Ryan Day on Lincoln Kienholz: He knows he's going to play this year

Ohio State officially named Julian Sayin the starting quarterback on Monday morning, ending a quarterback battle that proved closer than many had anticipated. Backup Lincoln Kienholz made the race tight.

Now, Kienholz will have to adapt to a new role. He’s got to prepare as the starter while knowing he may not see the field.

“He was great in the meeting that we talked about,” coach Ryan Day said. “He knows in his heart he’s going to play this year. And so he’s going to prepare to play in the first game. And we know it’s a long season.”

Of course, Ohio State’s first game is against Texas, so there won’t be much margin for error. It’s unlikely the team plays multiple quarterbacks in that one barring something catastrophic.

That’s not to say that should impact Lincoln Kienholz’s preparation, but it’s a reality he has to grapple with. That can be tough to manage.

Day didn’t sound the least bit worried about how his veteran signal-caller would handle it. He explained.

“He’s a competitor. I’m sure he wants to play in the first game,” Day noted. “But I wouldn’t say he’s discouraged. I thought he had a good practice out here today. He had good energy. The team knows that we’re going to need him. And he knows.”

Still, in a battle that seemed like a foregone conclusion for most of the last several months, Lincoln Kienholz did a nice job making it a stiff competition. That matters in a locker room. And it’s not like Sayin is firmly entrenched.

Sayin has limited experience so far, but then again so does Kienholz. While Kienholz went 10-of-22 passing for 111 yards in 2023, Sayin went 5-of-12 for 84 yards and a touchdown in 2024.

Regardless, Day expects great things from Lincoln Kienholz. He has handled things well so far.

“Again, I thought that was excellent leadership on his end,” Day said. “And it’s a long season.”