Ohio State lists Julian Sayin among 11 players out for Northwestern
Freshman Luke Fahey makes his third start at quarterback as the Buckeyes try to snap a two-game skid.
Ohio State hosts Northwestern on Saturday seeking to snap a two-game skid without injured quarterback Julian Sayin, while former Buckeyes offensive coordinator Chip Kelly stands on the opposing sideline.
Northwestern has lost two straight as well and shares Ohio State’s 6-3 record, with a 3-3 mark in the Big Ten, Eleven Warriors reported.
Ohio State’s defeats came against USC and Oregon. Coach Ryan Day told 10TV ahead of the game that his players are disappointed and embarrassed, though their season is not over. With three regular-season games remaining, Day said they must choose how they want to be remembered.
The losses left Ohio State with slim chances of winning the Big Ten or reaching the College Football Playoff, USA Today and Eleven Warriors said. Michigan remains on the Buckeyes’ schedule.
Ohio State last lost three consecutive games in 2011, while Northwestern is looking for its first victory at Ohio Stadium since 1971, according to an Associated Press report carried by 10TV. The report described Kelly as Day’s longtime friend and mentor, and 10TV said Kelly helped Ohio State win a national championship as offensive coordinator.
Kelly has overseen an offensive turnaround at Northwestern, Kamran Nia of The Daily Northwestern said, according to Eleven Warriors. Land-Grant Holy Land puts Northwestern’s turnover margin at +12 entering the game.
Northwestern commit RJ Day will root against Ohio State for the first time, Eleven Warriors reported. “That is my family now, and I'm going to stand by that,” he said.
Ohio State’s availability report lists 11 players out, a group that includes Sayin and starting offensive lineman Luke Montgomery. Four others are game-time decisions, including offensive lineman Phillip Daniels and receiver Phillip Bell.
Freshman Luke Fahey makes his third quarterback start for Ohio State, while Northwestern quarterback Aidan Chiles is also out, 10TV reported.
Day told 10TV’s Dom Tiberi ahead of the game that injuries do not excuse Ohio State’s struggles and discussed getting receiver Jeremiah Smith more involved.
Ohio State says its “JJ 4 It All” campaign backs Smith for the Heisman Trophy and other national awards. Land-Grant Holy Land said Smith needs 31 receiving yards to pass John Standeford for the Big Ten career receiving record.
Fox will carry the game, which also streams on FuboTV. Connor Onion and Robert Griffin III will call it, with Gus Johnson and Joel Klatt not on the broadcast.
Even though Ohio State is playing at noon on FOX, Gus Johnson and Joel Klatt won’t be on the call for today’s game.
— Eleven Warriors (@11W) November 14, 2026
Ohio State’s second-to-last home game is scheduled for noon ET, though Land-Grant Holy Land reported kickoff would be roughly 12:15 p.m. ET because the “Big Noon” game never starts exactly at noon.
