With its 34-23 win over Notre Dame, the Buckeyes claimed their ninth national championship all-time. They also cemented themselves in Ohio State history.
Following Ohio State's win and its celebration on the field, head coach Ryan Day, quarterback Will Howard and linebacker Cody Simon took the podium and answered questions from the media. The trio discussed the adversity Ohio State overcame this season, what it took for the Buckeyes to win the national title and more.
Here is a quick recap of all Day, Howard and Simon said in their postgame press conference:
Ryan Day
- In an opening statement, Day said, “I can’t say enough about our guys and what they’ve overcome to get to this point and now have something to show for it. …I think Marcus (Freeman) does a great job. They have a very, very good team. … I thought we responded in a big way. … We just kept swinging.”
- Day praised Will Howard for his willingness to run the football in the national championship game: “It was the last game we had, so we were gonna let out all the bullets. He really put the team on his back.”
- On the 2024 Ohio State football team: “They’ve cemented themselves in Ohio State history.”
- On Ohio State’s path to the national title: “That God made it hard for a reason. You just never know what’s in your path along the wy. This game can give you the highest of highs and lowest of lows. It can take you to your knees as a player or a coach. … I’ve been there. … It’s gonna be hard. … If you surround yourself with great people and you’re resilient. … You give yourself another chance.”
- Day said he “couldn’t understand” why Ohio State fell short against Georgia the last time the Buckeyes played in Atlanta. Three years later, Day said the Buckeyes needed to develop more resilience and toughness to make big plays in big moments to win big games. “I understand now. It all makes sense.”
- On Will Howard: “His maturity is what kind of captured me.” Day said Howard’s leadership, resilience and positive mindset stood out to him all season.
- On the national championship or bust expectations Ohio State had this season: “There was a lot of pressure tacked onto our players. That’s nothing new at Ohio State.” Day said Ohio State handled the pressure well all season, especially during the team’s CFP run.
- Day said Ohio State overcoming adversity to win the title: “After all the things that have been said throughout the year. They’re going to go down in Ohio State history as one of the greatest teams to ever play at Ohio State. After all the things that have been said throughout the year, these guys are going to be cemented as one of the best stories in Ohio State history and one of the best football teams ever.”
- On Ohio State's loss to Michigan: “We had an awful day. I don’t know how else to describe it.” Day said Ohio State responded in the best way it could, bouncing back with wins over four top-10 teams en route to the national championship. “Our team has come together so well over the last month and a half. There wasn’t school, so all we did was spend time together. It’s like being around a family. This is the tightest group of guys I’ve ever been around before. To think we’re not going to be together again. I’m not looking forward to that. I’m going to miss these guys. They’re great people.”
- “From the start of this thing, we‘ve been knocking on the door. I think about the ‘19 team, the ‘20 team, the ‘21 team, the ‘22 team — you keep going through these seasons and we weren’t that far off. But you’ve got to find a way to break through and make it to where we are right now.” Day later added: “I hope they’re all proud of what we’ve done.”
Will Howard
- On winning a title as Ohio State’s quarterback: “I’m blessed. I’m just so unbelievably thankful that I got a chance to be a Buckeye, even if it was just for one year.”
- Howard said he has a great relationship with Chip Kelly. He’s thankful to have the opportunity to win a national championship with Kelly as his offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. “He’s been amazing. He’s really been a great mentor for me on the field and off the field.”
- Howard quoted C.J. Stroud’s “pressure is a privilege” as he reflected on the 2024 season. “I feel like we just embraced it all year. We kind of blocked out the noise and just said, ‘Man, we love each other too much.’ We embraced it.”
- Howard said he always wanted to be a Buckeye when he entered the transfer portal after last season. “There’s something different about these guys and this place.”
- On overcoming adversity to win a national title with the Buckeyes: “It’s kind of surreal to me personally and as a team. All the things we’ve been through this year, to come out on top feels pretty damn good.”
Cody Simon
- Simon said he knew Ohio State’s foundation “was meant to survive” for the national championship game. He “couldn’t be prouder” of his teammates for the resilience they showed this season after tough losses to Oregon and Michigan.
- Simon called Ohio State’s first defensive drive “uncharacteristic” as the Buckeyes allowed Notre Dame to go 18 plays and 75 yards in almost 10 minutes. Simon said he is proud of how he and his teammates responded after that drive. “We focused on winning first down, and when we won on first down, stuff opened up. … I’m just proud of all my guys.”
