Fahey stays Ohio State's starter for Oregon game

Ohio StateOhio State quarterback Luke Fahey warms up before an NCAA college football game against Southern California Saturday, Oct. 31, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)AP Photo/Ryan SunBy Stefan Krajisnik, cleveland.comCOLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio State football coach Ryan Day doesn’t think freshman quarterback Luke Fahey was perfect in Saturday’s loss at USC. However, he also doesn’t think the first-time starter was responsible for the loss.As a result, it should be no surprise the 12th-ranked Buckeyes are sticking with Fahey entering Saturday’s matchup with No. 23 Oregon.“Yeah, right now,” Day said when asked Tuesday if Fahey will be the starter moving forward. “He’s going to be the starter against Oregon.”Ohio State’s first College Football Playoff ranking is both a gift and a curse: Stephen MeansWhere two-loss Ohio State landed in first 2026 College Football Playoff rankings Ohio State football’s Ryan Day not against midseason coaching changes if ‘appropriate’ What Ryan Day said about Ohio State’s tight ends, offensive line and Tyler Bowen: Buckeye Talk podcast Day had emphasized before the trip to Los Angeles that the Buckeyes needed to rally around their new starter. Instead, the team’s play took a step back. Ohio State committed 11 penalties in the loss and allowed a season-high 30 points. “We’ve got to do a better job around him, helping him out as a young player,” Day said. Cardale Jones to ring victory bellIn the spirit of a reserve quarterback stepping into a starting role, Cardale Jones will serve as the victory bell ringer ahead of Saturday’s game. Jones opened the 2014 season as the Buckeyes’ third-string quarterback. However, he was thrust into a starting role later that season, ultimately leading Ohio State to a national title run in the first-ever College Football Playoff.Jones will be the 13th bell ringer since the tradition was introduced last year and the fifth of this season.Key datesOhio State vs. Oregon: 3 days, Nov. 6, 2026The Game 2026: 24 days, Nov. 28, 2026Big Ten Championship Game: 31 days, Dec. 5, 2026College Football Playoff first round: 44 days, Dec. 18-19, 2026College Football Playoff quarterfinal: 56 days, Dec. 30, 2026-Jan. 1, 2027College Football Playoff semifinal: 71 days, Jan. 14-15, 2027College Football Playoff National Championship Game: 82 days, Jan. 25, 2027Ohio State football beat writer