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The Julian Sayin injury will keep Ohio State’s quarterback out for “several weeks,” coach Ryan Day said. Sayin hurt his throwing shoulder late in Saturday’s 19-15 win at No. 5 Indiana. Now true freshman Luke Fahey takes over as the Buckeyes head into a bye week.
Key Takeaways
- Ryan Day said Julian Sayin will miss “several weeks” with an injury to his throwing shoulder.
- Sayin hurt his shoulder in the fourth quarter of Ohio State’s 19-15 win at Indiana on Saturday, October 17.
- True freshman Luke Fahey replaced him and will remain the starter while Sayin is out, ESPN reported.
- Ohio State has a bye next weekend, then plays at No. 19 USC on October 31.
- The Buckeyes are now 6-1 and still in the College Football Playoff race.
How the Julian Sayin Injury Happened
The play came in the fourth quarter at Indiana. Indiana’s Mario Landino hit Sayin’s right shoulder as he sacked him and forced a fumble, ESPN reported.
Sayin left the field after the hit. Later, he came back out of the locker room with his arm in a sling.
After the game, Day did not share specific details about the injury. Instead, he simply said Sayin would be out for “several weeks,” according to CBS Sports.
What Ryan Day Said
Day sounded calm about the road ahead. “We’ll regroup,” he said. “We’ve got a good team.”
He also hinted at changes on offense. “When Luke’s in there, we just may need to do things just a little bit differently,” Day said. “But the bye week gives us a chance to regroup on that and put our heads together.”
A Narrow Win Over Indiana
Before the injury, Sayin had helped build a lead. He threw two touchdown passes on Saturday. One was a 38-yard strike to Jeremiah Smith on fourth-and-1 early in the fourth quarter. That score gave Ohio State a 19-7 lead.
However, the game got tense late. On Fahey’s first snap, Ohio State faced second-and-28 after Sayin’s fumble. Fahey scrambled for 8 yards. Then a late-hit penalty on Indiana gave the Buckeyes a first down.
After that, the offense stalled. Fahey went 0-for-2 passing, and Ohio State did not pick up another first down. Finally, Indiana’s Nick Marsh made a fourth-down catch in the end zone. However, officials ruled him out of bounds with just over a minute left.
Who Is Luke Fahey?
Fahey is a true freshman from Mission Viejo, California. He stands 5-foot-11 and weighs 206 pounds. He was a three-star recruit, and he beat out sophomore Tavien St. Clair for the backup job in the preseason, ESPN said.
Scouts liked what they saw in high school. “Fahey is one of the most talented quarterbacks out West,” 247Sports analyst Greg Biggins wrote, according to CBS Sports.
Before Saturday, Fahey had played in three games. He completed 9 of 11 passes for 203 yards and two touchdowns, CBS Sports reported. Both of his incompletions, however, were interceptions.
Teammates Back the Freshman
Day praised his young quarterback. “He’s got confidence, he’s got athletic ability, he’s a competitive kid,” he said. “I don’t think the moment was too big for him.”
Teammates agreed. “We wouldn’t have Fahey out there if we didn’t have full trust in him,” senior guard Luke Montgomery said.
What the Julian Sayin Injury Means for Ohio State
The Julian Sayin injury takes away Ohio State’s proven starter. Sayin was a Heisman finalist last year in his first season as a starter. This season, he has completed 71.2% of his passes for 1,772 yards. He also has 17 touchdowns and just two interceptions.
Fortunately for Ohio State, the timing helps a little. The bye week gives coaches extra time to prepare Fahey. After that, though, the schedule gets tough. The Buckeyes visit No. 19 USC on Halloween. Then they host Oregon and No. 25 Northwestern in the following weeks, according to CBS Sports.
Other Quarterbacks on the Roster
Ohio State also has sophomores Tavien St. Clair and Kolton Stover. St. Clair was a five-star recruit and the No. 4 overall player in the 2025 class, per 247Sports.
So far, however, he has thrown just nine college passes. His best outing came in Week 1 against Ball State. There, he completed 5 of 6 passes for 52 yards and a touchdown.
CBS Sports suggested Day could use the next two weeks to decide who starts against USC. Meanwhile, ESPN reported that Fahey will remain the starter during Sayin’s absence.
Jeremiah Smith and the Heisman Race
The injury could also affect star receiver Jeremiah Smith. He was one of the Heisman Trophy frontrunners after a dominant start, CBS Sports said. Against Indiana, he caught four passes for 68 yards and a touchdown.
For the season, Smith has 52 catches for 984 yards and 12 touchdowns. In addition, his 39 career touchdown catches tie former Michigan star Braylon Edwards for the Big Ten record, ESPN noted.
Smith kept a positive tone after the game. “We wish Julian a speedy recovery,” he said. “But next man up. Fahey did a great job today.” For more of this weekend’s top stories, see our coverage of the Nasdaq sell-off and Black Monday fears.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long will Julian Sayin be out?
Ryan Day said Sayin will miss “several weeks.” Day did not give a more specific timeline or a formal diagnosis.
What is the Julian Sayin injury?
Sayin hurt his throwing shoulder in the fourth quarter against Indiana. Later, he came out of the locker room with his arm in a sling.
Who will start at quarterback for Ohio State?
True freshman Luke Fahey replaced Sayin, and ESPN reported he will remain the starter during Sayin’s absence.
When does Ohio State play next?
Ohio State has a bye next weekend. The Buckeyes then travel to No. 19 USC on October 31.
Is Ohio State still a playoff contender?
Yes. The Buckeyes are 6-1 after beating Indiana, which gives them some cushion in the College Football Playoff race.
Sources
- Julian Sayin out ‘several weeks,’ Ohio State’s Ryan Day says (ESPN)
- Julian Sayin injury: Buckeyes QB to miss ‘several weeks’ after going down vs. Indiana (CBS Sports)
