PASADENA, Calif. (AP) – Ryan Day is getting his final day of preparation to step into the spotlight as Ohio State’s head coach.
Day is the Buckeyes’ co-offensive coordinator under Urban Meyer until the conclusion of the 105th edition of the Rose Bowl. Right after that, Day becomes the 25th head coach in Ohio State history, charged with preserving and improving a storied program coming off one of its most successful stretches.
Whether or not the Rose Bowl will mark the final collegiate start for Ohio State quarterback Dwayne Haskins remains a mystery.
Haskins’ future has been as much a topic of conversation as Meyer’s final game as the Buckeyes’ coach.
The redshirt sophomore finished third in Heisman Trophy voting after leading the nation with 4,580 passing yards and 47 touchdowns while directing the Buckeyes to a Big Ten title.
-0-
The mayors of Columbus and Seattle are making a charitable bet on the matchup between Washington and Ohio State.
Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther says Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan will have to donate $105 to the Mid-Ohio Food Bank if the Buckeyes win. If the Huskies triumph, Ginther would donate that amount to support local service providers’ work to prevent homelessness with Seattle’s Human Services Department.
The mayor who roots for the losing team also will have to take a photo while wearing the winning team’s jersey.
-0-
People planning to attend the New Year’s Day Rose Parade and Rose Bowl game should prepare for cold and blustery conditions.
The National Weather Service says cold Santa Ana winds will increase in strength and become more widespread late on New Year’s Eve and through much of New Year’s Day.
Forecasters say the parade and game in Pasadena could see gusts up to 35 mph along with wind-chill readings in the 30s during early morning hours.
The 130th Rose Parade begins at 8:00 a.m. local time on Tuesday but spectators will be allowed to gather along the 5.5-mile route starting at noon Monday to camp out on sidewalks overnight.