Ohio State to Name Starter for USC Trip as Sayin Remains Out

Ohio State head coach Ryan Day announced on Tuesday that he will not name a starting quarterback until closer to game time. The Buckeyes will head to Los Angeles this Saturday to face the USC Trojans, and the signal-calling role will fall to either freshman Luke Fahey or sophomore Tavien St. Clair. Neither player has started a game in their college careers.

The uncertainty follows an injury sustained by starting quarterback Julian Sayin. Sayin left the field during the team's 19-15 victory over Indiana on October 17. Day declared the senior out indefinitely one week ago. This marks the first time in Day's tenure that the Buckeyes will play a game without Sayin at the helm, a role he held through the 2024 season.

Day stated that Fahey held the edge in the competition going into the Indiana matchup. However, the dynamic shifted during the bye week last week. Day noted that both underclassmen practiced well and generated positive energy within the locker room. He said the staff will continue to work with both players this week to determine the final decision.

"We need to stack a few more days, and then we'll kind of go into the game and figure out what gives us the best chance to win," Day said. He emphasized that the decision rests purely on which quarterback provides the team with the strongest opportunity to secure a victory.

Day also indicated that playing two quarterbacks in the same game is a viable strategy. He called the possibility "definitely" open, noting that the specific circumstances and situations during the game would dictate whether a switch occurs. The team has prepared packages for both signal callers to accommodate this potential scenario.

The game will take place at LA Memorial Coliseum, a venue where Ohio State has not played since 1989. Day stressed that the entire roster must rally around the new starter. He listed the defense, special teams, offense, offensive line, and receivers as essential components of that support structure. He also called on the fan base to unite behind the young quarterback.

Despite the loss of their experienced leader and the inexperience of the replacements, Day maintained that the team's primary objective remains a win. He said the roster was built for this moment and that the players must approach the road game with intensity. He noted that winning on the road in college football is difficult, but that difficulty does not change the team's goal.

The No. 2 ranked Buckeyes will face a USC team that has been ranked all season. The Trojans dropped their second game of the season last Saturday in a 24-7 loss to Wisconsin. Day acknowledged the quality of the opposing roster, stating that he views USC as one of the most talented teams he has seen on film.