COLUMBUS — Ohio State head coach Ryan Day still hasn't announced who will start at quarterback Saturday against USC, but he's making one thing clear. Whoever gets the job will need the full support of his teammates.
During Monday evening's Buckeye Roundtable radio show, Day discussed the competition between Luke Fahey and Tavien St. Clair, who are battling to replace injured starter Julian Sayin. Both quarterbacks received first-team practice repetitions during Ohio State's bye week.
"I feel like both guys have embraced it," Day said. "I think it's different when you're getting reps with the ones as opposed to the twos and threes."
Day also noted that there had been plenty of energy at practice and that both quarterbacks appeared ready for the challenge. But rather than naming a starter, he focused on what the rest of the Buckeyes must do to help the eventual winner succeed.
"We need everybody on this team, but we also need everybody in the community, our fans, Buckeye Nation, everybody to rally around this team and rally around a young quarterback," Day said.
The comments reinforce an important element of the quarterback competition that goes beyond arm strength, accuracy, and athletic ability. As we discussed in yesterday's article, Ohio State's Quarterback Decision May Come Down to More Than Talent, the confidence a quarterback earns from his teammates can be an important part of his ability to lead the offense.
Now Day is emphasizing the other side of that relationship. Regardless of whether Fahey or St. Clair wins the job, the rest of the team must do everything possible to help him succeed.
"We all got to be tighter here. We got to help a young quarterback get his first win as a Buckeye. And it's going to take our best," Day said.
Fahey entered the bye week as the favorite after earning the backup position ahead of St. Clair before the season began. He was also the quarterback Day turned to when Sayin suffered his throwing-arm injury against Indiana on October 17.
But St. Clair has been given an opportunity to compete, and Day has indicated that both quarterbacks will be evaluated before the coaching staff makes its decision.
The timing makes the situation especially challenging. Ohio State is 6-1 and remains in contention for the Big Ten championship and College Football Playoff, but its remaining schedule includes USC, Oregon, Northwestern, Nebraska, and Michigan.
Day understands that the Buckeyes can't expect a quarterback making his first career start to immediately replace everything Sayin provided. The running game, offensive line, receivers, and defense will all need to do their part, particularly against a talented USC team.
The identity of Ohio State's next starting quarterback remains unknown, at least publicly. What Day made clear Monday is that the responsibility for keeping the Buckeyes' championship hopes alive won't rest on that player's shoulders alone.
