Head coach Ryan Day claps his hands before a play. Ohio State beat Illinois 42-19 on Sept. 26, 2026. Credit: Cassandra D’Angelo | Sports Photo Editor.

It has been nine years since the last time that the Buckeyes faced Iowa in Kinnick Stadium.

Ryan Day, who was Ohio State’s co-offensive coordinator coach during Iowa’s 55-24 win over the Buckeyes on Nov. 4, 2017, will now face the Hawkeyes on the road for the first time as head coach.

Ohio State has not lost a game with a margin as big as the 31-point loss since.?

Day reflected on if there are any lessons that he’s learned from that game.

“To specifically say that has anything to do with this team in particular? No,” Day said. “But have we talked about teams that have gone into Kinnick Stadium and had a hard time and been in absolute dogfights and [that] they play really good at home? Yeah, I mean, that’s a huge message.”

Here are three takeaways from Day’s Tuesday press conference at the Woody Hayes Athletic Center.

Legend Bey’s availability

Ohio State freshman running back Legend Bey made an impact in his first career game against Ball State on Sept. 5, totaling 37 rushing yards and 37 receiving yards with a receiving touchdown.

But over the past three weeks, he has only played a total of five snaps.??

After playing one down in the Buckeyes’ 24-23 loss to Texas, Bey left Ohio State’s 59-3 win over Kent State on Sept. 19 with an ankle injury.

Bey was cleared on the Big Ten availability report before Ohio State’s previous game against Illinois, but did not play in the Buckeyes’ 42-19 win.

Day said Bey’s participation will depend on the practices leading up to the game.

“It’ll kind of be based on how the practice goes this week [and] how he does,” Day said.

Day went on to say he’s looking for Bey to continue building trust.

“We all know his ability level, just got to continue to work to build trust,” Day said. “But we definitely would like to see him on the field.”

Comfort level in Arthur Smith as offensive coordinator four games into the season

Through the first four games, Ohio State’s offense ranks in the top 10 in the FBS in three offensive categories: scoring, passing and total offense. All completed with a new offensive coordinator in Arthur Smith.

Day said that Smith, who had 17 years of coaching experience in the NFL, has adapted to the college game.?

“[Smith’s] a quick study, he’s learned quickly, he’s done a really good job, he’s brought value to what we’re doing,” Day said.?

Day said that Smith is getting into more of a rhythm every week.

“I think he’s starting to even gain more and more momentum as he gets a feel for it and familiarizes himself with the college game,” Day said.?

Reflecting on Iowa’s last-second win over Michigan

The Hawkeyes enter their matchup with Ohio State undefeated on the season, coming off of a 20-19 win over Michigan. The win boosted the No. 14 Hawkeyes to their highest ranking in the AP top 25 poll since 2021.

Iowa scored a 16-yard touchdown pass in the final play of the game, handing the Wolverines a stunning loss. On the Hawkeyes’ game-winning drive, they drove 91-yards down the field with 1:45 on the clock to win at the last second.

“You’ve got to give them a lot of credit to go down the field in a two-minute drill, [that] was really impressive,” Day said.?

Day described how the dramatic win could affect the confidence of Ohio State’s opponent in the upcoming game.

“This is a tough-minded group of players and coaches that you’ve got to give them a lot going on the road and winning like that,” Day said. “They’re playing well and they’re going to have a lot of confidence going into this game, especially coming off of that win.”