That one-point loss to Oregon still stings, right? No doubt about it. But let’s be real, the Buckeyes weren’t exactly firing on all cylinders that day. Coach Ryan Day and offensive coordinator Chip Kelly seemed to play it a bit too safe, and they didn’t even unleash their top receivers.

The Ohio State defense usually brings the heat. But even the best defenses have off days. And in Eugene, Oregon just flat-out outplayed them. But hey, this ain’t the first rodeo for DC Jim Knowles. He learned his lesson from that loss and has undoubtedly made adjustments to ensure history doesn’t repeat itself. Now, it’s rematch time in the Rose Bowl, and the Buckeyes are ready to settle the score with Dan Lanning’s Ducks.

Before the big game, Coach Day had some words of wisdom for his quarterback, Will Howard. Facing a talented quarterback like Oregon’s Dillon Gabriel can be intimidating, but Will’s seen it all in his short time at Ohio State. So, what advice did Coach Day give him? “The first thing you need to do is take charge,” Day replied.

Going into a game like this, you can’t have big expectations. Then, hinting at Will’s victory over Oregon, Day said, “Well, Will played in big games before he got here. He’s now played in big games here at Ohio State. So he knows what it’s going to take. He’s got to lean on his teammates. He’s got a good group around him. He’s got to get our offense into a rhythm and find the speed of the game early on, have poise, and then play his best down the stretch.”

The coach appears to have a great deal of faith in his quarterback. And why not? This season, Howard has tossed for 34 total TDs, proving that he can effectively lead the offense. With a completion percentage of roughly 73.2%, he is regarded as one of the best QBs in the country. Howard previously displayed his abilities against Oregon earlier in the season, finishing 80% of his passes for 326 yards and two scores in a pivotal CFP game.

But Will Howard still remembers the events on October 12. And he’s taking it as inspiration going into the Rose Bowl on Wednesday to play the Ducks in the CFP quarterfinal. He now has a chance to get revenge for that heartbreaking loss. “I still have nightmares about that play. I’m thankful that we even get a chance to go out there and play these guys again. The way we lost that game, it still hurts,” said Howard. Well, the QB shared his thoughts. Now what’s the HC’s perspective on the team and the upcoming game?

Ryan Day’s remarks regarding the Rose Bowl

While the top-seeded Ducks, who won the Big 10 in their debut season in the league, received a bye and haven’t played since December 7, OSU defeated the Vols in a CFP first-round matchup on December 21. Ryan Day stated that his team had changed significantly since its October loss to the Ducks.

Ryan Day stated, “We’ve certainly taken a couple injuries so that has affected things. We’ve adjusted in a lot of areas. We’ve grown. Every game you play in, you learn from. And whether you win the game, lose the game, you learn from each week. Our focus has been on our execution and our preparation, and it will have to continue to be that way.”

Everyone’s expecting a close game, and a lot of that hinges on quarterback Will Howard. In the first matchup, the Buckeyes were in a tough spot. Facing 3rd and 20 with seconds ticking down, Howard made a gutsy run to try and keep the drive alive. Unfortunately, time expired. But Day believes the team that has learned and improved the most since their first meeting will come out on top in the rematch.

In addition, Day stated that he is excited about his 3rd Rose Bowl game, but he clarified that it is more than simply a regular Bowl game. “This is a different trip than the last couple times we’ve been in a Rose Bowl. This is not a quote unquote bowl game; this is a playoff game,” Day stated.

It merely shows that the program has raised the bar for this bowl game. Now, whether Ryan Day’s Buckeyes will defeat Dan Lanning‘s Ducks is up for debate.