10 Ohio State football spring game takeaways: This QB battle is good news

The Ohio State Buckeyes played in Ohio Stadium for the first time since the first round of the College Football Playoffs when they faced Tennessee and started their run to a national championship. Although head coach Ryan Day played with the idea of not having a spring game before, he said after the game, "I'm glad we did this. It was the right thing to do." Fans were glad, too, as the lower bowl of the stadium was nearly full, with some excess in the upper bowl. Here are 10 takeaways from what we saw from the Buckeyes:

1. Offense wins the day

The Ohio State offense played the game in scarlet while the defense was in gray. Scarlet won the day 50-31 with a mixture of impressive plays by the quarterbacks and running backs who refused to go down with multiple 20+ yard runs. Although, it was not perfect. The defense did manage multiple sacks, two turnovers, and a punt on the first drive.

2. The offensive line shines in getting push and pass protection

The offensive line began the game well with excellent pass protection, giving Lincoln Kienholz time in the pocket. However, a couple of missed throws got the offense off the field early. The following drive by the backups with Julian Sayin at the helm featured his good pocket presence and even better run blocking for CJ Donaldson, who tore apart the defense down the field to the red zone.

3. The defensive line will need some help but improved in the end

After getting very little pass rush on the first possession and getting carved up on the 2nd, the defensive line improved throughout the day. Defensive ends were starting to get more pressure on the quarterbacks, and the running lanes for the running backs were much smaller.

However, it was on the 2nd last drive of the game when Julian Sayin came in to try and run a two-minute drill but was sacked twice by Idaho State transfer Logan George and got pressured up the middle by Tywone Malone Jr., who forced an inaccurate throw over the middle.

The most noticeable issue for the defensive line was the depth of the interior. Outside of a few guys like Eddrick Houston, Tywone Malone, and Kayden McDonald, there wasn't much push or pressure by them. it'll be an area where the Buckeyes need to improve in the spring portal window.

4. Bo Jackson displayed some impressive intangibles

Bo Jackson didn't look like your standard freshman running back. He has the burst, vision, and contact balance of a veteran running back but much less tread on his tires. Bo got taken down in the backfield once by graduate student Joey Velazquez. Other than that, Jackson was bouncing off defenders, finding holes to run through for multiple big gains, and turning carries that should've been for only 3 or 4 yards into first downs.

5. The secondary thrived on physicality

The Buckeye's defensive backs were noticeably better when they were allowed to hit and be more physical. The starters on the day did not hit or tackle one another, but those playing behind the starters didn't hold back. Lorenzo Styles made a nice play on a deep ball to Mylan Graham, and he broke up. Plus, Quincy Porter took a big hit from two defenders at once, which made it look like he had to go to the sidelines to be examined by medical staff, but he returned to the game not long after.

6. This QB battle between Julian Sayin and Lincoln Kienholz is good news

Julian Sayin and Lincoln Kienholz shined in different ways, but Julian Sayin won the day. Both quarterbacks brought calmness in the pocket and made some really nice throws. Kienholz excelled more in the underneath throws and using his legs to get outside the pocket.

Sayin was impressive with his touch and throwing the ball over the middle of the field while displaying some excellent pocket presence. Although Sayin did not use his legs much, Kienholz struggled more. With multiple delay-of-game penalties and inaccurate throws beyond 10 yards and outside the number, it was clear Sayin had the better day and although he is still young, possesses a talented arm.

7. Tavien St. Clair looks like a young QB but rebounds with confidence all day

Tavien St. Clair had some nice plays, but he also looked like the freshman with two interceptions on the day. However, it was impressive to see St. Clair bounce back with seemingly no confidence lost. Both times after St. Clair threw interceptions, he took a shot right back down the field a couple of plays later and was strong in the pocket. St. Clair isn't ready to be the starter yet, but he showed why just so many are excited to see what the future holds for him.

8. Mylan Graham was every quarterback's favorite target.

It seemed like sophomore Mylan Graham was making another catch every few plays. Graham was quick, ran nice routes, and had some nice run-after-the-catch ability. Although he is a sophomore, this was Graham's first spring game, as he did not join the team until the summer of last year.

Most sophomores who start later, like him, take some more time to get acclimated with the spring game, but he did not. Graham came out fast and showed that the backup wide receivers at Ohio State really could start just about anywhere else in the country.

9. Max Klare led the tight ends with an impressive day

Purdue transfer Max Klare certainly answered any critics who might have questioned if taking a player from the worst team in the Big Ten would be such a good idea. With Will Kacmarek out and not playing, Max Klare ran various routes and found the end zone once, too.

Although Klare did not play a lot of snaps, he was noticeable when he was in there as a reliable target for his quarterbacks. The most impressive play was Klare's touchdown, where he was streaking up the middle, and Sayin found him with some excellent touch on the ball.

10. Quincy Porter and Aaron Scott Jr. might not be pals

The audience could tell these guys have been facing off for some time now as it got chippy with Aaron Scott and Quincy Porter at the end of the first half. Porter blocked Scott to the ground, but the sophomore defensive back seemed to take exception when he got up and knocked Porter aside in the head. Porter and Scott exchanged words and went their separate ways.

Although it was a moment that some might think displays friction on the team, scuffles like this are common. Ryan Day will certainly address it so it does not continue, but after weeks and weeks of going up against one another, frustration can get to anyone.

Overall, the Ohio State football spring game brought promise for the offense but some questions about the defense. However, one thing is for sure: Ryan Day continues to load up with talent in Columbus, Ohio, and the game brought us more good than bad.

Now fans are stuck waiting a few more months until the Buckeyes take the field again on August 30th, 2025, when they will take on the Texas Longhorns in Ohio Stadium.