Dave Portnoy, a proud Michigan alumnus, couldn’t hide his delight as he watched Ohio State’s dramatic failure unfold on Saturday night.
The Barstool Sports founder took aim at Ohio State’s kicker Jaden Fielding and the team’s coach Ryan Day after Fielding missed a crucial field goal in the Big Ten Championship against No. 2 Indiana.
With just under three minutes to go and the Buckeyes trailing 13-10, the team had a chance to tie the game. Yet, instead of attempting to convert on a fourth-and-1, Day opted for a field goal from 27 yards.
Fielding had been reliable all season, going for it on 16 of 18 attempts. He even had a successful 30-yard kick earlier in the game. But this time, he swung the ball left, sealing Ohio State’s fate.
Immediately, Portnoy took to social media, criticizing Day for what he viewed as a poor decision that not only affected the senior kicker but also reflected poorly on the team’s strategy in crunch time. He couldn’t resist poking fun at the rival fan base.
“What a precise move. [field goal] 4th and 1st,” he tweeted. “And an absolute choke kick.”
In another post, he expressed, “It’s the same old Ohio State,” accompanied by laughing emojis. He congratulated Indiana, asserting that going undefeated in the conference is a mark of a great team, adding, “Will Ohio ever win the Big Ten again? I can’t wait to hear the excuses.”
The Hoosiers, led by Curt Cignetti, secured their first Big Ten championship since 1967, ending Ohio State’s impressive streak. Ironically, the Buckeyes had lost their previous game to the University of Michigan, also by a field goal late in the match.
Portnoy, whose Wolverines triumphed in three consecutive Big Ten championships from 2021 to 2023, took the opportunity to throw a few more digs at Ohio State and its supporters through a two-minute video.
“I feel so sorry for the Ohio State fans,” he said in the video, sporting a Michigan cap with a big grin. “Because deep down they know they can’t be considered great unless they win the Big Ten.”
This defeat will likely cause Ohio State to drop to the No. 2 seed in the College Football Playoff, but they will still secure a first-round bye as they strive for back-to-back national titles.
