10/20/2026 08:00:00
Printable Page
10/20 19:58 CDT Ohio State QB Julian Sayin out indefinitely after injuring
throwing arm
Ohio State QB Julian Sayin out indefinitely after injuring throwing arm
By JOE REEDY
AP Sports Writer
Ohio State coach Ryan Day said Tuesday night that quarterback Julian Sayin will
be out indefinitely after injuring his throwing arm in the fourth quarter
Saturday against Indiana.
Day did not want to set a timeline for the junior's return, but he left open
the possibility that it could be for the rest of the season.
"We are putting together a plan for him not being available for the regular
season and then also him not being available for the postseason," Day said. "So
based on that, if he's not able to return this fall, we're putting a plan
together for that as well."
The third-ranked Buckeyes (6-1, 4-0 Big Ten) are on their bye week after
rallying for a 19-15 victory over sixth-ranked Indiana. That gives Day,
offensive coordinator Arthur Smith, and the rest of the coaching staff time to
evaluate if Luke Fahey or Tavien St. Clair is the best option at quarterback
going into a pivotal primetime test at No. 16 Southern California on Oct. 31.
Day said Fahey has had the edge the past couple of weeks. The freshman played
10 snaps against the Hoosiers and went 0 for 2. Fahey has played three games
this season and is 9 of 13 for 203 yards, with two touchdowns and two
interceptions.
St. Clair, a sophomore, has played two games and is 5 of 7 for 52 yards, with
one touchdown and one interception.
"Luke has been ahead of Tavian, but now that there is a bye week these guys are
going to get plenty of reps," Day said. "We're going to play the guy that gives
us the best chance to win. Based on what we've seen in practice the last month,
now we have to come up for air and come up with a plan. We're going to need
them to win a championship. It's been done before, and it's a challenge to them
and the team to pick up the slack for losing Julian."
Day can point to the 2014 national championship banner hanging inside the
indoor practice field at the Woody Hayes Athletic Center to show Ohio State has
done it. Braxton Miller suffered a right shoulder injury during the preseason
and was replaced by J.T. Barrett, who then broke his right ankle against
Michigan. Cardale Jones then took over and led the Buckeyes to three straight
wins and their first title in the College Football Playoff era.
The last time an OSU quarterback started a game due to injury was in 2021, when
Kyle McCord played in place of C.J. Stroud against Akron.
The stakes are much higher, though, for whoever steps in this time. After the
road game at USC, the Buckeyes will host Oregon on Nov. 7, then play No. 24
Northwestern on Nov. 14, take a trip to Nebraska on Nov. 21, and finish the
regular season against Michigan on Nov. 28.
Ohio State could also play in the Big Ten title game in Indianapolis on Dec. 5.
"If this wasn't a bye week, we'd have to roll. We're going to have to get it
organized quickly," Day said. "This is a challenge for both Luke and Tavian to
step up in a big way. The plan when both those guys came here was to play, and
here they are. A coach can say you're one snap away until it is real. They have
to perform at a high level."
Smith said whoever goes under center, they will adapt the offensive scheme.
Ohio State's run game has been inconsistent, but it can take some of the
pressure off. The receivers are led by Heisman Trophy favorite Jeremiah Smith,,
and the Buckeyes have one of the nation's more experienced offensive lines.
"You try to play to the strengths of the offense. You can have Aaron Rodgers or
Peyton Manning and still need a run game," Smith said. "With Luke, I like the
way he prepares. For a guy who is young, he has a pro mindset. Tavian has a big
arm and can extend plays. Both have strengths that you like."
___
Sign up for Top 25 poll alerts here, visit the Top 25 here and see AP's full
college football coverage here
|
