Winning a first game as a starting quarterback is a milestone for any young player. For Luke Fahey, doing it in an Ohio State uniform made the achievement especially meaningful. The freshman grew up cheering for the Buckeyes, and after Ohio State’s victory over Northwestern, his thoughts turned immediately to the family members who had shared that dream with him.
Ohio State defeated Northwestern 28–19 on November 14, ending a two-game losing streak. The win was an important result for the team and Fahey’s first victory as its starting quarterback. But the game also marked a personal moment for a player who had long hoped to represent the program.
“Can’t wait to go see my mom and my dad, and get to call my grandparents as well because this is a moment we’ve kind of all dreamed about,” Fahey said after the game.
Fahey’s family has a long connection to the university. He grew up an Ohio State fan, and his grandparents even met at the school’s library. That history made his path to the starting role—and his first win in that position—something the family had looked forward to for years.
## From Injury Replacement to First Victory
Fahey’s opportunity came after Julian Sayin injured his throwing arm during Ohio State’s October 17 win over Indiana. The freshman took over the offense and started against USC and Oregon, but the Buckeyes lost both games. Fahey had to learn while playing, with the team navigating a challenging stretch of its season.
Against Northwestern, he appeared more settled. Fahey completed 21 of 32 passes for 201 yards and three touchdowns, while throwing one interception. His first pass of the game ended in an interception after the ball deflected off a receiver’s helmet. He recovered from the early mistake and helped Ohio State find its offensive rhythm.
One of the game’s defining plays came in the third quarter. Facing fourth-and-1, Fahey rolled left and connected with Devin McCuin for a touchdown. The conversion gave the Buckeyes a key score and represented a successful finish to a play similar to one Fahey had missed against Oregon.
The quarterback said he is becoming more comfortable, though he recognizes that the position demands constant focus.
“I’m starting to get a little more comfortable, but I don’t think you can really get comfortable in this position,” he said.
Having the full game plan in front of him has helped the game slow down, particularly before the snap. Support from Ohio State’s coaches and teammates has also aided his adjustment to the starting role.
## A Developing Connection With Jeremiah Smith
Wide receiver Jeremiah Smith was a major target for Fahey throughout the afternoon. Smith caught 11 passes for 117 yards and a touchdown on 17 targets. The pair have been building their connection since Sayin’s injury, and the Northwestern game gave them another opportunity to develop it.
“He’s a great player with a great attitude, so it certainly makes my job easy to kind of target him and give him the ball,” Fahey said.
Smith also reached a notable career milestone. His 22-yard catch and run in the first quarter moved him past former Purdue receiver John Standeford’s Big Ten career receiving record of 3,788 yards. Smith finished the game with 3,875 career receiving yards, setting the conference record.
Ohio State’s ground game helped take pressure off the freshman. Bo Jackson led the Buckeyes with 114 rushing yards and a touchdown on 20 carries. The team finished with 168 yards on the ground, while the offensive line gave Fahey more time to work through his throws. He was sacked once, an improvement after protection difficulties in the previous games.
## Ryan Day Praises the Team’s Response
Head coach Ryan Day was pleased with how his players responded after the losses to USC and Oregon. He acknowledged that Ohio State’s performance against Northwestern was not perfect, but said the team stayed together and continued working.
“The last two weeks haven’t been fun here,” Day said. “But life is about how you handle adversity.”
The defense helped secure the win, recording five sacks and seven tackles for loss. Ohio State also limited Northwestern to 53 rushing yards, restricting the Wildcats’ ability to build momentum as the game progressed.
Day emphasized the significance of representing the university and its supporters.
“You’re playing for each other, but you’re still playing for the tradition. You’re playing for the Block O, playing for the people of Ohio,” he said.
The victory kept Ohio State’s postseason hopes alive, though the Buckeyes still had work ahead if they hoped to make a late-season push. Upcoming games against Nebraska and Michigan presented further challenges.
Whatever followed, the win over Northwestern gave Fahey a lasting milestone: his first victory as Ohio State’s starting quarterback. Before turning his attention to the next game, he planned to see his parents and call his grandparents—the people who had shared his Ohio State dream long before he took the field.
