Watch Ohio State receive gold pants in honor of beating Michigan

For the better part of two decades, beating Michigan on the football field seemed like a foregone conclusion. In the span of 20 years, Ohio State topped its archrival 17 times and lost just three. That’s a lot of gold pants given out during that span, a tradition that began in 1934, when then-head coach Francis Schmidt gave his players the gold jewelry in honor of the Wolverines’ loss.

It had become something that fans and players alike had become accustomed to until it wasn’t. After dodging, I mean, canceling the game due to Covid in 2020, Michigan defeated OSU in 2021. That was the confidence boost Maize and Blue needed as they reeled off four straight wins against the Buckeyes. However, in 2025, it was Ohio State that got back on track, beating the Wolverines by a score of 27-9, snapping the four-game losing streak that nearly cost Ryan Day his job.

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After four years without gold jewelry, the Bucks finally received the spoils of victory. On Tuesday, coaches and players received their own pair of gold pants, commemorating the victory over their archrival. You can see the relief and look of pure joy on Day’s face as he announces the news via the Ohio State Football X account (formerly Twitter).

The season may not have ended with a national championship this season, but a win over Michigan is almost as good and even better for some. With gold pants in hand, Ohio State will look to get a second pair when the Wolverines visit Columbus on Nov. 28 later this year.

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This article originally appeared on Buckeyes Wire: Ohio State football players, coaches receive gold pants