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LB Riley Pettijohn (Official Thread)

Stock Up/Down: Riley Pettijohn and Ja'Kobi Jackson Are Making Noticeable Impacts, Ohio State Needs More from Its Defensive Tackles

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Stock Up​

Riley Pettijohn​

Riley Pettijohn is making a strong case for a starting linebacker spot.

Following Ohio State's win over Kent State, Pettijohn recorded the first interception of his young career, and he also notched three total tackles. He ended as the highest-rated player according to Pro Football Focus, grading out as a 91.5 in his 27 snaps.

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And through three weeks, he's the third-highest-rated player for Ohio State according to PFF, with a minimum of 50 snaps and a 90 rating, trailing TJ Alford with 90. 5 and Jeremiah Smith with 91.1.

He's logged 12 total tackles and a sack in addition to his pick, while also forcing pressure with occasional plays where he's coming off the edge. His role is increasing, and it's going to be hard to keep him on the field moving forward.
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OL Gabe VanSickle (National Champion)

Gabe VanSickle Likely to Start Against Illinois With Phillip Daniels Potentially Missing Second Straight Game

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Ryan Day was asked Tuesday if he expected starting right tackle Phillip Daniels to play against Illinois after missing the Kent State game due to injury.

Day didn‘t give a direct answer, instead deferring to the Big Ten availability report, which will be released for the first time this week at 8 p.m. Wednesday.

"We're going to have the new availability report that'll start towards the end of the week here, similar to the way that it's been done in the CFP," Day said. "So once we kind of get that going, we'll have the update. So, I don't know what the expectation is on the availability report when it comes out for the first time, but he will be practicing in some capacity today, and then we'll evaluate it from there."

When Day was asked later about Gabe VanSickle, however, Day indicated that VanSickle would likely make his second consecutive start at right guard, which would mean Austin Siereveld shifting over from right guard to play in place of Daniels at right tackle for a second straight week.

“He'll have an opportunity this weekend, most likely,” Day said of VanSickle. “And so this would be a great opportunity for him to grade out a champion against a conference opponent.”
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Game Thread Illinois at tOSU, Sat. Sept. 26, 12pm ET, FOX

Presser Bullets: Ryan Day Says Third Down And Red Zone Issues Need To Be Fixed, Challenges For Running Backs To “Run Angry”​

Ryan Day​

  • Said Ohio State is counting on Eddrick Houston to step up in conference play.
  • Phillip Daniels will practice this week in "some capacity" after being sidelined against Kent State.
  • Said the offense needs to do a better job of balancing its playcalling between run and pass.
  • Highlighted struggles on third down and finishing drives in the red zone as the season continues.
  • Said the special teams overall have been "inconsistent," and they need to get it fixed.
  • Said Ohio State “will continue to build around” Christian Alliegro, Jay Timmons and Earl Little Jr.
  • Jay Timmons' "competitiveness" is why he could start as a freshman.
  • Was disappointed in the running backs' ability to make defenders miss at the second level against Kent State.
  • On conference play, Day said the focus is on the next goal: winning the Big Ten.
  • Said Illinois has a great quarterback in Katin Houser, they have playmakers on the perimeter, and Bret Bielema has done a great job during his time with the Fighting Illini.
  • Said Jake Cook did "some good things" as the sixth offensive lineman when Ohio State ran its Bison package — said it'll be an option moving forward.
  • On Jason Moore: "He just kept working and working and working, and then he found himself in a backup role. And before you know it, I mean, now he's finding himself getting a lot more reps, and that's what this is all about. And that's unfortunately with some of the stuff that goes on now. Guys don't have the opportunity to work through all that. He's a great example of that very thing."
  • Said if Luke Fahey “continues to do what he’s doing, I would continue to see it going that way” when asked if he’s officially won the backup quarterback job, but doesn't want him or Tavien St. Clair to let up.
  • Said he feels confident about rolling out Gabe VanSickle at right guard and Austin Siereveld at right tackle, even if Phillip Daniels is available.
  • Said he's challenging the running backs moving forward — “challenge is out to really run angry and run physical in this game,” Day said. “How they practice is gonna determine how we play them. That’s the bottom line.”
  • Day said he thought Ja’Kobi Jackson ran harder than Bo Jackson against Kent State. “That’s just the facts.”
  • Said Julian Sayin needs to "trust his feet and get the ball out on time" regarding his missed throws.
  • Brought up again that Ohio State doesn’t “BCD” (blame, complain, defend) when asked about the process of addressing areas that need to be fixed.
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2026 tOSU Offense Discussion

