Ryan Day says the game is “about our integrity, our character, our resilience and who we are as Buckeyes”

Ahead of Ohio State’s final home game of the year against Michigan, Ohio State’s head coach talked about the importance of winning The Game and gave a host of reasons why Saturday’s rivalry game matters, including “our integrity, our character, our resilience and who we is like the Buckeyes.”

“Our no. 1 goal every year is to win this game. And we put everything we possibly have into our process every single day to make this game work. We don’t go out of the blue. We don’t say the M word. But it’s not about them today. It’s about us,” Day said. “This is about our team. This is about our band. This is about our fans. This is about our university. This is about our state. This is about our toughness. This is about our work ethic. This is about our integrity, our character, our resilience and who we are as Buckeyes.”

Ohio State defensive end Jack Sawyer and defensive line coach Larry Johnson also addressed what was the loudest Skull Session crowd of the season in St. John Arena. Sawyer talked about what The Game means to him as a central Ohio native and implored the crowd to make the shoe as loud as it ever was on Saturday.

“As a little boy growing up in Pickerington just 15 minutes down the road, playing in this game right here is something I’ve always dreamed of. This game means everything to me and the brothers and coaching staff that are behind me right now ,” Sawyer said. “We fought like hell to get back to this place that we’re at right now. So my only message I have today, man, is to make the shoe the loudest, most hostile environment in the country.”

Johnson also encouraged the crowd to cheer loudly and promised Buckeye Nation that they are in for a treat with what they will see from the Buckeye as Ohio State looks to end its three-year losing streak in The Game.

“We need you today. We need you to be absolutely vocal today. We need to shake the shoe today,” Johnson said. “We’ve been waiting for this moment for 325 days to come back here. Now we’re standing here, now we’re ready to fight, and I’m telling you right now, watch what happens on the field for 60 minutes!”