Scarlet Sunrise: Michigan players get commemorative necklaces for win over Ohio State

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Michigan players get commemorative necklaces for win over Ohio State

Michigan is continuing its iteration of Ohio State’s “gold pants” tradition, a Buckeyes celebratory practice that dates back to 1934 and then-head coach Francis Schmidt, who said that Michigan players put their pants on one leg at a time, just like Ohio State’s, ahead of a breakthrough win in the series. Now, every year the Buckeyes beat Michigan, Ohio State players earn gold pants charms with their initials, year and the score of the game.

The Wolverines players received commemorative necklaces for their 45-23 win over the Buckeyes in the Horseshoe back in November. It was Michigan’s second straight win in the series, and first in Columbus since 2000.

Last year — after Jim Harbaugh’s Wolverines topped Ohio State, 42-27, in Ann Arbor — Michigan players were also given necklaces, albeit in a different design.

This time, there’s a sword and a shovel intersecting behind the Block M, which is right below the words “The Game,” with the top-three matchup’s date, Nov. 26, 2022, underneath the series tag line. On the other side of the pendant is Ohio Stadium with the words “Build,” “Attack” and “What’s Our Name?” along the outside of the recreated Shoe.

Michigan’s two straight wins over Ohio State have paved the Wolverines’ way to consecutive Big Ten titles and College Football Playoff appearances.

It’s all in the details 〽️ pic.twitter.com/reqoD4j6K1

— Michigan Football (@UMichFootball) February 17, 2023

Has Ohio State already found its two running backs for 2024 cycle?

Ohio State didn’t end up signing a running back in its 2023 recruiting class. Mark Fletcher was committed but flipped to Miami. Head coach Ryan Day said on signing day in December that he and the staff didn’t feel a need to fill Fletcher’s spot, given the talent and depth they were returning to the backfield. It’s a different story for Ohio State’s 2024 class.

It appears as if the Buckeyes are gunning for two backs this cycle, just as they did in 2021. At the time, Ohio State reeled in both TreVeyon Henderson and Evan Pryor as part of a 2021 class that ranked No. 2 in the country, according to the On3 Consensus.

Once again, Lettermen Row is surveying the running back board and taking a look at where Ohio State might turn in the 2024 cycle.

Check it out here.

Notebook: Buckeyes resurgent offensive performance wasn’t close to enough at Iowa

Ohio State plays at Purdue Sunday at 1 p.m. The Buckeyes are trying to snap a seven-game skid, their longest losing streak since they lost 17 straight in the 1997-98 season. Meanwhile, the No. 3 Boilermakers are hoping to get back on track at home after dropping three of their last four games.

But, first, let’s take one last look at Ohio State’s 92-75 defeat at Iowa Thursday night. The Buckeyes went toe-to-toe with the Big Ten’s top scoring offense for the first 17 minutes of play. Then a 12-0 Iowa run to end the first half turned the game upside down.

Still, Ohio State finished with its best field goal percentage (57.1%) against a power conference opponent this season.

For analysis of that performance and why it wasn’t enough, go here.

Counting down

Buckeyes vs. Indiana: 195 days

Buckeyes vs. Michigan: 279 days

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