ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Ohio State defeated Michigan for the first time since 2019 by a score of 27-9. Head coach Ryan Day met with the media immediately following the euphoric win in the Big House on a snowy Saturday afternoon. Senior linebacker Sonny Styles, quarterback Julian Sayin, running back Bo Jackson, and defensive lineman Caden Curry also shared their instant reactions.
You can find a summary of what was said below, along with the full press conference videos and clips from the on-field celebration.
Ryan Day
+ On the emotions following the game, Day said he is happy for the players, coaches, and fans. The fans stayed and celebrated the win with them and hearing the ‘O-H-I-O’ around the stadium was a great moment for the players. “They earned it. The fans who wear the Block O wear it a little prouder and that means a lot to me and my family.” Day added that he will reserve some comments and they will win with humility because that speaks to their program, but the players played with physicality and passion.
+ On the locker room after the win, Day said it will be a great memory of his. He will save what was said in the locker room until another book is written but they all feel a great sense of accomplishment. It was about playing for the love of their brother not the hate of the opponent and the hard work they put in. The locker room was already fired up about moving from goal No. 1 in the program to goal No. 2 next week in Indianapolis.
+ Day is disappointed they didn’t finish a few drives, but that’s the rivalry game. “It’s a great great win.”
+ For Jeremiah Smith and Carnell Tate to play and what the staff did for them to be able to get into this game, and how ‘gutsy’ they are to go out there and put it on the line, says a lot about them as players. Smith was limited and didn’t get many reps all week but played tremendous.
+ The defense was running sideline to sideline and had a great look in their eye all day. “There was ‘no doubt’ walking into the building what was going to happen.”
+ “To tell you that the last four years have been easy would not be true.” He takes this job with great responsibility. “It’s one of those moments you want to grab onto for a while and just enjoy it. To see the joy on everyone’s faces…”
+ When it didn’t go the right way early on, nobody wavered. The big runs from Michigan and the pick from Julian Sayin wasn’t what they wanted, but Day and the team never panicked. “The communication and chemistry between the coaches and players is very good right now, even when there is confusion or a slower start.”
+ On the 20 play drive of over 11 minutes with 16 runs and where that ranks in Day’s favorites, Day said it doesn’t rank up there because “you can’t have 20 plays and not score a touchdown, my god.” But playing and preparing for a game where it’s snowing sideways, that’s what it takes. If this game was played indoors, it would be different. They felt if they could get it to a three-score game it would be tough for Michigan to come back, especially with the way the defense was playing. It was great to see Jayden Fielding make the big kicks and those made a difference.
+ “You could see it I my face the last couple of years, you just feel like you’re letting everyone down.”
Julian Sayin
+ On responding to the early interception, Sayin said he didn’t read the defense correctly, but they knew as an offense there would be adversity and their mindset is to just keep battling. They aren’t fazed by adversity and that’s what has been instilled in them. The offense put the defense in a bad spot with the interception but the response was to follow Michigan’s field goal with a touchdown. The defense holding them to 3 gave them confidence.
+ On the deep ball to Tate and his connection with Tate, Sayin said having Smith and Tate back was awesome. The whole sideline was waiting for the deep ball to Tate with the way it was hanging in the air. Smith and Tate are elite receivers.
+ On the celebration after the win, Sayin said when he first got to Ohio State, he learned about how much this game meant. It was great to have the fans there and celebrate with them. “We cleared out the stadium, so it was all red, which was awesome to see.”
+ On playing in the snowy conditions, Sayin said he thought the snow coming down looked cool and was a lot of fun. They prepared for the weather and everyone did a great job. It was his first time playing in these conditions and the closest was practice this past week. Before that, it was high school when it was close to 50 degrees, which doesn’t compare at all.
+ On the offensive line’s dominance, Sayin said they played really physical. They have played “nasty” all season long and players were being thrown to the ground by them, so it was awesome to see.
+ His headset went out starting the fourth quarter and he had to run to the sideline to get to the play. Sayin said he felt like he was in high school again.
+ On the run game, Sayin said the runners ran physical and they wanted to end the game on their terms, pick up first downs, wear the defense down, and milk the clock.
Bo Jackson
+ On being able to do this in his first game as a Buckeye, Jackson said it was a dream come true, to be able to come in to Ann Arbor and walk away with a win.
+ The offensive line has been getting better week by week and were getting stronger as the game went on.
+ On the 20 play drive with 16 rushes, Jackson said it was great to be able to dominate and pound their way down the field. It was fun rotating backs and putting in work.
Caden Curry
+ On shutting down Michigan’s run game, Curry said they knew they had to win in the second half and that’s what they did. The defense knew Michigan would have some chunk plays but they figured it out.
+ This game is something he will always remember. It was great to do it in Ann Arbor. He is excited for next week too, his first trip to Indianapolis. They physically dominated and played the game they wanted to play. “This team has a great story that needs to be told.”
+ On holding Michigan to zero touchdowns, Curry said they always come out knowing they can be the best defense in college football. “We just came out there and played as hard and fast as we could and we were on top of it all day.”
+ On whether Sayin should be the Heisman Trophy winner, Curry said “I mean, duh.”
Sonny Styles
+ On this team’s first win against Michigan, Styles said it feels good. They talked about not caring about the past and playing for the love of their brother and not the hate of the other team and they did that. The team talked about winning the second half and “we came in the second half and whooped them.”
+ Michigan threw them some punches early but a lot of it was due to their own mistakes as a team, so they handled it on the sideline and figured things out. Matt Patricia brought poise and a sense of ease. He is a teacher and articulated what they needed to do.
+ Styles really wanted this win and they will enjoy this one, but they are also excited about what’s next. In the fourth quarter, he talked to Payton Pierce about playing in The Game, with both teams playing to get to the Big Ten Championship, in the snow, in November, in Ann Arbor. Styles said he was daydreaming. “Growing up in Columbus, this was a dream.”
+ Day is an amazing leader and “he proved a point today.” Day is always on the chase and this game feels good, but it will spring them to their next goals.
+ This was a true matchup game and it felt good to play in a matchup game and dominate. It boosts their confidence moving forward.
+ On what made the defense take the next step, Styles said Patricia has made them a smarter defense and they instilled a different mindset as a team.
+ On having Tate and Smith in the offense, Styles said the defense had the mindset that they would win the game if they were on the field or not, but having them out there certainly helped. They are two great players.
WATCH
Photo courtesy of Ohio State Dept. of Athletics.
YES! Finally got that monkey off their backs.
Time to reset the clock!