Ohio State coach Ryan Day admits time-management error in 24-23 loss to Texas
Ryan Day said his decision to keep the defense on the field instead of allowing Texas to score cost Ohio State a chance to win, as the Buckeyes fell 24-23 after a late Texas touchdown.
Ohio State head coach Ryan Day took responsibility for a controversial clock-management decision that contributed to the Buckeyes' 24-23 defeat by Texas. With 1:20 left and a six-point lead, Day chose to keep his defense on the field rather than let Texas score from the one-yard line, which would have given Ohio State a timeout and a chance to attempt a game-winning field goal.
Texas ran three plays, using the clock before senior running back Hollywood Smothers broke free on third down for a go-ahead touchdown with 25 seconds remaining. The score completed a 21-point fourth-quarter comeback, the largest ever recorded against a No. 1-ranked team, according to Sportradar.
"It didn't work, so the answer's yes (it was the wrong call)," Day told 247Sports. "If we win the game, it would've been the right decision. In the moment, you've got to make a hard decision and I decided to try to hold the line."
The loss dropped Ohio State to No. 6 in the latest AP poll, while Texas rose to No. 1. It also marked the first time Ohio State has lost a game after leading by at least 17 points at halftime and extended the program's streak to three consecutive defeats against ranked opponents.
"It's extremely frustrating, it's maddening and we're excited to get back on the field and get going because the last couple of days haven't been fun around here," Day said. "Had some really good conversations with the guys. I think they're going to be in a good mindset moving forward."
Analysts noted the defeat could jeopardize Ohio State's College Football Playoff prospects as the team prepares for Big Ten competition. Former coach Todd Sarkisian suggested the selection committee should consider the difficulty of playing Texas in a hostile environment when evaluating the Buckeyes' résumé.
"I hope, if they end up being a 9-3 team, that the committee can appreciate that they came to Austin, Texas, in September when it was 100 degrees and played us in that environment and played a heck of a game," Sarkisian said.