The Ohio State Buckeyes escaped Bloomington with a 19-15 win over the Indiana Hoosiers on Saturday, but they may have lost their starting quarterback for the year in the process. On Tuesday, head coach Ryan Day delivered a grim update on Julian Sayin, and it sent shockwaves across the college football world.
Day said that Sayin is out “indefinitely” with an injury to his throwing arm. Ohio State is now preparing for the possibility that last season’s Heisman Trophy finalist won’t play again this season.
Sayin Hurt Against Indiana
During the fourth quarter of Saturday’s narrow win against Indiana, Sayin was sacked in a way that led his arm to be twisted awkwardly.
Sayin went to the locker room favoring his right arm and came back to the sideline in a sling.
Day didn’t have many details after the game, but he made it clear that the Buckeyes would be without Sayin for quite some time.
“I don’t have a ton of details, but he’ll probably be out several weeks,” Day told reporters after the game, via On3. “We’ll have to come up with a plan there.”
‘He is out indefinitely’
On Tuesday, the news got worse as Day announced that his quarterback is out “indefinitely” and is not expected to return for the regular season.
“We’re not gonna put any timeline for his injury, but he is out indefinitely,” Day said, via Dan Hope of Eleven Warriors.
Day explained that Ohio State is putting together a plan in case Sayin misses the rest of the regular season and the postseason.
“What we’re trying to do is give Julian’s family space and privacy to go through this process, but based on the nature of the injury, we’re putting together a plan for him not being available for the regular season, and also him not being available for the postseason,” Day said, via NBC4. “Based on that, if he’s not able to return this fall, we’re putting a plan together for that as well.”
Day also said that it is “doubtful” Sayin returns during the regular season, according to Hope.
True freshman Luke Fahey, who went 0-for-2 passing after replacing Sayin against Indiana, is the likely next man up. The Buckeyes have a bye this week before a brutal closing stretch against USC, Oregon, Northwestern, Nebraska, and Michigan.
‘Feel for the kid’
Needless to say, the news drew plenty of reactions from around the sport.
“Feel for the kid. College football season continues to twist and turn,” wrote ESPN analyst Aaron Murray.
“News: Ohio State coach Ryan Day says QB Julian Sayin is out indefinitely, and they’re putting together a plan in case he doesn’t return at all this season. Massive news that could change the college football season,” wrote Chris Vannini of The Athletic.
“As expected, Ohio State putting together a plan for a potential long-term absence for injured QB Julian Sayin,” wrote Pat Forde of Sports Illustrated.
“Starting QBs for the only two undefeated (in conf. play) Big Ten teams are out long term. This league race could get wild,” wrote Mike Schumann of The Daily Hoosier.
“Oregon’s path forward just got clearer with the Julian Sayin injury. With this defense, and even decent QB play, there’s a real chance they can end up in the Big Ten Championship game. All depends on the QB/OL, and how productive that unit can be,” wrote Zachary Neel of USA Today’s Ducks Wire.
“Next man up. Standard doesn’t change,” wrote former Ohio State linebacker Steele Chambers.
“Next man up. We will miss Julian tremendously. Any Ohio State fan asking for a change last Saturday is a MORON. But Day & Arthur have 2 weeks to get Luke and/or Tavien ready. I trust that we are still a championship contender. Julian’s season is over. Ohio States is NOT,” wrote Ohio’s Tate of Barstool Sports.
Sayin’s injury could completely change the outlook for Ohio State, and possibly the entire College Football Playoff race.
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