Ryan Day Impressed with Julian Sayin After First Ohio State Start: ‘We Can Build on That’
COLUMBUS, OH — Following Ohio State’s 14-7 win over Texas, head coach Ryan Day praised quarterback Julian Sayin for his poised debut as the Buckeyes’ new starter. Now ranked No. 1 in the country, Ohio State enters the rest of the season with high expectations — and a target on its back.
Sayin, stepping into the role after the Buckeyes’ national title run, faced enormous pressure. His stat line wasn’t flashy — 13-of-20 for 126 yards and one touchdown — but more importantly, he avoided costly mistakes and executed the offense effectively.
“With young quarterbacks, the first thing you ask is, ‘What did you see?’” Day said on The Herd. “When they can tell you what they saw and it matches the film, that’s a great sign. His footwork was solid, he was accurate, made a couple off-schedule plays, and protected the ball. There’s still a lot to work on, but we can absolutely build on that.”
Sayin, a former five-star recruit, originally committed to Alabama under Nick Saban before transferring to Ohio State following Saban’s retirement. After backing up Will Howard last season, Sayin earned the starting job over Lincoln Kienholz this year.
Despite his modest numbers, Sayin looked calm and in control of the offense during a high-stakes game in front of a packed Ohio Stadium crowd.
“I just wanted people to see that I could manage the offense,” Sayin told FOX’s Tom Rinaldi. “Our receivers, running backs, and O-line all played really well. And of course, the defense was incredible.”
Sayin also praised defensive coordinator Matt Patricia and the rest of the defense for limiting Texas to just seven points, highlighting their preparation and execution.
“Holding Texas to seven is no small feat,” Sayin added. “Coach Patricia and the guys were outstanding. I’m really proud of the defense.”
Reflecting on his first college start, Sayin described the moment as unforgettable:
“The atmosphere was incredible. Huge credit to our fans. It was an awesome experience.”
Sayin’s first start may not have been eye-popping on paper, but it left his head coach — and the country — with plenty to be optimistic about moving forward.
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