Ryan Day had plenty of praise for Ohio State wide receiver Carnell Tate in the team’s 31-7 victory over the Northwestern Wildcats. And it was rightfully deserved after Tate recorded 4 catches for 52 yards with 2 touchdowns.

The performance was a special one for Tate, who was playing in his hometown of area of Chicago, Illinois. It also goes down as Tate’s first career game with multiple touchdowns.

But the coach started off by commending Tate for what he brings to the table from an intangibles perspective. Especially with all Tate has been through in life with the loss of his mother, who was killed in a drive-by shooting in July of 2023.

“Carnell’s not someone who talks about himself or even wants me talking about himself and everything he’s been through,” Day said. “But we all know he’s lost his mom, and he doesn’t show that every day when he’s here. We say it all the time: the game doesn’t care what you’ve been through. You cross that line, you go onto the field, the game doesn’t really care, but we do. His teammates do, his coaches do, the people that know Carnell care a lot about him. Just the way that he’s handled himself has been an example for everybody.”

He was equally proud of the statement Tate was able to make in front of a place that he’s familiar with — and is familiar with him. That kind of performance isn’t just special to Tate. Day says it meant a lot to the rest of the Buckeyes as well.

“And we care a lot about him and then to see him get 2 touchdown passes in his hometown in front of a big — I think he had over 25 people here watching him — I know it means a lot to him but it also means a lot to us,” Day continued. “And we’re really happy for him today.”

Tate came into the game with 27 receptions for 405 yards with 2 touchdowns on the season.

Tate and Ohio State will look to keep things rolling in the right direction as the Buckeyes face the No. 5 Indiana Hoosiers at noon ET on their home turf.