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Ohio State head coach Ryan Day didn’t hold back Saturday night after the No. 6 Buckeyes defeated No. 9 Notre Dame on the final play of the game.
When Day spoke to NBC after the game, he bumped into former Notre Dame head coach Lou Holz. The legendary coach criticized the physicality of Day’s Buckeyes teams during his Friday appearance on “The Pat McAfee Show.”
Day seemed to take it to heart.
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Ryan Day of the Ohio State Buckeyes looks on against the Fighting Irish at Notre Dame Stadium on September 23, 2023 in South Bend, Indiana. (Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
“I’d like to know where Lou Holtz is now,” Day said. “What he said about our team, what he said about our team, I can’t believe. This is a strong team here. We’re proud to be from Ohio and it’s always been Ohio against the world. And it will stay that way.” Ohio against the world. But I tell you, I love those kids and we have a strong team.
“Everyone questions these kids all the time. We had a bad half the last couple of years. That’s it. Everyone wants to question these guys. These guys are warriors who can win… I’m emotional about this for a reason. A lot of people question these kids and say a lot about them. And I love them. When someone attacks your family, it’s special to come in and win. It’s a great win for our program and a great win for the state of Ohio.”
Holtz said he believed Notre Dame would win by at least 10.
“You look at Coach Day and I coached at Ohio State under Woody Hayes,” Holtz said earlier this week. “We won the national championship when I was there. I’m proud of that. However, (Day) has lost twice to Alabama, Georgia, Clemson and Michigan. And anyone who beats him does so because they are more physical than Ohio State. And I think Notre Dame will take the same approach.”
The day continued at his post-match press conference. He said he was angry about Holtz’s comments.
Ryan Day of the Ohio State Buckeyes celebrates a Chip Trayanum rushing touchdown against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish on September 23, 2023 in South Bend, Indiana. (Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
NO. 6 OHIO STATE WINS AT THE LAST SECOND TOUCHDOWN IN INSTANT CLASSIC AGAINST NO. 9 NOTRE DAME IN SOUTH BEND
“We’re not going to stand for that,” Day added, via The Columbus Dispatch. “That’s not even close to true. A few years ago we had a bad half in Ann Arbor… I don’t know where that story comes from. But that ends tonight. This team here showed toughness, they showed perseverance. They didn’t give up and found a way to get that last meter.’
With three seconds left, Chip Trayanum rushed up the middle to find the end zone, giving the Buckeyes a 17-14 victory over No. 9 Notre Dame in South Bend.
Ohio State forced a punt, got the ball back with 1:26 to go and one timeout left at their own 35. They converted on a 4th-and-7 from the Notre Dame 39, and two plays later found Marvin Harrison Jr. a gain of 19 meters.
Emeka Egbuka made a catch at the one-yard line, and Ohio State spiked it with seven seconds left. The first pass fell incomplete, but Trayanum found the end zone as the clock reached triple zeros.
However, after a lengthy evaluation, a second was added to the clock. The ensuing squib kick went out of bounds and placed the ball on the Notre Dame 35-yard line.
Ryan Day fired back at Lou Holtz’s criticism. (Getty Images)
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The Irish prayed on some side lines, but it was unsuccessful and the Buckeyes moved to 3-0.
Fox News’ Ryan Morik contributed to this report.
Ryan Gaydos is editor-in-chief for Fox News Digital.
