Here are five takeaways from the press conference, which also included OSU director of athletics Gene Smith and a Peach Bowl rep:
1. No injury updates
A handful of Ohio State players were walking wounded when the regular season ended, but Day didn’t say who might be able to go after some time off to heal.
“Everybody is for the most part healing up, so it’s good to get everybody back in the field,” Day said.
Running back TreVeyon Henderson could be an exception. When the sophomore, who missed the Michigan game and several others throughout the season because of unidentified injuries, was brought up specifically, Day said he would have more in a couple of days.
College Football Playoff: Ohio State needs offense to play up to potential to top Georgia https://t.co/8OuhX9COLE
— Marcus Hartman (@marcushartman) December 12, 2022
2. Juggling game prep, recruiting
With the early signing period set to begin Dec. 21, Day and his staff have been juggling recruiting trips and practices for the last two weeks.
They also have to tend to their own roster and survey the transfer portal for potential additions.
“It’s energizing because obviously you’re relevant this time of year and you’re involved with some great recruits and you’re swinging as hard as you can so it’s exactly the way you want it even though sometimes you wake up with not a lot of sleep,” Day said.
“The early signing period obviously changed a few years ago that everything got sped up here, but that’s December. Our guys are working really, really hard. They don’t get a chance to see their family very much this time of year but that’s part of it. That’s what you want to be. You want to be in the CFP this time of year. You want to be involved with great recruits. You want to have all this stuff going on, and that’s exciting.”
3. Multiple roles for WIlson
Ohio State’s offensive coordinator has been named head coach at Tulsa, so he is wearing multiple hats this month.
He will be with the Buckeyes until their playoff run ends then move on to run his own program out west.
“He’s obviously got a lot going and planning ahead of Tulsa, but he’s been in practices,” Day said. “He’s going to be here again this weekend, so it’s a challenge when you have to kind of juggle both things, but he’s going to make sure that he does everything he can help us win this.”
4. Keenan Bailey is “going to do unbelievable things”
No formal announcement will be made before the season is over, but multiple reports indicate Wilson’s spot on the 10-person on-field coaching staff will be taken by Keenan Bailey, who has been senior advisor to the head coach since February and spent the past seven seasons in Columbus.
“I can say this: Keenan Bailey is an excellent coach,” Day said. “He’s a really sharp young man who’s going to do unbelievable things in his career, and the relationships he’s built over time with former players, current players, recruits and families has been excellent.
“Keenan has turned down a lot of opportunities to go other places over the last couple years, and he’s stayed here and been a huge help.”
5. Ohio State sold out its ticket allotment quickly
Peach Bowl CEO Gary Stokan said Ohio State received 13,000 tickets (including 500 for the band), and they were all gone within two days.
“We got the tickets to Ohio State on Monday and they sold out Wednesday, which may be a record for us in any of our nine years being in the CFP, so congratulations there,” Stokan said. “Obviously this the first trip for Ohio State in our 55 years.”
The demand has led to a release of an extra 2,000 tickets, something possible because of different configurations for Mercedes-Benz Stadium, and they are expecting close to a record crowd of 78,000.
PEACH BOWL
Saturday, Dec. 31
Ohio State vs. Georgia, 8 p.m., ESPN, 1410
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