Welcome to Buckeyes tomorrow morning for Sunday, September twenty.

First, I'm your host, Tom or the Washington game in six days, the gamming It's Michigan in sixty nine days.

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All right, on the last two shows, you've gotten to hear from Ohio State head coach Ryan Day and Ohio State defensive coordinator Matt Patricia.

You will never guess what today's show is about.

Okay, maybe you can.

It is Ohio State offensive coordinator Brian Hartline.

Get a chance to talk to him last week at a lot of interesting things to say during the Buckeyes week off.

You're going to start with the tight ends.

I'm going to have this running joke that is the Year of the tight end every year.

This year it might actually really be the year of the tight end.

They have been running a really really deep tight end rotation, including true freshman Nate Roberts, but a very very deep and talented room there as a wide receivers guy, as former wide receiver himself and wide receivers coach, you would think, Brian hart Line, we'd want to have as many wide receivers out there as you can.

But how have the tight ends, especially in some of those multiple tight end formations help keep that offense unpredictable.

I think anytime you know you can be multiple in personnel, you'll probably ask or demand different reactions by a defense.

So, you know, I think us having so many different guys available offensively, we want to try to use as many guys as possible.

I think the tight end room has done a really good job.

I mean there asked to do a lot of things, right, I mean they have to run routes like a wide out.

They got to block like an offensive tackle.

They have to get all.

The run IDs, but then also be elite in the past game if they want to play.

So their job description is really vast and they'd spend a lot of time, you know, trying to do everything correct and everything at a high level.

So I think, rightfully, so those guys are mismatches potentially, right, I mean, what kind of opportunity do you have the run a route versus a linebacker or are you just blocking a safety?

Right, So putting those guys in the right position can be a bonus for the offense.

But you got to use them properly.

But they've done a really good job.

They do a great, great job at practice, So ultimately form them to be worked in the game I think is really really important.

Again, they can do everything, you got to make sure you're targeted on what they do and then it makes it hard for the defense to play them just one type of way.

They got to count from it.

In all facets three games end of the season.

Jeremiah Smith has the status you would sort of expect.

Carnell Tate has the status would sort of expect.

Brandon Innis the starting slot guy, team captain.

Five catches, thirty seven yards in three games.

So what's the deal there, Well, the answer is the impact that Brandon Innis has goes well beyond the statue.

Yeah, I think Brand's done a great job.

I think he was a guy that whatever his job description is is done at a high level.

So again, as we're being multiple, as we talk about the tight ends, as we talk about Brandon, I mean he's able to do a lot of different things, so his role is going to change constantly based on defenses and what they do.

But anything we asked him to do, he does at a high level.

So I'm not really concerned about the job description as it is, just you know, where does he fit this week in weeks moving forward, and then how defenses want to account for him.

So the tool sets are vast.

How we want to use.

Them is probably what's going to change the most, you know, week to week, but it's done a great job.

One of the big storylines coming out of the win over Ohio was the Buckeye struggles in the red zone.

You heard a little bit from Ryan Day about that earlier in the week, and it sounds like there's just not one significant issue.

There's not one consistent issue.

It's a bunch of different stuff that added up to that.

Yeah, I think combination of everything that coach already hit on right.

So execution is part of it, but putting guys in right positions to make plays is another part of it.

So we all own it as a group.

We definitely want to score every time we get down there, it's for sure, but there was learning opportunities too.

I think there was different opportunities for the quarterback to see things a little different, different things for our us to make plays on the perimeter, but also even in protection.

So everyone had their own little growth opportunity, and myself too, putting those guys in the right spots to make sure that we can execute a high level.

Obviously, every time we'll be in the red zone, the expectation is to score touchdowns, both from the outside world and this building, So anytime we're not doing that, we're always looking for ways to enhance and and do it at a more consistent level.

So that was probably one of our first opportunities where it didn't go the way we wanted it to go, and that's a great chance to get a little better.

This is not Brian Hartline's first time as Ohio State's offensive coordinator, but it is his first time actually calling the plays.

So, all right, how are things going on that front?

So far?

It's been awesome.

I think I've really enjoyed it.

