The heat is on Ryan Day, big time, after Ohio State’s stunning 24-23 loss to Texas this past Saturday. Buckeye fans are hurting after watching their team absolutely blow a 20-point lead, making it Day’s third straight loss against a top-10 opponent. The biggest gut punch? His controversial decision late in the game to not let Texas score on their initial play from the 1-yard line, which ultimately gave his offense less time to try and win it.
Day has to take accountability for this team’s struggles against top-tier programs. We’ve seen it too many times now, haven’t we? Self-inflicted wounds, the inability to make a big play when it absolutely matters most. Players need to step up, no doubt, but the overall performance, especially when the stakes are highest, lands squarely on the head coach. But here’s the kicker: Day absolutely should not apologize for trusting his defense in that crucial moment. It was the right call, even if it didn’t pan out. Just ask Urban Meyer, who knows a thing or two about winning titles. “I would have a really hard time letting them score,” Meyer said. “You need a stop. I have enough confidence in my defense. I almost worry, if I throw up the white flag on our defense, what am I telling them down the road, too? I couldn’t do it.”
Meyer is spot on. He continued, “I know people are gonna say, ‘Let them score.’ I never would have let them score there. I would have been all over the defense, trying to get them to make a play, make a stop. All you’ve got to do is make a stop, and you win the game.” We’ve seen teams lose huge games after allowing a score, even in the NFL. Think about the Packers in Super Bowl XXXII, letting the Broncos score with 1:45 left. Or Bill Belichick with the Patriots against the Giants in that second Super Bowl loss, making the same mistake. Ohio State’s defense almost got it done, too, with Hollywood Smothers fumbling on second-and-goal before a teammate recovered it. Plus, Texas had struggled in short-yardage situations against the Buckeyes previously, including a fourth-and-1 stop in Columbus last September where Ohio State forced a turnover on downs.
So, while Day is squarely under the microscope for the third straight top-10 loss and blowing that massive lead, his conviction to trust his defense in that moment was the correct move, according to a guy who knows how to win. The question now for Ohio State is how they regroup. The pressure is mounting, and this team needs to start making those crucial plays against top competition if they want to get back on track.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
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