Ryan Day says the game is “about our togetherness, our character, our resilience and who we are as Buckeyes.”

Before Ohio State University’s final home game against Michigan, Ohio State University’s head coach spoke about the importance of winning The Game, citing a long list of reasons why Saturday’s rivalry game is important, including “our integrity, our character, our Resilience and who. “We’re like Buckeyes.”

“Our number one goal every year is to win this game. And we do everything we can every day to make this game a reality. We don’t wear blue. We don’t say the M word. But today it’s not about them. “This is about us,” Day said. “This is about our team. This is about our band. This is about our fans. This is about our university. This is about our state. This is about our toughness. This is about our work ethic. This is about our integrity, our character, our resilience and who we are as Buckeyes.”

Ohio State defensive end Jack Sawyer and defensive line coach Larry Johnson also spoke to the loudest Skull Session crowd of the season at St. John Arena. Sawyer talked about what the game means to him as a Central Ohio resident and implored the crowd to make the boot louder than ever before on Saturday.

“As a little boy growing up just 15 minutes away in Pickerington, I always dreamed of playing this game here. “This game means everything to me and the brothers and coaching staff that are behind me right now,” Sawyer said. “We fought like hell to get back to where we are right now. My only message today is to make the shoe the loudest, most hostile environment in the country.”

Johnson also urged the crowd to cheer loudly and promised Buckeye Nation that they will have a lot of fun with what they see from the Buckeyes as Ohio State looks to end its three-year losing streak in The Game.

“We’re going to need you today. You have to be absolutely loud today. “We have to shake the shoe today,” Johnson said. “We have waited 325 days for this moment to come back here. Now we are standing here, now we are ready to fight and I am telling you now: watch what happens on the field for 60 minutes!”