Indiana QB Michael Penix May Not Play vs. OSU

Freshman's injury leaves door open for his backup to start against Buckeyes

Ohio State thought it would be meeting Indiana's new quarterback on Saturday.

Turns out, the new guy might be the old guy.

With redshirt freshman Michael Penix listed by Coach Tom Allen on Thuresday as a game-time decision, IU may turn to Cincinnati Elder product Peyton Ramsey.

No definitive word on the availability of Indiana starting quarterback Michael Penix for this week's B1G game against Ohio State. Tom Allen said it will be a game day decision. #iufb pic.twitter.com/ITYriPhFfz

— Jim Coyle (@jimcoyleISB) September 12, 2019

Ramsey played against OSU last year in a 46-29 loss in Ohio Stadium. He completed 26 of 49 passes for 322 yards and three touchdowns.

He started 16 games his first two seasons, winning the job early in his redshirt freshman year after Richard Langeloh passed for 410 yards and three TDs in a 49-21 loss to Ohio State in the season-opener.

"We won’t know anything until game time,'' Allen said. "He's working through some things right now and we're not 100 percent sure. I'm not going to give you specifics, but it's also not going to be a long-term thing. He just wasn't feeling right.''

Many were surprised Ramsey, who owned Indiana's career completion percentage record after his first two years, lost the job to Penix in the pre-season.

Man, a 128 passer rating in two seasons and being the all time leader in completion percentage at the school is not enough yet... no doubt Peyton will be back on the field! As tough a player and competitor as you’ll find! https://t.co/JpEx9zEln6

— Tony Pike (@tony_pike15) August 26, 2019

Ramsey completed 13 of 14 attempts for 226 yards and two touchdowns Saturday in relief of Penix at the midpoint of an eventual 52-0 rout of Eastern Illinois.

That seemed just a change related to the blowout and Allen wanting to get backups some time until the IU coach said after practice Thursday that Penix might not play against OSU.

Buckeyes head coach Ryan Day took the news in stride.

“We’ve been preparing that way all along anyway,” Day said. “So nothing changes that way. I don’t really know how it’s all going to play out. Even if somebody’s healthy, after the second play they could go down. So you have to be ready for both and have a plan for both.”

Ohio State's plan for Ramsey won't need to focus on him as a rusher, like it would Penix, who's scrambled nine times for 78 yards in six quarters.

Penix is a little bit more mobile, a younger guy," Day said. "Ramsey is a competitive guy.. We've seen him play before. He's good. He's tough, and a really good competitive player."