Julian Sayin shows poise in Ohio State’s victory over #1 Texas

Sophomore quarterback Julian Sayin was maybe the most significant question mark for Ohio State coming into this season opener against #1 Texas. He had a tall task ahead of him as quarterbacks making their first start against the #1 team in the country in the last 20 years were 0-18. Julian Sayin makes it 1-18. He was the first quarterback to win in his first start against the #1 team in over 40 years.

Julian Sayin was 13 of 20 for 126 yards and a huge touchdown to Carnell Tate. Sayin played even better than his numbers indicated, as Ohio State had at least three drops. Unlike his counterpart from Texas, Sayin never took a sack and never threw a pick or turned the ball over. He didn’t look like this was his first start. He didn’t have any moments where you had to remind yourself how young he is to excuse a mistake, but he had a few where you had to remind yourself how young he is for the poise he was showing.

In a tight game like this one against a defense as good as Texas, that was crucial and key to the Buckeye victory. Ohio State has its QB1. This is a win and a debut that will age well and give Sayin and the Buckeyes’ offense tremendous confidence going forward. There’s a very good chance that they’ll lock horns with Texas again before this season is over.

If they meet in the playoff again, Ohio State will point to this victory and this performance as a foundation going forward. Sayin played like the next great Buckeye quarterback he’s expected to be, and has the defending champs off to a perfect start toward going back-to-back.