EAST LANSING, Mich. — Gareon Conley’s bags were packed and still in the locker room, but in the moments Saturday after Ohio State’s 17-16 win at Michigan State, the cornerback left nothing to chance with the football clutched in his left arm.
He carried it to the media interview room and held it secure throughout. It wasn’t the ball he had intercepted from Michigan State’s Tyler O’Connor with 1:30 left to effectively end the unanticipated defensive struggle.
It was the game ball, replete with the OSU logo, symbolic of a big play and a win that saw the Buckeyes stay alive in the College Football Playoff race with one regular-season game to play.