{
  "id": 5356343,
  "title": "Day seeks clean opener as No. 1 Ohio State hosts Ball State with Texas on the horizon",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/03/day-seeks-clean-opener-as-no-1-ohio-state-hosts-ball-state-with-texas",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-03T15:35:36.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Winnipeg Free Press",
    "slug": "winnipeg-free-press",
    "url": "https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/uncategorized/2026/09/03/day-seeks-clean-opener-as-no-1-ohio-state-hosts-ball-state-with-texas-on-the-horizon"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Ohio State fans are eagerly awaiting their upcoming top five matchup against Texas, but head coach Ryan Day is focusing on a clean opener against Ball State first. Day outlined the priorities for the Buckeyes' performance, emphasizing the importance of playing cleanly, executing fundamentals, and remaining smart in the post-snap phase. He reiterated that great teams don't beat themselves.\n\nFor the upcoming game, the Buckeyes (12-2 last season) are favored by 50 1/2 points, as they aim to secure their second national championship in three years. Ball State, which features 59 new players this season, is seeking redemption after a disappointing 4-8 campaign. The Cardinals will be looking to bounce back from a 45-3 loss to Georgia in 2023.\n\nDay's offensive lineup boasts a deep receiving corps, with top two players being Julian Sayin and Jeremiah Smith, alongside rising freshmen Chris Henry Jr. and Brock Boyd. The coaching staff also has new faces on defense, after Arthur Smith took over as offensive coordinator following two seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Ball State's Keldric Luster, a Texas State transfer, will be making his first college start in the game.",
  "summary": null,
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}