It’s time for a new 'day' at Ohio State
- col-aaron-dorksen
- December 4, 2024
- 519
A few thoughts from the week in sports …
One of the things that irks my wife Angela about me is I can be a bit impulsive when it comes to shopping.
Whether it’s been buying a car or shopping for furniture, I haven’t always looked at as many options as she would prefer.
Hey, what can I say?
I know what I like, what my budget is, and being a busy guy, I don’t always have extra free time. (Case in point: I stopped recently at just one place, High Point Furniture in Wooster, really liked a recliner and bought it. I did text my wife a photo for approval and grudgingly got an OK. She wanted me to shop around more.)
When it comes to supporting coaches, though, I tend to take the opposite approach. I am not the knee-jerk, fire the coach guy like many fans.
I believe a coach needs time to execute his or her plan while developing relationships and expectations with their players. One of the worst mistakes the Cleveland Browns have made is not giving coaches more time to see their plans through.
However, in the case of Ohio State football coach Ryan Day, enough is enough.
It’s time for a “New Day,” pardon the pun, in Columbus.
The Michigan Wolverines’ 13-10 win over Ohio State on Nov. 30 was one of the worst losses in the Buckeyes’ 130-year history.
Ohio State entered the game ranked second in the nation and a 23-point favorite against their hated archrivals, who entered the game with a paltry 6-5 record.
Not only was Ohio State heavily favored on paper, but with a three-year losing streak against Michigan entering the game, you would think they would be more motivated than a kid on Christmas Day.
Ohio State had a huge talent advantage. The Wolverines’ quarterback Davis Warren was just 9 for 16 passing for 62 yards and two interceptions. How do you lose to an opposing quarterback with those kind of stats in this era?
Answer: You coach like Ryan Day and offensive coordinator Chip Kelly.
They clammed up with an awful game plan, insisting to continue to try running the ball up the middle, where Michigan is actually the strongest on defense.
Despite having another class of NFL-caliber wide receivers, the Buckeyes did not throw the ball nearly enough to their wideouts. Will Howard was just 19 for 33 passing for 175 yards while none of his receivers had more than 58 yards.
Day took the safe approach, and it blew up in his face.
Place-kicker Jayden Fielding didn’t help the cause, going 1-for-3 on field goals.
Ohio State has a chance to rebound in the newly expanded College Football Playoff, which will include 12 teams. I’m really excited to watch this play out.
If the Buckeyes can make a run in the playoffs, it could save Day’s job. But if they have a quick exit on the heels of a fourth straight loss to the Team Up North, Day should be sent packing.
Flag day
The midfield skirmish after the Ohio State-Michigan game was an embarrassment to both programs.
A fight broke out after Michigan players tried to plant their flag at midfield on the Buckeyes’ Block O.
Ohio State defensive end Jack Sawyer ripped the flag away from a Wolverines’ player. In the fight that followed, police used pepper spray in an attempt to break up the players, and a police officer was knocked down and trampled.
There have been “flag” incidents after many other games, and it’s time to put an end to it. Both programs were fined $100,000, but the penalties should be more severe.
Suspend any players involved in flag planting for the next game and up the fines. It’s just stupid anyway. Can a flag really be planted into an artificial turf field?
Parting shots
Congrats to the Hillsdale Falcons (14-1) on reaching the Division VII state title game against Marion Local (15-0) on Dec. 6 at Tom Benson HOF Stadium.
This is Hillsdale’s first Final Four trip, and as part of the WCAL, they definitely deserve a shoutout.
The Falcons join Smithville (2002), Norwayne (2011, won Div. IV title) and Dalton (2023) as the fourth team from the WCAL to play for a state football title.
Hillsdale coach Trevor Cline is proof that nice guys can finish first. Cline, who has a 57-25 record as coach since being hired at age 24, was the quarterback on the Falcons’ 2010 regional team.
Marion Local had a state-record 63-game winning streak and was a huge favorite in the title game.
—I was saddened to learn of the passing of Smithville resident Don Fry at age 72 in mid-November.
Fry was a longtime supporter of Smithville athletics and OHSAA track and field.
In my many years as a reporter in this area, Fry was as friendly and supportive a person as anyone I encountered. He always greeted me with a big “hello” and was complimentary of our sports coverage.
Condolences go out to Fry’s family and friends.
Aaron Dorksen can be emailed at aarondorksen24@gmail.com.