Ohio State spring game sparks excitement among local businesses and fans for upcoming football season

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Local businesses and fans expressed excitement for the upcoming football season after Ohio State's annual spring game.

Ohio State concluded four weeks of practices with its annual spring game Saturday, as three different quarterbacks made their case to be the next starter.

According to an OSU spokesperson, 40,136 fans attended this year's spring game. By comparison, 80,012 attended last year's game. While this number came as a shock to some popular game day spots, they said they're pumped for the season as Ohio State football is their bread and butter.

"Football is the engine of Columbus," Ed Gaughan, owner of The O on Lane, said.

Ohio State football is the biggest money maker for many businesses like The O on Lane that sit across the street from Ohio Stadium.

"That's why we're here," Gaughan said. "I mean, honestly, it's why we developed this place. It's how we designed it. Everything was designed around game day from inside to outside."

Gaughan said they expand their staff for football season. The O on Lane transforms from a daily bar and restaurant to an event location.

"We open up with Texas," Gaughan said. "We're thinking that's going to be bigger than Notre Dame was like three years ago, four years ago."

In the meantime, College Traditions gets new merchandise every day for fans.

"We have over 2,000 different items in this store, and that's building," Kelly Dawes, owner of College Traditions, said. "The demand keeps getting bigger and bigger, and we're going to give Buckeye Nation what they want."

As we look ahead to the 2025 season, fans said they have their eyes on another national championship win. 

"Urban Meyer picked a good coach, a good replacement, in Ryan Day," Gregory Boatwright said.

"Now we're seeing his players. The last couple of years, we still had some of Urban's players, now we got his players, and we got the Natty. And so all we got to do is just ride it like we did this year."

Fans said it's about time the Buckeyes pull out a win over that team up north too, and they're confident Ryan Day and the team can get the job done.

"It's just dealing with the pressure and how that goes," Adam Headley said. "Of course, that's the most important game for all of us. I'm confident with the run that he just made, that he can turn it around and make it happen."

Fans said they're optimistic with all the talent on the team this year.

"Michigan, you didn't get no ring," Gregory Boatwright said. "This way, we got three rings. It's almost like Oregon. Oregon won the Big Ten, but we won the natty. So, what do you want? Do you want the Grammy? Or do you want the local Oscar?"

Saturday's spring game has fans excited to see what the team accomplishes on the field this season.

"It was really good to see the young guys out there running around, making plays," Adam Headley said. "So, pretty optimistic about the year this year."

The Buckeyes will begin their 2025 season at home against Texas on Aug. 30.