Ryan Day didn’t have much to say at Ohio State’s Skull Session before the Nebraska game.
While Ohio State’s head coach wanted to be there “to show appreciation for The Best Damn Band in the Land and the best damn fans in the land,” he opted not to give a long speech to the crowd in St. John Arena. Instead, Day wants the Buckeyes’ play to do the talking as they return to action for the first time in two weeks following their 32-31 loss at Oregon.
“Today, it’s about action. It’s not about words. So we‘re going to work,” Day said.
Ohio State linebackers coach James Laurinaitis had a little more to say than Day, though his words expressed the same tone that the Buckeyes are hungry to start proving themselves on the field after two weeks of dealing with the scrutiny of defeat.
“It’s been a long couple weeks in Columbus. This team is angry, and they’re ready to play fast and they’re ready to play hard for each and every one of you,” Laurinaitis said. “It’s a blessing every time you get to play in Ohio Stadium. All of our goals are still in front of us. Every single one of them. Our goal of getting to Indy is right in front of us, and that starts today. And it builds, and it builds, and it builds, until 35 days from today, that team up north comes down to the Shoe.
“We’re going to be the hardest-playing team in America. You need to be the loudest damn fans in America.”
Team captain Cody Simon represented the players at Ohio State’s fifth Skull Session of the season and said, “This week has been all about doing your job.”
“Everyone in here has a job to do,” Simon said. “Fans, this has to be the most hostile, loudest environment in the country. And the players, this team behind me, we gotta be the most violent, the fastest team in all the country.”
