Monday, Jan. 20, 2024, will be a day I will never forget. I traveled six hours with my family to see my all-time favorite team win the national title in Atlanta, Georgia. Hours after Ohio State’s win over Texas, we decided to make this trip. I have been to multiple Ohio State football games, two of which were this season, but this game was different. Even on the drive down the night before, I could feel the nerves rising to the back of my head.
I knew going into the game that Ohio State was favored by 9 points over Notre Dame and they were expected to roll through this game similar to their domination against Tennessee and Oregon. Despite the professional predictions, I was still filled with an immense amount of worry until kickoff. Performing at a high level for 4 weeks straight can be difficult, but the Buckeyes completed the challenge.
Walking through the gates, even before reaching the ticket checkpoint, fans were already loud. Each team has their respective cheer that fans do before, during, and after the game. For Ohio State, it was “OH-IO”, and Notre Dame started each possession with, “Let’s Go Irish”. While scanning tickets, you could hear the overlapping cheers expand until it was just a hundred people screaming for their team.
Walking into the stadium was an overwhelming experience. The arena looks normal when you first walk through the gates, but the whole room opens up once you shuffle past the food vendors and the hundreds of people. As we walked toward the giant escalator that goes up two levels, I could see the red and green fans at the top of the stadium. Seeing this environment in person was purely amazing.
The stadium was mesmerizing, from the architect in the ceiling to the giant screen that circled the center of the field. We walked from the stairs to the opposite side of the top level where our seats were. Once we got to our seats, I sat down and took a minute to look around at all the action: the players warming up on the field, and the fans walking from one place to another.
The atmosphere was electric, as any playoff game would be. Earlier in the season, my family went to the first playoff game at Ohio Stadium, when Ohio State defeated Tennessee 42-17. I thought that was going to be the loudest game, as the stadium was predominantly filled with Buckeye fans, however, both teams matched each others’ energy throughout the night.
Being surrounded by Ohio State fans, total strangers who were all family for the 4 hours in the stadium, was a surreal experience. People from all over the country bonded through one team. This journey was a long road for the players, coaches, and fans.
I have never been more nervous about a sporting event before. The game went from OSU up by two scores at half to Notre Dame back within one score with 4 minutes left on the clock. At this point, Day started to become conservative with the play calls to run the clock out, however, it wasn’t enough. With a little over 2 minutes left in the game, 3rd and 11, I could see our star receiver Jeremiah Smith lined up in a one-on-one.
The ball is snapped and Smith takes off. “There he is, there he is,” screams the person behind me. I hold my breath as Quarterback Will Howard launches the ball 50 yards down the field as Smith runs free down the sideline. The catch is made and the volume in the stadium goes from 0 to 100. That sealed it. The freshman receiver just sealed the National Championship for his team. The team spends the next minute and a half running the clock before lining up for a 33-yard field goal attempt.
After I saw the ball fly through the uprights it hit me. They won. I threw my hands in the air and let out a sigh of relief. It took me a second to fully process what was happening before my dad pulled my brother and I into a hug and said, “We did it.” I almost broke down after seeing the team and fans around me celebrate the win.
After losing to Michigan for the fourth time, fans began to doubt Head Coach Ryan Day on his ability to produce good game plans in important games. Getting to see Ryan Day and the seniors celebrate this win was extraordinary. This team had to fight all season to be the last one standing on the big stage raising the National Championship trophy.
The thrilling feeling of winning is unmatched and something I will never forget. We watched the trophy ceremony before leaving the stadium with thousands of fans sharing the same overjoyed feelings. I was looking at the outside of the stadium as we walked away and I realized I had just experienced the best night of my life.
