Ohio State-Notre Dame draws NBC's second-highest TV audience ever, best in 30 years

This past Saturday evening, ALL eyes were on South Bend as the Ohio State vs. Notre Dame game drew the second-largest TV audience for a college football game in NBC history.

Pete Sampson of The Athletic broke news of the official numbers on Monday afternoon, noting that OSU-ND was the most-watched NBC game in three decades, surpassing an average of 10 million viewers for the event. Here was his tweet breaking down the massive TV draw:

“NBC Sports got its largest regular-season college football audience in 30 years for Notre Dame-OSU. Averaged 10.5 million viewers, ranking as NBC Sports’ second-most watched regular season college football game ever, behind Notre Dame-FSU in 1993 (22 million viewers).”

Quite a few eye balls witnessed that dramatic finish in South Bend the other day.

Ryan Day fired up after win

Buckeye head coach Ryan Day was fired up and emotional following the 17-14 win over Notre Dame and for good reason in his mind. Once Ohio State walked off the field winners, Day took the opportunity to have an “I told you so” moment and he didn’t slow down.

“There’s no doubt I am emotional,” Day said. “Because in life when people start talking and say things about you at some point, you got to put a foot in the ground. And our team did that. It was a life lesson. We always say ignore the noise, but every once in a while, after a while someone’s poking at you, you gotta stand up for what you believe in. And that’s the way I was raised and that’s the way I’m going to be moving forward.”

Day wanted to respond to the critics about Ohio State’ physicality, as well as former Notre Dame coach Lou Holtz, who confidently iced the Fighting Irish to out-tough, essentially, Ohio State. On the field, Day called out Holtz on the NBC broadcast and carried it over to his postgame press conference.

He explained why he was fueled all week and after the win.

“Well, I’ve been emotional, the team will tell you that, for the last couple of days,” Day said. “When I started hearing some of the things that were said, first off, it’s not true. I don’t know where people get off just saying things. It really upsets me. Put the film on, people make comments, and they don’t watch film. Our guys are tough. They’re physical. They get after it. 

“And they did again tonight … I don’t know where (Lou Holtz) gets off saying those type of things. I have some other things I’d like to say too, but I’m not gonna say that because I’m more respectful than he is.”