COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio State hasn’t had a Heisman Trophy winner since quarterback Troy Smith captured the award in 2006.
However heading into the ultimate month of the common season, the Buckeyes now boast the Heisman front-runner.
Julian Sayin delivered one other scintillating efficiency Saturday in a 38-14 win over Penn State. The sophomore quarterback accomplished 20 of 23 passes for 316 yards and 4 touchdowns.
With this newest outing, Sayin jumped Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson and Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza to turn into the Heisman favourite (+175), based on ESPN BET.
“If Julian continues to play the way in which that he is taking part in, he deserves to be within the [Heisman] dialog, on the very least,” Ohio State coach Ryan Day stated.
Sayin now has 4 video games this season finishing 85% of his passes for greater than 300 yards and a minimum of three passing touchdowns; no different quarterback within the nation has multiple such recreation, based on ESPN Analysis.
“He is taking part in at an elite stage,” stated security Caleb Downs, who transferred to Ohio State together with Sayin early within the 2024 offseason after Alabama coach Nick Saban retired. “I am simply excited for my man.”
The highest-ranked Buckeyes (8-0, 5-0 Massive Ten) are attempting to win back-to-back nationwide titles for the primary time in program historical past. Sayin, who backed up Will Howard throughout final yr’s championship run, is placing up gaudy numbers in his first season because the starter. He has thrown for two,224 yards with 24 touchdowns and solely three interceptions.
Sayin got here into the weekend ranked fifth nationally with a QBR of 87.9. He additionally leads the nation by a big margin finishing nearly 81% of his passes; no different quarterback has a completion charge topping 75%.
“The receivers do a terrific job, and the operating backs do a terrific job in move safety and it is actually the offensive line giving me time to have the ability to undergo my learn,” Sayin stated. “So, that is actually a workforce stat.”
Each Jeremiah Smith and Carnell Tate caught passes from Sayin for 57 yards apiece, as the 2 wideouts mixed for 147 receiving yards and three touchdowns.
Sayin now has eight passing touchdowns of 20 or extra air yards, which is tied for third most within the FBS, based on ESPN Analysis.
“We have been aggressive and I believed a few of Julian’s deep balls have been simply glorious,” Day stated. “Julian’s actually getting increasingly more confidence each day.”