Holtz stands by remark: Ohio St

• Adam Rittenberg, ESPN

  • Senior Citizen WriterSep 26, 2023, 06:20 PM ET Close College football reporter.
  • Signed up with ESPN.com in 2008.
  • Graduate of Northwestern University.Lou Holtz said he

comprehended why his remarks about Ohio State before recently’s game at Notre Dame troubled Buckeyes coach Ryan Day, however he reiterated his belief that the Battling Irish are an exceptional team despite their 17-14 loss.Speaking Tuesday to Dan Dakich on the Outkick show”Do

n’t @ Me!” Holtz stated he called Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman to apologize for perhaps putting the Irish in a difficult position. Holtz told”The Pat McAfee Show”before Saturday’s game that Ohio State had not been physical enough to beat leading opponents, mentioning the group’s successive losses to Michigan and its CFP beats versus Georgia, Alabama and Clemson.”I do not feel bad about stating it because I thought it, “Holtz informed Dakich.

“Notre Dame was a much better football group. Three times, Ohio State had fourth-and-1, ran the ball and could not make it. … If I was training, I would have said it. I would [have] went to our group and said,’ I think you’re better. I think you’re more physical. I believe you’re more gifted. ‘” But when I state something and yet I can’t manage the outcome of the

game, that’s unreasonable to Coach Freeman. “Editor’s Picks 1 Related An emotional Day mentioned Holtz’s remarks in his on-field interview with NBC after the Buckeyes ‘win and

then again

in his postgame press conference, stating that Holtz and others who questioned Ohio State’s strength and physicality need to “put the movie on.””We constantly state, ‘Overlook the noise, ‘however every when in a while, after a while someone’s poking at you, you’ve got to stand

up for what you think in,” Day stated. “To see a few of the things that were stated, I get Ohio versus the world, however we needed to go play like that today. We required to win like that, to stop that story that’s going on, due to the fact that it’s not real.”Holtz, 86, said he understands why Day was unhappy with him.”He doesn’t want to talk about [losing to] Michigan, 0-2, he does not

wish to speak about the big games coming up against Penn State and versus Michigan again,” Holtz said.”He’s an excellent coach. He’s done a tremendous job. He’s an excellent offensive mind. … Ohio State’s a great football group. I don’t think they’re a terrific football group. He can go after me all he desires. “Holtz included that he hopes Day” goes on and has a terrific year, “while adding that Notre Dame’s mistakes in the final 2 minutes, including not forcing Ohio State to utilize all its timeouts

before the Buckeyes ‘final ownership, most likely expense the Irish a win he thought they deserved. He also stated he didn’t recognize just how much his remarks would be amplified.”Coach Freeman is constantly a class person,” Holtz stated.”He’s extremely, extremely courteous. He didn’t even make a remark about it, however I desired him to know that I felt bad.”