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Ryan Day just dropped what should be taken as a breath of fresh air regarding Matt Patricia and the Ohio State Buckeyes
Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch-USA TODAY NETWORK

Ryan Day just dropped what should be taken as a breath of fresh air regarding Matt Patricia and the Ohio State Buckeyes

Originally posted on A to Z Sports  |  By Brandon Little  |  Last updated Nov 13, 2025 5:28 PM ET

The Ohio State Buckeyes have a chance to move to 10-0 this season on Saturday when they host the UCLA Bruins. A year after winning it all, the Buckeyes couldn’t be off to a better start through the majority of the regular season.

Ohio State’s best wins have come against the Texas Longhorns and Washington Huskies. With the downfall of the Penn State Nittany Lions, Ohio State’s schedule isn’t as tough as it could have been. Still, they’ve taken care of business a year after losing 14 players to the NFL Draft and both of their coordinators. Things couldn’t be going much better for the transition away from Chip Kelly and Jim Knowles.

Ryan Day’s admission regarding Matt Patricia is great news

There’s no doubt that Ohio State head coach Ryan Day had to step in and make some adjustments with the defense down the stretch last year. It paid off for the Buckeyes, who couldn’t have played much better in the final five games of the season. This year, it’s been a hands-off approach — and that goes to show how good of a hire Matt Patricia was.

“Not much,” Day said Thursday when asked how much he works with the defense. “Matt (Patricia) and I talk here and there just about philosophically what we’re trying to get done, but he’s doing a great job. He’s really the head coach of the defense, organizes it all, and he’s got a great staff with him.”

Patricia replacing Knowles was questioned at the time due to his head coaching background and lack of college experience. He hadn’t been at the college level in well over two decades, with all of his experience coming at the highest level. Patricia has come in and implemented his trademark disguises, running a defense that mirrors an NFL-level unit. Junior linebacker Arvell Reese has been unlocked this season and is expected to be a top-five pick come next April.

Things didn’t end well for Patricia as the head coach of the Detroit Lions in 2020, and he served in advisory and assistant roles with the New England Patriots and Philadelphia Eagles in the years that followed before taking 2024 off. Hiring Patricia was a risk — but it’s paid off for an Ohio State team that leads the FBS by allowing just 7.2 points per game. Opposing offenses are averaging just 211.6 total yards per game against Patricia’s defense. That, along with the 109.2 passing yards per game allowed, both lead the FBS.

Ohio State has a pair of shutouts on the season and has allowed just a combined 24 points over the last three weeks. The Buckeyes are big favorites against UCLA on Saturday night, and it’ll be another chance for Patricia’s defense to deliver another standout performance. As far as Day being hands-off with the defense, it’s further proof that the Buckeyes need to do whatever it takes to keep Patricia around for more than just one year.


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This story was originally reported by A to Z Sports on Nov 13, 2025, where it first appeared in the College Football section. Add A to Z Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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