Ryan Day explains why he was so emotional after beating Notre Dame

Ohio State coach Ryan Day was fired up and emotional following the 17-14 win over Notre Dame and for good reason in his mind.

Day wanted to respond to the critics about Ohio State’ physicality, as well as former Notre Dame coach Lou Holtz, who confidently iced the Fighting Irish to out-tough, essentially, Ohio State. On the field, Day called out Holtz on the NBC broadcast and carried it over to his postgame press conference.

He explained why he was fueled all week and after the win.

“Well, I’ve been emotional, the team will tell you that, for the last couple of days,” Day said. “When I started hearing some of the things that were said, first off, it’s not true. I don’t know where people get off just saying things. It really upsets me. Put the film on, people make comments, and they don’t watch film. Our guys are tough. They’re physical. They get after it. 

“And they did again tonight … I don’t know where (Lou Holtz) gets off saying those type of things. I have some other things I’d like to say too, but I’m not gonna say that because I’m more respectful than he is.”

Ryan Day emotional following win over Notre Dame

Once Ohio State walked off the field winners, Day took the opportunity to have an “I told you so” moment and he didn’t slow down.

“There’s no doubt I am emotional,” Day said. “Because in life when people start talking and say things about you at some point, you got to put a foot in the ground. And our team did that. It was a life lesson. We always say ignore the noise, but every once in a while, after a while someone’s poking at you, you gotta stand up for what you believe in. And that’s the way I was raised and that’s the way I’m going to be moving forward.”

Day doubled down and said this was the type of game Ohio State had to win.

“And I got a bunch of guys in there that I love that I work with every single day and to hear some of the things that were said, I mean, I get Ohio against the world, but we needed to go play like that today,” Day said. “We need to win like that, to stop that narrative that’s going on out there because it’s not true. And to win like that the way we did, I think it’s going to do that.”