“WE NEED TO HOLD EACH OTHER ACCOUNTABLE.” Ohio State's special teams unit had some – let's call them blunders, sure that works –
blunders last season that cost the Buckeyes in their two losses to Michigan and Georgia.
Against the Wolverines, it was a lack of execution (twice!) from Mason Arnold, as the walk-on long snapper, who has since transferred, was called for a snap infraction and then, on the next attempt, snapped the ball to Jesse Mirco instead of Mitch Rossi.
Against the Bulldogs, the Buckeyes had 12 men on the field for a fake punt (that would not have been called) before a well-timed Georgia timeout. And then, of course, the... *takes a deep breath*... the last-second missed field goal from Noah Ruggles.
Six weeks into the 2023 season, Ohio State's special teams blunders have continued.
In Ohio State's 37-17 win over Maryland on Saturday, the Buckeyes executed a punt so poorly that, in real-time, people wondered whether Ohio State called a fake. It was not. It was a botched snap from John Ferlmann.
“That’s the life of a long snapper, a punter and a field goal kicker,” Day said on Tuesday. “We call it one shot, one kill, like a sniper. You don’t have an opportunity to be wrong. They understand that. They’ll work hard to get that fixed.”
But Ohio State's miscues didn't stop there.
Xavier Johnson was called for illegal formation on a second-quarter punt, which Maryland wide receiver Jeshaun Jones returned for 26 yards. Tack on the extra 5 yards from Johnson's penalty, and the Terps took over on Ohio State's 49-yard line.
But Ohio State's miscues didn't stop there.
Johnson, Emeka Egbuka and later Jayden Ballard, who became the Buckeyes' punt returner after Egbuka exited the game, made some questionable decisions to fair catch or not fair catch punts. Also, one of Mirco's four punts traveled (quack, quack) 33 yards.
Those blunders and miscues are inexcusable, especially for a program with a full-time special teams coach. That said, I commend Ohio State beat reporter Doug Lesmerises, who asked Day if the Buckeyes' level of detail on special teams "should be better" given that Parker Fleming is in a devoted role.
"We want all of our detail to be better across the board," Day said. "We work really hard on special teams. I think the coaching detail is there. We need to hold each other accountable. It starts with me. I have to help coach it better – hold the coaches accountable and the players accountable to (coach and) play at a high level.
"We want (special teams) to be a weapon for us. We want it to be an area that we're winning on. There have been some good things, and just like offense and defense, there are areas we have to get better at.”
Day's answer wasn't exactly an endorsement of Fleming's work. Therefore, I wonder how this ends whenever the Buckeyes "come up for air."
Regardless, Ohio State's special teams need to improve. You have work to do, Mr. Fleming.
Ohio State’s special teams must improve, the Buckeyes plan to redshirt running back Dallan Hayden and PGA Tour star Jason Day attends an Ohio State practice.
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