Before kickoff between Notre Dame and Ohio State football, legendary coach Nick Saban put people on blast for the 'unfair' criticism that buckeyes head coach Ryan Day has received this season. After all, he has his team one win away from winning it all.
It looks like those same people who have been ripping Day didn't pay attention to Saban's rant. On Monday night, Notre Dame received the opening kickoff and the Fighting Irish sent a statement with an unreal first drive. Riley Leonard and the ground game were on fire, taking up nearly 10 minutes on their opening scoring drive. Unfortunately, Day is getting blasted again for how his team is performing to start the National Championship Game:
RILEY LEONARD TOUCHDAHN
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) January 21, 2025
WHAT A DRIVE BY NOTRE DAME#PMSCFPNATTYESPN2 #GoIrish pic.twitter.com/1Ushz92W5U
Ohio State HC Ryan Day is getting blasted after Notre Dame's opening drive
On that first drive for Notre Dame, Leonard was unstoppable running the ball, posting 34 rushing yards and his touchdown run. Ohio State's defense had no answers to slow him down, which has led to people calling Day out:
Someone tell Ohio State to stop putting their linebackers 6 yards behind the line of scrimmage on short yardage plays.
— Thomas Casale (@TheTomCasale) January 21, 2025
Looks like Michigan Ryan Day showed up tonight.
Fire ryan day
— Paul Dawson (@paulthedawson) January 21, 2025
Can we fire Ryan Day yet? Pathetic.
— CLE mama 🇺🇸 (@cle_mama) January 21, 2025
Ryan Day you are a fraud
— Jay (@airjay_4) January 21, 2025
ND just bullied the hell out of osu. ryan day is so soft man. grow a pair and make riley leonard beat you with his arms
— CJ (@cj_a_yy) January 21, 2025
Notre Dame BULLYING them upfront right now and letting them know who the big dawgs are. Wonder if that’s gonna get into Ryan Day’s head and they revert to that game plan/calling like they did @ Michigan
— spence (@younggun007z) January 21, 2025
Jeremiah Smith and Ohio State quickly answered following Notre Dame's score
While the Fighting Irish were able to land the first jab, the Buckeyes punched right back, with Will Howard finding Jeremiah Smith for a sweet touchdown. It was a fantastic play design by the one and only Chip Kelly.
For the rest of the game, there's going to be plenty of pressure on the Ohio State defense to make some adjustments. At the top of the list has to be slowing Leonard down running the ball and forcing him to beat them by throwing it instead.
We knew this was going to be a dog fight and the start of the game has been quite exciting. Ohio State entered the game as a big favorite and the expectation is they'll be able to get the job done. It's going to be on Day to make sure that happens, though.