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Ryan Day makes not-so-subtle accusation against Brent Venables, Clemson defense
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There wasn’t really a need to throw an extra log on the burning fire between Clemson and Ohio State as the two teams head into the Sugar Bowl on Friday, with a trip to the national championship on the line. The flames are still pretty hot heading into the New Year’s Day showdown.
But Ryan Day sprayed a little lighter fluid into the pit this week while meeting with the media. And while the second-year Ohio State head coach stopped just short of actually saying Clemson defensive coordinator Brent Venables was stealing signs, he essentially made that accusation.
Earlier this week, Day met with the media as the Buckeyes prepare to play the Tigers in a rematch of last year’s Fiesta Bowl. And while talking about Clemson’s defense, Day made a passive-aggressive remark that indicates Venables might be “sign stealing.”
“Seems to always know exactly what the other team is doing in terms of the plays that they’re running, each play,” Day said of Venables. “Seems to call the right defense into that play a lot. Why that is, I don’t really know. But I can tell you he’s been doing it for a really long time.”
From the outside, it may just look like sour grapes. Ohio State lost a tight game to Clemson last year in a game in which the officiating is still being critiqued and criticized. But it’s pretty clear that Day feels there are some nefarious things taking place on the Clemson sidelines during games.
Day’s not-so-subtle accusation, along with Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney ranking Ohio State No. 11 in his Coaches Poll ballot — and standing behind that ranking — is going to make for an intriguing matchup on Friday evening.
Kickoff is set for 8 p.m. ET with the game airing on ESPN.
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