Ryan Day credits Julian Sayin and Matt Patricia as Ohio State stays unbeaten

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Ryan Day credits Julian Sayin and Matt Patricia as Ohio State stays unbeaten

Ryan Day credits Julian Sayin and Matt Patricia as Ohio State stays unbeaten originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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Ryan Day walked into halftime with a three-point lead, but the look said otherwise. “We were up three,” he said. “It felt like we were down 21.”

That’s the bar now in Columbus, frustration through the lens of perfection. And yet, once again, the No. 1 Buckeyes delivered, blasting Penn State 38–14 to move to 8–0 and remain in control of the Big Ten and College Football Playoff chase.

Freshman quarterback Julian Sayin continued his rise, completing 20 of 23 passes for 316 yards and four touchdowns, including deep strikes to Carnell Tate (5-124, TD) and Jeremiah Smith (6-123, 2 TDs). “You have to learn from it, not dwell on it,” Day said of Sayin’s bounce-back drive to open the third quarter. “That first drive out of halftime was everything.”

The defense was equally imposing. Matt Patricia’s unit pressured relentlessly, holding the Lions to 242 total yards and just 3-of-12 on third down. Arvell Reese led with 12 tackles and a sack, while Kenyatta Jackson Jr. added two sacks and 2.5 tackles for loss. “The defense was excellent,” Day said. “They got to the quarterback and played physical.”

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A late 51-yard burst from Bo Jackson closed out the win before a roaring home crowd that Day made sure to thank. “When the players needed the crowd, the crowd was there,” he said. “It gives our guys energy.”

The Buckeyes will travel to Purdue next Saturday before home contests against UCLA and Rutgers.

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