Ohio State coaches and players emphasize toughness during cranial training before the Ohio State game

Ryan Day, Chip Kelly and Josh Fryar — the three speakers Saturday at St. John Arena — all focused their messages to the crowd of Ohio State fans on toughness.

“What an incredible day for football. “There is no better place to play than in Columbus, Ohio, on a Saturday afternoon against a conference rival,” Kelly said. “This game is all about toughness. Mentally and physically. And as the old saying goes, if you ever see a Buckeye in a fight with a Hawkeye, pray for the Hawkeye.”

Fryar said Mickey Marotti, Ohio State's director of athletic performance, told the players they needed to “show your toughness” and he implored the crowd to do the same on Saturday.

“If you've got your toughness down, give me a 'Hell yeah,'” Fryar said in a call-and-response to the crowd.

Day encouraged the crowd to make the game more difficult for Iowa by being loud every time Iowa's offense was on the field.

“It’s a toughness challenge today,” Day said. “So we have to run fast, we have to hit hard, we have to attack, we have to block, we have to run through contact, we have to finish plays and we have to finish the game.” But I want to challenge everyone here, Ohio Stadium to the toughest playing field in the country. Let them know what the best damn fans in the country sound like when they have the ball. Don't make it easy for them. 60 minutes. 60 minutes. Together we will get this victory.”