With a less-than-marquee opponent on tap for Ohio State, this week, the venue the Buckeyes will play Northwestern in is as big a storyline as the game itself.
The Buckeyes and Wildcats are facing off in one of America's most iconic baseball stadiums, Wrigley Field, home to the Chicago Cubs. It will be the fourth time Northwestern has played in the Friendly Confines and the first for Ohio State, who will aim to make the Wildcats 0-4 in their trips there.
Stage is Set at The Friendly Confines. pic.twitter.com/ClWn7IP9mc
— Northwestern Football (@NUFBFamily) November 14, 2024
Considered a road game for the Buckeyes, there could be a heavier presence of Ohio State fans than there otherwise would be for a matchup at Northwestern. The venue was necessary as the Wildcats build a new football stadium, set to be completed in 2026. It's the first of two games set to be played at Wrigley for Northwestern (the other being against Illinois on Nov. 30), its other home games occurring in its practice facility.
Regardless, Ohio State's players and coaches are excited for the opportunity to play at the historic venue, odd surrounding field dimensions aside.
Ryan Day
“It's got great tradition. Growing up and going to Fenway Park and being around baseball and seeing some of the great games played in that stadium. And then, as I got older, I had an opportunity to go see the Cubs play in Wrigley.”
“The surrounding area, the restaurants that are in the area, it's just got a great vibe there right in that neighborhood. And it's a very unique place with unbelievable history. And so it's a great opportunity for us. I'm also excited for Buckeye Nation to get to the game and the fans to be there as well and experience that and to get an idea of what kind of presence we'll have at the game.”
Growing up in Manchester, New Hampshire and playing little league gave Day an early appreciation for baseball as his love of football and career in the sport first sprouted. He's seen baseball games at Wrigley Field and is excited for Buckeye fans to experience not only the legendary ballpark but also the surrounding area. Day added that the Buckeyes are practicing on the grass sections of their practice field this week to prepare for the playing surface.
“I'd like for them to see just the makeup of it. I want them to see the turf. I want them to see where the infield is filled in with some of the sod. I'd like for them to see how we're going to handle halftime. We're going to be in the bullpen, not going up into the locker room. Just some different things that I'd like for them to see.”
Ohio State will show up to Wrigley on Friday, and Day wants to take that opportunity to get his team accustomed to the venue. Not only is the infield filled in and the facilities different, but there's also limited space behind the end zone endlines to padded brick walls and additional space than normal on the sidelines.
Carnell Tate
“It's a blessing going back to Chicago. I haven't played there since my freshman year of high school, so I'm very excited to go play in front of a lot of my family and friends.”
Tate hails from the Windy City and lived there until transferring to IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida before his sophomore year of high school to better his football skills. His return home will be an emotional one, not only because so many family and friends (he said "30 or 40" of them) will be there to watch him, but it's also his first game in his hometown since the death of his mother, Ashley Griggs, who was killed in a shooting in the city in July 2023.
“It's going to be very exciting. There's going to be a new setup and stuff like that. It's a very historic place, so it's going to be very exciting to play there.”
Despite the emotions tied up in his return, Tate is also excited to play at Wrigley. He's only been to the stadium once, though it wasn't for a Cubs game, it was just to check out the venue.
Chip Kelly
“I've been to a game at Wrigley when I was out recruiting once. But the fact that you can play in settings like that is pretty cool, and I think it makes it unique.”
This is indeed a unique opportunity for Ohio State's coaches, players and fans. Since 1970, when the Chicago Bears stopped playing their home games at Wrigley, the three games Northwestern has played at the Friendly Confines are the only three football games hosted there. When the Buckeyes and Wildcats meet on Saturday, it will be the fourth football game played on the sod in the last 54 years.
Will Howard
“That'll be really cool. I've seen a game there one time. ... I think it was actually at a camp at Northwestern. But that was a cool stadium, man. it'll be interesting to play football in there. But I'm excited, man. it's a historic landmark and in a really cool city.”
Count Howard among those who feel the opportunity to play at Wrigley is "cool," and like Tate, he's been there before, although not for a baseball game.
TreVeyon Henderson
“I honestly don't watch baseball. I became a softball fan last year. I was watching the Oklahoma Sooners. And so I love watching them play, very great team. ... I've just been hearing a lot about Wrigley Field. And so it's definitely gonna be a cool opportunity.”
Henderson doesn't have the same appreciation for baseball as others on the team might, though he has taken up some softball watching. He's not as familiar with the prestige and aura of Wrigley but is still excited for the chance to play there.
Jelani Thurman
“It looks like great scenery going out there to handle business, play football, beat Northwestern.”
Thurman kept his thoughts on the venue simple, mostly focusing on the business at hand. He added that, like Henderson, he's not a big baseball person in the first place, saying that football and basketball are the sports he follows.
