Glory Days: Dreams & Nightmares

The first-ever College Football Playoff Champions! On January 12th, 2015, the #4 ranked Ohio State Buckeyes traveled to Arlington, Texas to play #2 ranked Oregon Ducks, led by Heisman trophy winner Marcus Mariota. As was the case the previous two games (Wisconsin and Alabama), the Buckeyes headed into the game as an underdog, yet are resolute to win College Football’s ultimate prize. In Season One’s final episode of Glory Days: Dreams and Nightmares, former Co-Captains Joshua Perry and Evan Spencer take listeners through what it is like to prepare for, and adjust to, Oregon’s frenetic style of play. In addition to a detailed look at in-game action, listeners will hear insight on such topics as: College Football finances, the emotional and physical toll of a 15-game season, Ohio State’s practice intensity versus the NFL, the responsibilities of being named a team Captain, Buckeye philanthropy, the Joshua Perry Family Foundation, Jacob Jarvis and the impact of his family, Ezekiel Elliot, the feelings associated with ultimate victory, and the enduring legacy of the 2014 Buckeyes. To close this memorable episode, we engage both Joshua and Evan in some rapid-fire closing questions about the 2014 season. To Buckeye fans AND College Football fans EVERYWHERE, it’s an episode you won’t want to miss…..and to our listeners…..we thank you for your support of Glory Days: Dreams and Nightmares!

One of the most important games in Ohio State Football history! On January 1, 2015, the #4 ranked Ohio State Buckeyes traveled to New Orleans to face the #1 ranked Alabama Crimson Tide in the inaugural College Football Playoff semi-final. At stake: An opportunity to play #2 ranked Oregon in the following week’s College Football Championship. In this most requested, and anticipated episode of Glory Days: Dreams and Nightmares, former Captains Evan Spencer and Joshua Perry take listeners through a detailed look at the monstrous preparation needed to compete with big, bad Alabama, winners of three National Championships in the past five years. During this miraculous journey, Evan and Joshua detail the intensity and focus needed from the ENTIRE PROGRAM to topple a College Football powerhouse. Along the way, additional topics include: Reviewing College Football’s Conference Championship weekend, selection Sunday and the importance of seeding, Coach Meyer’s obsession with the Alabama inspired “Chase”, Evan’s honesty in dealing with the press, the Coaching Staff’s unique mental preparation for the players, Bowl week events, interacting with Alabama prior to the game, a discussion about TV ratings, Urban Meyer and Nick Saban comparisons, sizing up Alabama physically, an iconic play by Evan Spencer and Michael Thomas, Darron Lee’s trash talking and an in-depth analysis of in-game action. This episode is HISTORIC and a MUST LISTEN for Buckeye and College Football Fans everywhere. Don’t miss it!!

The road towards the first-ever College Football Playoffs begins as Head Coach Urban Meyer and the #5 ranked Ohio State Buckeyes prepare to battle Wisconsin in the 2014 Big Ten Championship. Emotions take center stage in this week’s episode of Glory Days: Dreams and Nightmares, as our co-hosts and former Captains, Joshua Perry and Evan Spencer, discuss in-depth the tragic events leading up to the disappearance and untimely passing of beloved teammate Kosta Karageorge. Additionally, as the team prepares to face the #13 Badgers, both Evan and Joshua discuss the changes necessary to make new starting Quarterback Cardale Jones comfortable in his new role. Along the way, more topics include how the Coaches recognize individual award winners, showcasing the success of the Program to potential recruits, and personality profiles of Jeff Heuerman, Michael Bennett, and Cardale Jones. All of this and MORE in this HISTORIC episode!

The GREATEST RIVALRY IN COLLEGE SPORTS, Ohio State vs. Michigan, takes center stage in this week’s episode of Glory Days: Dreams and Nightmares. Our in-depth detail of THE GAME starts with our co-hosts and former Captains, Joshua Perry and Evan Spencer, discussing what the rivalry means to the players inside BOTH programs. A year removed from an emotional and event-filled matchup in Ann Arbor, Evan and Joshua look back at an intense 2013 game and how it helped shape the narrative for 2014 success. Along the way, more topics include RIVALRY WEEK inside the Woody Hayes Athletic Facility, the unique personality of Tyvis Powell, and behind-the-scenes insight into the annual traditions of Senior Tackle and Senior Day. The episode concludes with a detailed look at the 2014 contest, including ANOTHER season-ending injury to an Ohio State quarterback (JT Barrett). For College Football fans, both old and young, this is an episode you CANNOT MISS. 

