Presser Bullets: Ryan Day Says Ohio State's Locker Room is "Devastated" After Michigan Loss

The two coaches and two players who spoke to the media for Ohio State kept things brief following the team's loss to Michigan.

Ryan Day said that Ohio State's locker room was "devastated" and discussed the performances of some key position groups. Kyle McCord broke down what he saw on his two interceptions and Jim Knowles felt the defense didn't make enough plays to get the job done against the Wolverines.

Ryan Day

On Kyle McCord's final interception: “That looked like he got hit.”
On his emotions after the game: “Hard to describe. Just sick of the fact that we came up short in this game. We worked all year for it and we came up short.”
Day felt like it was the right call not to go for it on 4th-and-2 before halftime and instead bleed the clock and kick a 52-yard field goal. “If we come up short there, we don’t get any points.”
On what he was told about Denzel Burke's potential interception that was ruled a catch and touchdown: “I was told that, it was called on the field a touchdown, and because of that it was upheld.”
While Day approved of the defense giving the offense a shot on Michigan's final drive, he wished they'd have gotten off the field sooner. “Too much time off the clock there. We’ve got to get a stop and get off the field.”
On the team's emotions as a whole: “We’re all disappointed. We know what this game means to so many people. ... There’s a locker room in there that’s devastated. ... We didn’t win the rushing yards, we didn’t win the turnover battle. So you’re not going to win the game.”
On the running game: “There was some traction for sure (in the second half). ... I don’t know what the numbers were, they had more (yards) than we did. That’s a big part of controlling the game.”
On Kyle McCord's first interception: “Not a good start. You want to have a quick start. The kid made a nice play ... Will Johnson jumped inside on a slant.”
On the play of the offensive line: "There were some good things in terms of moving some guys ... I thought the protection was good at times but not consistent at times."
Day is still processing the loss and isn't sure whether the Buckeyes are a playoff team. "We have a very good team. We came up short today at it's devastating. ... I'd have to see what else is out there, honestly."

Kyle McCord

On his first interception: "My eyes were on the linebacker. ... If I could have it back, obviously, just burn the ball in the ground."
On what it's like to be in the locker room after coming up short: "Hurts. That's the only word for it. ... It's a tough feeling."
On his second interception: "Defense got us the ball back down six with about a minute to go. ... In that situation, they knew we were going to have to take a shot down the field, looked like they played cover-two into the boundary. Got hit as I threw, didn't get as much on the ball as I wanted to and they made the play."
Ohio State's lone touchdown drive was a great showcase of running the ball, McCord said. "The O-line did a great job moving them. Trey and Chip did a great job running it."
More on his feelings after the loss: "There really aren't a lot of words to say in a moment like this. ... We'll regroup tomorrow, watch the film ... but the worst part now is that we have to sit back and see how everything shakes out."
McCord felt like even getting a shot for points near halftime was a win for the Buckeyes. "I don't think anybody batted an eye (after Fielding missed the kick)."
On McCord: "My brothers man, three years where I felt like we were building to this moment, it hurts. ... A bunch of guys who are going to do big things at the next level."
On Marvin Harrison Jr. after the duo's potential last game together: "It's been an incredible run. I'd love to get another chance to play with him here ... I think he's cemented himself as one of the best players ever to come through this program."

Marvin Harrison Jr.

On his emotions after the final interception: "A lot of emotions. You know at that point the game is over, and all the goals you had for this year, all the work you put in, you weren't going to accomplish them."
On McCord's first interception: "On the snap, the DB just went inside."
On what the coming days will look like as he evaluates his future. "I don't know. I don't have an answer for you yet."
Harrison said that Michigan schemed up its defense to stop him. "I don't know if I got doubled more in a game than today."
Harrison feels McCord will bounce back after some mistakes that cost Ohio State on Saturday. "He's going to continue to fight. Whether things are good or bad, he's going to continue to fight. ... He's done a phenomenal job handling that. ... Before he's my quarterback, he's my friend. So I'm going to support him."

Jim Knowles

On the defense's inability to get stops in the second half: "We just didn't get the stops when we had to. Had some guys in position, didn't make the plays. You always wish you had just made those plays in the critical moments. I thought the guys played hard."
On J.J. McCarthy: "He showed he's an excellent quarterback. Made the plays with his feet when he couldn't with his arm."
On his evaluation of the defense's season after the Michigan loss: "Not enough. Ultimately you've got to win this game. We were a play short, so that's something we've got to keep working on."
On Burke's potential interception that stood as a touchdown after replay: "He ended up with the ball, that's all I saw. But someone else makes those decisions, not me."