COLUMBUS — Ohio State head coach Ryan Day still hasn't named a starting quarterback for Saturday's matchup against USC, but Tuesday's press conference revealed another possibility. The Buckeyes could use both Luke Fahey and Tavien St. Clair as they begin life without injured starter Julian Sayin.
When asked whether both quarterbacks could see playing time against the Trojans, Day acknowledged that the coaching staff hasn't ruled out the possibility.
"It's definitely possible," Day said. "What the situations would be and what the circumstances would be, we'd have to see, but yeah, there's definitely a chance."
Fahey remains the favorite to start after serving as Sayin's primary backup throughout the season. The freshman entered Ohio State's October 17 victory over Indiana after Sayin suffered an injury to his throwing arm, but St. Clair, a sophomore, has been given an opportunity to compete during the Buckeyes' bye week.
"Both quarterbacks practiced well last week, which was good," Day said Tuesday. "There was good energy. Guys were rallying around both guys."
Day also confirmed that the coaching staff is developing packages for both quarterbacks, although he acknowledged that one player will eventually need to receive most of the first-team repetitions to prepare for Saturday.
That doesn't necessarily mean Ohio State intends to rotate quarterbacks throughout the game. Day specifically said he doesn't want the eventual starter looking over his shoulder after every mistake, emphasizing the importance of allowing a young quarterback to settle into the offense.
"That's not gonna be the plan. I don't want that happening," Day said when asked about rotating quarterbacks. "We'll put a plan together in terms of how we're gonna approach that later in the week."
The distinction is key for Ohio State, which enters Saturday's game ranked No. 2 nationally with a 6-1 record. The Buckeyes remain undefeated in Big Ten play, but losing Sayin has created uncertainty at the most important position on the field.
Regardless of who starts, both quarterbacks must be prepared to play. Day pointed out that a backup can unexpectedly find himself on the field, as Fahey did against Indiana, making it important that neither quarterback approaches Saturday as though his role has already been determined.
For now, the competition remains open, and the possibility of seeing both quarterbacks against USC gives the Trojans another wrinkle to prepare for.