After a bye week, Glory Days: Dreams and Nightmares returns with an in-depth look at contests versus both Minnesota and Indiana. The conversation begins with former Captains Joshua Perry and Evan Spencer checking in with Braxton Miller and his potential future in Columbus (or elsewhere). As we navigate through the Episode, additional topics include friendships within the team outside of football, some insight into Kerry Coombs leadership, preparing and playing in frigid Minneapolis weather (and the role of the Ohio State Athletic Director in the team's success), details behind the in-game grading system, the ups and downs of Jalin Marshall and corresponding negative impact of social media, overcoming a slow start against Indiana and spending time with family after home games. All of this and MORE in Episode 7 of Glory Days: Dreams and Nightmares.

In this most anticipated installment of Glory Days: Dreams and Nightmares, the game circled by most Ohio State fans and players is upon us, as the #13 Buckeyes travel to East Lansing to seek revenge against the #8 Michigan State Spartans. Former Captains Joshua Perry and Evan Spencer take listeners through the yearlong preparation for the defending Big Ten Champions and provide critical insights into the keys to ultimate victory. Along the way, additional topics include daily practice themes (such as Bloody Tuesday’s or Best Fridays in Football), a home game against the Fighting Illini and team reactions to the initial College Football Playoff rankings. One of our most requested Episodes, see what everyone is talking about! All of this and MORE in Episode 6 of Glory Days: Dreams and Nightmares. 

In the latest installment of Glory Days: Dreams and Nightmares, the eventual 2014 College Football Playoff Champions begin an intense week of practice after the Virginia Tech loss. Former Captains Joshua Perry and Evan Spencer describe, in detail, how the team mentally and physically prepared for a four-game stretch which included games versus Kent State, Cincinnati, Maryland and Rutgers. Along the way, topics include Curtis Grant’s leadership role in the development of Raekwon McMillan, navigating a bye week with a variety of social distractions, Ezekiel Elliot and Michael Thomas’ practice preparation, Coach Meyer using the CFP rankings to “motivate” the team and concludes with an intense, nationally televised night game in Happy Valley versus Penn State. College Football fans, this is a “can’t miss” episode! All of this and MORE in Episode 5 of Glory Days: Dreams and Nightmares.

In our fourth installment of Glory Days: Dreams and Nightmares, fall camp ends and the season’s first two games of the season are ahead for the eventual National Champions. Former Captains Joshua Perry and Evan Spencer describe preparing for and playing against, both Navy and Virginia Tech. Along the way, topics include the loss of Noah Spence for the season, the biggest recruiting weekend of the year, LeBron James in the Horseshoe, the fallout from an early-season loss, and the Big Ten on the National Stage. A must-listen for all College Football fans! All of this and MORE in Episode 4 of Glory Days: Dreams and Nightmares.

In our third installment of Glory Days: Dreams and Nightmares, former Captains Joshua Perry and Evan Spencer describe, in detail, what happened when Heisman Trophy candidate Braxton Miller was lost for the season during Fall Camp. Additionally, topics include: Urban Meyer’s recruiting prowess, key position battles occurring during Spring Practice (including backup Quarterback), the implementation of a new Defensive scheme, Fall Camp and the team-oriented tradition of “losing the black stripe”. This is an episode you won’t want to miss! All of this and MORE in Episode 3 of Glory Days: Dreams and Nightmares.

In the second episode of Glory Days: Dreams and Nightmares, Joshua and Evan go behind the scenes and explain the fallout from two losses to conclude the 2013 Season. Additionally, topics include balancing academics and athletics as a student-athlete at Ohio State, the departure and arrival of two key defensive coaches, undergoing Mickey Marotti’s offseason training program, and the implementation of leadership training by Coach Meyer and Tim Kight. All of this and MORE in Episode 2 of Glory Days: Dreams and Nightmares.