Christian Alliegro says Ohio State’s lack of effort against USC was its biggest disappointment as the Buckeyes confront accountability before Oregon.

Effort.

The Ohio State linebacker did not soften his assessment Tuesday when asked about comments from captain Jaylen McClain, who said after the game that the defense had too many plays without enough effort. Alliegro said watching the film made the problem even more disappointing.

“I think honestly the lack of effort was probably the most disappointing thing throughout the whole game, especially after watching the film,” Alliegro said. “If you mess up a play call, so be it, but if you’re just not running the ball or not giving effort in the game, why are you playing football?”

His pointed criticism separates the problems the Buckeyes can address through film study and technical corrections from the standard they expect every player to meet on every snap. Ohio State can correct a missed assignment, adjust a call, or improve communication. But a lack of effort is an entirely different conversation that requires accountability from the players responsible.

Alliegro said the team intends to use the loss as motivation for the remainder of the season. The Buckeyes have little time to dwell on it, with Oregon next on the schedule and the margin for error near zero.

Day Acknowledged Ohio State’s Effort Problem

Ryan Day acknowledged that effort was an issue when asked whether he saw what McClain described. The head coach said Ohio State did not play with the necessary urgency on early plays in the USC game. But the defense improved its pace as the afternoon continued.

“I felt like there were some plays early in the game where that happened,” Day said. “I think as the game went on, we started playing much faster, but there were missed tackles and giant plays.”

Day pointed to USC’s two 70-yard plays and a third-and-19 conversion as examples of what went wrong. Those breakdowns were not isolated statistical blemishes. Instead, they exposed a defense that failed to finish plays and allowed USC to build momentum with explosive gains.

“It’s completely unacceptable,” Day said. “So, yeah, we all have to look in the mirror and figure out why exactly that happened, and if it happens again this week, we’re in trouble.”

The response cannot rest solely on the defensive coaching staff or just the captains. Day said responsibility extends throughout the building, starting with the veterans expected to set the standard for the rest of the roster.

“You got to challenge everybody,” Day said. “Challenge everybody in the building, challenge the older guys who have been here before. Not only got to do their job and lead, but they got to bring guys along with them.”

Ohio State Failed to Deliver for Luke Fahey

That challenge is particularly relevant for a team that spent the two weeks before USC emphasizing its responsibility to support freshman quarterback Luke Fahey. Ohio State talked about elevating its play around Fahey and helping him through his first start.

Alliegro said the quarterback did enough for the Buckeyes to win, placing the responsibility on the defense to make the plays it needed.

“Honestly, I think Luke played good enough for us to win,” Alliegro said. “And, [the] defense didn’t step up when we needed to, didn’t make the plays when we needed to.”

He also made clear that the team stands behind Fahey. Alliegro said he would continue to support the freshman quarterback, but the defense must hold up its end of the agreement.

Alliegro Demands Accountability Across the Program

For Alliegro, accountability means addressing the mistakes directly, even when those conversations become uncomfortable. He described Sunday’s team film session, when Day questioned players about their mistakes and held them responsible for what appeared on the tape.

“I think you just got to hold everybody accountable,” Alliegro said. “There’s going to be some uncomfortable moments in conversations.”

He added that the embarrassment of confronting those mistakes can help players become more focused moving forward. Alliegro said he is comfortable having those conversations with teammates as he takes on a larger leadership role.

The message from the linebacker was not limited to the players, either. Alliegro said urgency must extend to the coaches and everyone involved in the program.

“It’s got to be with the coaches and, really, everybody who’s on the team,” Alliegro said. “It’s all a group thing. It’s a group game, so we’ve all got to have urgency and be on point with what we’re doing.”

That is the standard Ohio State has to meet against Oregon. The Ducks have an extremely talented roster, and the Buckeyes cannot afford the missed tackles, communication breakdowns, and lack of urgency that allowed USC to control most of the game.

“The playoffs start now” was Ryan Day’s message inside Ohio State’s facility after the loss to USC. Urgency has to show up everywhere — from the coaching staff to the players because the Buckeyes have no room for another performance with missed tackles, explosive plays, and inconsistent effort.

Alliegro said the team has the work and the previous performances to believe it can respond. His confidence, though, means little without a different level of urgency on Saturday, as the Buckeyes have to play like a team that understands what is at stake.

Blake Biscardi

Blake Biscardi serves as Co-Founder, Lead Reporter, and Senior Editor of The Silver Bulletin. He hosts the Buckeye Cadence podcast, where he breaks down Ohio State football and basketball with an inside look into the programs. Covering Julian Sayin in New York City in 2025 was his Heisman moment, which became a viral moment in its own right. Biscardi is a member of the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA) and has degrees in Business Administration and Strategic Communication & Leadership.