Breaking Down Julian Sayin’s Performance Against Illinois As Ohio State Quarterback Relies Mostly on Short Passes

Much like Ohio State’s offense as a whole, Sayin's performance in the Buckeyes' win over Illinois wasn’t his best, but it was still enough to come away with an 18-point win over a top-20 opponent on the road.

Sayin completed 19 of 27 passes for 166 yards and two touchdowns in Champaign on Saturday. Those 19 completions and 70.4% completion rate were the worst since the season-opening win over Texas.

Sayin completed 12-of-18 passes in the first half. Eight of his first 10 completions were for at least 11 yards. With a 20-3 halftime lead, Sayin proceeded to throw only nine passes in the second half, completing seven of those.

To take a closer look at Sayin's performance against Illinois, we charted all 27 of his pass attempts in the win. (Note: The passing chart is categorized by how many yards the quarterback threw the ball in the air past the line of scrimmage on each attempt and whether the ball reached its target inside or outside the hashes, though the stats listed include yards gained after the catch on each completion.)

After throwing a season-high four passes 20-plus yards downfield against Minnesota a week before, Sayin had his worst game with the deep ball at Illinois. For the first time this season, he didn't complete a single deep throw while attempting at least one, as Sayin missed on both of his passes thrown at least 20 yards downfield. He started the season by completing all of his first seven deep throws, but has only completed three of his past six passes thrown 20-plus yards downfield in his last two games.

While it has decreased significantly of late, Sayin's 76.5% completion rate on throws 20-plus yards downfield remains the best in the country. His 36.4 yards per attempt on those passes is by far the best mark in the FBS, 10 yards more than the second-best average.

Sayin certainly took advantage of short throws against Illinois, though, completing 12 of 13 passes within 10 yards of the line of scrimmage for 81 yards and a touchdown.

“If they’re giving us certain coverage and we don’t have it, check the ball down, let’s make smart decisions," Sayin said after the game. "We’re never going to lose the game on third downs, so if something’s not there, don’t force it. I think maybe I forced one here or there today. We just want to keep growing.”

After dominating on play-action passes the previous four games, Sayin had his worst performance in that concept since the season opener vs. Texas. Not only did Ohio State use it the fewest amount of times since the first game of the season, but Sayin's 55.6% completion rate on those passes was the lowest since the win over the Longhorns as well.

That said, the redshirt freshman's 18 passes in non-play action were his second-most of the season in that concept, while his 77.8% completion rate on those throws was the second-best of the season so far.

Just like the game before against Minnesota, Sayin was pressured on only four pass attempts (five dropbacks), completing three of those throws for 25 yards.

While Sayin has only been under pressure on 19.4% of dropbacks, which is the fifth-best mark in the FBS among quarterbacks who have been pressured on at least 10 dropbacks, he has been one of the best quarterbacks under pressure all season, completing 71.4% of his passes under pressure, the third-best mark in the FBS.

When the Fighting Illini blitzed, Sayin performed well, much like he has all season, completing 6-of-7 passes for 39 yards and a touchdown when the defense brought extra pressure.

Sayin's 79.6% completion rate when opponents blitz is the third-best in the country, while his nine touchdowns against the blitz are the third-most in the FBS. Opponents have brought extra pressure on 32.1% of the quarterback's dropbacks, which is 41st in the country.

Below, we take a look at four of Sayin's best throws in the game and an incompletion that he'd love to have back.

Good Throw: 11-yard Completion to Carnell Tate

Sayin stays composed, pump fakes to the middle of the field when he sees a linebacker move, and finds Tate for a first down.

Good Throw: 22-yard Completion to Max Klare Up The Seam

While missing high over the middle is never ideal, Sayin throws it to the only place where his tight end could get it and Klare makes a great catch to continue the drive.

Good Movement: Julian Sayin Avoids Pressure and Finds Will Kacmarek for a 7-yard Completion

Saying avoids the pressure coming up the middle, escapes to his right while keeping his eyes downfield and finds Kacmarek for a first down on 3rd-and-1.

Good Throw: 8-yard Completion to Carnell Tate

Throwing from the right hashmark to the left sideline is a very tough throw in college, especially on an out route. The timing has to be perfect or it could easily lead to a pick-six. That said, Sayin delivered a perfect ball to Tate across the field.

Bad Throw: Incompletion to Max Klare

Sayin's last incompletion (and second-to-last throw) of the game was arguably his worst. Luckily, it was only an incompletion and Klare wasn't hurt on the play, but the pass to the tight end in the middle of the field could have led to an interception and/or Klare getting injured.

Even though his performance against Illinois wasn’t his best, Sayin has been nothing short of impressive six games into his career as a starter as he ranks among the best in the FBS in key passing statistics:

• First in completion percentage (78.4%)
• Eighth in yards per attempt (9.7)
• Third in QB Rating (188.1)
• Tied for seventh in passing touchdowns (15)
• Fourth in QBR (86.5)

Sayin's passing chart through six games of the 2025 season: