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ATLANTA — Seven weeks ago, Ohio State coach Ryan Day stood silently on the Horseshoe’s midfield as Michigan planted its flag in triumph. Fans chanted “F--- Ryan Day,” players grappled with rivals, and others wandered dazed as Michigan celebrated an emphatic victory.
Fast forward to Monday night, and the scene couldn’t have been more different: Day at the center of joyous celebration, Buckeye Nation firmly back in his corner. What seemed improbable after that devastating Michigan loss became reality: Ohio State capped an incredible postseason run with a 34-23 win over Notre Dame, claiming the program’s seventh national championship.
“No great accomplishments are ever achieved without adversity,” Day said.
The Buckeyes were the ultimate beneficiaries of the new 12-team College Football Playoff format. As the No. 8 seed, they overcame their Michigan setback — the fourth straight loss in the rivalry — and stormed through the postseason, outscoring opponents 145-75.
This triumph mirrored their success in the inaugural CFP in 2014, when as a No. 4 seed, they defeated Alabama and Oregon behind third-string quarterback Cardale Jones. Now, once again, they had seized an opportunity to rewrite the narrative.
A Turning Point
The loss to Michigan had cast a shadow over the season. Excluded from the Big Ten title game, Ohio State would have missed the playoffs in previous formats. Questions swirled about Day’s job security, and fans voiced frustration. A team meeting after the Michigan loss boiled over, as emotions and grievances erupted.
“There are multiple ways to respond to adversity,” receiver Emeka Egbuka said. “We chose to come together, lift each other up, and grow stronger.”
The bitterness of Michigan’s dominance stung deeply. Players like cornerback Denzel Burke couldn’t escape the pain of watching their rival win the national title in 2024. “Seeing them hoist the trophy fueled our fire,” Burke admitted.
Determined to emulate Michigan’s veteran-led success, Day persuaded top players to return for another season, leveraging NIL resources to retain stars like Jack Sawyer, JT Tuimoloau, and TreVeyon Henderson. Together, they formed the backbone of a team determined to change its legacy.
Brick by Brick
Day introduced a powerful metaphor during preseason: a lighthouse weathering storms. He shared a story of bricklayers building St. Paul’s Cathedral and emphasized laying each brick with care. Each day, a player received a symbolic brick, and the growing wall became a visual testament to their foundation of perseverance.
“Storms will come,” Day said. “What matters is how strong your foundation is when they do.”
The biggest storm arrived Nov. 30, when Ohio State faced Michigan as heavy favorites. Yet, despite Michigan’s depleted roster and underdog status, the Wolverines pulled off a shocking 13-10 upset, planting their flag again at Ohio Stadium.
Day’s record against Michigan fell to 1-4, fueling intense criticism. Athletic director Ross Bjork publicly supported Day but acknowledged the pressure: “The book is not closed.”
A Championship Run
The playoff provided a lifeline, and the Buckeyes made the most of it. In the first round, they dominated Tennessee, racing to a 21-0 first-quarter lead en route to a 42-17 win. Against top-seeded Oregon in the quarterfinals, they avenged a regular-season loss with a resounding 41-21 victory.
In the semifinals against Texas, Day urged his team to “become your own legend.” Defensive end Jack Sawyer delivered, strip-sacking Quinn Ewers to seal a 28-14 win. Sawyer, once furious over Michigan’s flag-planting, celebrated with Day in a jubilant sideline embrace.
The Final Test
In the championship game, Notre Dame struck first with a grueling 10-minute opening drive. But Ohio State’s depth and talent shone through, with quarterback Will Howard completing his first 13 passes and running backs Henderson and Quinshon Judkins powering a dominant offense. A late Jeremiah Smith touchdown secured the 34-23 victory.
The Buckeyes, despite falling short against Michigan and missing the Big Ten title, found redemption on the grandest stage. They ended the season not as Big Ten champions but as national champions — a title all their own.
“We refused to let our season end in failure,” linebacker Cody Simon said. “This was our moment to rewrite history, and we did.”
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