Most recently, they trailed 13-7 at halftime at then-No. 9 Penn State last Saturday night.
RECAP: How Ohio State rallied to beat Penn State
“You can’t look at that too closely because you’re on to the next game,” Meyer said Tuesday on the Big Ten football coaches teleconference. “Your opponent has so much to do with that and the environment, especially this last week.”
He said he did not see any common denominators between what ultimately was a 27-26 win over the Nittany Lions and a 40-28 triumph over TCU in week three other than both being played away from home.
“Those are alarming, and that’s something we have to keep evaluating,” Meyer said.
Urban Meyer's @OhioStateFB offense was in full bloom on winning drive at Penn State https://t.co/G6fsroPilR
— Marcus Hartman (@marcushartman) October 2, 2018
While the Buckeyes trailed at the half against the Horned Frogs and TCU, they jumped out to huge early leads in lopsided wins over Oregon State, Rutgers and Tulane.
Other topics Meyer covered on his weekly teleconference appearance:
- He called Wayne grad Robert Landers, a junior defensive lineman, "a spark plug" with a sense of humor. "A guy I love to death who we need to get healthy. He didn't play very good Saturday just because he's been hobbled. He's an energy guy that everybody loves to death."
- Dwayne Haskins is so good because of his demeanor. "Very collected player and also the guys around him have belief in him. We see it in practice. I'm on the sideline with him during games. Very collected, very cool and the guys have a lot of confidence in him."
- Offensive coordinator Ryan day "is tremendous. I always knew that. I've known Ryan a long time but his performance has been very strong." He has grown in his understanding of "the big picture" for the program. "Obviously his knowledge and football acumen is extremely high."
Ohio State football: Buckeyes battling Hoosiers, themselves Saturday https://t.co/jYtrpbE0At pic.twitter.com/MD0P2tLfkx
— daytonsports (@daytonsports) October 1, 2018
- Meyer compared Indiana sophomore quarterback Peyton Ramsey to Penn State's Trace McSorley, who has nearly 500 total yards against the Buckeyes last weekend. "He extends plays, he's rugged, he moves the chains."
- Regarding K.J. Hill: "He's a tough, tough guy, and tough tough guys survive in tough situations."
- He agreed aggressive play calls played a role in the 93-yard run by TCU three weeks ago and the 93-yard pass Penn State pulled off Saturday. "Those are two examples. There have been other great examples of getting the ball back" with good field position thanks to playing aggressively. "We are a man-to-man team. The safety has to get him down."
- Is it tough for coaches to get the team up for this game after the marquee matchup last week? "That's part of our staff's responsibility and more importantly our leadership and our team."
Undefeated Ohio State needs to get better in October to set up a memorable November and beyond https://t.co/Xr9oKb3cw9
— Marcus Hartman (@marcushartman) September 30, 2018
- He sees a log of energy in Indiana. "Very well-coached on defense. They just have answers for every position, really every formation. You have to really work to get yards."
- On Jeffrey Okuda: "He's great. He's even a better person than he is a player and he's a great player."
Indiana football coach Tom Allen: ‘We’re all chasing Ohio State’ https://t.co/1cBLmRf1Xf
— Marcus Hartman (@marcushartman) October 2, 2018
About the Author