I think I love the connection with the guys.

I love the interaction I have across the board with the personnel.

I think that you know, every chance you're in that situation or you're you're an opportunity to call a game.

There's an opportunity to.

Learn and grow and and and frankly, I do it daily with coach day, but to be out there doing it live, there's nothing like those kind of reps.

So I think that again, going into the buy, I think there's been an opportunity to grow offensively, which really checks the box.

If you were to go back a month and be like, what's your initial goal for the first three weeks, you know one is going to find a way to win Week one.

The next couple of goals would be like, you know, we're seeing growth, We're seeing development both as players and as as coaches.

To that first buy, all right, let's do a good job of being organized through that buy and then come out of the buy ready to haul until that next kind of break we had and have you had a broken up in sections?

That's what I would have said a month ago.

So I think looking back, we've done a lot of those things, but still trying to press can be better, more consistent, and continue to put the guys in the right spots.

We're a quarter of the way through the regular season and through the non conference portion of the regular season, and with it being a week off, this feels like a great time to sort of take a look back at just sort of where things stand with some of the storylines entering the season.

One of those was the true the red sure at freshman Julian saying, first time starter at quarterback.

So all right through three games, where do things stand with him?

Him now?

In terms of what Brian Hartline feels like they can run.

He's done a great job.

I think that you know, you don't ever make assumptions.

I don't think you're ever in a spot we're like, Okay, we can just do whatever we want.

Now, we're very targeted with everything we do.

We'll never make that assumption.

I think he's grown and done a really good job.

Definitely had some learning opportunities every week, so his ability to take that information and apply it will ultimately continue that growth.

I would say that I'm really proud of him.

I think he's doing a great job.

But we're never gonna take that assumption that we can just do whatever we want and put him in every situation we want.

So always going to be targeted, always gonna continue to make sure the game plan is very clear and concise and not maybe not easy, but maybe simple, which is good, so we can play at a very very high level.

But yeah, I think I think we're taking the right steps.

But again a long row ahead.

Again we take rechel respective maybe where we were week three last year, where we finished, we just want to continue to stay on pace, continue to grow.

And I think Julian's doing a great job individually.

Mentioned earlier that Brian Hartline, of course a former wide receiver, former wide receivers coach.

He's got a head coach, Ryan d who was a former quarterback, former back quarterbacks coach.

So this sort of natural assumption is, okay, if these two guys are in charge of the offense, they're going to be really pass happy and heartline, especially as a play caller.

So that hasn't necessarily played out, And part of that is the fact that Brian Hartline over the years has come to really appreciate the importance of the run game.

Yeah, I mean there's a lot of guys on the field at one time.

It's not just quarterback and wideouts.

So yeah, I mean I think talked for a while on this.

Well, I would say that you know, we talked about Julian Jullians the first year starter, right, so his best friend should be a good run game.

Right.

We have a a greade O line that's doing a really good job of progressing in their own and their own path.

So I think again, we got to where we were allowed year because of the run game.

It wasn't just because of the pass game.

A great pass game it is complimented by a great run game and vice versa.

So to have play action passes, it's not great if you don't have a great run game and you don't have great tight ends.

I can do all those kinds of things, so being very balanced makes it a little more difficult.

I think for the defense is that gonybe pinion down a certain way.

But I've always believed, you know, I'm a big fan of play action pass I love the art of selling something you're not doing, and so yeah, I mean that assumption would be a little two surface for.

Me for the run game, but I appreciate you asking.

Three games into his starting career, has Julian Saying exceeded Brian Hartline's expectations in terms of what he's been able to do this early in his first season as a starter.

Yeah, I would say as a coach, you always want to be in that position where you, oh, we probably could have done a little more and say it being like, oh man, we did too much.

Right, So I think we've done a good job of that.

Coach Fessler has done a really good job with that coach day and making sure we're really clean on what we put on his plate.

He is continuing to do a good job with accepting more week to week and then me some checks last week, and you know, so, uh, we're gonna keep progressing that without being too much.

Right, It's all based on what fits week to week.

It's not about always hey, this is what we're going to do this week.

