Tressels, Fickells, Urbans, Days, Johnsons and Days,
 

It's been 3,202 days but he's back.

My youngest son, Jake, was last featured on Eleven Warriors February 19th, 2017. Jake was published on 11W as a first grader for writing about an important historical figure for a class project.

It read (sic'd throughout - his future editor will clean this up; that's what they do):

He was the person that ran the 85 yard run vs Alamama in the shuger bowl they won that game 42-35 to go to the champianchip game. He was a very good football player for ohio state and the Dallas and his celebraceon eat'in soup.

Without reading the full article, many of you can probably guess this important historical figure who goes by one name that starts with Z.  To find out the answer, the full article is below:

https://www.elevenwarriors.com/ohio/2017/02/80228/85-yards-and-a-bowl-of...
 

Jake has paid close attention to Ohio State football since he was a little guy running through our family room with a football tucked under his arm and jumping repeatedly into the Buckeye bean bag in the corner to score touchdowns.  

As an Ohio State football aficionado, historian and son of Buckeye kibitzer, Large Father, I asked Jake to be a guest contributor this week.  

Here's what Jake, now a 10th grader, gave us:  

I want to beat them so we can see Ryan Day happy. I want to beat them to forget about the last 4 years.  I want to beat them so Desmond Howard’s annoying laugh I hear every Saturday morning can be a little quieter going forward. I want to beat them for Jack Sawyer. I want to beat them so we can plant our flag onto their turf. I want to beat them because I can’t imagine the hype going into a #1 vs #2 Big Ten championship next week. I want to beat them because of me and a buddy watching hype videos for the game during school on Monday and Tuesday rather than doing work. I want to beat them because of the weekly texts I get from my grandma, asking for my score prediction on Saturday. I want to beat them because of the unforgettable process of getting to the Texas game, when my dad walked the fastest I’ve ever seen him walk and we got in just in time to see Lee Corso’s final headgear pick. I want to beat them because their fans still claim that JT was short. I want to beat them because of Connor Stallions and Jim Harbaugh. I want to beat them so that Urban will be nothing but smiles on the postgame show. I want to beat them because their fight song always gets stuck in my head. I want to beat them because of Dave Portnoy. I want to beat them because Bryce Underwood saying he can run the entire state of Ohio. I want to beat them for my dad, who takes his time out of his week to write these emails. I want to beat them so that the M’s that are crossed out on campus don’t make me sad after knowing the result of the game. I want to beat them because of the Buckeye Donut runs my dad and I used to make on the mornings of Black Friday, which we deemed unlucky. I want to beat them because of my dad and I’s superstitions. I want to beat them because of the way Dwayne Haskins played after JT got hurt in the 2017 Michigan game. I want to beat them for my Pops who deserves to see a buckeye win. I want to beat them for Uncle Rick. I want to beat them so Michigan has no chance of making the playoffs. I want to beat them because of the beer that was all over me and my mom by the end of the game last year- due to a fan slamming their can into a bleacher in front of us. I want to beat them because I can’t believe the college football season is already in week 14. I want to beat them because of the contrast in Will Howard and Julian Sayin, Howard showed a lot of emotion, Sayin shows little to none. I want to beat them because I can’t imagine the stress in Ryan Day’s life. I want to beat them so I can enjoy the rest of the college football slate on Saturday. I want to beat them because of the 2019 team. I want to beat them because of all the memories made inside of The Shoe. I want to beat them so I can watch the highlights of the game for years to come. I want to beat them so I can stop hearing the 2000 whatever days since Ohio state beat Michigan. I want to again, beat them for my dad, who falls to his knees nearly every time a buckeye is injured. I want to beat them for the DVD’s we have of old buckeyes highlights. I want to beat them for my mom, who has the best football knowledge compared to any other mom I’ve met. I want to beat them for all the Ohio State fans that positively comment on my TikTok’s. I want to beat them because of the vivid memory I have of going to preschool after the Ohio State Oregon championship game. I want to beat them because of Jayden Fielding’s missed kicks last year. I want to beat them because of the players tearing down Michigan’s banner in 1973. I want to beat them for Master Teague. I want to beat them for the entire Day family. I want to beat them for my grandpa, who I saw jump for joy after Curtis Samuel’s overtime touchdown run. I want to beat them for my dog Charlie, getting scared anytime we make noise due to an exciting buckeye play. I want to beat them for the paper that I would only read on Saturday’s for the Buckeye section.

There are many things I love about this. 

Just like 3,202 days ago, Jake only re-tells the important parts. 

I love that Jake wants it for the Day family, who have endured a lot and are recognized too little for pushing forward the meaningful mission of youth mental health. Jake grounded this in many real things. Time together. Awesome memories for me to think back on, and fresh perspective on what this game means to him. You might be making your own list in your head now. If so, write it down and share it with someone you love, someone who shares the love of Ohio State football with you.

I can't wait for one of my favorite days of the year. I hope all of our lists next year include an amazing Buckeye victory this Saturday.
 

Touchdowns:  Jeremiah Smith, Max Klare, Bo Jackson, James Peoples

OSU 34 Michigan 10

Go Bucks!  Beat Michigan!  Harry Miller and Eddrick Houston for Heisman!

Stout Pops