Montgomery thankful for gold pants and where he is

COLUMBUS – On the day Ohio State's football players received their gold pants charms for beating Michigan, a tradition which dates back to 1934, OSU offensive lineman Luke Montgomery added a little heat to the rivalry. Montgomery, the Buckeyes' starting left guard since the playoff run in the 2024 season, was vigorously recruited by Michigan before signing with Ohio State. "Thank goodness I didn't go there, just with what has gone on in the past few years. I think they did a great job recruiting me. I wish them all the best, everyone on the staff and stuff like that," the Findlay High School graduate said on Tuesday. This year's gold pants ceremony, on the third day of spring practice, saluted last season's Buckeyes after four straight Michigan wins over Ohio State. "It means a lot, being an Ohio kid growing up and wanting to play in that game," Montgomery said. "Being an Ohio kid and being here now and understanding what the rivalry means and then going into my third year losing two times I really wanted those gold pants." Ohio State broke Michigan's four-game winning streak with a 27-9 win in Ann Arbor last season. Obviously Montgomery would like to get another win in the rivalry. And not just for football reasons. "I've got one more year left so we've got to get another one," he said. "I need to get to 2-2 because my girlfriend's dad played up in Mich...up north in Michigan and he's 2-2 against Ohio State. So for the arguments that will be had in the future I need to win this next one." Montgomery is one of four returning starters on OSU's offensive line, along with left tackle Austin Siereveld, right tackle Phillip Daniels and center Carson Hinzman. Ohio State allowed only six sacks during the regular season before giving up five in a loss to Indiana in the Big Ten championship game and five more in its College Football Playoff loss to Miami. "We've come through adversity and now it's time to go. We're an experienced line and there are no excuses and we understand that," Montgomery said. "I think experience matters in the tight games. The upcoming season we have a gauntlet. It's going to show in those games in the fourth quarter. That's where it shows up."