IOWA CITY, Iowa - Over the last two weeks, Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin has eased some of the doubt about his ability to perform under pressure.
After Sayin rushed for 29 yards and a touchdown in No. 6 Ohio State's win over Illinois, the second-year starter threw for 324 yards and three touchdowns during the Buckeyes' 31-14 victory over No. 14 Iowa on Oct. 3.
Sayin had thrown for 300 or more yards eight times before, but he'd never done so while facing a top-25 defense like Iowa's.
"They're a good opponent, a lot of respect for them," Sayin said. "They made it tough on me, whether it was getting their hands up in the passing lane or sending pressure, they did
a good job."
Sayin's day started in the red zone, after Buckeyes defensive end Kenyatta Jackson Jr. forced a turnover at the Hawkeyes' 14-yard line. Running back Ja'Kobi Jackson rushed for a short gain, and then Sayin logged his first pass and touchdown with a 15-yard throw to wide receiver Devin McCuin on a slant route.
The Hawkeyes' defense ramped up their pressure in the second quarter, notching two sacks that stymied back-to-back drives and led to the Buckeyes settling for field goal attempts.
With 1:48 remaining in the second quarter, the Buckeyes got one last chance to extend their 10-6 lead ahead of halftime. Ohio State began its drive at its own 16-yard line, and following a 12-yard run from Bo Jackson, Sayin got the offense to the 41-yard line with a pass up the middle to McCuin.
As the Buckeyes continued to push into Iowa's territory, Sayin used a mix of handoffs and short passes to get the Hawkeyes' 12-yard line.
"I think it was everyone doing their job and clicking," Sayin said. "We worked that [two-minute drills] in practice, especially on Sundays. We just keep trying to get better and keep improving it ... because those are big spots in the game, big situations."
Sayin completed the two-minute drill with a 10-yard pass to wide receiver Jeremiah Smith, who took the ball an additional three yards and scored.
The touchdown marked the fifth straight game Ohio State has scored in the final 15 seconds of the first half, and simultaneously put the Iowa game out of reach.
Iowa's defensive line continued to apply pressure in the second half, so by the end of the game, Sayin had been sacked a season-high four times. There are only two other games in which Sayin has been sacked more than twice – postseason losses to Indiana and Miami last season.
Sayin combined for 545 yards and two touchdowns across those two games, and he threw three interceptions.
But since throwing a fourth-quarter interception during the Buckeyes 24-23 loss to No. 1 Texas on Sept. 12, Sayin has gone without turning the ball over, a streak he'll be looking to keep alive past the rematch against No. 5 Indiana in two weeks.
"It's going to be a tough challenge for us," Sayin said. "I think having the experience of last season ... it's definitely going to be helpful for me."
bmackay@dispatch.com
@brimackay15
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Ohio State QB Julian Sayin's experience under pressure now paying off
