Following a challenging 41-28 loss to Oregon, which dropped Ohio State's record to 6-3 and significantly affected their College Football Playoff hopes, head coach Ryan Day faced intense scrutiny. This scrutiny intensified after the team relinquished a 14-0 lead and allowed 38 unanswered points, a situation that even sparked a viral fan petition highlighted by Barstool Sports owner Dave Portnoy.
The Buckeyes struggled offensively, and the absence of injured star quarterback Julian Sayin placed a heavy burden on true freshman Luke Fahey. In response, Day defended his young quarterback amid the harsh postgame fallout. A report shared on X by Eleven Warriors highlighted Day's unwavering support for Fahey, who threw for 360 yards. Day remarked that Fahey is “trying his tail off” for the team, noting, “It's a tough spot to be in for a true freshman, but the expectation is to come in and play and win. I still think we put him in some tough spots again.”
Article Continues BelowRyan Day said Luke Fahey is “trying his tail off” for the Buckeyes 🔊
"It's a tough spot to be in for a true freshman, but the expectation is to come in and play and win. I still think we put him in some tough spots again.” pic.twitter.com/eCytmdgumS
— Eleven Warriors (@11W) November 8, 2026
After the historic defeat, marking the first time in his tenure that Day has suffered three losses in a single season, he addressed the team in the locker room. Day emphasized the need for the program to weather this unfamiliar storm, promising a thorough evaluation of both the staff and players to restore accountability moving forward.