‘He’s like Kyler Murray’: Ryan Day and Matt Patricia get ahead of looming Big Ten battle at Washington with QB comparison
Although Ohio State doesn’t have a game on the schedule this weekend, head coach Ryan Day isn’t letting his team ease up. Instead, he’s dubbed the Buckeyes’ bye week as “Improvement Week,” using the break as a strategic opportunity to refocus on the core principles that have made the program a consistent national title contender. […]
Although Ohio State doesn’t have a game on the schedule this weekend, head coach Ryan Day isn’t letting his team ease up. Instead, he’s dubbed the Buckeyes’ bye week as “Improvement Week,” using the break as a strategic opportunity to refocus on the core principles that have made the program a consistent national title contender.
With a pivotal stretch of four games ahead — including three on the road — Day is emphasizing preparation and fundamentals. The upcoming slate begins with a cross-country trip to face Washington, but Day isn’t overly concerned about the travel aspect.
What he is worried about is an immensely gifted quarterback and being on the road.
Ohio State’s Ryan Day, Matt Patricia Praise Washington QB
“It’s more about us,” he said during a conversation with Paul Keels and Jim Lachey. “They have a good team, and it’s gonna be on the road. That’s more important than anything, than being on the West Coast.”
Day and defensive coordinator Matt Patricia both highlighted the challenge posed by Washington quarterback Demond Williams Jr., likening his skill set to that of Arizona Cardinals star and former Heisman Trophy winner Kyler Murray.
“He’s lightning in a bottle. He’s like Kyler Murray,” Day said. “He’s a very good player. He’s got a strong arm. He’s quick, he’s fast and a really good football player. We’re gonna have to have a really good plan for him.”
Williams Jr. has impressed early in the season, completing 34 of 49 passes for 480 yards and two touchdowns, while also rushing for 132 yards and a score through two games. Patricia echoed Day’s comparison to Murray.
“That first-step quickness that he has and his ability to get to top speed, it’s explosive. It’s fast. He’s quick. He gets out of the pocket. And he’s got a really strong live arm,” Patricia said. “They’ve got good players to get the ball to, so that’s going to be a huge challenge for us. Even when you think, you watch the tape, you think you’ve kind of got him bottled up, he can get out. And that reminds me a lot of Kyler Murray.
“It’s so fast to that first-step speed. When you can get to your top speed in one step, that makes it very difficult for defensive players, especially guys in the front. A lot of times they’re bigger, longer, slower. You’re trying to rush, or you’re trying to play the run game, because he can obviously run with the ball too a certain way; you think you have him leveraged, and then all of a sudden he sidesteps it, and then he’s out the gate.”
