Ryan Day electrifies Ohio State fans with fired up pregame message

"We're focused on being the best version of this team 🗣️"

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– Coach Day on the mic at Skull Session pic.twitter.com/a3x2sA1F8d

— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) September 26, 2026

Ohio State is 2-1 on the season, with a loss to Texas. The Buckeyes blew a 20-point second half lead in the Texas game.

“I know the best version of this team is going to be d*** good…..let’s make sure that Illinois knows they’re in conference play right now and they are playing the Buckeyes at our stadium,” Day added.

Ohio State hopes to reach the College Football Playoff for the third consecutive season under Day. The Buckeyes won the national championship in 2024, before losing in 2025 to Miami (FL).

The Buckeyes hope to bounce back from an early season loss to the Longhorns. Ohio State has wins this season over Kent State and Ball State.

Ohio State’s head coach wants to see more from his running backs, heading into the Illinois game.

“I’m not trying to sit here and rank the backs or anything like that, but I do think there was some really good things Ja’Kobi (Jackson) did in the game,” Day said, per 247 Sports. “I thought he ran downhill. And we all know what Bo and Isaiah both can do. So we need to see those guys really run angry. That’s the bottom line. I thought they were just okay in the game. I thought Ja’Kobi ran harder. That’s just the facts. So the challenge is out to run really angry and really physical in this game.

Ohio State and Illinois play Saturday at 12:00 ET. Illinois also enters the game with a 2-1 record.

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