As the saying goes, “Good things take time,” and Ryan Day proved it Monday when he and the Buckeyes lifted the championship trophy against Notre Dame. Despite facing setbacks such as the loss in Michigan, rumors about job changes, and even death threats, Day persevered and ultimately achieved a championship. However, the road’s still a little bumpy—because somehow, even post-championship golf cart fun turned into a chaotic mess for Coach Ryan.

Well, after the championship, Coach Ryan Day, along with LB Cody Simon and QB Will Howard, hopped into a golf cart, presumably heading toward the post-game press conference. But instead of a smooth ride, things turned into a helpless situation as the cart unexpectedly crashed into a wall. Talking about that moment on the Pat McAfee Show, Howard opened up about that wild moment, jokingly sharing his emotions and spilling the beans on Coach Day’s neck condition.

“That was so funny, so bad for the poor girl; she was like ripping through people on the field and just yelling at people. And then all of a sudden we get to this corner, and she, like, almost gets close to the wall, and then she starts reversing, and then she puts it back in drive and just crashes into the wall. And Coach Day, I don’t know what happened, but I think his neck, like, got messed up. He looked like he was shaking up for a second. But doing all right now.” It sure looks like a pretty wild ride, but it was funny to Howard, but ask Ryan Day, who almost lost his neck after an amazing comeback.

Moreover, that sure doesn’t mean anything to anyone because Monday night crowned Ryan Day’s career with Ohio State. With a dominating performance, the Buckeyes took a commanding 31-7 lead by the third quarter’s midpoint. It felt like a real-life “Rocky” moment for Day—facing challenges all season and finally landing the knockout win with the championship.

Ryan Day’s boy took over the field

Well, they say “The ball’s in your court,” but Will Howard ensured it landed perfectly in Jeremiah Smith’s hands with an astonishing 56-yard throw in the late fourth quarter. This play effectively shut the door on Notre Dame’s comeback attempt, securing a 34-23 victory for Ohio State and their sixth national title and first in a decade. After Notre Dame took an early lead, the Buckeyes swiftly shifted the momentum, scoring 31 consecutive points in the sport’s inaugural 12-team playoff championship under the dazzling lights of Atlanta.

Moreover, it wasn’t just Howard or Smith who excelled in the team; every player performed at their best. Quinshon Judkins, for instance, ran with incredible speed, amassing 121 total yards and three touchdowns—two on the ground and one in the air—against the Irish. Howard himself remained calm and composed, completing 17 of 21 passes for 231 yards and two scores. Let’s not forget Smith’s exceptional five receptions for 88 yards and a touchdown, while Emeka Egbuka caught six passes for 64 yards, ensuring that the Buckeye offense remained potent when it mattered most.

Now not just the offense, but the Bucks defense was also breathing fire. As Cody Simon and Sonny Styles brought the heat. Simon recorded eight tackles, and Styles contributed six, effectively shutting down Notre Dame after their opening-drive touchdown. Even Ryan Day seems pretty impressed by their performance as he said, “I’m proud of these guys. And again, we’ll go down in history and cement ourselves as champions.” With this championship, the Buckeyes have reminded everyone that they are not just contenders but the reigning kings of college football.