All the short yardage discussion makes me miss Zeke---the rare back who could bang it up the middle and fall forward on 3rd and 3 and also break one for 80. The reason he's my all time #1tOSU RB

Ohio State Has Been Unable to Consistently Move the Ball on Third- and Fourth-and-Short Situations This Season

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A lot goes into a successful offense, but one of the key components of that is success in short-yardage situations on third and fourth down.

Ohio State's offense seems to still be trying to find its identity as a group, especially the running game. Jeremiah Smith is, obviously, the go-to player in the passing attack, but the Bo Jackson-led ground game has shown glimpses of very good play while still trying to find its identity three games into the season.

A lot goes into a successful rushing attack, including the runner's vision, explosiveness, and ability to find (and get to) holes in the defense, along with the offensive line's ability to block correctly. Ohio State running backs and offensive line have shown some promise in those areas, but also had some lackluster plays in those situations as well.

One of the key areas Ohio State has struggled in a quarter of the way through the regular season is third- and fourth-and-short situations. The Buckeyes have run a successful play on five of their 11 third and fourth downs within three yards of the line to gain so far this season: 1-for-1 vs. Ball State, 1-for-2 at Texas, 1-for-6 vs. Kent State.

Ohio State's Short-Yardage Situations On Third or Fourth Down This Season
OPPONENT DOWN AND YARDS TO GO PLAY FIRST DOWN OR TOUCHDOWN?
VS. BALL STATE 4TH-AND-GOAL (3-YARD LINE) JULIAN SAYIN 3-YARD TOUCHDOWN RUN YES
3RD-AND-2 ISAIAH WEST 4-YARD RUN YES
4TH-AND-1 ISAIAH WEST 10-YARD RUN YES
AT TEXAS 3RD-AND-3 BO JACKSON 6-YARD RUN YES
4TH-AND-2 JA'KOBI JACKSON 1-YARD RUN NO
VS. KENT STATE 3RD-AND-GOAL (3-YARD LINE) BO JACKSON 2-YARD RUN NO
3RD-AND-1 ISAIAH WEST -1-YARD RUN NO
4TH-AND-2 JULIAN SAYIN INCOMPLETION NO
3RD-AND-GOAL (2-YARD LINE) JA'KOBI JACKSON 1-YARD RUN NO
4TH-AND-GOAL (1-YARD LINE) JA'KOBI JACKSON 1-YARD TOUCHDOWN RUN YES
3RD-AND-3 ISAIAH WEST -2-YARD RUN NO
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Ohio State Men's Basketball (2026-27 Official Thread)

Adam Jardy did his preview inside the Schott tonight. Biggest difference this year is everyone is actually healthy and available for the first time in years. They'd 15 players contributing to practice right now and the team is getting through things faster than they had planned so they've put in more presses and press breakers (thank God) and guys look fit and ready.

FWIW that is all welcome news imo
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Ohio State Men's Tennis (2014/2019/2024 ITA Indoor National Champs, 20 Straight B1G Titles)

Buckeyes place 7️⃣ in the main draw of singles at the ITA all American tournament in Tulsa!


The #3 seed is Aiden Kim, #6 is Matthew Forbes, #8 Preston Stearns, with Nikita Filin, Alex Okonkwo and Bryce Nakashima earning direct acceptance via rankings. No other school has more than 3️⃣ players with direct acceptance.
Denis Petak captured an invite with three wins in the qualifying rounds.

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