Ohio State Buckeyes
· 2026-07-09
Ohio State Buckeyes punter Joe McGuire revealed the brutal penalties for showing up late to practice under head coach Ryan Day, and the Buckeyes open their 2026 season against Ball State Cardinals on September 5.
McGuire, the Australian-born punter who has started for Ohio State since 2024, laid out the team's strict winter training schedule on the YouTube show "Dos and D." He said players must arrive at or before 6 a.m. for practice.
"If you're a minute late, it is a disaster," McGuire said. "Like, I would rather crash my car than show up late."
He then detailed the punishments. Late players get "dawn patrol" on Saturday — showing up at 6 a.m. to clean the weight room and restock fridges.
Sometimes there's nothing to clean. McGuire said that happened once. "You'll go on to the turf indoor field, and if there's any white pieces of grass on the green piece of grass, we pick them up." After that comes community service.
One player showing up late triggers penalties for everyone at that position. The unit's coach gets punished too.
"Then, you're kicked out of the locker room for three days," McGuire said. "You're like Harry Potter. You go down the stairs. That's where you get changed and live for the three days."
On the Monday of the punishment period, the coaching staff makes sure disciplined players finish all their homework. Coaches even drive them to and from classes.
Day runs a tight ship. The message is clear: be on time or face consequences that affect the whole position group. That builds accountability.
McGuire finished the 2025 season with 29 punts for 1,229 yards. He's been steady for the Buckeyes since arriving from Australia.
The team kicks off the 2026 campaign at home against Ball State on September 5. That game will test whether Day's discipline pays off early.