ohio state v. notre dame...{september 6, 2022}

The People. The Tradition. The Excellence.

Ohio State’s slogan took on new meaning for this non-football fan when our daughter and her boyfriend told us they bought tickets for the OSU/Notre Dame game. Daughter is a diehard Buckeye fan; her boyfriend a diehard Irish fan. The atmosphere leading up to the first game of the season with these two tradition-oriented teams was electric. 

The PEOPLE.

One thing in common on game days, 99.9% of the people in Columbus are rooting for the Buckeyes. It’s a feeling of unity unlike no other until you experience it.

ESPN GameDay came to Columbus to start off the college football season. The U.S. Navy Parachute Team, the Leap Frogs, performed their precision jumps into Ohio Stadium. Former Buckeye and current Cincinnati Bengals star quarterback Joe Burrow made an appearance and was recognized during the first quarter and the fans went wild. LeBron James and his son Bronny wore Buckeyes gear on the sidelines and people were starstruck. (Is LeBron making a play to return to Cleveland to finish his career?)

The TRADITION. 

There are few Columbus traditions stronger than a game day tailgate. Tents fill the lots and line all the roads leading to the stadium.

Another tradition that never fails is the O-H / I-O chant. Random people shout out 

O-H; other random people respond I-O. In the stadium, an O-H-I-O chant goes in a wave around the four sides.

TBDBITL. The Best Damn Band in the Land. Their pre-game Skull Sessions (a free pep rally) and their halftime shows are timeless traditions.

TBDBITL marching into St. John Arena to the drum cadence for the Skull Session

The EXCELLENCE. 

Members of the 2002 undefeated National Championship team along with their coach Jim Tressel were honored at the end of the first quarter of the game.

Fans love their Buckeyes. Ohio State beat Notre Dame 21-10 in this top five matchup. At the end of the game the band, football team, cheerleaders, and coaching staff gather in the end zone and along with the fans sing the alma mater “Carmen Ohio.”

Until next Saturday, Go Bucks!

"How firm thy friendship, O-HI-O"