COLUMBUS, Ohio — For the fourth year in a row, Ohio State fell short to rival Michigan in a 13-10 loss on Saturday. Head coach Ryan Day, linebacker Cody Simon, quarterback Will Howard spoke with the media after the loss.
Here are the highlights along with the full press conference videos.
Ryan Day
+ On the offense being bogged down, Day said that and field goals were the difference in the game.
+ On the missed field goals moving forward, Day said he is still trying to digest it all. The defense played their tails off and everyone played hard, but the overall execution wasn’t there on offense or field goals.
+ On four straight years losing to Michigan, Day said he is extremely disappointed and angry they didn’t execute well enough. “It’s not easy to accept. Obviously have to take ownership. I’m the one who makes the final decisions on things. But I felt like we were in a really good place coming into this game.”
+ The offensive line shuffling came into play today. They couldn’t get to the second level on runs, which led to frustration, but even to the end there was unbelievable effort by the defense to give the offense another chance.
+ On the tempo/no-huddle drive, Day said they tried to change it up a bit and some of it worked, some didn’t. That drive was 100 percent throw. At times they moved it a bit faster to try and get more plays, but it wasn’t enough.
+ On this game being a mental hurdle, Day said each game has been different but the results are the results. “As hard as it is to say, we came up short again today. It’s not easy to swallow. At all.”
+ On Will Howard, Day said the interception in the red zone was tough. It didn’t have a lot of zip on it and was behind him a bit. There’s a fine line of trying to make plays but also taking care of the ball. “I think we all know that Will [Howard] gave it everything he had today.”
+ There was miscommunication on Michigan’s last field goal because things were moving so fast. The time was fast and they had to quickly respond and they panicked. “It cost us.”
+ On the defensive effort, Day said they kept competing and the lack of offensive momentum wore on them, but they kept fighting.
+ On the expectations and pressure on Day and his team, Day said,”Everybody wants to win this game in the worst way. Nobody wants to win it more than we do.” He is upset more than anybody.
+ On not abandoning the run, Day said they knew they needed to be able to run. They also didn’t have as much time in protection and there was wind, so they tried to be smart. They had a good plan in the pass game going in, but execution wasn’t there.
+ “Every yard, every point matters.”
+ On the fights after the game, Day said he doesn’t know all the details. But “they were looking to put a flag on our field but our guys weren’t going to let that happen.” They are embarrassed they lost but there are some prideful players on the team. He talked to the team after and knows, ” there were some prideful players on the team who weren’t going to let that happen.” Day doesn’t know all of the details or the conditions of the players yet.
+ On the seniors who never beat Michigan, Day said there’s nothing to say. They all have to take ownership and it starts with him. “There’s no words right now that can address any of that.”
Cody Simon
+ On how to re-group the players, Simon said it’s frustrating but they will have to lick their wounds and re-group.
+ On Michigan’s two second-half drives, Simon said the defense didn’t get the stops they needed to. They need to be prepared to win games on defense and they couldn’t do that.
+ On the emotions, Simon said he feels like he let all of Buckeye Nation down. “I let all of you guys down. I’m sorry.”
+ On the fights after the game when Michigan tried to plant the flag, Simon said he heard it and ran in there. But there’s more season left for them, so he wants to focus on moving forward. The seniors have to be leaders and make a different.
Will Howard
+ On being hit and evaluated, Howard said he got hit, it was his head, but he felt good enough to come back in the game.
+ On how to re-group the team, Howard said he doesn’t have much right now. They are a two loss team and will make a run in the playoffs, but this one hurts.
+ On the challenges offensively and whether he wanted to stick with tempo and passing more and his input on the offense, Howard said he is not going to answer that right now.
+ He has no thoughts or comments on the fights after the game.
+ The two interceptions are on him.
+ “I’m sorry I couldn’t get this one done.” Howard was emotional and apologetic. “I’m sorry, to Buckeye Nation.” But they can still run the table and win a National Championship and that has to keep them going, that’s what they have to focus on.
