Ryan Day: 'It's always been Ohio against the world'

Ohio State head coach Ryan Day was fired up after his team defeated Notre Dame in South Bend, Ind., on a last-second touchdown. Chip Trayanum ran the ball in from a yard away with just one second remaining to give the Buckeyes the 17-14 win, and Day was pumped up when talking with the media in the moments after the victory.

“That was one heck of a win for our team,” Day said in his post-game press conference. “It was a great win for Ohio State. It’s always been Ohio against the world and it continues to be to this day. I hope everybody in Buckeye Nation enjoys that win because to come in here, to win like that after winning the way we did last year. We physically got after them last year. We did. Put the film on a lot of people make a lot of comments that don’t watch film. Put the film on and watch what goes on.

“For us to hang in there because the momentum was going Notre Dame at one point. Our guys stuck their foot in the ground. JT (Tuimoloau) makes a big time play and the guts of our team to go and win that game on the road, you’re gonna tell me in this team’s not physical not tough? You’re wrong.”

The Buckeyes had defeated the Fighting Irish to start the 2022 season with a 21-10 victory in Columbus, Ohio. But this victory might have been sweeter due to the narratives heading into the game.

There were many questions surrounding Ohio State heading into the game after they weren’t dominant over the first few weeks of the season. Former Fighting Irish coach Lou Holtz pour gasoline on the fire, however, on Friday’s episode of The Pat McAfee Show when he questioned their toughness.

Day had that on his mind when he was asked by NBC’s Kathryn Tappen in the moments right after the game.

“Toughness,” Day said on the broadcast. “That’s it. Physicality across the board, finish it off, having guts. I’d like to know where Lou Holtz is right now. What he said about our team — I cannot believe. This is a tough team right here. We’re proud to be from Ohio. It’s always been Ohio against the world. It will continue to be Ohio against the world.

“But I will tell you what. I love those kids and we’ve got a tough team.”