Though Saturday afternoon's game against Illinois (a 41-point underdog) shouldn't mean much in the grand scheme of things, it marks a day 19 Ohio State seniors will never forget — their final game in iconic Ohio Stadium.
“We're very close to this group of seniors,” Urban Meyer said during his weekly press conference on Monday afternoon. “It's very well documented the respect and love we have for these guys because it's the first time we've had a couple of fifth-year seniors who have decided to stay throughout their journey, and we're going to treat them right. And the best way to treat them right is go win this game.”
Throughout the week, some seniors were asked by the media to share their favorite memories of playing in The Horseshoe. Some talked about their journey from a wide-eyed freshman to a seasoned veteran on the precipice of a career in the National Football League. Others, like Jalyn Holmes, took time to thank his mother for giving him the strength to keep going when times got tough.
“She was like, ‘If you come back home, you ain’t living here,'” Holmes said on Wednesday, noting he was ready to transfer to a small school near his home in Virginia. “I didn’t have nowhere else to go. It was be at Ohio State or be homeless.”
His mom, Tasha, responded in kind. As did the families of nearly every other senior, as the official Ohio State Football Twitter account released several videos over the last few days with a message from the player's mothers, fathers, brothers and sisters.
Cornerback Trevon Forte
Wide receiver Elijaah Goins
Defensive end Nick Seme
Linebacker Zach Turnure
Safety Erick Smith
Defensive tackle Michael Hill
Tight end Marcus Baugh
Safety Damon Webb
Defensive tackle Tracy Sprinkle
Offensive tackle Jamarco Jones
Defensive end Jalyn Holmes
Linebacker Chris Worley
Defensive end Tyquan Lewis
Center Billy Price
Quarterback J.T. Barrett
Former quarterback Stephen Collier, cornerback Cin'quan Haney, linebacker Jackson Hayes and safety Clay Raterman will all be honored as part of the Senior Day festivities on Saturday.