Ryan Day and the Ohio State Buckeyes appeared poised for an epic, dominating win over the No. 1 Georgia Bulldogs.
That was before a targeting call on Buckeyes wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. got overturned late in the fourth quarter. Though it wasn’t the sole reason for the collapse, it played a major role as the Buckeye offense never looked the same once Harrison Jr. exited the contest.
The Bulldogs eventually beat the Buckeyes, 42-41, after Buckeyes kicker Noah Ruggles shanked a potentially game-winning kick as time expired.
Day, speaking with assembled media in Columbus, Ohio, recently reacted to the overturned targeting call that played a critical role in the defeat.
Ryan Day said he made “a lot” of calls after the semifinal loss to Georgia about the hit on Marvin Harrison Jr.
Said he thought it was targeting.
He was told the hit “wasn’t forceable enough” and “the hit didn’t go directly to his head.” Day disagreed.
— Cameron Teague (@cj_teague) February 1, 2023
“Ryan Day said he made ‘a lot’ of calls after the semifinal loss to Georgia about the hit on Marvin Harrison Jr. Said he thought it was targeting. He was told the hit ‘wasn’t forceable enough’ and ‘the hit didn’t go directly to his head.’ Day disagreed,” wrote Athletic reporter Cameron Teague.
Harrison, the son of the former Indianapolis Colts legendary receiver of the same name, played high school football at St. Joseph’s Preparatory Academy in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania before signing with the Buckeyes as a high four-star prospect in 2021.
