Meyer: Buckeyes got tougher as game got tougher vs. TCU

Ohio State coach said he watched first three games at home during suspension

Urban Meyer watched the first three Ohio State Buckeyes games at home as he served a three-game suspension. He admitted Monday in a press conference at the Woody Hayes Athletic Center he didn't watch every play Saturday as his team rallied in the second half to beat Texas Christian 40-28 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

“This one, in particular, I only watched the good plays,” Meyer said. “My daughter would keep me updated. It sounds silly, but I would leave the room.”

» RELATED: Meyer explains his handling of Zach Smith situation

In the end, Meyer saw more than enough good plays. His team improved to 3-0 without him and won its third game in Texas in the last five seasons.

“It was very hard to watch because it was such an intense game,” Meyer said, “but it seemed as the game got tougher our players got better. That’s the sign of good people, a brotherhood and most importantly a very good team.”

Meyer returned to work Sept. 3 after being suspended for the season opener against Oregon State and has been with the team during the week since then. He wasn’t allowed to coach the second game against Rutgers or the third game against TCU.

Meyer credited the Buckeyes for an “incredible effort” in Texas and praised TCU and coach Gary Patterson.

“Coach Patterson has been a friend for over 20 years,” Meyer said. “I have incredible respect for that team. That certainly is a top-10 program, a top-10 team. It’s the first time we’ve got to coach against them, but you saw it Sunday when we started preparation for them. To go down in that environment and play the way they played, I’m just very proud of them.”

» MORE MEYER COVERAGE: Coach says he’s working to be a better leader | Meyer’s career by the numbers | Meyer says he wanted to help Smith family

Ryan Day filled in for Meyer as acting head coach for the first three games, and Meyer thanked him Monday.

“I knew coach Day was a difference maker when we hired him,” Meyer said. “I followed his career. He was with me at Florida. His professionalism and what he’s done has been phenomenal, and the rest of our staff, with coach (Greg) Schiano, Kevin Wilson, Alex Grinch and the other coaches have been tremendous.”

Bosa update: Ohio State defensive end Nick Bosa will not play against Tulane on Saturday, Meyer said. Bosa will undergo further tests this week on abdominal and groin issues after he suffered an injury early in the third quarter. He leads Ohio State with 14 tackles and five sacks in the first three games.

Jones honored: Ohio State defensive tackle Dre'mont Jones won the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week award Monday. He returned an interception 28 yards for a touchdown and recorded a career-high six tackles, including two tackles for a loss, against TCU.

Weekly honors: Defensive tackle Robert Landers, a Wayne graduate, earned a champion grade from Ohio State's coaches for the second straight week. He had four tackles against TCU.

These players also earned champion grades: Bosa; Jonathan Cooper; Davon Hamilton; Malik Harrison; Jordan Fuller; Isaiah Prince; Michael Jordan; Thayer Munford; Demetrius Knox; Malcolm Pridgeon; J.K. Dobbins; K.J. Hill; Johnnie Dixon; Binjimen Victor; Terry McLaurin; and Parris Campbell.

Jones and quarterback Dwayne Haskins were named players of the game.

Looking ahead: The Buckeyes play Tulane at 3:30 p.m. Saturday at Ohio Stadium in their final non-conference game. The Green Wave opened the season with a 23-17 overtime loss at Wake Forest, then beat Nicholls State 42-17 before losing 31-24 at Alabama-Birmingham on Saturday.

About the Author