Presser Bullets: Ryan Day Talks Running Back Injuries, C.J. Stroud And Kamryn Babb Discuss Touchdown Connection Against Indiana

By Griffin Strom on November 12, 2022 at 4:00 pm
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Ohio State moved to 10-0 with a 56-14 blowout win over Indiana at home Saturday.

The Buckeyes returned to form after last week's lackluster win over Northwestern, but Ohio State also suffered another injury to a key offensive player as Miyan Williams was carted off the field in the second quarter.

After the game, Ryan Day reviewed the performance, discussed running back depth and more during his interview session. After Day, Buckeye quarterback C.J. Stroud and wide receiver Kamryn Babb took stepped up to the podium to talk about their fourth-quarter touchdown connection and the Indiana win in general.

Here are notes on everything the Buckeyes said in their postgame interviews:

Ryan Day

  • On Williams' injury: "Hopefully these are some things we can overcome here in a short period of time." Day says it didn't look like it would be a "really long-term" injury, and that the Buckeyes expect to get TreVeyon Henderson back next week.
  • Day hopes Kam Babb's touchdown will be used as motivation for anyone "going through a tough" time. Day says he's "proud to be part of a moment like that ... What he's overcome is one of the great accomplishments." Day says it's "as special (a moment) as I've been around."
  • Day says Babb tweaked his "lower extremity" again in the preseason and that "we never knew" when he'd be healthy enough to play this season.
  • Day says Dallan Hayden and Xavier Johnson both proved they can "do a good job" at running back. "The depth has shown." Day credits Hayden for how he finished his runs on Saturday.
  • "That felt like more of a normal game." Day says it was great to get a big play in special teams with the punt block.
  • Day says "I want to bang my head in the wall" with some of the short-yardage shortcomings.
  • Day expects Dawand Jones, Denzel Burke and Chip Trayanum to all be available next week. Day says "a lot" of Buckeyes played banged up today.
  • On C.J. Stroud: "He's the leader of our offense, there's no question about it." Day says "there was a little bit of an edge to the offense this week. ... Overall I thought (Stroud) was really on point today."
  • Day says Lathan Ransom was "all over the place" on the field Saturday.
  • Day says Dawand Jones was "close" to playing on Saturday, but the Buckeyes "had confidence in Josh (Fryar)" to step in at right tackle.
  • Asked about Jordan Hancock starting at cornerback, Day says "I don't know what he'll grade out" but has "great instincts for the game." Day says Cam Brown "flashed at times" Saturday.
  • Day says Xavier Johnson gets "not much" time at running back in practice each week.

C.J. Stroud

  • “I wanted that (touchdown to Babb) to happen really bad.”
  • Stroud says it’s “definitely tough” keeping up with his faith while playing football at Ohio State and going to school.
  • Stroud says Babb approached him about coming to his church when he first got on campus in Columbus. Stroud says he has a bible study with Babb every week.
  • “People around me have helped me become way more consistent” with his faith.
  • Stroud says he was nervous and thought “I better not mess this up” on the Babb touchdown pass.
  • “God only knows the emotions that happens through fall camp and years he’s already been here.”
  • Stroud says everyone from Chase Young to Justin Fields and the current roster has been impacted by Kamryn Babb during his Buckeye career.
  • Stroud says he was “a little mad at myself” for stepping out of bounds on the long run play that got called back. Stroud says “I’m willing to do anything. I told them before the game, I’m willing to die for this team.”
  • Stroud credits Mitch Rossi and Xavier Johnson for stepping up in the run game after Miyan Williams’ injury.

Kamryn Babb

  • Babb says he’s “just thankful” for the moment he had Saturday. Babb says Stroud has been there for him ever since he got on campus. “Just the fact that he has my back.”
  • Babb says he’d been planning to honor his faith with his celebration after scoring his first-ever touchdown.
  • On having his family here, Babb says “I couldn’t be more thankful” for all the people that were in the stadium to support him.
  • On what kept Babb coming back to football after all the injuries: “Mostly faith.”
  • Babb says he wouldn’t be here without the Ohio State training staff, which has worked with him closely over the past five years.
  • Babb says he hugged some people “like five times” on the Buckeye sideline.
  • Babb says he shed tears after his touchdown and that once he goes home and the “real emotions” might hit.
  • On his injury: “When you don’t play football and a while and you try to go back out there and go full speed (it makes injury more likely).”
  • On what’s next: “We're hungry for more. … It was a great moment, but we have so much envisioned.”
  • Babb says God "gave me the gifts and the talents" and that he was thinking of all of his teammates he's talked about his faith with after catching his touchdown.
  • Babb says he's run the route on his touchdown catch "so many times" that it was "almost a blur."
  • Babb is "honored to have (Stroud) as a brother."

Jack Sawyer and Lathan Ransom also met with reporters after OSU's victory to break down their big performances.

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