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Ryan Day says Chris Olave was crushed after Fiesta Bowl loss: ‘I don’t think he ate solid food for three or four days’
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It would’ve been nearly impossible for anyone wearing an Ohio State jersey on December 28 to not be devastated. The way the Buckeyes lost the Fiesta Bowl to Clemson, missing out on a chance to play for a national title, was heartbreaking.
Sophomore wide receiver Chris Olave took the loss especially hard.
Ohio State owned a 16-0 lead in the first half before Clemson staged a huge comeback near the end of the second quarter and into the third quarter. Trailing the Tigers 29-23 with less than a minute to play, the Buckeyes were deep in Clemson territory with a chance to take a late lead.
But a miscommunication between Justin Fields and Olave resulted in a game-winning interception for Clemson. After the game, both Fields and Olave admitted to the miscommunication, which ultimately ended Ohio State’s season with a 13-1 record.
Wednesday, head coach Ryan Day met with the media to talk about several things about the 2019 season and the future of the program. When he mentioned Olave, he talked about just how devastated the wide receiver was about the loss.
“I’m not sure he ate solid food for three or four days after (the Clemson loss),” Day said, according to Nathan Baird of Cleveland.com. “He was crushed. … But that’s not why we lost that game.”
Ohio State had several opportunities to put the game away early, but failed to capitalize, particularly inside the red zone. A few questionable officiating calls in the game — most notably a targeting call against Shaun Wade — swung the momentum of the contest, as well.
Chances to win the game were there for Ohio State throughout the game, and it couldn’t take advantage. While that last play of the game was obviously significant, it wasn’t the only play that cost the Buckeyes.
Dustin grew up in the heart of Big Ten country and has been in sports media since 2010. He has been covering Big Ten football since 2014. You can follow him on Twitter: @SchutteCFB