Eric Boggs
As the college football world turns its attention to Atlanta, Ohio State head coach Ryan Day remains laser-focused on preparing his team for the National Championship matchup against Notre Dame. Speaking to the media, Day emphasized the importance of wiping the slate clean and executing at a high level to secure the program’s first national title under his leadership.
Ohio State’s journey to the championship has been marked by ups and downs, with Day crediting the expanded playoff format for giving his team a chance to grow and address its weaknesses. “We’re very grateful to be in this position,” Day said. “Losses hurt, but they allow you to take a hard look at issues and fix them. That’s been crucial for our development this season.”
The Buckeyes enter the game with momentum after a thrilling semifinal victory, but Day stressed the need to stay grounded. “Anything we’ve done up to this point doesn’t matter,” he said. “We’ve got to wipe the slate clean and play our best game.”
A recurring theme of Day’s press conference was Ohio State’s self-inflicted wounds, particularly penalties that derailed key drives. “We let four, maybe five drives get away because of penalties,” he noted. “Against a team like Notre Dame, which thrives on creating turnovers and capitalizing on them, we can’t afford to make those mistakes.”
The Buckeyes have spent the week addressing these issues in practice, with Day urging his players to focus on discipline and efficiency. “We need to execute at a high level and move the ball down the field,” he said.
Notre Dame presents a formidable challenge, boasting a resilient roster led by quarterback Ryan Leonard. Day praised Leonard as “a tremendous leader and winner” and highlighted the cohesive effort of the Fighting Irish.
On Ohio State’s side, the spotlight will be on playmakers like Jeremiah Smith, whose performance will be critical to the Buckeyes’ success. Though Smith was limited in the semifinal, Day emphasized the importance of execution and adaptability. “Teams will game plan for Jeremiah, but we have weapons across the board,” he said, referencing standout performances from Carnell Tate, Emeka Egbuka, and others.
The defensive line has also been a key factor in Ohio State’s playoff run. “When you’ve played as much football as these guys have, the game slows down,” Day explained. “They’ve stepped up in big moments, and we’ll need that again on Monday night.”
Day understands the magnitude of the moment, both for his team and its legacy. “If you want to leave a legacy, this is the stage,” he said. “But it all comes down to discipline, preparation, and execution.”
For Ohio State, the task is clear: play their best game of the season to claim the title. As Day put it, “The only way the story is told is if we win.”
The Buckeyes and Fighting Irish will clash Monday night in a game that promises to be a classic. With the stakes at their highest, both teams are ready to leave it all on the field.
