Mawhirter: OSU senior day unforgettable

COLUMBUS — It was a day Aaron Mawhirter at times never thought would come.And that is what made the moment even more special for the Ohio State senior and 2013 Perkins graduate prior to kickoff against Michigan Saturday at Ohio Stadium in Columbus.A preferred walk-on player out of high school (generally the 20 extra players that fall within the NCAA-mandated 105-player roster limit), Mawhirter not only stuck it out all four years in Columbus — but made a surprise start at long snapper during the Buckeyes' big road win at Oklahoma on Sept. 17.But Saturday, it was a moment to run through a tunnel of teammates, receive a hug and word from head coach Urban Meyer, then soak in an ovation from 110,045 fans in the stadium.The Ohio State Buckeyes defeated the Michigan Wolverines during double-overtime of their rivalry game on Saturday, Nov. 26, 2016, at Ohio Stadium in Columbus. The score was, 30-27.Adding to the joy: The No. 2-ranked Buckeyes rallied from a 17-7 third quarter deficit to win 30-27 in double overtime — likely securing a return trip to the College Football Playoff next month.""It's always been a dream to play at Ohio State, just a dream," Mawhirter said following the game. "You never think you will get there, those first few years you don't think the day will come you get to run out of that tunnel and hear people cheering."It was a surreal feeling, and certainly haven't experienced nothing like it," he added. "Senior Day, to win like that, you can't really ask for much more. To go out in this type of atmosphere, it's almost like the Alabama game (2015 Sugar Bowl). An indescribable feeling."Mawhirter said while most of the crowd in attendance and those watching from home were probably nervous, stressed and frustrated — the feeling never quite reached those levels on the OSU sideline."There was kind of a feeling — playing at Ohio State, you never feel you will lose or be out of a game," he said. "Even the loss at Penn State we never thought we'd lose. We all knew how good Michigan was, we knew this had a chance to be up and down game like that."There were some tough breaks with the missed field goals, and that was definitely a game we hadn't played like that before," Mawhirter added. "Then when they score on fourth down in the overtime … it was just wild. But we never really counted ourselves out of the game."At Perkins, Mawhirter was the Sandusky Bay Conference Outstanding Performer as a senior in 2012. In the regular season, Mawhirter made 75 tackles (11 for loss) with two sacks and an interception at linebacker. He was also first team SBC at tight end. Perkins won the SBC title and a playoff game in 2012, finishing 10-2.He excelled originally walked on in Columbus as a linebacker — but soon realized the quickest way to the field was at long snapper.After Saturday's thrilling win, as Buckeye fans swarmed the field and created a chaotic scene, Mawhirter said several of the seniors just kind of found each other at midfield."We're running around looking for each other, trying to find each other and a moment to reflect," he said. "It was hard to process, then to see everyone emptying out on the field, we were all all kind of crushed at midfield."Everyone we walked by celebrated with us, taking photos, going crazy," Mawhirter added. "It's nothing I will experience again as a player and just an amazing way to go out."Fans rush the field after Ohio State's victory over Michigan on Saturday, Nov. 26, 2016, at Ohio Stadium in Columbus.Ohio State senior Aaron Mawhirter, a 2013 Perkins graduate, runs onto the field while being recognized during Senior Day at Ohio Stadium in Columbus on Saturday, Nov. 26, 2016.Ohio State senior Aaron Mawhirter, a 2013 Perkins graduate, snaps the ball while warming up before Saturday's game against Michigan at Ohio Stadium.