Ohio State finished 2022 as the No. 24 scoring defense in the country, a marked improvement from 2021 when coach Ryan Day’s Buckeyes were No. 38 in that category. Much of that improvement can be credited to new defensive coordinator Jim Knowles, who left Oklahoma State to join OSU last offseason. However, his unit also gave up a combined 87 points in losses to Michigan and Georgia. That’s one of the topics Day discussed in an extended interview with The Columbus Dispatch. More of Day’s interview at this link. Columbus Dispatch: It’s Jim Knowles’ second year as defensive coordinator. How would you assess his first year? Statistically, the defense was much better. But the big plays and breakdowns were huge against Michigan and Georgia. Ryan Day: Ultimately, we’re evaluated by those big games. We all know that there was progress made. We saw it. It was tangible. But ultimately, when…
Continue Reading: Ohio State coach Ryan Day evaluates defensive coordinator Jim Knowles' first season at OSU
