ARLINGTON, Texas — In a tough game last night, Ohio State coach Ryan Day admitted he could have done better to prepare his team for the challenge, resulting in a 24-14 loss to Miami. This defeat eliminated the defending national champions from the College Football Playoff.
“We worked really hard to win the first quarter and first half. We had a solid plan, but we just didn’t execute,” Day said, owning up to the loss.
Miami’s team gained an early advantage, dominating the game with strong plays on both offense and defense. They racked up 153 rushing yards and made five crucial sacks, putting the Buckeyes on their heels right from the start.
In contrast, Ohio State struggled to get going. They recorded just one first down in the opening quarter and had negative rushing yards during their first three possessions. It was a rocky start.
However, the Buckeyes came alive in the second half. They scored touchdowns on their first two drives, with quarterback Julian Sayin connecting with wide receiver Jeremiah Smith on a key fourth-down play. But a penalty later interrupted their rhythm, and they had to punt.
As Miami took control in the final minutes, they sealed the game with another touchdown, leaving Ohio State little time to respond.
“We finally found a rhythm,” Day reflected. “But starting slow makes it almost impossible to catch up. We needed to be nearly perfect in the second half.”
The momentum shift came during a critical second-quarter drive by Miami, which lasted over eight minutes and was the longest Ohio State’s defense had allowed all season. Moments later, they intercepted a pass and scored again, pushing Ohio State into a deep hole.
“It’s tough to bounce back once you go down like that,” Day noted. “We just couldn’t pull ourselves out.”
Despite finishing the regular season undefeated, Ohio State ended the year with two losses, including one in the Big Ten championship game. Their playoff exit also highlighted a worrying trend, as teams with a first-round bye have struggled, posting an 0-5 record in the current playoff format.
Day concluded by emphasizing the need for reflection and improvement: “We need to understand what went wrong and learn for next season.”
This loss not only impacts Ohio State’s immediate future but also serves as a reminder of how quickly fortunes can change in college football. As the season wraps up, fans will be watching closely to see how the Buckeyes regroup.
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