Well, we're gonna do what fit's right for the team, for the personnel, for for jewels, for the running backs, for the whiteouts, and we try to make sure we focus it that way, not make assumptions.

And uh, but.

Again I think that Joey in again week in and week out, is taking strides.

I think he has a a I'm sure he has a lofty go out.

Never asked him, frankly, but I'm sure he's not where he wants to be.

And uh, you know, again week three into at least twelve.

You know, you know, and hopefully more from there.

There's a lot of football that he played.

When you have a head coach who specializes in your side of the ball, there's always a question you kind of have to look over your shoulder.

Is he always going to peeking over your shoulder and wondering what you're gonna do?

You always kind of had that question with Nick Saban on defense at Alabama and Ryan Day, of course quite an offensive guru at Ohio State.

So does Brian Hartlin feel free to do what he wants as a play caller or does he feel like you need to do what Ryan Day wants you to do?

And you're going to hear that answer and then a quick follow up from the great Clay Hall.

No, I think it's definitely.

It's not one way or the other.

But I think any any person under a great.

Head coach would feel the exact same way.

I mean, I think that if you if you weren't that way, that'd be kind of reckless for anybody as a as a play caller.

I think so, But no, I mean I stand by what I believe in.

I also, if you, if we bring things up, we don't like it.

I'll say I don't like it.

I mean it's it's always it's been very transparent, and then when I'm wrong, I'm wrong and this is what it is or whatever.

So I think the relationship and the thickness of skin is good and so we just kind of keep growing.

And again, ultimately we all have the same thing at heart.

You want to make sure we're putting our players in the best position to be successful, and if not, then it's on us, right If if they are and we're not executing, then that's a different conversation.

But uh, you.

Know, I think again, I'm not I don't like to think I'm gun shy, and the coach day is definitely not gun shy.

So uh but no, it's I think it's a good balance hands off for the most part.

Or I mean coaches, Yeah, coach has been great.

I mean I think that, uh yeah, let's be let's me kind of do my thing and then you know, if there's something he wants to get done, he echoes it and we keep pushing.

So uh but I've a I haven't really, I've I've been Uh I'm trying.

To not be happy.

Hold on a second, because I know he's not happy, so I I am.

I guess, okay, with the way it's been so far, I was gonna be better.

I'm never gonna be satisfied.

But uh, you know, I think that there's been a lot of growth and I'm learning a lot of them on the way, and coaches keep me posted.

Brian Hartline going to Washington next weekend as Ohio State's offensive coordinator.

Last time the buck Eyes played out in Husky Stadium was two thousand and seven and that was when Brian Hartline was an Ohio State wide receiver.

So what are his memories of that game?

And you know, in a place is known for being a very loud environment, Yeah.

I mean we definitely had the same thing I remember and not being as loud.

I remember catching a fish in the market right before the I think the friday before the game, which is pretty cool.

Todd Beckman threw me a touchdown, which was awesome.

I laying on somebody's foot hurt the heck out of my back.

But no, it's known to being loud, right, so if you give them the opportunity to be loud, it will be loud.

And but we we did a good job that game, and we didn't really have much exposure to that.

We will operate like we won't be able to hear ourselves, that's for sure, because that place is known for it and it's a great environment.

I mean, I think that's one of the one of the best environments in the West Coast that you can find.

So, you know, the first time we were there was in O.

Was that eight, I believe or O seven And the to getting back.

When Brian Hartlin was thinking about being a play caller, was he thinking about how much he wanted so many great tight ends to be able to run a bunch of twelve and thirteen personnel, And of course is a question from our buddy Tony Gerdaman with a uniquely Tony Gerdaman spin on it.

You're actually going to hear a follow up from Tony after the answer.

That first question.

Probably wasn't on my on my checklist.

I was probably trying to see how many wideouts I could storm on the field at one time.

But there's growth, there's growth, right, I got out of my own little world.

But yeah, we have a heck of a room.

We've kind of talked about that and ultimately, you know, it's got to progress.

You know, where do we go from there?

We can't just we're not going to be in a world where we live in thirteen and fourteen personnel.

But when it's an advantage, we're going to use that advantage.

