Watch Ohio State receive gold pants in honor of beating Michigan

For the better part of two decades, beating Michigan on the football field felt like a forgone conclusion. Over the span of 20 years, Ohio State would best its arch rival 17 times, losing just three. That's a lot of gold pants handed out during that span, a tradition that started all the way back in 1934, when then head coach Francis Schmidt gave his players the golden jewelry in honor of defeating the Wolverines.

It had become something fans and players alike had become accustomed to until it wasn't. After ducking, I mean, cancelling the game due to Covid in 2020, Michigan upset OSU in 2021. That was the confidence boost the Maize and Blue needed as they rattled off four straight wins against the Buckeyes .

However, in 2025, it was Ohio State who got back on track, beating the Wolverines by a score of 27-9 , breaking the four-game skid that almost cost Ryan Day his job. After four years of no gold jewelry, the Bucks were finally treated with the spoils of victory. Coaches and players were each gifted their very own pair of gold pants on Tuesday, commemorating the win over their arch-rival.

You can see the relief and look of pure jubilation on Day's face as he announces the news via the Ohio State Football X (formerly Twitter) account. 🏅👖 pic. twitter.