The Ohio State Buckeyes have had a rough stretch lately, there’s no other way around it.

 It started with Julian Sayin’s injury against Indiana a few weeks ago, which ended his junior season. Since then, Ohio State has turned to freshman quarterback Luke Fahey, and the Buckeyes have dropped back-to-back games to USC and Oregon.

Plenty of Buckeye fans have been calling for former five-star quarterback Tavien St. Clair to get his shot. Buckeyes coach Ryan Day confirmed Fahey will start again against Northwestern in Week 11. 

Luke Fahey keeps the starting job for Ohio State

Fahey getting the call after Sayin went down wasn’t a surprise because he has been the backup all season. He hasn’t necessarily been great for the Buckeyes over the last two games, though.

Fahey completed 21-of-38 passes for 260 yards and a touchdown against USC. He followed that up by going 36-of-50 for 360 yards, two touchdown passes, and one interception against Oregon. Fahey hasn’t been the reason Ohio State lost either game. However, he also hasn’t put the team on his back at any point and carried it to a win, which shouldn’t be expected of a freshman quarterback.

Still, the Buckeyes are sticking with him as they try to snap a two-game losing skid against Northwestern.

Ryan Day addresses Tavien St. Clair’s status

St. Clair is in his second season with the Buckeyes after arriving as a five-star recruit in the class of 2025. Fahey beat him out for the backup job, and St. Clair has seen minimal action for Ohio State.

When asked about the quarterback situation, Day made it clear where things stand.

“Luke is going to be our quarterback this week, and Tavien is one snap away,” Day said on Tuesday. “That mentality has got to be to continue to grow. If we can continue to improve in practice and build enough trust within practice, and we feel like he gives us the best chance to win, we’ll make that move. We’re not at that point right now.”

Day leaving the door open is one thing. What matters is that the coaching staff doesn’t feel St. Clair gives Ohio State the best chance to win right now, and the trust he needs to build in practice isn’t there yet.

What it means for St. Clair’s future in Columbus

Unless things reach an unplayable point with Fahey, it doesn’t appear St. Clair is going to play for the Buckeyes this season. That’s a real disappointment for the former Bellefontaine, Ohio, standout who stayed home to play for Ohio State.

With St. Clair stuck behind a freshman and the staff not ready to make a move, he looks to be trending toward the transfer portal this winter. It won’t be easy for him to change the coaching staff’s mind with only a few games left.

Fahey is going to be the quarterback against Northwestern in what is a must-win game for Ohio State, and the expectation is he’ll stay the starter for the rest of the year.