Ahead of a major challenge against No. 1 Ohio State on the road this Saturday, Penn State interim head coach Terry Smith met with the media to discuss the team’s bye week and preview the matchup.
Smith discussed the difficulties the Buckeyes pose, laid out the blueprint for a Nittany Lion victory and spoke about the recruiting experience over the bye week.
Here’s what he had to say on Monday afternoon.
Complimenting the competition
Smith was highly complimentary of Ohio State to kick off game week, as expected. The reigning national champions are the top-ranked team in the country and rank at or near the top in most metrics on both sides of the ball.
Smith called the Buckeyes a “well-coached team,” but also cited belief in Penn State’s ability to win the game, which would be the first time since 2016.
“The staff is confident in the way we’ve prepared so far,” Smith said. “We had a really good week last week. We’re looking forward to having a good week this week, and everyone’s positive and ready to go.”
A former wide receiver himself, Smith spoke about the elite stable of wideouts Ohio State employs, including Jeremiah Smith, who has the best odds of any non-quarterback to win this year’s Heisman Trophy.
“Ohio State has a long history of great receivers … Jeremiah Smith is as good as they come,” Smith said. “We were hoping he’d go through this sophomore slump, but obviously he’s not.
“He’s just got everything. He’s big, strong, fast, runs great routes, competes.”
Smith also touched on the other side of the ball, where the Buckeyes easily rank No. 1 in the country in points allowed at 5.9, as well as No. 1 for fewest yards allowed per game at 216.9.
“We have our hands full. So you know, our job on the back end is to make those guys earn it,” Smith said. “We have to limit their explosive plays, keep the ball in front of us, make them earn their way down the field and not give up one-play scores.”
Recruiting ripples
Smith said last Tuesday the Nittany Lion coaching staff would use the bye week as an opportunity to touch base with recruits, which has been a tumultuous endeavor since the head coaching change.
Smith said the coaches have been in constant communication, with frequent texting, calling and FaceTiming with commits. Though a long list of recruits have already reopened their options, Smith said the key has been honesty and transparency.
“We’re just doing the best we can, just keeping an open line of communication and staying in touch until we figure out what’s next,” Smith said. “You know, the most important thing is to go get victory on Saturday. It’ll make everyone feel better.”
Key to the game
Smith outlined the path to victory for Penn State, which currently sits as a three-touchdown underdog as it searches for a first win against a power conference opponent this season.
“We have to do it together. We have to be as one,” Smith said. “We cannot make mistakes. We have to be efficient with the football. The most important thing we have to do is be able to run the football. We have to outrush Ohio State to have a chance.”
Smith said getting running back Nick Singleton going will remain a priority, and rushing success will be the focal point offensively. He also said the scheme needs to allow them to succeed, which comes after the offense was hidden from the media during a practice viewing session last week while working on what Smith referred to as “a new install.”
“(Ohio State’s) got a lot of elite talent,” Smith said. “They’re big up front, they’re fast in the middle, and they can cover on the back end. So we have to be creative on offense to run the football.”
