A Breakout Performance That Still Isn’t Good Enough for Sayin
Ohio State’s offense took a clear step forward in its 42-19 win over Illinois, but quarterback Julian Sayin isn’t treating one strong outing as a finished product. As the No. 5 Buckeyes prepare to travel to No. 14 Iowa, Sayin says the group remains locked in on improving week to week — and that includes making defenses pay whenever they leave him room to run.
“If the defense is playing a certain coverage where they don’t have the quarterback, let’s take off and make them pay,” Sayin said.
Just How Good Was Julian Sayin Against Illinois?
Sayin’s performance against Illinois was, by any measure, the best of his season. He completed 27 of 36 passes for 367 yards and four touchdowns without a single interception, while adding a career-high 29 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown on seven carries. According to Pro Football Focus, his 19 scrambling yards on one particular play were also a career high — a moment that energized the Horseshoe nearly as much as his touchdown strikes to Jeremiah Smith.
Those scrambles were no accident. Ryan Day had specifically challenged Sayin during the week leading up to the Illinois game to find ways to extend plays with his legs, and Sayin answered that challenge directly, delivering his best all-around game of the season in response.
How Jeremiah Smith’s Presence Opens Things Up for Everyone Else
Smith’s gravity as a receiver was on full display, too. He hauled in 12 catches for a career-high 217 yards and four touchdowns against Illinois — numbers that instantly vaulted him into the Heisman Trophy conversation. But Sayin was quick to point out that Smith’s value extends well beyond his own box score. On one scramble, Smith actually switched into a blocking assignment and helped spring Sayin into open space toward the sideline.
“Whether he’s one on one, we got it, or they try to take him away and it opens up other guys,” Sayin said, describing how defenses are forced into a lose-lose proposition whenever Smith is on the field.
The Offseason Training Partnership Behind Sayin and Smith’s Chemistry
Part of what’s fueling that connection dates back to the offseason, when Sayin and Smith trained together under strength coach Mickey Marotti. Sayin credited that shared work for deepening their on-field chemistry.
“It was awesome that Coach Mick ended up putting us together this offseason,” Sayin said. “He definitely pushed me. To see just the way that he works and his mindset, it was great to be partnered with him, and I think it built our chemistry even more.”
Why Ohio State’s Supporting Cast Matters Just as Much as Smith
Beyond his connection with Smith, Sayin also praised the rest of Ohio State’s receiving corps for stepping up against Illinois. Brandon Inniss, Nate Roberts, and Devin McCuin all made key plays, while true freshmen Chris Henry Jr. and Brock Boyd continued developing in live game action. In total, Ohio State’s receivers outside of Smith combined for 15 catches and 150 yards in the win — meaningful secondary production for an offense that’s leaned heavily on Smith through the first month of the season.
“When you see those guys make those plays in the game, it just gives you so much confidence as a quarterback to keep going their way,” Sayin said. He added that the freshmen are naturally still adjusting to the college game, but that their growth is becoming more visible by the week. “They’re true freshmen, obviously. So the first game, it’s their first college game, but they have a couple of games under their belt, and they’re just getting better each week.”
Why Iowa Presents Ohio State’s Toughest Test Yet
The matchup against Iowa brings a different kind of challenge entirely. The Hawkeyes enter the game undefeated at 4-0 and own the No. 1 scoring defense in the entire country, a dramatic step up from Illinois’ veteran but more exploitable secondary. Sayin knows the environment at Kinnick Stadium will test Ohio State in ways Illinois didn’t.
“We have a veteran group on offense, with a guy like Cars (Carson Hinzman) at center and Luke (Luke Montgomery) at guard,” Sayin said. “Those guys up front, so it’s definitely helpful to have those guys when you’re going on the road like this.” That veteran presence matters given Ohio State’s own recent history on the road — the Buckeyes’ only loss this season came in Austin against Texas, and Iowa will be looking to replicate exactly that kind of hostile, momentum-driven environment.
Why Ohio State’s Coaching Staff Keeps Pushing Sayin to Do More
Ryan Day and the offensive staff challenged Sayin specifically during Illinois week to extend plays and keep developing as a complete quarterback, and the results spoke for themselves. But even after his best statistical game of the season, Sayin was careful not to get ahead of himself.
“We’re not even where we want to be as an offense,” Sayin said. “We’re trying to get better each week.”
What to Watch When Ohio State Visits Iowa
With Ohio State opening this stretch of its schedule three road games in four weeks — at a notoriously difficult venue in Kinnick Stadium, Sayin’s growth as both a passer and a runner could be the deciding factor. If Iowa’s defense takes away Smith the way Illinois’ secondary ultimately couldn’t, Sayin’s willingness to tuck the ball and create with his legs may be exactly what Ohio State needs to escape with a win in one of the toughest road environments in the Big Ten.
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