"I can assure you that you will be proud of our young people, in the classroom, in the community, and most especially in 310 days in Ann Arbor, Michigan on the football field.”
It has been 7616 days since those words were spoken. 7616. Twenty plus years.
The record is 16-2-0 since that time. Might have been one win better if not for a vacated season. Might have been another win better if not for a cancelled game. What might have been? That question is not asked at Ohio State. Recollection of past glories are trifling and moral victories meaningless in the unyielding quest for excellence. This is the well-spring of our pride, of our passion. Not in what we did, not in what could have been ... in the opportunity that lays ahead.
The Snow Bowl 1950: Eighth-ranked Ohio State, coached by Wes Fesler, was scheduled to host the game on November 25 in Columbus amidst one of the worst blizzards on Ohio record. The Buckeyes, who led the Big Ten, were granted the option to cancel the game against Michigan, which would have, by default, given the Buckeyes the Big Ten title outright. Ohio State refused, and the game was set to be played. A total of 50,503 persons braved the elements, staying below deck, under the Stadium, until just a few minutes before the kickoff.
Ohio State lost the game. No conference title. No Rose Bowl. Full Stop.
You work that shit everyday. EVERYDAY. Opportunity awaits this Saturday. The blessing to play against the best in the conference and measure yourself accordingly. The gift of knowing, with complete conviction, if you are deserving. As Buckeyes, this Saturday is our gift, The Game. Whatever happens I will be proud of our young people for working that shit everyday, in the classroom, in the community and on the field. For accepting all challenges and putting it all on the line once more. What a great time to be a Buckeye!
Go Bucks!
