Ohio State's message in beating No. 1 Texas? A championship defense still resides in Columbus

The Buckeyes had plenty of defensive talent waiting behind the outgoing NFL Draft picks from last season. They showed that on Saturday.

Ohio State cornerback Jermaine Mathews celebrates an interception during Saturday’s win against Texas. (Photo courtesy of Ohio State athletics)

COLUMBUS — Ryan Day exited his position behind the lectern in Ohio State’s postgame interview room and made his way for the door that leads to the stairs that wind down to the Buckeyes’ locker room in the south end of Ohio Stadium. Waiting by the door, leaning against the frame like he was worn out from running a marathon, was new defensive coordinator Matt Patricia.

Day hugged Patricia, a long embrace befitting the stakes and, ultimately, the result of Saturday’s game against No. 1 Texas. A bro hug for the ages. Day had a young quarterback, Julian Sayin, making his first start. He had a new offensive play-caller, Brian Hartline, pushing the buttons against what will be one of the best defenses in college football this year. He didn’t want either to feel like the weight of the world was on their shoulders in this opener, which some were calling the biggest the sport has ever seen. No. 1 vs the defending national champs.

So Day put the game on Ohio State’s defense.

He put it on Patricia.

They responded, because this Buckeye defense has what it needs to answer that call. They knew it inside the Woody Hayes Athletic Center. I think some around Ohio had at least a hunch. It just took four quarters on Saturday for the rest of college football to find out.