PISCATAWAY, N.J. — For one Buckeye player, the Rutgers' game was more than that — it was a homecoming.
What You Need To Know
- Luke Wypler, a redshirt freshman for the Buckeyes, grew up just 15 minutes from Rutgers
- The center had about 200 friends and family tailgating and watching the game at SHI Stadium
- Wypler's mom, Michele Desimone, said all those people supporting Luke is a reflection of her son
- Wypler said the game was special to him to play in front of his loved ones
It’s a tailgate for the ages for Luke Wypler’s family.
That’s because the Ohio State center grew up just a few minutes from the stadium.
“This game is really special," Wypler said. "I think I have about 200 family members and friends. I grew up about 15 minutes from the stadium. A lot of my friends from back home are going to be there. It’s going to be really fun to play in front of them at a stadium I grew up going to. So I’m very excited.”
So that’s what his family did.
His mom, Michele Desimone, made sure the whole tailgate was all about her son.
She said the tailgate was a reflection of him.
“It’s a really special day," Desimone said. "First of all, just the fact that our family and friends showed up to support Luke is monumental and tremendous. But it doesn’t surprise me because Luke has touched many people throughout the course of his life.”
While there were no New Jersey bagels in tow, “we like to go out for pizza, bagels, like a lot of people don’t know that," Wypler said. "It’s kind of a running joke that we have.”
“When I stop in Ohio, I stop and get him some bagels," Desimone said.
Desimone did make sure to bring her special pin, her lucky charm.
She said she was ready to watch her son take on the field where he grew up watching football games.
“It’s a really big day for him," Desimone said. "But he’s got it under his belt and he’s in a leadership role so he’s really set and ready to go.”