Ryan Day evaluates his coaching in 'The Game' against Michigan

Ohio State head coach Ryan Day admits that he has second-guessed some decisions he made in “The Game” after the Buckeyes came up just short against Michigan.

While he felt like he had his team ready to play, there are a few things he wishes he would have done differently as he looks back. Day was asked to evaluate the job he did coaching vs. the Wolverines during his press conference over the weekend.

“Probably different than I did the year before. I think, if you talk to the guys, I think we had a really good plan leading up to the game. I think that week there was a really good vibe around the team,” Ryan Day said.

“You look back on a couple of decisions that you make… for instance, at the end of the first half. You know, if we make the field goal, you probably feel better about that decision. Fourth-and-2, 30 seconds to go, maybe if we get a couple more first downs, we have a shorter field goal or maybe even have a chance to score a touchdown there.”

Ohio State trailed Michigan 14-10 late in the first half when the Buckeyes took over at their own 2-yard line with 3:23 remaining.

Ohio State put together a solid drive and faced a fourth-and-2 at the Michigan 34 with a little more than 30 seconds remaining. Rather than trying to pick up a first down, Day opted to let the clock run down and kicked a field goal as the half ended. The 52-yard attempt missed wide as Michigan preserved its 14-10 lead.

“I felt like at the time, it was a good decision. I think if we make the field goal, it’s a better decision. But when you don’t, you come up short, certainly you second-guess all of those things,” Day said. “So, you know, I think our guys were prepared. I think we had a good vibe going in that week. I think our guys were locked in. They knew how important the game was, certainly. You live it all year round. But when you don’t get it done, you’ve got to do a better job. I think that’s probably a long way of saying ultimately we didn’t get it done.”

Ohio State kicker Jayden Fielding is 15 of 18 on field goals this year, but that was his first attempt from 50-plus yards of the season.

The gamble didn’t work out, which has led to plenty of second-guessing.

“We had the wind, and he was kicking pretty good. He had plenty of leg. But yea, we missed it. So ultimately, we probably needed to get a couple of more first downs and add the field goal there,” Day said.

“With 30 seconds left, it wasn’t like we had a bunch of time to go score a touchdown there. Fourth-and-2, maybe you add to the field goal. Maybe there’s enough time to throw in the end zone. But at that time, coming out of the first half, I felt like if we can get three points here, that would be a heck of a thing.”