And we feel really confident about our groups, both up front and the tight end group.

So but yeah, I mean we just kind of I think the more you can do, the more you got to plan on, right, the more you do week to week, the more they have to prep for it, and as long as there's no fall off from group to group advantage of the Buckeyes.

As a player, when did you as your as the wide receiver you were, when did you fully appreciate.

The tight end division?

I mean I've always appreciated it.

I always understood their their job description versus my job description.

I don't.

I never thought I lived in a box per se.

But you know, I would say that as a coach you see it even more because you don't realize as a player what you don't know, what you don't know, right, So but I would say that you know, the coaching they're getting, the execution that we have with them.

Has been very encouraging.

Again, so you know, we're gonna keep building out our personnel packages to do different, vastly different things, so you don't get to beat on things.

But it ultimately comes down to the players that make the things go.

So, uh, they've done a really good job of that.

I've always had great appreciation for them.

Uh, they've kind of been like wideouts, but they have to block the ends.

We don't have, so a lot of respect for their job description.

And finally, another quest should about Brandon Innis mentioned that he didn't have a catch against the Ohio Bobcatz, but still, you know, did he have a good game?

Can you have a good game without even having a catch as a wide receiver?

You're going to hear that answer, and then a follow up from Steven Means of Cleveland dot Com.

Oh yeah, I mean it's kind of like you whether you still play a really good basketball game even though maybe you didn't score.

You know, it's like it was elite basketball players talk about, you know, to take a shot, you know, it takes what a one or two seconds, So to let ten seconds, ten five miss shots impact thirty minutes of play, it's just a small, mined approach.

So even though there may not be a catch.

I mean the impact of getting the right blocks and being in the right spots and everything that we do ultimately dictates whether you have a good game or not.

And when you have one hundred and ten yards and on five catches, but you had a lot of m age, you did not have a good football game, even though everybody wants to praise you, but that's not that's not how this is built.

Like ultimately, you know, we are judged by at least individually, right.

We are judged on doing things others don't do.

Right, I mean, if you're able to do it, and so is he, then you're replaceable, right, So ultimately you're trying to do things that the other guys can't do or won't do, or haven't done.

And that's what sports is all about, the individual being different than his peer, being elevated in his peer, and then the collective as a group being a different than the other team than you know, our team be versus their team.

So Brandon, to answer your question long winningly, uh Brand has done a great job and his job description regardless of where the targets have been, and that's got to continue.

And obviously that's gonna change over time.

It's just it's the Ohio States offense.

It's always gonna be the Oposites offense.

So, uh, the slot is always a big part of what we do.

I think, what's where your wide receiver depth is outside of those three right now?

Yeah, I think pretty really happy.

I think, frankly, you know, in my mind, got to continue to look for other opportunities to get more kind of rolling in there.

I think I'd like to have more guys and there are playing on Saturdays, you know, just and.

Then Nasby worked onto the week.

You know, when you get the game time, especially being up top, it's a little more difficult.

I could felt that a little bit of getting guys going because I'm upstairs a little bit.

Got I get that fixed, and we'll get that fixed.

But that's probably one thing of air of growth.

The guys are doing a good job.

We can get more of those guys in the game.

All right.

That will do it.

For today's show, we are getting ready to head out to Seattle for what should be a great weekend of college football.

A great weekend just of travel and of the college football season, and should be a lot of stuff to talk about.

Should be a lot of stuff to cover for you.

We're gonna have all of that for you at Buckey Huddle dot com, YouTube dot com slash bucke Huddle.

Really looking forward to this trip.

This is supposed to be one of the great venues in college football.

Really looking forward to seeing it and really looking forward to seeing what should be a pretty good game between the Buckeyes and the Huskies Saturday, three thirty Eastern on CBS, and not wait for that one.

Make sure you are checking us out at pucke huddle dot com and YouTube dot com slash Buckeye Huddle, and we'll have lots of content for you all week and will lead up to the game as well as from Seattle and from the game and after the game, all at bucke huddle dot com and YouTube dot com slash Buckeyehuddle.

That'll do it for today.

Thank you guys all for joining us.

Have a great day.

We will talk to you tomorrow.