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Ohio State

Julian Sayin named Big Ten Freshman of the Week

Spencer-Holbrookby: Spencer Holbrook09/08/25SpencerHolbrook
Julian Sayin by Birm -- Lettermen Row
Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin (Birm/Lettermen Row)

COLUMBUS — Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin aced his first test a week ago against Texas. The Buckeyes won that game.

But he really exploded for an incredible game in Week 2, albeit against lesser competition. For his effort against Grambling State on Saturday, Sayin was named the Big Ten Freshman of the Week, which is given weekly to the top true freshman or redshirt freshman in the league.

He opened the game with 16 straight completions in the Buckeyes’ 70-0 win over Grambling State inside the Horseshoe. Four of those went for touchdowns, two of which were from at least 47 yards. Sayin was dealing the football for the entire first half.

Sayin finished the day 18 for 19 passing for 306 yards and those four scores. But that one incompletion? Yeah, he certainly wants that back. The second-year quarterback, making just his second career start, fired a second-and-goal throw from the left hash to the right front corner of the end zone, where Carnell Tate was trying to get open. Instead, it was an interception. His first interception.

But that didn’t put a damper on just how good Sayin was for the Buckeyes on Saturday.

“There were some plays where I felt like we had guys pretty open,” Ohio State coach Ryan Day said of Sayin postgame. “And there was other throws that, you know, it was pretty contested throws. I thought he put it on the money. One play, certainly he wants that back. But we were pushing the envelope a little bit to see how he would respond and throw those because this is all for the first time for him. And no time for really learning on the job. We’ve got to go.

“So we pushed the envelope, throwing the ball early and playing faster. So we’ll look at it. But yeah, I mean, you watch it. You watch how quick the ball comes out of his hand. You watch how accurate. You know, those were all positives for him.”

For that incredible performance, Sayin now has a Big Ten Freshman of the Week honor to his name. With his talent level and weapons, it shouldn’t be his last.