On August 31, the Ohio State Buckeyes’ (ranked No. 3) opening-week clash with the Texas Longhorns was crazy stuff. The Buckeyes delivered quite a statement performance to start their season. In the aftermath, though, former safety Ryan Clark summed up the mood with a tweet.
“Ohio State is just going to get better and better after today. This team is going to be extremely hard to beat. So talented and so well coached!”
Ohio State is just going to get better and better after today. This team is going to be extremely hard to beat. So talented and so well coached!
— Ryan Clark (@Realrclark25) August 30, 2025
Clark’s tweet followed a game that flexed Ryan Day’s roster’s firepower.
First up, the breakout of WR Carnell Tate stood out as one of the defining moments. He first hauled in a 9-yard curl, before breaking loose for a deep touchdown catch in the second half. Alongside Heisman contender Jeremiah Smith, he forms what might be the scariest receiving duo in college football right now.
Secondly, QB Julian Sayin handled his first career start like a pro. He hit on critical throws, including Tate’s score, while guiding an offense that consistently tested Texas’ secondary. His ability to manage the game under pressure was a positive sign for the Buckeyes moving forward.
Defensively, Ohio State absorbed an early setback with the loss of edge rusher Kenyatta Jackson in the third quarter. Jackson, who recorded 16 tackles and 1.5 sacks last season, had already logged three stops before exiting. Even without him, the Buckeyes’ defense held firm and limited Texas’ scoring opportunities in key drives.
In a Top-5 showdown filled with pressure, Ohio State showed the balance, discipline, and talent that totally justified Ryan Clark’s praise.
Ohio State Buckeyes HC Ryan Day Goes Viral vs. Texas Longhorns
Ohio State Buckeyes head coach Ryan Day questions the lack of a call behind Texas Longhorns linebacker Ty'Anthony Smith (26) during the first half of the NCAA football game at Ohio Stadium on Aug. 30, 2025. © Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Ohio State Buckeyes head coach Ryan Day questions the lack of a call behind Texas Longhorns linebacker Ty’Anthony Smith (26) during the first half of the NCAA football game at Ohio Stadium on Aug. 30, 2025.
Ohio State head coach Ryan Day went viral during the Buckeyes’ Top-5 matchup against Texas (not for play-calling, though). Instead, social media erupted after FOX’s cameras showed Day on the sideline in a black polo, sparking speculation that he might have a new piercing.
“If Ryan Day is a n*pple piercing guy I think I’d actually respect him. Would be such a psycho move,” wrote Barstool Sports’ Big Cat.
If Ryan Day is a nipple piercing guy I think I’d actually respect him. Would be such a psycho move pic.twitter.com/Z2d6uKLwwF
— Big Cat (@BarstoolBigCat) August 30, 2025
The chatter gained traction briskly. Fans on X joked about how the coach could be preparing for a massive opener while the country debated his appearance. Day, now in his seventh season, downplayed the matchup’s hype before kickoff.
“I have a tremendous amount of respect for Sark, for his coaching staff, for the players, and we’re excited to play these guys,”Day told reporters, via 247Sports. “It’s rare that you would play someone like this towards the end of the season and start the regular season with them, but here we are, and I think it’s going to give us a great barometer coming out of the first game. …”
At the end of the day, this is just casual banter. Fans care more about whether Day delivers another title.