Julian Sayin Leads No. 3 Buckeyes to Upset Over No. 1 Longhorns in Starting Debut
In a highly anticipated season opener, freshman quarterback Julian Sayin delivered a breakout performance, leading the No. 3 Ohio State Buckeyes to a stunning 34-28 win over the top-ranked Texas Longhorns in Austin on Saturday night. It was Sayin’s first game since being named the starting quarterback — and he made sure it would be remembered.
The former five-star recruit showed poise well beyond his years, completing 23 of 31 passes for 278 yards and two touchdowns, with no turnovers. Sayin’s accuracy, pocket awareness, and decision-making silenced any remaining doubts about Ryan Day’s decision to hand him the keys to one of college football’s most high-powered offenses.
Ohio State jumped out to an early lead, thanks to a 75-yard scoring drive capped by Sayin’s first collegiate touchdown — a 14-yard strike to wideout Emeka Egbuka. The Buckeyes’ defense also stepped up, forcing two turnovers, including a critical fourth-quarter interception that halted a Texas comeback attempt.
Sayin’s defining moment came late in the fourth quarter. Clinging to a six-point lead, Ohio State faced a third-and-long deep in its own territory. Sayin calmly rolled out and delivered a 22-yard dart to Marvin Harrison Jr., effectively sealing the game.
“He’s got that ‘it’ factor,” Harrison Jr. said postgame. “Julian stepped up like a veteran tonight.”
The win not only validates the preseason hype surrounding Sayin, but also establishes the Buckeyes as serious national title contenders early in the season. For now, Columbus can breathe easy — the future is here, and his name is Julian Sayin.
