Should Ohio State Buckeyes' fans be worried about redshirt freshman quarterback Julian Sayin's performance against the Indiana Hoosiers?
The Ohio State Buckeyes and head coach Ryan Day were unable to maintain the program’s undefeated season on Saturday night against the Indiana Hoosiers, 13-10.
Ohio State’s defense had another terrific outing against a strong Indiana offense, with senior defensive end Caden Curry recording two sacks on quarterback Fernando Mendoza. This, however, was overshadowed by the quarterback Julian Sayin and the offense’s struggles to gain any sort of life.
On a baseline level, Sayin had an adequate performance in his first-ever Big Ten Conference Championship game, completing 21 of his 29 pass attempts for 258 yards, one touchdown, and one interception.
Similar to how he began the Week 14 contest against the Michigan Wolverines, Sayin threw an interception on the first drive, but managed to regain his confidence after the turnover.
Two drives later, the offense had prime field position after Lorenzo Styles Jr.’s key tackle that forced an interception. Sayin took advantage of this opportunity and found junior wide receiver Carnell Tate for a nine-yard touchdown to give the Buckeyes a 7-3 lead after the first quarter.
Unfortunately for the offense, Sayin’s touchdown would be the only time the Buckeyes found themselves in the end zone for the rest of the contest.
After the first quarter, Ohio State would reach the red zone in three of its six offensive drives, resulting in a total of three points.
Earlier in the second quarter, the Buckeyes had a chance to capitalize on a missed field goal by the Hoosiers. The momentum quickly shifted into Ohio State’s favor after Sayin completed a 54-yard strike to Carnell Tate and a personal foul call, which put the offense in at the 11-yard line. This incredible play would not lead to another touchdown, but rather a field goal after failing to pick up a first down.
When Day and the team needed the offense the most in the second half, the Buckeyes fell short in the red zone twice to close out the game, as Sayin tried to pick up a yard on 4th and 1 on a QB sneak, and kicker Jayden Fielding missed a field goal to tie the game at 13 with less than three minutes left in the game.
For his first start in a primetime matchup since Week One, Sayin showed flashes of what he could potentially become in the near future.
However, in order for Ohio State to win back-to-back National Championships, the young quarterback and the rest of his offense must improve in their efforts while in the red zone.