Ryan Day gave Ohio State fans a quarterback surprise in the Week 1 blowout of Ball State, and it came in the backup pecking order. When Julian Sayin finished his night after throwing for 320 yards and three touchdowns, it was Luke Fahey who led the offense onto the field first, not Tavien St. Clair.
That choice stood out immediately. St.
Clair and Fahey spent fall camp battling for the No. 2 job, and Day kept the competition close enough that the opener would be the first real clue about how he viewed the two quarterbacks. Based on how Saturday unfolded, Fahey got the early edge.
St. Clair’s resume would have made him the obvious guess for QB2.
He was a 5-star prospect in the 2025 class, ranked the No. 3 quarterback in the country and No. 4 player overall by 247Sports. He also saw limited action last season as a true freshman, giving him a year in the program that Fahey doesn’t yet have.
Fahey, by contrast, is a true freshman.
Still, Fahey was the first backup to enter and he made the most of the opportunity. He finished with 62 passing yards, one touchdown and one interception, though Chris Henry Jr. was at fault for that INT.
St. Clair also found the end zone and added 52 passing yards.
Afterward, Day said the staff had hoped to get both quarterbacks work in a split series, and that was the plan that played out.
“I thought they both came in and played well,” Day said in his postgame presser. “We were hoping to split the series with them, and that’s what happened.
I think we were able to get a sample size and go from there and see where that goes. We decided to put Luke in there first, but we’ll continue to evaluate them and let those guys work to continue to get better.”
Day didn’t offer a clear declaration beyond that, but the first look suggests Fahey is ahead for now. That matters even more with Ohio State heading to Austin next week, where the order behind Sayin could become relevant in a hurry if the Buckeyes need a backup.
The competition isn’t just about one game, either. It could shape what happens next season, too.
If Fahey holds the QB2 spot all year, it would open the door for St. Clair to consider the transfer portal.
It’s far too early to call that outcome likely, but the way this battle develops from here will go a long way toward determining St. Clair’s future in Columbus.
In Other News...
Ohio States Receiver Rotation Just Got More Complicated Before Week 1
Ohio States receiver picture got a little murkier heading into Week 1 after Kyle Parker was ruled out for the opener against Ball State because of an injury. Ryan Day had already flagged Parker as dealing with a minor issue, and now the Buckeyes will have to open the season without one of the players in their wideout mix.
Chris Henry Jr. and Brock Boyd are among the receivers expected to get more snaps with Parker unavailable, which only adds another layer to a position group already under the microscope in camp. For a team trying to sort out roles early, even a short-term absence can matter, and this one gives Ohio State an early look at its depth before the real tests arrive. [Read more 🡒]
Ohio State's Week 1 Start Just Added Fuel To A Huge Debate
Ohio States season opener did plenty to reinforce why the Big Ten already feels like the league to beat, with Julian Sayin looking sharp in his first extended action and the Buckeyes setting the tone early against Ball State. Across the conference, Indiana also came out strong behind new quarterback Josh Hoover, while Rutgers, Michigan State and Nebraska each left a little more uncertainty on the board after mixed openings.
Curt Cignettis postgame comments about the Big Ten being superior to the SEC only added to a debate that has been simmering for months, and former Ohio State coach Urban Meyers praise for the leagues strength gave it even more oxygen. For Buckeyes fans, the opening weekend was less about settling anything outright than about reminding everyone that Ohio State is already in the middle of a bigger argument about where the sports best football is being played. [Read more 🡒]
Ohio State Opener Made One Position Battle A Lot More Interesting
Ohio States season opener looked comfortable on the scoreboard, a 56-3 win that still left enough rough edges to keep the coaching staff busy. Jeremiah Smith delivered the kind of opening performance that reminds everyone why he is already such a focal point of the offense, piling up 151 yards and two touchdowns on eight catches, and Devin McCuin also made his mark as the Buckeyes worked through stretches of inconsistency on both sides of the ball.
One of the more intriguing takeaways came away from the spotlight plays, where freshman Legend Bey flashed enough on offense to suggest there is something to build on. His night also came with some costly special teams errors, though, and that is the kind of detail that can reshape how quickly a young player gets trusted in bigger moments. At quarterback, the depth chart also appeared to settle a little further, with Tavien St. Clair looking more like he is chasing the No. 3 job than threatening the top of the line behind Julian Sayin. [Read more 🡒]