Every week, Eleven Warriors dives into the mentions of Ohio State's coaches and players to bring you the #HotTakes and ramblings of Buckeye Nation. This week, we're looking back at the nail-biting victory over Northwestern in the Big Ten title game.
Phew.
I didn't think many of us expected that kind of dog fight from Northwestern, and that sentiment was confirmed the moment I checked the Twitter mentions.
Pat Fitzgerald's squad proved plenty feisty on Saturday afternoon. An underrated defense gave Ohio State its stiffest test of the year, holding the Buckeye offense to its lowest output of the hectic season.
Justin Fields experienced a perfect storm that led to the worst performance of his collegiate career. He was missing his top target in Chris Olave and more than 20 other teammates and coaches. He, along with the entire team, struggled with consistency in a season that has seen three games canceled in the week leading up to the contest. And on top of that, the Buckeyes were coming off a week in which it didn't get to face Michigan — a milestone that Ohio State looks forward to every year.
Despite the hiccups, key Buckeyes stepped up to give the team its fourth consecutive Big Ten title and a return trip to the College Football Playoff for a rematch against Clemson.
Oh, and also, Trey Sermon. That's the sentence.
Let's get to the mentions.
@ Ryan Day
Game time lets go dad @ryandaytime
— Jake Bullen (@JakeBullen_) December 19, 2020
Something about calling Day "dad" is hilarious to me.
Has anyone ever seen Murr from impractical jokers and Ohio State coach Ryan Day at the same time? Im convinced they are the same person @jamessmurray @ryandaytime #BIG10Championship pic.twitter.com/eq2FkhjUyw
— Scott Bowman (@scottyb_23) December 19, 2020
I see no resemblance, but maybe that's because I'm an avid Impractical Jokers fan and have seen this man get his nipples pierced.
@OhioStateFB being completely outcoached, @ryandaytime doesnt have this team ready at all #timetowakeup
— Kevin Sterling (@kevinsterling7) December 19, 2020
The natives were restless early.
RUN THE FOOTBALL @ryandaytime
— America hella ghetto (@bg04mike) December 19, 2020
Let me just say this — I have never seen the same tweet so frequently as I did this one in Day's mentions Saturday. As obvious as it was to all of us watching, Day didn't get the message until, what, the midway point of the third quarter?
Either way, there were hundreds of "run the football" tweets in Day's mentions. Hundreds.
Can you guys stop going to another commercial break after just a kickoff after a score? This is shameful
— Harrison Burks (@BurksHarrison) December 19, 2020
At halftime, I felt the game was about 60 percent commercials and 40 percent disappointment.
@ryandaytime quit your job wtf is this.
— ahohman (@Grizz_x_Montana) December 19, 2020
What this is, Grizz_x_Montana, is an overreaction.
i have ncaa eligibility and i think i can play better than anyone in your secondary @ryandaytime
— king artur (@Artur4Heisman) December 19, 2020
Trey Sermon die????????? @ryandaytime
— (@TheJDiehl) December 19, 2020
Oh, I assure you he had not.
@ryandaytime pic.twitter.com/gh7MyCBy7S
— Anthony (@anthony_dunc) December 19, 2020
@ryandaytime fix it
— Bailey Arick (@BaileyArick) December 19, 2020
Simple, clear and to the point. Five stars.
@ryandaytime @OhioStateFB
— tred44 (PS4) (@tred4458) December 19, 2020
Bench Garrett Wilson ASAP
Imagine tweeting this lol.
Attention @ryandaytime https://t.co/cG9pZn3ITK
— Bradley Smith (@Buckeye_Brad) December 19, 2020
You're just going to see run the ball tweets throughout Day's section because if not, there'd be about four tweets left.
That first half cost the @OhioStateFB the @CFBPlayoff bid even if they (come back) and win. COVID impact too much to overcome this year ... and a very smart, well coached @NUFBFamily team! @MarkStandriff @SamBourquin16 @hughhewitt
— Eric Hogue (@erichogue) December 19, 2020
More incorrect takes coming from this man later.
How can everyone on the planet not see how obvious this is except the guy calling plays? Seriously?
— Eddie Kinnaman (@ekinn3) December 19, 2020
Only 6 games @CFBPlayoff is looking for reasons to vote them off the island. They just gave them one. Dont be a John Cooper!
— Eric Hogue (@erichogue) December 19, 2020
Oh look here he is.
@ryandaytime it might be time to consider your backup QBs! @Buckeyes
— Larry W. Dodd (@lwd7734) December 19, 2020
We were all pretty unhinged on Saturday, huh?
This is the worst coached game Ive seen out of @ryandaytime and the @OhioStateFB coaching staff... #BigTen
— Quentin Sipe (@Qsipe) December 19, 2020
Accurate.
Big run by Sermon. Than they go.
— JBergTV (@superjasonb) December 19, 2020
Option
Incomplete deep ball
Delay of game
Incomplete pass
Miss field goal
Hey @ryandaytime Give it to your RBs until Northwestern stops it. Just some advice.
@OhioStateFB here let me help, use this; @ryandaytime pic.twitter.com/8bb4xUssl8
— Colt Preston (@SlickColt45) December 19, 2020
Hire me, @ryandaytime
— Evan McElhinny (@EvanMcElhinny) December 19, 2020
This is when Day started to ride the run game.
Thank you @ryandaytime
— Tyler Mgebroff (@TMgebroff) December 19, 2020
Thank you.
@ryandaytime no need to thank me. #GoBuckeyes
— JBergTV (@superjasonb) December 19, 2020
Thank me!
@ryandaytime thanks
— Ryan Sympson (@RSympson89) December 19, 2020
Just thanks.
@ryandaytime pic.twitter.com/2ZcgjQQG03
— Tyler Nichols (@tnichols_08) December 19, 2020
Okay, you get the point.
