Eric Boggs
The Ohio State Buckeyes suffered a crushing defeat on Saturday, falling short against their fiercest rival in a game that left the team, its fans, and head coach Ryan Day searching for answers. In a postgame press conference filled with raw emotion, Day reflected on the missed opportunities, poor execution, and challenges that culminated in Ohio State’s fourth straight loss in this pivotal matchup.
“We struggled to run the ball in this game,” Day admitted. “We’ve talked about this many times: we have to run the ball, especially in this game. It was windy, and to win, you’ve got to control the ground game. We weren’t able to do that.”
The Buckeyes’ offense faltered from the start, bogged down by a combination of missed field goals, turnovers, and an inability to find rhythm in the running game. Day acknowledged the offensive struggles, noting that while the defense “played their tails off,” the offense’s inefficiency and failure to capitalize on opportunities proved costly.
One of the turning points came in the red zone, where Ohio State twice failed to score in the third quarter, despite penalties giving them favorable field position. “When a defense is playing softer and backing up, you have to take the underneath stuff or run the football,” Day said. “But when you don’t have balance, you can’t execute, and this is what happens.”
Quarterback play also came under scrutiny, with questions surrounding Will Howard’s performance and a red-zone interception that Day said “floated a little bit” and lacked velocity. However, Day defended his player’s effort, stating, “Will gave everything he possibly had today.”
The Buckeyes’ special teams, typically a strength, faltered as kicker Jayden missed two crucial field goals. When asked about the team’s confidence in him moving forward, Day admitted he wasn’t ready to assess the situation, citing the emotional state of his devastated locker room.
The loss marked another setback in Ohio State’s pursuit of dominance in the rivalry. For a program with national championship aspirations, the defeat amplified questions about mental hurdles and the emotional toll of consecutive losses.
“We’re fresh off the game, and I’m extremely disappointed and angry,” Day said. “Each game is unique, but the results are the results, and we came up short again today. It’s not easy to swallow.”
Day faced pointed questions about the mounting pressure on the program and his own future. “Everybody wants to win this game in the worst way, and nobody wants it more than we do,” he said. “But when you don’t, there’s frustration. I don’t blame anyone for being upset. I’m upset more than anybody.”
With Ohio State’s chances at a Big Ten Championship appearance dashed, the focus now turns to the College Football Playoff. However, Day acknowledged the difficulty of regrouping after such a heartbreaking loss. “There’s a lot of guys who are crushed right now,” he said. “We’ll figure out what’s next, but it’s too soon to process it all.”
For seniors playing their final game at home, the loss was especially painful. Day took responsibility for the outcome, emphasizing that the onus starts with him. “There’s no words right now that can address what these players have given to the program. Ultimately, we just didn’t execute well enough in this game.”
Ohio State’s season isn’t over, but Saturday’s loss casts a long shadow over the team’s aspirations. As the Buckeyes await their postseason fate, questions about their ability to overcome hurdles in this rivalry loom larger than ever. For now, the pain of another missed opportunity will serve as a stark reminder of what’s at stake each time these two teams meet.
