Thayer Munford tries to keep his cool when asked about Josh Gattis questioning Ohio State toughness

Ohio State offensive tackle Thayer Munford was out for blood in his latest press conference, responding in earnest to both former Michigan star Desmond Howard and Michigan offensive coordinator Josh Gattis.

Michigan got the best of Ohio State this season, defeating the Buckeyes 42-27 despite the odds heavily tilted in the Buckeyes’ favor. The Wolverines were able to win the Big Ten Championship one game later, clinching at ticket to the College Football Playoff for the first time in program history, while the Buckeyes will face Utah in the Rose Bowl. After the game, Michigan continued throwing shade at the rival Ohio State Buckeyes, and Gattis recently said in a radio appearance that Ohio State was a “finesse team” and “not a tough team.” However, Munford was able to keep his cool in responding Thursday, opting to take the high road.

“From that coach up there, I really want to say something that I really want to say right now, but I’m not gonna say it,” Munford said. “I’m gonna move away from that question, because it’s gonna make me mad. It does drive us. It really does drive us a lot, and it’s gonna drive the younger players, too. And I hope whoever said, ‘Make sure that doesn’t happen again,’ I’m gonna mark them for that word, too. Because I really hope that doesn’t happen again, at all. Because hearing their chirping all the time, it’s annoying. I don’t like it.”

Thayer Munford claps back at Desmond Howard for Ohio State trash talk at Heisman Trophy ceremony

n Saturday night’s Heisman Trophy ceremony, Howard and Tim Tebow both joked with Michigan defensive end Aidan Hutchinson and Stroud following Hutchinson’s comments about beating the Buckeyes.

“The main mission was to come back, beat Ohio State and win a Big Ten Championship,” Hutchinson said. “We did those things so now we’re in the playoffs and we’ve got a chance.”

“Hey, Kenny (Pickett),” Tim Tebow cut in. “I’m glad you’re in between them.”

“Better than his offensive linemen,” Howard quipped.

Munford, a 6-foot-6, 320-pound Ohio State tackle, did not take well to the comment from Howard, which was clearly taking a shot at the Buckeyes. On Thursday, just days after Howard’s remark, Munford responded to Howard and dismissed his chirp.

“I hope that really doesn’t happen again,” Munford said of Michigan beating Ohio State in his last appearance in the storied rivalry before the NFL Draft. “(Desmond Howard) can kick rocks, too. I don’t care for him. But at the same time, he’s doing his job. It’s not professional of course, but he needs to do his job. He needs to stick to his job, in my opinion.”