Ryan Day didn’t try to hide from the decision that helped sink Ohio State in its 24-23 loss to Texas.
With the Buckeyes up six and 1:20 left in the fourth quarter, Day chose to keep Texas from scoring rather than let the Longhorns cross the goal line and give Ohio State one last shot with a timeout and a chance at a game-winning field goal. Texas had first-and-goal at the 1-yard line, but Day sent the defense back out. Ohio State stopped Hollywood Smothers for no gain on first down and burned its final timeout, then watched Texas run two more plays before Smothers scored the go-ahead touchdown with 25 seconds remaining.
On Tuesday, Day admitted the call was the wrong one.
"It didn't work, so the answer's yes (it was the wrong call)," Day told 247Sports on Tuesday. "If we win the game, it would've been the right decision.
In the moment, you've got to make a hard decision and I decided to try to hold the line. There's a lot that comes with that.
"As the head coach of my team, I decided to make that call and ultimately would've love to have seen what it would've looked like if they had scored, but I made the decision."
The finish was brutal for Ohio State, which had controlled most of the night before Texas ripped off 21 unanswered fourth-quarter points. The Longhorns trailed until the final 21 seconds, and according to Sportradar, the comeback was the largest ever against a No. 1-ranked team in the fourth quarter.
The fallout hit quickly. Ohio State dropped to No. 6 in Sunday’s AP Poll, while Texas moved to No. 1.
For the Buckeyes, the loss carried another ugly marker: it was the first time in program history they lost after leading by at least 17 points at halftime. It also extended a troubling streak against ranked teams, giving Ohio State three straight losses dating back to last season after defeats to Indiana in the Big Ten Championship and Miami in the CFP.
Day said the mood around the program has been rough, but he believes the group will respond.
"It's extremely frustrating, it's maddening and we're excited to get back on the field and get going because the last couple of days haven't been fun around here," Day said. "Had some really good conversations with the guys.
I think they're going to be in a good mindset moving forward. We understand we have a lot of football ahead of us.
So this highlighted some things that we got to get fixed."
The defeat also adds pressure on Ohio State’s College Football Playoff outlook before Big Ten play begins. Last season, the Buckeyes’ win over Texas played a part in keeping the Longhorns out of the 12-team field after Texas finished 9-3.
Texas coach Steve Sarkisian said the committee should remember where and how close this one was if Ohio State winds up with three losses.
"I hope, if they end up being a 9-3 team, that the committee can appreciate that they came to Austin, Texas, in September when it was 100 degrees and played us in that environment and played a heck of a game," Sarkisian said. "They should not be punished."
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Mascoes second-half work was the kind of adjustment that can swing a game against elite talent, as he kept Smith from coming up with a catch on four targets after the break. Steve Sarkisian pointed to that improved play from Mascoe and the defensive stops around him as key moments in a win Texas badly needed, even if the Longhorns will spend plenty of time now wondering how close they came to letting Smith take over the night. [Read more 🡒]
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Reed also made clear he understands what the game means, calling the rivalry important and saying he is excited for it while stressing that his team has to play better. For Texas, it is the kind of reminder that the matchup brings plenty of emotion before kickoff, even if Reeds previous numbers against the Longhorns have not given A&M much comfort. [Read more 🡒]