The postgame sprint through sheer jubilation, and eventually, to heartbreak: What I’ll remember

ANN ARBOR, Michigan — The postgame sprint is always my least favorite part of any Ohio State road game.

Sometimes, you’re lucky enough to get the elevator down to the main concourse, where you then fight your way through the crowd of people to get to the always cramped and oft overheated broom closet (read: interview room) to talk with coach Ryan Day and a few players after a game.

This time, considering that Ohio State’s 30-24 loss to Michigan went down to the wire, I was a bit late to the elevator, as was our own Stephen Means. We reached the line waiting to take it down, but decided standing there wouldn’t be the best use of our time. So we headed for the stairs and as it turned out, into the chaos. It was clear we’d have to haul it at some point.

We hit the stairs, and immediately joined fans that were walking toward the main level to either celebrate or drown their sorrows. Someone threw a cup of nacho cheese at the wall on the staircase, though it remains unclear if in rejoice or anger.

Then we hit the main level, and it all washed over me. The Buckeyes really lost (I thought they’d win until the Wolverines reached midfield on the final drive of the game), and there season really basically over (a thought that still feels weird to say out loud).

And as Stephen and I sprinted/jogged/speed-walked through the crowd of maize and blue, I saw and heard it all. I saw Michigan fans wearing “Michigan vs. Everybody” clothes. I heard Michigan fans scream-laughing profanities at silent Ohio State fans. I saw Ohio State fans, heads down, clearly looking to get out of Michigan as quickly as they could.

On the way to our interviews, Stephen and I discussed playcalling. We talked big moments. We went back and forth as much as we could about the game while adding in things like, “This way!” as we moved in and out of oncoming foot traffic. Our speedwalk turned into a jog, and then a sprint, as Stephen told me it was time to run. We did, and found our way to the tunnel at Michigan Stadium as we jumped out of the way of fans exiting.

The tunnel was no different than what we saw in the concourse. J.J. McCarthy was hugging a friend or a family member with the world’s largest smile on his face, as one Michigan player walked up the tunnel screaming, “Three in a row!” Dozens and dozens of Michigan fans were in the tunnel, celebrating the slow trickle of players leaving the mob scene on the field. It felt as if Michigan had just won the Super Bowl, if the Super Bowl mattered more.

Then we walked into the press conference room out of breath, having essentially entered a new world. It was hot. It was crowded. And most of all, it was quiet.

And as a dejected Day began his postgame press conference, the yells of joy coming from outside were still audible, giving a far-too-cruel glimpse at what could have been for Ohio State, and just how close — both physically and hypothetically — the Buckeyes were to victory.