Ohio State’s big road win over Indiana came with a costly finish.
After the No. 4 Buckeyes escaped No.
5 Indiana 19-15 on Saturday, quarterback Julian Sayin left late in the fourth quarter after taking a hard hit and later returned with a sling on his right arm. Ryan Day didn’t go into specifics on the injury after the game, but he did say Sayin will be out for “several weeks.”
That hands the offense to freshman backup Luke Fahey, who went 0-for-2 after Sayin exited. Ohio State also has sophomore quarterbacks Tavien St. Clair and Kolton Stover on the roster.
The timing matters. The win pushes Ohio State to 6-1 and gives the Buckeyes some breathing room in the College Football Playoff race, but the schedule tightens up fast after a bye week.
They go to No. 19 USC on Oct. 31, then return home for Oregon and No.
25 Northwestern in the following weeks.
For Ohio State to stay in national championship contention, Sayin’s return is going to matter. In the meantime, the Buckeyes will try to ride a defense that has been dominant and a rushing attack that has taken a step forward from last season.
Sayin’s absence could ripple into the Heisman Trophy conversation too. Jeremiah Smith was already one of the front-runners after a huge first six weeks, and he kept rolling against Indiana with four catches for 68 yards and a touchdown. He now has 52 catches for 984 yards and 12 touchdowns, but he’ll have to keep producing at an elite level with a backup quarterback delivering the ball.
In Other News...
Ohio State Suddenly Has A Running Back Problem To Solve
Ohio States backfield is suddenly thinner heading into the matchup with Indiana, with JaKobi Jackson confirmed out and his absence looking like it could linger beyond what the Buckeyes first hoped. The injury appears to be a foot issue based on what was seen during the game, and Jacksons message on Instagram suggested the recovery process may not be a quick one.
For now, Ohio State will need more from Bo Jackson and Legend Bey to help carry the load at running back. The timing matters because the Buckeyes were already counting on depth in that spot, and losing another piece forces the staff to adjust quickly as the game plan shifts toward the next man up. [Read more 🡒]
Ohio State's Big Win Just Created A Julian Sayin Problem
Julian Sayins afternoon against Indiana ended with an unsettling sight, as the Ohio State quarterback was forced out of the game and later left the locker room with his right throwing arm in a sling. The Buckeyes still found a way to hang on for a 19-15 win, a result that kept them from absorbing a second loss and dealt Indiana its first defeat since the end of the 2024 season.
For Ohio State, the victory was significant, but the bigger question now is what comes next at quarterback. Sayins status remains unknown after the injury, and the Buckeyes suddenly have to balance the value of a marquee win with the uncertainty surrounding the most important position on the field. [Read more 🡒]
Ryan Day Is Already Feeling The Pressure Of Ohio State's Shaky Start
Ohio States early outing against Indiana already had the feel of a game that could leave the Buckeyes with more questions than answers. Julian Sayin struggled to find a rhythm, with his accuracy and decision-making slipping at key moments, including an interception and several missed throws, while the offense did little after its opening scoring drive. For a team carrying big expectations, the lack of consistency on that side of the ball stood out even as the defense kept the game within reach.
Ryan Days frustration was visible, too, with the head coach appearing displeased with Sayins performance on camera during the second quarter. It was the kind of sideline reaction that underscored how much weight is already attached to this start, especially when the offense is searching for a steadier hand and the margin for error feels thin. [Read more 🡒]