For the last three seasons, Ohio State's punting game has been average at best. They have not been able to flip the field in an effective way. For the most part, it hasn't cost them games. However, that issue reared its ugly head on Saturday night in Austin after Ohio State's stunning 24-23 loss to Texas.
Joe McGuire has been the punter for the last three years. Yet, his punting continues to be a topic of discussion. Specifically, his 26-yard punt after Ohio State decided to punt deep in Texas territory has been scrutinized. Ryan Day was asked about it, and he finally gave an answer fans will accept.
Ryan Day hints at more aggressive fourth-down calls for Ohio State after poor punts
Day was asked point blank about Joe McGuire and the punting game. While Day said he thinks McGuire can do better, he acknowledged that he might look to go for it more often if they aren't going to be able to pin the opponent deep in their own territory.
"Joe does get the ball out quickly and had a couple of decent punts. But you're right. We gotta execute that better. If we're going to do that, if we're going to make that decision, it is hard for me to stand up in front of you and say "Yeah, that's a good thing" when the ball's on the 15-yard line. If we pin them on the two or the one, you're probably saying, " I get it better". So either we gotta execute that better, or we gotta go for it."
It's clear that Day is very frustrated with the state of the punting game, which most Ohio State football fans have been for years. It has been very frustrating for the Buckeyes to have such poor special teams play over the last few years. Day hasn't been putting an emphasis on that phase of the game.
Ohio State could get more aggressive on offense
Day is clearly unhappy with McGuire's performance. Over the last three years, he has averaged just 42 yards per punt. Add that to the fact that he can't pin opponents deep inside their own territory; what exactly is the point of not being more aggressive on fourth down?
I would fully expect Ohio State to be more aggressive on fourth-and-short opportunities in opponents' territory from now on. If they can't flip the field properly, they might as well trust the offense to get three or four yards. That is something that will likely change in the next few weeks.
Day knows that every phase of the game needs to get better. He called out the defense early in his press conference for not being aggressive enough. Of course, the Buckeyes play three easy games in a row now to help rebuild confidence in the roster.
These last few days have been very uncomfortable for everyone in the Ohio State football program. That's what happens when you blow a 20-point lead in the fourth quarter.
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