Presser Bullets: Ryan Day disagrees with pass interference call on Jeremiah Smith, but says 'it shouldn't come down to one play' Josh Simmons is likely out for the season

The nature of a one-point game is that there is a long list of plays that could swing the game in one direction or another. But for Ohio State to be in this situation from the start is unacceptable to Ryan Day.

After the No. 2 Buckeyes' 32-31 loss to No. 3 Oregon, Day expressed his displeasure over an offensive pass interference call against Jeremiah Smith, which he said put Ohio State out of field goal range on its final drive but that the game shouldn't have come to such a piece. He felt there were too many mistakes, including missed coverages, penalties and turnovers that left the Buckeyes hurting themselves.

As for injuries, things are “not looking great” for Ohio State University starting left tackle Josh Simmons to return this season after he was carted off the field with an apparent left leg injury. The Buckeyes will have to deal with the big plays they allowed on defense, Day added.

Ryan Day thought offensive pass interference against Jeremiah Smith on Ohio State's final drive was a bad decision, but the Buckeyes shouldn't have left it at that. “But it shouldn’t come down to one piece, I’ve said that before. …You put it in the hands of a call, that's up to us. … We need to handle these situations better and do a better job overall, just too many explosive plays on defense.”
There were several reasons for Ohio State's loss, Day said, but “There were some long throws down the field where they ended up behind us.”…It was more than just one thing. … We have to play better.”
On the reasons for the loss: “We talk about 'take care of the football.'” … Turning the ball over and giving it to them in plus territory, that was a big play in the game. … We kept fighting. We continued to persevere. …Couldn't quite get to the stops when we needed to and didn't make it. … We can sit here and watch a play here, a play there. We won't do that. We will own it. We’ll get it repaired.”
On big plays allowed on defense: “It starts with coaching. We have to train it better, challenge it better and train it better in practice.”
On injury updates: “Josh Simmons’ injury hurt. Zen has done a good job competing and competing. … I need to check in on Simmons, but things aren't looking good for him to come back this season.”
Day added that tight end Will Kacmarek was also injured.
On whether the defense was to blame for the loss: “They hate to point fingers… this is a team loss. In the end, the offense still had a chance to come in and end the game, but that didn't happen. … You take a brutal penalty like that and it sets you back.”
Day said Ohio State has shot itself in the foot too many times. “There are a few false starts that hurt and that we ultimately cannot accept. … I thought the guys kept fighting, the guys kept hitting. …This hurts, it hurts. … Give Oregon credit, they played well, but there were too many things we didn't do well.”
On Will Howard’s performance: “He fought until the end. … He's going to be hard on himself, but he competed until the end. Made some great throws to get us into field goal range.”