Buckeyes program-wide emphasis on special teams already paying off

COLUMBUS — Ohio State coach Ryan Day thought the Buckeyes could have opened the season with a kickoff return for a touchdown. No, seriously. This program hasn't returned a kickoff for a touchdown since 2010 when Jordan Hall did it. It's been such a long time that Hall's name is the answer to trivia night questions across Central Ohio -- and for the wrong reasons. Day and the Buckeyes completely overhauled their special teams operation. They fired special teams coordinator Parker Fleming early in the offseason and gave his job to analyst Rob Keys, while also giving special teams responsibilities to position coaches across the staff. So Saturday when Jayden Ballard received the opening kickoff, Ohio State was unveiling an entirely new operation. It could have instantly paid off. Day wasn't happy with the first result.