-
jake trotter
ANN ARBOR, Michigan – As he walked off the field, Ryan Day raised both fists above his head like a champion boxer. With a big smile, he gestured to the loudly cheering Ohio State fans waiting above the Big House tunnel – then made an “OH” sign with his arms.
After four consecutive losses to Michigan, Day finally erased the only blemish remaining on his otherwise stellar coaching resume.
On a snowy Saturday, Day’s top-ranked Buckeyes defeated Michigan 27–9 to advance to the Big Ten championship game for the first time since 2020. Ohio State will face No. 2 Indiana next weekend in Indianapolis, taking on the College Football Playoff’s top overall seed.
“There’s no doubt that the fans and all of our supporters, what it means — means a lot to us,” Day said of the Michigan game. “That’s what has hurt the most over the years. You can see it on my face. … You just feel like you’re letting everyone down – it’s not a good feeling.
“So you do your best to make sure you do everything you can to prepare your guys. … And our guys really captured that moment and performed great.”
After a rough start, giving Michigan an early 6–0 lead, the Buckeyes dominated in every aspect the rest of the way.
Second-year quarterback Julian Sayin, who threw an interception on his second pass, threw for 233 yards and three touchdowns.
Star wideouts Jeremiah Smith and Carnell Tate, who was doubtful to play because of serious lower-body injuries, each scored a touchdown. Tate had missed three consecutive games, while Smith sat out last weekend. Day described his performance as “courageous” and praised his work to return to the field.
Ohio State controlled the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball.
Spurred by freshman Bo Jackson’s 117 yards rushing, the Buckeyes outgained Michigan 186 to 100, making it the 24th consecutive year that the team that won the rivalry also won the rushing battle.
After surrendering a 37-yard Jordan Marshall run on the first snap, the Ohio State defense completely shut down Michigan, giving up only 127 total yards the rest of the game.
Michigan’s nine points against the Buckeyes were its fewest in 15 years.
“Coach Day is an amazing leader. He’s an amazing coach,” said linebacker Sonny Stiles, who led Ohio State with six tackles. “A lot of people have a lot to say when it comes to this game, and I think he proved that today. … I’m very happy for him.”
In the final moments of last year’s stunning 13–10 loss to Michigan at the Horseshoe, Ohio State students repeatedly chanted “F— Ryan Day.” After receiving death threats, armed guards had to be posted at the day home.
Ohio State has not lost a game since.
The Buckeyes bounced back from that crushing loss to Michigan to win four games in the playoffs and capture the national championship.
This season, they have had 11 consecutive wins by 15 or more points, the longest in program history, according to ESPN Research.
As the home fans evacuated the Big House, Ohio State fans took over in the fourth quarter, chanting “OH” and “IO” across the field in the final minutes.
Last year at the Horseshoe, Michigan players planted their flag on Block O at midfield, sparking a scuffle between the teams.
After the final whistle on Saturday, the Buckeyes did not respond with their flag plant. Instead, many people took to the field to make snow angels before celebrating with the Ohio State Band in the end zone.
“I’m happy for our players. I’m happy for the coaches, all the fans at the games,” said Day, who is 82-10 as head coach of Ohio State, the second-best winning percentage in college football history behind Walter Camp, according to ESPN Research. “Even the fans that weren’t here will be able to wear that block O and stand with a little bit of pride. And so it means a lot to me, means a lot to the coaching staff, the players and my family.”
In the past, Day has confessed that the loss to Michigan was one of the worst days of his life. He admitted Saturday that he dreamed about what he would say in the postgame press conference after beating Michigan.
Day said, “But I’m going to save all those comments because I think the best thing is to win with humility.” “We wanted to get this rivalry game back. The way our guys played showed that. They played with a lot of passion and physicality.”
Day said the post-game celebration in the visiting locker room will always be a “great memory” for him – and a “great moment” that will stay with his players.
“They know how important it is. It’s the No. 1 goal of our program,” he said. “There was a great feeling in his eyes – I don’t think there was any doubt when we came into the stadium today about what was going to happen next.”
<a href=