CLOSE To fix a defense that statistically was the worst in Ohio State history, new coach Ryan Day went to the wedding planners’ playbook: something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue. There are much tougher tests to come for the fifth-ranked Buckeyes. But against Florida Atlantic, the defense co-coordinated by 40-year-old Jeff Hafley, lured from the NFL, and 69-year-old Greg Mattison, hired away from rival Michigan, played far more soundly than it did most of last year. The players haven’t changed much. The scheme has, but that’s not what the Buckeyes’ new brain trust believes will bring back a defense worthy of the Silver Bullets nickname. “We just emphasized running to the ball and tackling,” Ohio State linebacker Malik Harrison said after Saturday’s 45-21 victory . FAU had 65 yards rushing on 29 attempts, not counting four sacks for minus-43, and did not reach the end zone until the…
Continue Reading: Young buck and old head remake defense for No. 5 Ohio State
