Ohio State coach Ryan Day apologized to Nebraska for the Buckeyes offense not taking a knee within the closing seconds of Saturday’s 52-17 win at Ohio Stadium.
Main 45-17 within the closing minute, the Buckeyes reached the Nebraska 2-yard line. Relatively than take a knee, freshman quarterback Jack Miller bumped into the tip zone.
“I really feel unhealthy about that,” Day mentioned. “I had a youthful quarterback within the recreation, and I did not really feel like we had the personnel to take the knee, and I in all probability ought to have completed that. So I simply wish to publicly apologize to them, to [Nebraska coach] Scott [Frost].”
Frost didn’t handle Ohio State’s closing landing after the sport. He did take a timeout with three seconds left to run a closing play.
Day mentioned he would contact Frost to apologize. The 2 coaches have a great relationship, and Frost on Monday praised Day and Ohio State for becoming a member of Nebraska within the combat to reinstate the Massive Ten season. Requested about a number of Nebraska hits within the second half, together with concentrating on fouls by nook Cam Taylor-Britt and security Deontai Williams, Day mentioned, “I’d be shocked if there was any malintent there.”
Day was happy with Ohio State’s opening efficiency, particularly within the second half, when the Buckeyes outscored Nebraska 28-3. Quarterback Justin Fields, a 2019 Heisman Trophy finalist, accomplished 20 of 21 passes for 276 yards and two touchdowns, together with his lone incompletion a close to landing seize by broad receiver Chris Olave.
In accordance with ESPN Stats & Info, Fields recorded the second-best single-game completion share (95.2) in league historical past, tying with Wisconsin’s Graham Mertz, who additionally accomplished 20 of 21 passes Friday towards Illinois.
“It was nice to see Justin, going into his second yr, trying so comfy again there,” Day mentioned.
Day, Fields and others mentioned an empty Ohio Stadium offered an odd setting for the opener. The Massive Ten has prohibited all followers — aside from households of coaches and gamers — from video games.
“It was positively bizarre,” Fields mentioned. “I used to be trying as much as rejoice with some followers, however no person was actually on the market. It was somewhat bit totally different. We simply tried to deliver our personal vitality to the sport.”
