Ohio State Buckeyes: Ryan Day says Big Ten working on adjustments to COVID-19 procedures

Ohio State football coach Ryan Day said the Big Ten is working on fixing the situation that left one of the Buckeyes unable to play last Saturday.

Justin Hilliard, a senior linebacker, tested positive for COVID-19 on Saturday morning via a rapid antigen test, but a subsequent PCR test found that to be a false positive.

When asked why Hilliard was still unable to play, Day said that was the result of regulations agreed upon by league members as part of the effort to get a return to play this fall approved by league chancellors and presidents.

“The way that it was explained to me was that not every school has the opportunity to get that PCR and that short of a time, and so they want to make sure that it was equal across the board,” Day said.

“I know it’s something that they’re looking at now to try to figure out — if in fact they can get everybody that PCR to confirm whether it’s positive or negative, which would allow them to play. And it’s something that everybody had to agree upon in order to get the season started, so obviously not ideal or perfect but I know they’re working on to try to make it better.”

No. 3 Ohio State plays host to Rutgers on Saturday night.

Here are more notes from Day’s last preview video conference with the Ohio State beat:

  • Day did not sound concerned about Master Teague III learning to be more elusive. His game is running downhill and running over people. He can extend runs that way rather than by making people miss. That will also wear down a defense.
  • Teague ran better in Week 2, as did Trey Sermon.
  • Some players have a hard time balancing different interests and need to focus on school and football, but sophomore offensive lineman Harry Miller is unique. Day called him a man of different interests and passions and talents. He played better in his second start Saturday, and Day hopes that portends a run of strong play by him.
  • Tight ends Luke Farrell and Jeremy Ruckert both blocked well and helped out in the passing game at Penn State last week, and their versatility is important for the offense because it opens up more things in the playbook. He looks forward to continuing to take advantage of that as long as they are playing well.
  • Justin Fields and Chris Olave were both very hungry this offseason after the last season ended with a disappointing loss to Clemson in which Olave broke the wrong way on a Fields pass and it was intercepted. They have lots to improve but are off to a good start according to the coach.
  • Brendon White, a senior safety at Rutgers who transferred from Ohio State, left on good terms and needed a fresh start. Day is happy for him and sees him fitting well in the Rutgers defense as a free safety because of his natural skills.
  • Day is not worried about juggling scholarships for next year as the early signing day approaches in December because he doesn’t think they will be over 85 next year anyway with who is likely to leave.

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