Coach Day finally ran the ball @ryandaytime @OhioStateFB pic.twitter.com/43TNBrzuRE
— Gabriel Senquiz (@GabrielSenquiz) December 19, 2020
— Justin (@BuckeyeJC714) December 19, 2020
Let sermon break the record @ryandaytime he deserves it
— Joe Janke (@joejanke_5) December 19, 2020
Coach @ryandaytime waiting all season to unleash a Sermon in the chip. Interesting.
— Brian Yang (@briflys) December 19, 2020
Me at the half: Fire @ryandaytime
— Seth A. Lafler (@TXST_SAL) December 19, 2020
Me after the game: FiRe RyAn DaY pic.twitter.com/mx1qXkZ1Ej
@ Trey Sermon
Oh okay then, @treyera pic.twitter.com/oT81xJcY2x
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) December 19, 2020
Sermon started the game with a highlight and then went on to make many more highlights.
I'm concerned that @MasterTeagueIII is injured. @treyera has been in quiet a bit....
— BUCKEYES 6-0 And Still Against the World (@RussDaniels22) December 19, 2020
No yeah there's a reason for that.
Im thankful for you @treyera
— Ryan (@ChefRyan_) December 19, 2020
TREY. SERMON. @OhioStateFB | @treyera pic.twitter.com/VhUsou6Oc9
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) December 19, 2020
Sweet angle of that @treyera @OhioStateFB run. pic.twitter.com/6bhIkn1t9j
— Ohio State on BTN (@OhioStateOnBTN) December 19, 2020
That is a slick angle.
@treyera right now #GoBuckeyes pic.twitter.com/dincgCGya7
— Zach athews (@zmathews56) December 19, 2020
FEED HIM @treyera caps off a 71-yard drive for @OhioStateFB with a TD to take the lead in the Big Ten Championship Game pic.twitter.com/8SvFhFblOF
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) December 19, 2020
Trey feeling Baker vibes: pic.twitter.com/DGwt0A0Ep7
— Matthew Stetler (@mattstetler87) December 19, 2020
That's a @bigten Championship Game record for @OhioStateFB RB @treyera
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) December 19, 2020
He breaks the conference record for rushing yards in a Championship Game set by @EzekielElliott in 2014 pic.twitter.com/XEB9nym6p3
North Western cant stop @treyera
— braydon sturm (@sturmbraydon) December 19, 2020
North Western. Amazing.
Live look at @treyera pic.twitter.com/KhRweKpyT6
— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) December 19, 2020
@treyera is dangerous.#Big10Championship pic.twitter.com/Se27zazTye
— atthew Benz (@TwistBenz) December 19, 2020
Live look at @EddieGeorge2727 thinking about Single Game Rushing record. pic.twitter.com/PXRJ9G3iH1
— Scott Walker (@Walkerscottd) December 19, 2020
This was a good tweet.
@treyera is dad
— Better Burko (@BurkoDallas) December 19, 2020
So much dad energy today.
@treyera nice game young man...out there running Beast Mode like Marshawn Lynch pic.twitter.com/LxJmYLRuCF
— Nakon Slides (@JohnJac31246377) December 19, 2020
There goes @treyera @OhioStateFB marches it down the field to extend their lead in the 4th quarter pic.twitter.com/INlH4Qvos6
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) December 19, 2020
@treyera is my Christmas gift. Lol.
— Bella Amore (@Bellla_Amore) December 19, 2020
Are you kidding, @treyera?
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) December 19, 2020
He breaks @EddieGeorge2727's @OhioStateFB single game rushing record on this tough run pic.twitter.com/bqF2W5wBNX
Record broken @treyera
— Chris Lyle (@chris_lyle13) December 19, 2020
This man finished 331 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 29 carries. Just incredible.
Thank you @treyera #GoBucks pic.twitter.com/1DTrRSH9Yy
— Chad Graham (@Sonnie_CG) December 19, 2020
@ Justin Hilliard
Lets get it @OhioStateFB! @JHilliard47 been a huge fan since your high school days!! Keep pushing til perfection! pic.twitter.com/B9afMlSd0C
— ike unitz (@munitz_mike) December 19, 2020
47 bout to go crazy today @JHilliard47
— OJ (@_DaJuiceman) December 19, 2020
This is called foreshadowing.
Hilliard was all over the field against Northwestern, leading the team with nine tackles, two tackles for loss, one interception and a fumble recovery.
There's that @OhioStateFB defense!@JHilliard47 comes up with the huge INT in the end zone for the Buckeyes pic.twitter.com/dDxF6wS7NY
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) December 19, 2020
@JHilliard47 thats a big time play my boy!
— DJ Ez (@EzIsEverything) December 19, 2020
Thats damn near the play of his career cant hold you WOW SALUTE CAP @JHilliard47
— Nao Shalom Stan Acct #NostalgieOutNow (@JayBeeYNO) December 19, 2020
— Baron Browning (@baronbrwnng) December 19, 2020
Baron Browning showing some love from quarantine.
Baron where tf are YOU
— (@feranda_) December 19, 2020
... In quarantine.
@JHilliard47 is having the game of his life. Thank you
— BUCKEYES 6-0 And Still Against the World (@RussDaniels22) December 19, 2020
FUMBLE!@JHilliard47 recovers the ball for @OhioStateFB pic.twitter.com/llpPqehZUz
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) December 19, 2020
Dudes been saving our ass today
— (12-4)baker mayfield simp account (@bakersimpszn) December 19, 2020
Really awesome seeing @JHilliard47 showing out after waiting for his moment. On that note OH-
— Zach Santoro (@zsantoro24) December 19, 2020
The next time you'll see this feature will be after the Clemson game. Let's hope it'll be a bit more celebratory.