Buckeyes with 59 receiving yards and caught a touchdown pass while classmate Jeremy Ruckert hauled in two scoring tosses, but Day still wants to see more from the class of 2018 as a whole.

“I think they've been solid, but they have to start becoming veteran,” Day said. "I think that some of them have, but these are the types of games where now they have to establish themselves as big time contributors. They’re not freshmen anymore.

“Those guys have got to be able to step up and become really the future of the program.”