Ohio State is considered by many to be the most talented team in college football entering the 2024 season, but JT Tuimoloau made it clear at Saturday’s season-opening Skull Session that isn’t what this year’s Buckeyes want to be known.
“This team behind me, my brothers behind me, have been known as the most talented team in the country, but this whole offseason, we wanted to change that narrative,” the senior defensive end said during the pregame ceremony at St. John Arena. “Be known as the most violent, most disciplined, most hard-working team in the country.
“There have been some long, long days behind that cage. A long journey ahead of us. But it all starts with Akron. We take one game at a time, and I can’t wait to come show y’all the first impression of this team and my boys behind me.”
Tuimoloau was one of three team representatives to speak at Saturday’s Skull Session along with Ryan Day and safeties coach Matt Guerrieri. Day, after giving a shoutout to Archie Griffin – who will dot the ‘i’ in Script Ohio during halftime of Saturday’s game – preached the importance of togetherness and focus entering the season opener.
“In January, a bunch of seniors decided that they wanted to come back. And then a bunch of other guys decided they wanted to join the brotherhood. And we put the coaches together, the staff together, and we’re counting on the fact that we’re a team, not a tribe,” Day said. “A tribe comes together for one common purpose. And today, we set the tone for the season.
“We got eight (home) games this year. Eight games. And we gotta take them one game at a time … We have got to stay focused this year. So let’s do it. Let’s set the one and get the first one today.”
Guerrieri echoed the comments of Day and Tuimoloau by saying the Buckeyes’ focus is “one play at a time.”
“How hard can we play one play at a time, and putting that together for one game at a time,” Guerrieri said. “And we need you, Buckeye Nation, from the opening kick till the clock hits zero one play at a time. Better than anybody in the country.”
Griffin was also interviewed at Saturday’s Skull Session, and you can hear what he had to say in the video below.
