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In Tuesday's press conference, Ryan Day said DE Zion Grady's and OT Phillip Daniels' injuries were not expected to be long-term, but their availability for Kent State depended on how the week progressed. Neither was cleared to play in that update.
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Day said Ohio State completed only two of 12 second-half passes at Texas and needs to involve receivers beyond Jeremiah Smith while establishing a more consistent run game. Several concepts began with Smith before progressing elsewhere. Day attributed the lost rhythm to shared quarterback, receiver, protection and coaching execution, not Julian Sayin alone.
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Ohio State misidentified some protections and allowed free rushers against Texas, although Day thought the line handled many twists and movements adequately. A nine-yard loss followed by a sack also damaged one red-zone possession. Protection identification and avoiding negative plays are specific issues to track before assuming the scoring problems are corrected.
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Day said Ohio State did not generate enough late pressure on Arch Manning, including poor execution when it attacked on fourth down. He wants ways to involve young defensive lineman Khary Wilder and said linebacker Riley Pettijohn will continue to play more. Those are rotation-development plans, not announced new starters or a fixed blitz package.
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Day wants Joe McGuire's placement punts to pin opponents near their goal line rather than leave the ball around the 15. He said inadequate execution could mean going for fourth downs instead, and acknowledged an opportunity for greater aggression on a later fourth down in Texas territory. No blanket fourth-down policy or punter change was announced.