COLUMBUS, Ohio — A year ago, big plays doomed Ohio State in the worst possible moments.

Defense coordinator Jim Knowles has literally had room to breathe this season thanks to the talent and depth in the secondary.

At his Tuesday press conference, Knowles said that the depth of the secondary this year, especially compared to last year, is notable. And that not holding your breath every play waiting for something to go wrong is “real.

There has not been a decline in talent despite the injuries to Josh Proctor, Denzel Burke, and Lathan Ransom in the secondary. And that, at least through nine games, has given Knowles some room to breathe.

On safety Malik Hartford: “He’s just kept his focus. He hasn’t let it get him down. He’s just been focused on getting better and learning the game, processing things at a high level.”

He said there were signs early on from Jermaine Mathews Jr. that this would be the level of play they got, and the first indication was that he competed right away.

Knowles said that is the kind of confidence you need right now.

On his reaction to the fourth-down trick play at Rutgers: “There’s no tipping of the cap, or if you do it, you do it while you’re gnashing your teeth.”

On Kye Stokes: “Kye just had some guys in front of him. He’s always been a worker. He is always had a cheerful disposition.

Knowles claimed to have witnessed the “lightbulb” moment with him and to be able to identify more plays more quickly. Knowles said he’s not concerned about Tommy Eichenberg.

If necessary, he would play with just one arm. Declared that the trainers will decide for him together. “If we let him play, he’ll play.”

Knowles said that he’s not concerned with statistics as it relates to the run game, but he’s more focused on play-by-play growth.

On the talks with Sonny Styles throughout the week about where he should prepare: “It’s just based on who we’re playing, who we have available.” asserts that his play as a single-high safety is not uncomfortable and that it changes from week to week.

On Jack Sawyer having high grades on PFF and other sites this season: “I guess those people know what they’re doing.”

He compared cornerback Jordan Hancock, and how it’s hard to find guys who can move in and outside, to being a mobile QB. “Jordan, when he has to play nickel and in the run fit, you can beat up like a running quarterback gets beat up. And then you have to go back out there and cover a slot.”

Knowles called Rutgers a much-improved team: “If you were there, you know. Physically, the way they run and run the quarterback, it’s a different deal.