Ryan Day Puts Ohio State's Jackson Duo on Notice: 'You Got to Have Those Guys'
Ohio State head coach Ryan Day is making one thing clear as the Buckeyes push toward another national title: the running game cannot be an afterthought. While quarterback Julian Sayin and receiver Jeremiah Smith grab the headlines, Day has publicly challenged running backs Bo Jackson and Ja'Kobi Jackson to carry the load the way championship backfields have in the past.
Speaking on The Triple Option podcast with Urban Meyer, Mark Ingram II, and Rob Stone, Day doubled down on the challenge he first issued to his backfield earlier this season. He praised their tough running in the win over Iowa, but made sure everyone knows the pressure is on.
Day: Championship Runs Are Built on Elite Running Backs
Day pointed directly to Ohio State's recent title history as the standard. The 2024 national championship team featured TreVeyon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins, who combined for 2,076 rushing yards and 24 rushing touchdowns. Judkins delivered 100 rushing yards and three scores in the 34-23 title game win over Notre Dame.
“If we're going to get to where we need to be, and you think about the national championship run that we had with TreVeyon and Quinshon, when Coach won it with Zeke, you got to have those guys. If you want to go win those big games, you got to be able to run the ball and have a back that you can count on,” Day said.
He also invoked Ezekiel Elliott's legendary 2014 postseason, when Elliott racked up 696 rushing yards and eight touchdowns over three games, including dominant performances against Alabama and Oregon.
Bo Jackson and Ja'Kobi Jackson Answer the Call Against Iowa
The message appears to be getting through. In Ohio State's 31-14 road win over Iowa, the two running backs combined for 142 rushing yards. Bo Jackson, a sophomore who rushed for 1,090 yards as a true freshman, added 70 yards against the Hawkeyes. Ja'Kobi Jackson, a Florida transfer, posted 72 yards and a touchdown on 14 carries, scoring a rushing touchdown for the fifth straight game.
Through the first five games of 2026, Bo Jackson has 353 rushing yards. The production is there, but Day wants more explosive plays and a more consistent ground game as Big Ten competition heats up.
Why the Running Game Matters for Ohio State's Title Hopes
Ohio State's passing attack is explosive, but history shows that relying solely on the air game is a risky formula in the playoffs. Top defenses can shut down passing lanes, and a dependable ground game gives the Buckeyes a way to control possession, move the chains, and finish drives when it matters most.
The challenge for Bo and Ja'Kobi Jackson is clear: turn progress into a reliable identity. With crucial Big Ten matchups ahead, the duo will have every opportunity to prove they can deliver the physical, consistent performances Ohio State needs to make another championship run.