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2025 tOSU Offense Discussion

Following Injuries to Ohio State Guards Luke Montgomery, Tegra Tshabola and Joshua Padilla, Ryan Day Says Two of Them Are Back Practicing​

By Andy Anders on November 4, 2025 at 2:10 pm @andyanders55
Joshua Padilla

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It was easy to miss that Ohio State sustained three injuries to each of its three top offensive guards during the Penn State game.
Starters Luke Montgomery and Tegra Tshabola both sustained what appeared to be minor injuries on Ohio State's final drive of the game, getting rolled up on on separate plays, and the duo was replaced by redshirt freshman Gabe VanSickle and freshman Jake Cook in the game's closing moments.
Josh Padilla, who has rotated with Tshabola at right guard much of the season, got his legs tangled up from behind on CJ Donaldson's fumble at the end of the first half. He was taken to Ohio State's medical tent and did not return to the game.
During his Tuesday press conference, Ryan Day gave an update on the trio. The good news: Two of them are already back practicing. The bad news: One is still under evaluation, though it doesn't appear to be anything long-term. And he didn't specify which one is which.
"I won't specifically mention all three of them, but I do think at least two of three, they'll be back practicing today," Day said. "One of them, we'll have to see as the week goes on, how they do. But we should be at full steam ahead."

Losing any of the trio would be a significant detriment to an Ohio State offensive line still trying to solve some things after inconsistencies in run and pass blocking vs. the Nittany Lions. Julian Sayin came under pressure on 41.7% of his dropbacks against Penn State, per PFF. Ohio State’s rushing numbers got a major boost with Bo Jackson’s 51-yard run in the fourth quarter, but other than that, the Buckeyes picked up just 113 yards on 31 carries, a poor average of 3.6 yards per carry. That said, Day still thought Ohio State did well in pass protection as the game went on.
"When you go against a good defensive line like they have, you know that you've gotta bring it every play," Day said. "I thought there was some plays where Julian was really clean back there. Some longer-developing routes, especially in the second half, where he's able to step into the throw. ... There was the 3rd-down-and-9 where we had instant penetration, then Julian had to make a play with his legs. There were a couple others like that that were too leaky. So, when you're going against good players, that's the challenge, is that we have to play with unbelievable technique. And that's about grading out a champion. So, there were some things that were good, good enough to win the game, but good enough for us to go win every game? I don't know. We'll have to keep working at it."

 
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Debated where to put this, but it gives a pretty good writeup of Tate and Smith, along with the culture developed at OSU by Day:


But there’s something else about these two that feels more intangible than their talent and stats. To me, it’s their unselfishness. While they’re both certainly aware of how their performance and stats affect things like awards or even their NFL Draft prospects, neither of them is placing those things above the needs of the team.

Smith, who is widely considered the best player in college football, seems happy to help the team make big plays not with receptions but by drawing guys off Tate. Tate, similarly, would be WR1 at any other school, yet he’s comfortable with his role in this tandem.

Both Smith and Tate seem to be ok with that, but not every player would be. It speaks to who they are as athletes—and to the environment Coach Day is fostering—that the team comes first. In an era of transfer portals (which I am all for by the way) and NIL deals, it’s become easier and easier to put your own numbers and your own draft stock first.

Neither of them seem to be taking that bait. I suspect this unselfishness is a not-insignificant part of what makes them such a threat.
 
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