Ohio State appears ready to hand the keys to Luke Fahey for Saturday’s matchup with USC, a move that comes after starting quarterback Julian Sayin went down against Indiana two weeks ago.
Sayin’s injury changed the picture quickly for the Buckeyes. Head coach Ryan Day said Ohio State is preparing to be without Sayin for the rest of the season, leaving the quarterback spot as one of the biggest questions heading into the USC game.
During the bye week, Day kept the decision close to the vest, but CBS Sports’ Matt Zenitz reported that Ohio State is planning to start Fahey over redshirt freshman Tavien St. Clair.
Fahey has seen limited work this season, but he has already produced in his appearances. He has completed 9 of 13 passes for 203 yards, with two touchdowns and two interceptions.
The move makes sense based on how the depth chart has played out. Even with St.
Clair carrying plenty of hype as a coveted 2025 recruit, Fahey has been the quarterback sitting behind Sayin. St.
Clair, a five-star prospect from Bellefontaine, Ohio, has played in two games this season off the bench. He has gone 5 of 7 for 52 yards, with one touchdown and one interception.
Saturday will be Fahey’s first collegiate start, and the setting is about as demanding as it gets. Ohio State will also have Jeremiah Smith available, giving Fahey a major weapon right away.
The Buckeyes have a receiving corps that can help ease the transition, and the matchup comes against a USC defense that ranks No. 14 in the Big Ten against the pass. The Trojans are giving up 216 passing yards per game, which gives Fahey a real chance to make an early impression.
Ohio State’s run game has struggled this season, so Fahey will likely be asked to push the ball downfield if the Buckeyes want to get rolling.
The game is set for Saturday at 7:30 p.m. ET on NBC.
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