Head coach Ryan Day looked a little shell-shocked as police were pepper spraying athletes in the aftermath of the Michigan Wolverine's upsetting his No. 2 Ohio State Buckeyes 13-10 on Saturday.
Day has a 1-4 record against Michigan. The Wolverines have won four consecutive games in the series, with the Buckeyes' last win over Michigan coming in 2019.
This loss for Ohio State feels different in 2024, as Jim Harbaugh wasn't on the opposite sideline of Day. The Wolverines entered the contest with a 6-5 record in an otherwise disappointing season.
The Buckeyes blew an opportunity to clinch a berth in the Big Ten Championship Game with a win over their rival on Saturday. Now they must wait for help.
Following the game, Michigan brought a team flag onto the field. Ohio State defensive end Jack Sawyer didn't like the gesture and would rip the flag away from the Wolverines as a brawl would break out at Ohio Stadium.
Video on the field showed Sawyer talking to a member of Ohio State's staff, passionately yelling that Michigan wouldn't plant a flag on their field again. Ryan Day just appeared to stand in silence watching the scene unfold.
A passionate Jack Sawyer after Michigan players attempted to plant their flag on the “Block O”. pic.twitter.com/t5XKLY0NeI
— 97.1 The Fan (@971thefan) November 30, 2024
Former Texas Longhorns and NFL linebacker Emmanuel Acho called out Day on social media for his inaction during the situation.
"Ryan Day, the HEAD coach, just stands there and does nothing as his senior Captain, Jack Sawyer, devastatingly cries out: “THEY’RE NOT (expletive) PLANTING A FLAG ON OUR (expletive) FIELD AGAIN” When coaches must lead, Coach Day freezes in the midst of Chaos," Acho posted.
Many fans agreed in the comments.
"Day should get fired and that team should sit out the CFP for this. Embarrassing," wrote a fan.
"Day was caught up in the fog of war," posted another.
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