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Ryan Day guarantees an Ohio State football TD on a kickoff or punt return this season
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- Ryan Day guarantees an Ohio State football TD on a kickoff or punt return this season
Ryan Day promised on Thursday that Ohio State would do something this season it hasn't done for a decade.
The Buckeyes have not returned a kickoff for a touchdown since 2010 or a punt return for a score since 2014. This is the year, the OSU coach said on his radio show on 97.1 The Fan, that the drought will end
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"I'm going to guarantee it this year," Day said with a chuckle when asked about the long dry spell. "I'm putting it out there."
Exactly who will be doing the kick returning is a bit of a mystery.
Day said Wednesday night that Jayden Ballard will be the primary kickoff returner to start Saturday's opener against Akron and that fellow receiver Carnell Tate will also get a chance. Day said Brandon Inniss and Emeka Egbuka will be part of a committee approach on punt returns.
Jalin Marshall is the last Buckeye to return a kick for a touchdown. He had a 54-yard punt return for a score to help seal a 42-27 win over Indiana on Nov. 22, 2014.
Ohio State Buckeyes running back Jalin Marshall (17) celebrates his TD in the third quarter that put the Buckeyes up for good in the third quarter at Ohio Stadium on 22, 2014. (Chris Russell/Dispatch Photo)
Jordan Hall's 85-yard return for a score in a 37-7 win over Michigan in 2010 was the last time a Buckeye scored on a kickoff return.
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Last year, Ohio State ranked 67th nationally in kickoff returns with a 19.9 average. The Buckeyes were even worse on punt returns, averaging a paltry 4.4, 111th nationally.
Day did not retain special teams coach Parker Fleming after last year. The Buckeyes now divide special-team responsibilities among several coaches.
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This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Ohio State football: Ryan Day predicts score on kickoff or punt return
