Ohio State’s offense showed progress against Illinois, but Julian Sayin isn’t interested in treating that as the finish line. With Iowa next on the schedule, the Buckeyes quarterback said the group is still chasing cleaner, sharper football - and that includes turning defensive mistakes into yards with his legs.
“If the defense is playing a certain coverage where they don’t have the quarterback, let’s take off and make them pay,” Sayin said.
That part of his game showed up against Illinois, where Sayin’s scrambles helped him keep plays alive. On one of those runs, Jeremiah Smith flipped into a block and helped open space toward the sideline. Smith’s ability to change how a defense plays is already part of the equation for Sayin.
“Whether he’s one on one, we got it, or they try to take him away and it opens up other guys,” Sayin said.
Sayin also pointed to the offseason work he put in with Smith, saying the experience helped the two build a stronger connection.
“It was awesome that Coach Mick (Mickey Marotti) ended up putting us together this offseason,” Sayin said. “He definitely pushed me. To see just the way that he works and his mindset, it was great to be partnered with him, and I think it built our chemistry even more.”
The quarterback liked the way the rest of the pass-catching group answered against Illinois, too. Brandon Inniss, Nate Roberts and Devin McCuin all came through with important plays, while freshmen Chris Henry Jr. and Brock Boyd continued working their way into the mix.
“When you see those guys make those plays in the game, it just gives you so much confidence as a quarterback to keep going their way,” Sayin said.
He said the young receivers are still settling in as they rack up more college snaps. Their production against Illinois, in his view, is part of the offense’s broader growth.
“They’re true freshmen, obviously. So the first game, it’s their first college game, but they have a couple of games under their belt, and they’re just getting better each week,” Sayin said.
Now the Buckeyes head into a tougher road stretch, starting with a trip to Iowa in what becomes three road games over four weeks. Sayin expects a loud environment and a defense that will be ready.
“We have a veteran group on offense, with a guy like Cars (Carson Hinzman) at center and Luke (Luke Montgoery) at guard,” Sayin said. “Those guys up front, so it’s definitely helpful to have those guys when you’re going on the road like this.”
Ohio State’s coaches pushed Sayin during the week before Illinois to keep extending plays and keep developing. The win gave him something to build from, but he said the offense still has a long way to go.
“We’re not even where we want to be as an offense,” Sayin said. “We’re trying to get better each week.”
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