A month can change everything.
Just weeks after enduring one of the toughest losses of his career to Michigan, where the Buckeyes suffered a heart-wrenching 13–10 defeat on November 30, Ohio State head coach Ryan Day has bounced back in dramatic fashion. His team, once questioned, now looks like the team to beat in the College Football Playoff after two commanding victories. Following dominant wins over Tennessee (42–17) and a revenge-filled Rose Bowl demolition of Oregon (41–21), Day couldn’t have been more thrilled.
After Wednesday’s triumph in Pasadena, Day shared a heartwarming moment with his family, a stark contrast to the distant, frustrated figure he cut after the Michigan loss and the subsequent post-game scuffle.
Much of Ohio State’s success in the Rose Bowl can be credited to the phenomenal play of Offensive MVP Jeremiah Smith, whose electrifying performance of 7 catches for 187 yards and 2 touchdowns sparked an early blowout. Will Howard also impressed with 319 passing yards and 3 touchdowns, while the running game dominated with TreVeyon Henderson rushing for 94 yards and 2 touchdowns on only 8 carries. The Buckeyes’ defense delivered a punishing performance, sacking Oregon’s Dillon Gabriel 8 times and holding the Ducks to -23 rushing yards.
With the Rose Bowl victory in the books, Day and Ohio State are heading to the College Football Playoff semifinals, where they’ll face Texas in the Cotton Bowl for a shot at the national championship.
