Main Story

Ohio State’s loss to USC exposed a pressing challenge: helping true freshman quarterback Luke Fahey succeed in the toughest parts of the field. The Buckeyes moved the ball but repeatedly failed to turn promising drives into touchdowns. The recommended fix is to use more empty formations, creating space for receivers and giving Fahey clearer reads against the defense.

By the Numbers
  • Fahey completed 21 of 38 passes for 260 yards and 1 touchdown against USC.
  • Ohio State scored 1 touchdown on 4 red-zone trips.
  • From USC’s 40-yard line and in, Fahey completed 7 of 20 passes, including 3 completions under pressure.
  • Ohio State used empty formations on just 3 plays.
Yes, But

Fahey’s mistakes mattered, but the loss was not solely his responsibility: he was a true freshman making his first career start on the road. Ohio State’s history of winning with a backup quarterback offers limited comparison, because this team’s offense depends heavily on a quarterback who can consistently get the ball to its playmakers.

State of Play
  • Ohio State has lost 4 of its last 10 games, a stretch the program hasn’t matched since 2011.
  • The Buckeyes need to win out to keep their hopes of reaching the Big Ten championship game alive.
  • Oregon, whose defense has improved in recent weeks, is next.
What’s Next

Ohio State must quickly find ways to make Fahey’s job more manageable, particularly in scoring range. More empty formations could help expose defensive coverage and create room for receivers, but the Buckeyes have little margin for error against Oregon.

Bottom Line

Fahey needs room to learn, and Ohio State needs points now. The path forward is to adapt the offense around its freshman quarterback—not simply expect him to perform like a veteran.