Ohio State’s defense searching for answers ahead of trip to Iowa

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Defense is often the topic when a team is getting set to play at Iowa.

The 14th-ranked Hawkeyes have developed a reputation as a consistent force on that side of the ball, and the 2026 version looks no different through four games for the undefeated Hawkeyes, who host No. 5 Ohio State on Saturday.

Ohio State coach Ryan Day fielded questions about the Iowa defense Tuesday, but he took more about his own stop unit after the Buckeyes allowed 462 total yards, including 199 on the ground, in a 42-19 win over Illinois last Saturday.

That was the high for total yards allowed by Ohio State since Georgia piled up 533 in the 2022 Peach Bowl College Football Playoff semifinal, and the rushing total was the most since Missouri picked up 203 in the Cotton Bowl three years ago.

Perhaps worst of all, the Fighting Illini averaged 6.03 yards per carry, the most by an Ohio State opponent since Michigan averaged 7.2 in 2022.

“Well, I think just coming out of the game, we just have to make sure that we’re just executing at a high level across the board in terms of everyone doing their job,” Day said. “I think overall you saw effort but just not good enough execution.”

While defensive coordinator Matt Patricia dialed up more blitzes and more man coverage than he did in a one-point loss at Texas in Week 2, that also created a need for more discipline that was not always met.

Missed assignments played a role in the Fighting Illini notching seven explosive runs (10 yards or more), equaling the total Ohio State gave up in its first three games combined.

“All it takes is one guy to be out of a gap, and it can turn into an explosive play, so we all have to be disciplined in what we do. We don’t just go out there and make plays,” Day said. “We have to play within the defensive scheme, but we have to dominate our one-on-one (matchups).”

Senior defensive end Kenyatta Jackson Jr. said allowing nearly 200 yards rushing was “terrible” and “unacceptable.”

He also had a term for players not carrying out their assignments: Hero ball, which he described as “not doing your job to the best that you can.”

As an example, he mentioned a defensive tackle who is supposed to defend a guard-tackle gap sliding over into a center-guard gap instead, but Jackson also said the fix is easy, something the coaches addressed Sunday after film sessions.

“Just do your job,” Jackson said. “Fit the guy that’s blocking you and stay in that B gap or whatever gap that you’re supposed to stay in.”

As for Iowa, the 14-ranked Hawkeyes are looking like themselves on paper.

They are No. 1 in the nation in points allowed (8.0 per game) while scoring 32.8 points per game (58th).

“We need production,” Day said. “So it’s everybody’s job in the building, coaches and players, to make sure that we’re putting guys in a situation to be successful. But then in practice we’re building trust that when you go in the game, you’re going to do your job.”

The Buckeyes could be down at least one starter on defense after freshman nickel back Jay Timmons left the Illinois game with what appeared to be a lower body injury.

Day did not specify his status for this Saturday but confirmed moving senior Jermaine Mathews Jr. from cornerback to nickel was one option while freshman Jordan Thomas will also get a look in practice this week.

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