Ohio State’s thrilling last-second 17-14 victory over Notre Dame may have put a temporary end to the on-field rivalry this past Saturday – but the war of words between Buckeyes coach Ryan Day and legendary Fighting Irish coach Lou Holtz rages on.
The simmering feud reached a boiling point as both coaches exchanged fiery comments regarding the physicality of Ohio State’s program.
In the lead-up to the highly anticipated matchup between the two college football powerhouses, Holtz had openly questioned Ohio State’s physical toughness, particularly when facing top-tier competition.
Lou Holtz's statement on the Pat McAfee Show, which elicited an angry response from Ryan Day after Ohio State's victory over Notre Dame:
pic.twitter.com/aoWyHWXhtr— OutOfSightSports🚀™️ (@OOSSports) September 24, 2023
Day was understandably fired-up when his Buckeyes pulled off the dramatic win.
It took a whole lot of toughness, and then some, to beat the Irish on the road in the fashion they did – and he wanted everyone to know about it.
In his on-field interview with NBC immediately following the game, Day said: “I’d like to know where Lou Holtz is right now!”
“What he said about our team, I cannot believe … This is a tough team right here. We’re proud to be from Ohio. It’s always been Ohio against the world, and it’ll continue to be Ohio against the world.”
And here’s Ryan Day fired up over Lou Holtz: pic.twitter.com/kYkGAn5BAt
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 24, 2023
The fiery emotion was great to see.
Of course, all eyes turned to Holtz to see what his response would be. We didn’t have to wait too long, as Holtz joined Dan Dakich on Outkick’s “Don’t @ Me with Dan Dakich.”
“That’s his choice. I can understand why he did,” Holtz said of Day’s comments. “He doesn’t want to talk about Michigan (because he’s) 0-2. He doesn’t want to talk about the big game coming up against Penn State and against Michigan again.”
“He’s a great coach. He’s done a great job. He’s a great offensive mind. He hired an outstanding defensive coordinator from Oklahoma State (Jim Knowles), who is doing a tremendous job for him. Ohio State is a good football team. I don’t think they are a great football team. He can go after me all he wants.”
Here a link to the full Holtz interview… @DontAtMeDD
Lou Holtz Apologizes to Marcus Freeman But Stands Behind Comments Directed at Ryan Day: "I Don't Feel Bad For Saying It Because I Believe It" | Eleven Warriorshttps://t.co/Iv6uT83nIM https://t.co/uvVa7GcvzT
— Dan Dakich (@dandakich) September 26, 2023
The possibility of a rematch between the Irish and Buckeyes in the College Football Playoff looms large, and Holtz seems optimistic about Notre Dame’s chances should they cross paths again.
“I honestly felt that Notre Dame was a better football team and more physical, and I am sorry that Coach Day was offended by it,” he explained. “I hope he goes on and has a wonderful year. I don’t think they will be a great football team. I really don’t. I felt Notre Dame (could have) won the football game.”
Notre Dame has their work cut out for them if they are to make it to the Playoff.
But how great would it be if they did, and we got a Buckeye-Irish rematch with everything on the line???
Boy oh boy – Bring it on!!!