Presser Bullets: Ryan Day says the offensive line wasn't “even close to good enough” on the ground, thought the defense played furiously

The Buckeyes escaped with a 21-17 win over Nebraska despite a dismal performance in football, allowing just 64 rushing yards on 2.1 yards per carry. Ryan Day and the offensive staff rode with Zen Michalski all week, with Day saying they wanted to let him get over his initial start nerves.

Because Michalski suffered an injury late in the game, Day added that the Buckeyes would not sign left tackle Donovan Jackson after he kicked to the outside to end the game. Ohio State's head coach also praised his defense's performance in the win.

• Day felt his team showed the toughness needed to win the game by coming back late. “The way we went out in the fourth quarter and won the game, we talked about that in the week off. … Ultimately you have to win the game in the fourth quarter. …Now we'll look back and say we shouldn't be in games like this. We'll win 1 for 10 in the third period and run the ball the way we did.

• Day felt that Ohio State's inadequacies in the run game were a major cause of the offense's problems. “We have to be able to run the football. … We were explosive in the passing game … but I really liked the way the defense played. Played with energy, played with fire.”

• With Zen Michalski now also out at left tackle, Day said Donovan Jackson's move to the outside was the plan to get out of the game, but the team is still evaluating its options going forward. “We need to talk about it and figure it out.”

• Day thought linebacker Cody Simon's performance was a microcosm of the entire defense. “I thought we played like that on defense. We played angry and obsessed. … It has to be consistent week after week.”

• Day did not comment on the targeting call against linebacker Arvell Reese.

• On offense: “We didn't run the football.” After reviewing the Buckeyes' rushing stats, Day added, “That's not even close to good enough.”

• Day said the Buckeyes still have confidence in Jayden Fielding to make field goals.

• Why Zen Michalski stayed in the game the entire game: “It felt like he had to play through in his first start. I didn't want to just panic and pull him out…there are some things you go through. That's what we wanted.” I ask him to play it through and see how it went.