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Longtime Ohio State Announcer Missing Saturday's Game vs. Michigan

Originally posted on The Spun | By Matt Hladik | Last updated Nov 25, 2024 4:02 PM ET

Ohio State and Michigan will meet again Saturday in the latest installment of their epic rivalry.

Jim Lachey, a former star offensive lineman for the Buckeyes and longtime radio color commentator, will not be in Columbus for The Game. It will be the first broadcast Lachey misses since 1997, but the St. Henry, Ohio native has a good excuse.

Lachey's son Luke is a fifth-year senior tight end at Iowa, who is playing his final college regular season home game against Nebraska Friday night. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. ET from Kinnick Stadium, making it almost impossible for Lachey to attend the contest and make the trip back to OSU by noon Saturday.

“Obviously my heart pulls me both directions, but for the good of my family, I gotta go see Luke and be a parent for this weekend and get a chance to walk out there with my wife Ann and it'll be Luke's final (home game at Iowa) Friday night,” Lachey said over the weekend, via 11W. “I wish it was a noon start, but it's not, it's a night game against Nebraska. But I'm excited ... It's gonna be special. The whole family's gonna be there. It'll be a lot of fun.”

ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN - NOVEMBER 25: Head Football Coaches Ryan Day (L) of the Ohio State Buckeyes and Sherrone Moore (R) of the Michigan Wolverines shake hands after a college football game at Michigan Stadium on November 25, 2023 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The Michigan Wolverines won the game 30-24 to win the Big Ten East. (Photo by Aaron J. Thornton/Getty Images)Aaron J. Thornton/Getty Images

A Columbus, Ohio native, Luke Lachey has appeared in 40 games in his Iowa career, pulling in 71 receptions for 880 yards and four touchdowns. This season, the 6-foot-6, 247-pound tight end has 25 catches for 218 yards.

Last month, Lachey played at Ohio Stadium in front of his father, as well as a host of family and friends. He caught five passes for 39 yards in a 35-7 loss.

"They're gonna be in the stands watching," Lachey said before the game. "I'll have a lot of people there. We've been requesting a lot of tickets. My mom will still have to purchase some through Iowa. It will be cool. I know it will be cool. I know there will be a lot of people there supporting me."

Ohio State-Michigan will kick off at noon ET Saturday on FOX.

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

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