Ryan Day believes Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin answered the call from the coaching staff to use his legs against Illinois this week.
The Buckeyes knocked off the Fighting Illini 42-19 at the "Shoe" on Saturday. Sayin had 29 rushing yards and a touchdown via his legs.
Day liked what he saw from Sayin during the Week 4 win and Big Ten opener.
“One of our jobs as coaches is to challenge. Coaches challenge coaches, coaches challenge players, sometimes players will challenge the coaches -- and I like when that happens. We challenged Julian this past week, and I thought he responded," Day said postgame.
All the attention was on Jeremiah Smith's legendary four-touchdown receiving performance, but Sayin's ability to do more out of the backfield is something that will help the team as the offense's non-Sayin/Smith weapons figure out what they can do to pitch into the cause.
Sayin was asked to be more of a runner in the offseason to unlock Arthur Smith's offense more. With frequent heavy personnel sets, utilizing the strong side is necessary for the running backs. Sayin could benefit there, too, and he continues to show he could be worthy of a few designed QB runs later in the season when the stakes rise.
Ohio State needs Julian Sayin and Jeremiah Smith now more than ever
The run game continues to underwhelm beyond the change-of-pace, short-yardage Ja'Kobi Jackson situations. Bo Jackson is not getting enough push up front, and Isaiah West is barely a factor after a strong fall camp.
Meanwhile, the receiving corps essentially sat back and watched Smith work on Saturday, aside from Devin McCuin's four catches and 34 yards, anyway. Tight end Nate Roberts' four catches and 36 yards were the second-best receiving performance of the afternoon.
That, obviously, is unacceptable.
On an afternoon in which the offense accumulated 518 total yards, you wouldn't think that there was much to worry about offensively. Smith is an NFL first-round pick next April, though, and no one is proving they can carry the torch next year just yet.
Sayin may be an NFL quarterback in 2027, too. There's certainly even less clarity on what happens next at the quarterback position.
Julian Sayin could join Jeremiah Smith in the Heisman conversation
Smith has played his way into the Heisman conversation by more than doubling his touchdown total against Illinois.
Don't count out Sayin, though. Sayin has thrown for no fewer than 240 yards every game and is up to 12 all-purpose touchdowns this season.
Truthfully, Sayin could do his own candidacy a favor by calling his own number more at the goal line. As great as Ja'Kobi Jackson has been in his role, Sayin could find open lanes against teams not accustomed to the quarterback's running abilities.
We'll see which Buckeye has the strongest representation in the Heisman conversation by year's end. JJ Smith has the hype now, but if the rest of the receivers wake up, Sayin could someday take the lead.
Add us as a preferred source on Google